80-15-213. Beneficial use to be considered in developing management plans -- water classification. - Montana Statutes

     80-15-213. Beneficial use to be considered in developing management plans -- water classification. (1) (a) In developing general and specific agricultural chemical ground water management plans, the department shall consider the current and potential beneficial use of the ground water included in or affected by the plans.
     (b) If the ground water has not been classified:
     (i) the department shall consider it to be included in the classification representing the highest quality of ground water until the ground water is classified by the department of environmental quality; and
     (ii) the department may proceed to develop an agricultural chemical ground water management plan as provided in 80-15-212(1) and (2).
     (2) The department may request the department of environmental quality to classify certain ground water and may collect the data and information required by the department of environmental quality to classify the ground water. If adequate technical data and financial resources are available as determined by the department of environmental quality, the department of environmental quality shall classify ground water at locations as requested by the department.

     History: En. Sec. 12(5), (6), Ch. 668, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 340, Ch. 418, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 561, L. 2005.