U.S. Water News Online
HELENA, Mont. -- Just two years after lawmakers instituted the so-called "water tax," political winds have turned against the fee aimed at speeding up water rights claims.
In 2005, it was being called a "fee" when groups representing farmers, ranchers, dam owners and others helped push through the $20-per-water-claim bill for holders of water rights.
But since bills were mailed out a year ago the water fee has become markedly less popular. The governor and Republicans alike have started calling it a tax and both have promised to repeal at least some of the fee, replacing it with general tax money instead.
Four bills that would roll back the fee were pitched to the House Natural Resources Committee. Interest groups and agency representatives lined up to each support at least one of the measures. No one opposed the plans.
"A reduction or elimination of the fee on water rights is one of the 60th Legislature's highest priorities," said Rep. Margaret Campbell, D-Poplar.
The panel did not immediately take any action on the bills. But Republican and Democrat legislative leaders alike have said they want to move on repealing the fee.
Campbell's plan was favored by the administration of Gov. Brian Schweitzer. It would spend roughly $16 million to repeal the fee for those who have total bills less than $400. Large water rights holders, like PPL Montana, would continue to pay the fee.
Rep. Debby Barrett, R-Dillon, is part of the Republican leadership that holds a slim lead in the state House and she pitched a plan to spend $25 million to repeal the fee for everyone.
Mary Sexton, director of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, said water adjudication has been speeding along with the extra money provided by the fee.
She said 14,000 water rights claims have been settled so far. The work would continue without the fee, but the state would pick up the tab instead.
"I think the acceleration process is working very well and we are well on our way to completing water adjudication for Montana," Sexton said.
The Montana Constitution written in 1972 requires a system for adjudicating all claims to water. Of 220,000 filed over the years, tens of thousands remain unexamined. The goal of the stepped-up review effort is to settle water claims in 10 years.
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