The luxury resort Crazy Mountain Ranch faced scrutiny in court over accusations of illegally using vast quantities of water for its golf course last summer. The primary questions were whether the violation warranted a daily fine of $1,000 and if the ranch had unknowingly sourced water illegally from Boulder. Judge Matthew Wald found Crazy Mountain Ranch guilty of using unauthorized water, but opted against imposing the $8,000 fine proposed by Montana’s water-right administrator. Instead, he urged the resort to thoroughly vet water sources in the future.
The ruling followed a heated discussion between Crazy Mountain Ranch and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) at the Park County courthouse. This exchange is part of a prolonged legal dispute over the water supply for Crazy Mountain Ranch’s golf course, meant to coexist with the agricultural water needs of neighboring lands. CrossHarbor, the developer, describes the course as a “challenging yet playable course that blends with the landscape.” Many local landowners have criticized the DNRC for letting construction proceed without water rights approval.
It was confirmed that Crazy Mountain Ranch purchased water from an unauthorized Boulder well, violating state law. The ranch began transporting water from Boulder last summer after Judge Wald criticized the use of water from Rock Creek, historically allocated for agriculture. The Boulder aquifer water, accessed from a well in a wooden pumphouse near Helena, was used to keep the 18-hole course green.
In court, Crazy Mountain Ranch’s attorney, Peter Scott, argued they had no obligation to verify the well’s legality and claimed the ranch was being unfairly targeted. DNRC lawyer Jennifer Wells countered that the ranch had breached the Montana Water Use Act multiple times and accused it of evading compliance with state laws. The DNRC has been actively pursuing Crazy Mountain Ranch’s adherence to regulations due to persistent noncompliance.
The outcome of the case does not resolve how Crazy Mountain Ranch will secure future water for its golf course, but it clears the immediate question of fines for sourcing water from Boulder. The ranch is pursuing temporary water leasing and a change application process for long-term water rights. The ongoing discussions and legal maneuvers surrounding Crazy Mountain Ranch reflect broader issues of water rights enforcement in Montana.
For further details, refer to the full agreement and developments on water rights applications.
—
Read More Montana News
