Yellowstone River, between Clarks Fork Yellowstone and Bighorn River Basin43Q

Notice that Objections have been Filed and Hearings Requested

This is your personal notice that objections have been filed and hearings have been requested on 466 water right claims issued in the Temporary Preliminary Decree of the Yellowstone River Between the Clarks Fork Yellowstone and Bighorn Rivers Basin (43Q).

Notice of April 4 Public Meeting

The Montana Water Court is holding an informal meeting about your water rights adjudication. This will be a practical AHow To@ presentation. Come and Bring your questions. It will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2000 at 7:30 PM in the Bighorn Room of the Holiday Inn, 5500 Midland Road, Billings, Montana.

What is Happening?

An Objection List has been prepared that sets out the claim number, the ownership and source of the claims that received an objection and further identifies the objecting party and the general nature of the objection. Any of these claims may be changed as a result of evidence submitted to the Water Court. Changes to a neighbor's water right may affect your water rights. Accordingly, you may want to file a Notice of Intent to Appear in order to be kept informed of the progress of objections on certain water right claims or to become an active third party in the claim proceedings. After this decree has been modified by objections and hearings, it is enforceable.

For Your Protection, We Suggest That You Thoroughly Review the Objection List. You Can Then Decide Whether You Want to File a Notice of Intent to Appear and Take Part in Any Claim Proceedings. You Can See the Objection List for this Basin at the Locations Listed on the Other Side.

Who must File a Notice of Intent to Appear?

If you are not already involved in a water right claim as the claimant or objector but you wish to participate in the proceedings regarding that water right claim, you must file a Notice of Intent to Appear. You will be limited to discussing those issues that have already been raised by the objections. Those who timely file a Notice of Intent to Appear on a claim will receive notice of all further proceedings relevant to the objections to that claim.

A Claimant and Objector to a Water Right Claim Do Not Have to File a Notice of Intent to Appear in Order to Participate in Any of the Proceedings for That Claim.

How to File a Notice of Intent to Appear

A NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPEAR MUST BE FILED ON THE FORMS PROVIDED BY THE WATER COURT. These forms can be found at the offices listed on the other side. Notices of Intent to Appear must be returned to the Montana Water Court, P. O. Box 1389, Bozeman, MT 59771-1389.

All Notices of Intent to Appear Must Be Received by The Montana Water
Court Before 5:00 PM on April 24, 2000.

Where to see the Objection List and Obtain Forms

The Objection List may be reviewed and Notice of Intent to Appear forms may be obtained at:

1. Montana Water Court, 601 Haggerty Lane, Bozeman, Montana

2. Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, Water Resources Regional Office,

Airport Industrial Park, 1371 Rimtop Drive, Billings Montana 59105-1978.

You may obtain a copy of the 202 page Objection List from the Montana Water Court. The cost of this List is $10.00. The Objection List and Notice of Intent to Appear Forms are also available from the Water Court on two 32" computer disks in Corel WordPerfect 8 for $5.00. They are also posted on the Internet at www.dnrc.state.mt.us/wrd/home.htm Click on Water Rights, then Water Court Activity and then scroll down to Basin #43Q and click. OR point your browser directly at ftp://flathead.dnrc.state.mt.us/water/bsn_43Q.htm

The Objection List does not contain all of the information included on the objection form. To obtain a copy of an objection in its entirety, contact the Montana Water Court, P. O. Box 1389, Bozeman, MT 59771-1389, (406) 586-4364 or toll free (in Montana only) 1-800-624-3270.

What Happens after a Notice of Intent to Appear is Filed?

The claimant, objectors and those who filed a Notice of Intent to Appear will be notified by the Court of the time and date set for the First Status Conference and all other Court proceedings. If you file a Notice of Intent to Appear, you will be expected to participate actively in the Court proceedings.

Are We Using your Correct Mailing Address?

If the mailing label on the envelope in which this Notice was enclosed is incorrect, please notify the Dept. of Natural Resources & Conservation.

Any Questions? Call the DNRC Billings Office at (406) 247-4415, 247-4419, 247-4421, or 247-4424 or call the Montana Water Court's toll free number 1-800-624-3270 (in Montana). Our regular office number is (406) 586-4364 and it is not toll free.

DATED this 23rd day of February, 2000.

______________________________
C. BRUCE LOBLE
Chief Water Judge
Montana Water Court
P. O. Box 1389
Bozeman, MT 59771-1389

REMINDER:

- Public Meeting on April 4, 2000 at 7:30 PM at the Holiday Inn, Billings, Montana.
- Notice of Intent to Appear must be filed by April 24, 2000.

DNRC Water Resources Division

Montana Water Court PO Box 879 Bozeman, MT 59771-0879 1-800-624-3270 (In-state only) (406) 586-4364

In the Water Court of the State of Montana Yellowstone Division