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href="#Classification_of_waters"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2</span> <span>Classification of waters</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Classification_of_waters-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-See_also" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#See_also"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3</span> <span>See also</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-See_also-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Advocates_for_Montana_public_stream_access" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Advocates_for_Montana_public_stream_access"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">4</span> <span>Advocates for Montana public stream access</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Advocates_for_Montana_public_stream_access-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Advocates_for_reduced_Montana_public_stream_access" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Advocates_for_reduced_Montana_public_stream_access"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">5</span> <span>Advocates for reduced Montana public stream access</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Advocates_for_reduced_Montana_public_stream_access-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-References" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#References"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">6</span> <span>References</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-References-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Further_reading" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Further_reading"> <div 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class="vector-pinnable-header-toggle-button vector-pinnable-header-pin-button" data-event-name="pinnable-header.vector-appearance.pin">move to sidebar</button> <button class="vector-pinnable-header-toggle-button vector-pinnable-header-unpin-button" data-event-name="pinnable-header.vector-appearance.unpin">hide</button> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div id="bodyContent" class="vector-body" aria-labelledby="firstHeading" data-mw-ve-target-container> <div class="vector-body-before-content"> <div class="mw-indicators"> </div> <div id="siteSub" class="noprint">From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</div> </div> <div id="contentSub"><div id="mw-content-subtitle"></div></div> <div id="mw-content-text" class="mw-body-content"><div class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr"><div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none">Law in the State of Montana</div><figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:EastGallatinRiverCountyRoadAccess.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/EastGallatinRiverCountyRoadAccess.jpg/220px-EastGallatinRiverCountyRoadAccess.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/EastGallatinRiverCountyRoadAccess.jpg/330px-EastGallatinRiverCountyRoadAccess.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/EastGallatinRiverCountyRoadAccess.jpg/440px-EastGallatinRiverCountyRoadAccess.jpg 2x" data-file-width="3072" data-file-height="2304" /></a><figcaption>Favorable posted county road bridge crossing on <a href="/wiki/East_Gallatin_River" title="East Gallatin River">East Gallatin River</a> near <a href="/wiki/Belgrade,_MT" class="mw-redirect" title="Belgrade, MT">Belgrade, MT</a></figcaption></figure> <p>The <b>Montana Stream Access Law</b> says that <a href="/wiki/Angling" title="Angling">anglers</a>, <a href="/wiki/Canoeing" title="Canoeing">floaters</a> and other recreationists in <a href="/wiki/Montana" title="Montana">Montana</a> have full use of most natural waterways between the high-water marks for <a href="/wiki/Fishing" title="Fishing">fishing</a> and floating, along with <a href="/wiki/Human_swimming" class="mw-redirect" title="Human swimming">swimming</a> and other river or stream-related activities. In 1984, the <a href="/wiki/Montana_Supreme_Court" title="Montana Supreme Court">Montana Supreme Court</a> held that the streambed of any river or stream that has the capability to be used for <a href="/wiki/Recreation" title="Recreation">recreation</a> can be accessed by the public regardless of whether the river is navigable or who owns the streambed property.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-StreamAccess_2-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-StreamAccess-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> On January 16, 2014, the Montana Supreme Court, in a lawsuit filed by the Public Land/Water Access Association over access via county bridges on the <a href="/wiki/Ruby_River" title="Ruby River">Ruby river</a> in <a href="/wiki/Madison_County,_Montana" title="Madison County, Montana">Madison County, Montana</a> reaffirmed the Montana Stream Access Law and the public's right to access rivers in Montana from public easements.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Details_of_Stream_Access">Details of Stream Access</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Montana_Stream_Access_Law&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Details of Stream Access"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:CampingJeffersonRiverOct2008.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/CampingJeffersonRiverOct2008.JPG/220px-CampingJeffersonRiverOct2008.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/CampingJeffersonRiverOct2008.JPG/330px-CampingJeffersonRiverOct2008.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/CampingJeffersonRiverOct2008.JPG/440px-CampingJeffersonRiverOct2008.JPG 2x" data-file-width="3072" data-file-height="2304" /></a><figcaption>Camping on the Jefferson River below the high-water mark – an example of public stream access rights</figcaption></figure> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:MontanaPublicBridgeAccess.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/MontanaPublicBridgeAccess.JPG/220px-MontanaPublicBridgeAccess.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/MontanaPublicBridgeAccess.JPG/330px-MontanaPublicBridgeAccess.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/MontanaPublicBridgeAccess.JPG/440px-MontanaPublicBridgeAccess.JPG 2x" data-file-width="3072" data-file-height="2304" /></a><figcaption>Public access from a bridge right-of-way</figcaption></figure> <p>The core law creating the Montana Stream Access law began with Article IX, section 3 of the 1972 Montana Constitution, which addressed state ownership of Montana waters. In 1984 in <i>Montana Coalition for Stream Access, Inc. v. Curran,</i> the Montana Supreme Court held that "under the public trust doctrine and the 1972 Montana Constitution, any surface waters that are capable of recreational use may be so used by the public without regard to streambed ownership or navigability for nonrecreational purposes."<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> This decision was expanded upon in the same year by <i>Mont. Coalition for Stream Access, Inc. v. Hildreth</i>.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Both cases noted that streambed access did not imply that the public had a right to cross private lands to access streams.<sup id="cite_ref-BRPAII_6-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-BRPAII-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Following <i>Curran</i> and <i>Hildreth</i>, the Montana Legislature enacted the Stream Access Law in 1985.<sup id="cite_ref-BRPAII_6-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-BRPAII-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> An Attorney General's opinion added <a href="/wiki/Animal_trapping" class="mw-redirect" title="Animal trapping">trapping</a> to the list of permissible recreational uses.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The question of stream access at bridge crossings was resolved by HB 190 in 2009. The law states that a landowner may erect fences abutting bridge structures to control livestock so long as the fence includes approved access features such as gates, stiles etc..<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Classification_of_waters">Classification of waters</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Montana_Stream_Access_Law&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Classification of waters"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The law creates two classifications of waters capable of recreational use: Class I and Class II. Class I are waters which are capable of recreational use and have been declared navigable or which are capable of specific kinds of commercial activity including commercial outfitting with multi-person watercraft. Class II waters are all other rivers and streams capable of recreational use that are not Class I waters.<sup id="cite_ref-StreamAccess_2-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-StreamAccess-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p><b>Class I Waters</b> </p> <ul><li>Kootenai River Drainage <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Kootenai_River" class="mw-redirect" title="Kootenai River">Kootenai River</a> - from Libby Dam to the Idaho border</li> <li>Lake Creek - from Chase cut-off-road to its confluence with the Kootenai River</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Yaak_River" title="Yaak River">Yaak River</a> - from Yaak Falls to its confluence with the Kootenai River</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Flathead_River" title="Flathead River">Flathead River</a> Drainage <ul><li>South fork of the Flathead - from Youngs creek to Hungry Horse reservoir</li> <li>Middle fork of the Flathead - from Schaffer creek to its confluence with the Flathead River</li> <li>Flathead River (mainstem) - to its confluence with the Clark Fork River</li></ul></li> <li>Clark Fork of the Columbia River Drainage <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Clark_Fork_River" title="Clark Fork River">Clark Fork River</a> - from Warm Spring Creek to the Idaho border</li> <li>North Fork of the Blackfoot - from highway 200 east of Ovando to its confluence with the mainstem of the Blackfoot River</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Blackfoot_River_(Montana)" title="Blackfoot River (Montana)">Blackfoot River</a> - from the Cedar Meadow fishing access site west of Helmville to its confluence with the Clark Fork River</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bitterroot_River" title="Bitterroot River">Bitterroot River</a> - from the confluence of the East and West forks to its confluence with the Clark Fork River</li> <li>Rock Creek - from the confluence of the West fork to its confluence with the Clark Fork River</li></ul></li> <li>Missouri River Drainage <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Missouri_River" title="Missouri River">Missouri River</a> - from Three Forks to the North Dakota border</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Beaverhead_River" title="Beaverhead River">Beaverhead River</a> - from Clark Canyon Dam to its confluence with the Jefferson River</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Big_Hole_River" title="Big Hole River">Big Hole River</a> - from Fishtrap fishing access downstream from Wisdom to its confluence with the Jefferson River</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Gallatin_River" title="Gallatin River">Gallatin River</a> - from Taylors Fork to its confluence with the Missouri River</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Jefferson_River" title="Jefferson River">Jefferson River</a> - to its confluence with the Missouri River</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Madison_River" title="Madison River">Madison River</a> - from Quake Lake to its confluence with the Missouri River</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dearborn_River" title="Dearborn River">Dearborn River</a> - from Highway 431 bridge to its confluence with the Missouri River</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sun_River" title="Sun River">Sun River</a> - from Gibson Dam to its confluence with the Missouri River</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Smith_River_(Montana)" title="Smith River (Montana)">Smith River</a> - from the Camp Baker Fishing Access site near Ft. Logan to its confluence with the Missouri River</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Marias_River" title="Marias River">Marias River</a> - from Tiber Dam to its confluence with the Missouri River</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Judith_River" title="Judith River">Judith River</a> - from the confluence with Big Spring Creek to its confluence with the Missouri River</li></ul></li> <li>Yellowstone River Drainage <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Yellowstone_River" title="Yellowstone River">Yellowstone River</a> - from <a href="/wiki/Yellowstone_National_Park" title="Yellowstone National Park">Yellowstone National Park</a> to the <a href="/wiki/North_Dakota" title="North Dakota">North Dakota</a> border</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bighorn_River" title="Bighorn River">Bighorn River</a> - from <a href="/wiki/Yellowtail_Dam" title="Yellowtail Dam">Yellowtail Dam</a> to its confluence with the Yellowstone River</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tongue_River_(Montana)" title="Tongue River (Montana)">Tongue River</a> - from <a href="/wiki/Tongue_River_Dam" title="Tongue River Dam">Tongue River Dam</a> to its confluence with the Yellowstone River</li></ul></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="See_also">See also</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Montana_Stream_Access_Law&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: See also"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Public_trust_doctrine" title="Public trust doctrine">Public trust doctrine</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Water_law" class="mw-redirect" title="Water law">Water law</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_rivers_of_Montana" title="List of rivers of Montana">List of rivers of Montana</a></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Advocates_for_Montana_public_stream_access">Advocates for Montana public stream access</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Montana_Stream_Access_Law&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Advocates for Montana public stream access"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><b>Public Land/Water Access Association</b> - The mission of the association is to maintain, restore, and perpetuate public access to the boundaries of all Montana public land and waters.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li><b>Montana River Action</b> - The clean flowing waters of Montana belong to the people and are held in trust by the State for a pollution-free healthful environment guaranteed by our Montana Constitution. Montana River Action's mission is to protect and restore rivers, streams and other water bodies.<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li><b>Montana Wildlife Federation</b> - Dedicated to conservation and preservation of Montana's wildlife, lands, waters and Montana fair-chase hunting and fishing heritage; Prioritizing public access to public wildlife and public lands.<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>11<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Advocates_for_reduced_Montana_public_stream_access">Advocates for reduced Montana public stream access</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Montana_Stream_Access_Law&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Advocates for reduced Montana public stream access"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><b>Property and Environment Research Center (PERC)</b> - Improving environmental quality through property rights and markets.<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-12"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li><b>Montana Farm Bureau Federation</b> Agricultural organization supporting interests of irrigators and landowners.<sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-13"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Montana_Stream_Access_Law&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap mw-references-columns"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://leg.mt.gov/bills/MCA_toc/23_2_3.htm">Montana Code Annotated 2013; Title 23, Parks, Recreation, Sports and Gambling; Chapter 2, Recreation; Part 3. Recreational Use of Streams</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-StreamAccess-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-StreamAccess_2-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-StreamAccess_2-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://fwp.mt.gov/content/getItem.aspx?id=24929">Stream Access in Montana</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090310102406/http://fwp.mt.gov/content/getItem.aspx?id=24929">Archived</a> 2009-03-10 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite id="CITEREFDavid_v._Goliath" class="citation web cs1">David v. Goliath. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.plwa.org/viewarticle.php?id=266">"Resounding Victory In Montana Supreme Court"</a>. Public Lands/Water Access Association<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2014-03-20</span></span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Resounding+Victory+In+Montana+Supreme+Court&rft.pub=Public+Lands%2FWater+Access+Association&rft.au=David+v.+Goliath&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.plwa.org%2Fviewarticle.php%3Fid%3D266&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMontana+Stream+Access+Law" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-4">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><i>Montana Coalition for Stream Access, Inc. v. Curran,</i> 210 Mont. 38, 53, 682 P.2d 163, 171 (1984)</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-5">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">211 Mont. 29, 35, 684 P.2d 1088, 1091 (1984)</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-BRPAII-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-BRPAII_6-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-BRPAII_6-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><i>see Bitterroot Protective Ass'n v. Bitterroot Conservation Dist. (BRPA II),</i> 2008 MT 377, 346 Mont. 507, 198 P.3d 219</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-7"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-7">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">41 A.G. Op. 36 (1985)</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-8"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-8">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFLane,_Robert_N.2015" class="citation web cs1">Lane, Robert N. (2015). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://scholarship.law.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1434&context=plrlr/">"The Remarkable Odyssey of Stream Access in Montana"</a>. Public Land and Resources Law Review Vol. 36, Article 5<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2018-04-10</span></span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=The+Remarkable+Odyssey+of+Stream+Access+in+Montana&rft.pub=Public+Land+and+Resources+Law+Review+Vol.+36%2C+Article+5&rft.date=2015&rft.au=Lane%2C+Robert+N.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fscholarship.law.umt.edu%2Fcgi%2Fviewcontent.cgi%3Farticle%3D1434%26context%3Dplrlr%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMontana+Stream+Access+Law" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-9"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-9">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.plwa.org/">Public Land/Water Access website</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-10"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-10">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.montanariveraction.org">Montana River Action website</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-11"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-11">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.montanawildlife.org">Montana Wildlife Federation website</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-12"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-12">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110927141249/http://www.perc.org/articles/article749.php?view=print">"Roundtable Discussion of Montana's Stream Access"</a>. PERC. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.perc.org/articles/article749.php?view=print">the original</a> on 2011-09-27<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2011-02-01</span></span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Roundtable+Discussion+of+Montana%27s+Stream+Access&rft.pub=PERC&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.perc.org%2Farticles%2Farticle749.php%3Fview%3Dprint&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMontana+Stream+Access+Law" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-13"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-13">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://mfbf.org/2008/11/mfbf-extremely-disappointed-in-mitchell-ditch-ruling/">"MFBF extremely disappointed in Mitchell Ditch ruling"</a><sup class="noprint Inline-Template"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot" title="Wikipedia:Link rot"><span title=" Dead link tagged February 2018">permanent dead link</span></a></i><span style="visibility:hidden; color:transparent; padding-left:2px">‍</span>]</span></sup></span> </li> </ol></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Further_reading">Further reading</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Montana_Stream_Access_Law&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Further reading"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFSullivan2008" class="citation book cs1">Sullivan, Gordon (2008). <span class="id-lock-registration" title="Free registration required"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/savinghomewaters0000sull"><i>Saving Homewaters: The Story of Montana's Streams and Rivers</i></a></span>. Woodstock, VT: The Countryman Press. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-88150-679-2" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-88150-679-2"><bdi>978-0-88150-679-2</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Saving+Homewaters%3A+The+Story+of+Montana%27s+Streams+and+Rivers&rft.place=Woodstock%2C+VT&rft.pub=The+Countryman+Press&rft.date=2008&rft.isbn=978-0-88150-679-2&rft.aulast=Sullivan&rft.aufirst=Gordon&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fsavinghomewaters0000sull&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMontana+Stream+Access+Law" class="Z3988"></span></li></ul> <div class="navbox-styles"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1129693374">.mw-parser-output .hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul{margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt,.mw-parser-output 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td.hlist ul{padding:0.125em 0}.mw-parser-output .navbox .navbar{display:block;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .navbox-title .navbar{float:left;text-align:left;margin-right:0.5em}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .navbox-image img{max-width:none!important}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .navbox{display:none!important}}</style></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="State_of_Montana" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239400231">.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:inline;font-size:88%;font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .navbar-collapse{float:left;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .navbar-boxtext{word-spacing:0}.mw-parser-output .navbar ul{display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;line-height:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::before{margin-right:-0.125em;content:"[ "}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::after{margin-left:-0.125em;content:" ]"}.mw-parser-output .navbar li{word-spacing:-0.125em}.mw-parser-output .navbar a>span,.mw-parser-output .navbar a>abbr{text-decoration:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-mini abbr{font-variant:small-caps;border-bottom:none;text-decoration:none;cursor:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-full{font-size:114%;margin:0 7em}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-mini{font-size:114%;margin:0 4em}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}}@media print{.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:none!important}}</style><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Montana" title="Template:Montana"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Montana" title="Template talk:Montana"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Montana" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Montana"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="State_of_Montana" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/U.S._state" title="U.S. state">State</a> of <a href="/wiki/Montana" title="Montana">Montana</a></div></th></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2"><div><b><a href="/wiki/Helena,_Montana" title="Helena, Montana">Helena</a></b> (capital)</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Outline_of_Montana" title="Outline of Montana">Topics</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Index_of_Montana-related_articles" title="Index of Montana-related articles">Index</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Climate_change_in_Montana" title="Climate change in Montana">Climate change</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/United_States_congressional_delegations_from_Montana" title="United States congressional delegations from Montana">Congressional delegations</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Montana#Geography" title="Montana">Geography</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Montana_State_Government" title="Montana State Government">Government</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_governors_of_Montana" title="List of governors of Montana">Governors</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_Montana" title="History of Montana">History</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Bibliography_of_Montana_history" title="Bibliography of Montana history">bibliography</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_people_from_Montana" title="List of people from Montana">People</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_Montana_state_parks" title="List of Montana state parks">Protected areas</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Montana#Sports" title="Montana">Sports</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_Montana_state_symbols" title="List of Montana state symbols">State symbols</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/The_Last_Best_Place" title="The Last Best Place">The Last Best Place</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Transportation_in_Montana" title="Transportation in Montana">Transportation</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Category:Tourist_attractions_in_Montana" title="Category:Tourist attractions in Montana">Tourist attractions</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Society</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Abortion_in_Montana" title="Abortion in Montana">Abortion</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cannabis_in_Montana" title="Cannabis in Montana">Cannabis</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Crime_in_Montana" title="Crime in Montana">Crime</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Montana#Culture" title="Montana">Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Montana#Demographics" title="Montana">Demographics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Montana#Economy" title="Montana">Economy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Montana#Education" title="Montana">Education</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Gun_laws_in_Montana" title="Gun laws in Montana">Gun laws</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Montana#Politics" title="Montana">Politics</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Montana" class="mw-redirect" title="LGBT rights in Montana">LGBT rights</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/List_of_regions_of_the_United_States#Montana" title="List of regions of the United States">Regions</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Eastern_Montana" title="Eastern Montana">Eastern Montana</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/The_Flathead" class="mw-redirect" title="The Flathead">The Flathead</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glacier_National_Park_(U.S.)" title="Glacier National Park (U.S.)">Glacier National Park</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Regional_designations_of_Montana" class="mw-redirect" title="Regional designations of Montana">Regional designations of Montana</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Western_Montana" title="Western Montana">Western Montana</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Yellowstone_National_Park" title="Yellowstone National Park">Yellowstone</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/List_of_cities_and_towns_in_Montana" class="mw-redirect" title="List of cities and towns in Montana">Largest cities</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Anaconda,_Montana" title="Anaconda, Montana">Anaconda</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Belgrade,_Montana" title="Belgrade, Montana">Belgrade</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Billings,_Montana" title="Billings, Montana">Billings</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bozeman,_Montana" title="Bozeman, Montana">Bozeman</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Butte,_Montana" title="Butte, Montana">Butte</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Columbia_Falls,_Montana" title="Columbia Falls, Montana">Columbia Falls</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dillon,_Montana" title="Dillon, Montana">Dillon</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glendive,_Montana" title="Glendive, Montana">Glendive</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Great_Falls,_Montana" title="Great Falls, Montana">Great Falls</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hamilton,_Montana" title="Hamilton, Montana">Hamilton</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Havre,_Montana" title="Havre, Montana">Havre</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Helena,_Montana" title="Helena, Montana">Helena</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kalispell,_Montana" title="Kalispell, Montana">Kalispell</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Laurel,_Montana" title="Laurel, Montana">Laurel</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lewistown,_Montana" title="Lewistown, Montana">Lewistown</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Livingston,_Montana" title="Livingston, Montana">Livingston</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Miles_City,_Montana" title="Miles City, Montana">Miles City</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Missoula,_Montana" title="Missoula, Montana">Missoula</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Polson,_Montana" title="Polson, Montana">Polson</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sidney,_Montana" title="Sidney, Montana">Sidney</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Whitefish,_Montana" title="Whitefish, Montana">Whitefish</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/List_of_counties_in_Montana" title="List of counties in Montana">Counties</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Beaverhead_County,_Montana" title="Beaverhead County, Montana">Beaverhead</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Big_Horn_County,_Montana" title="Big Horn County, Montana">Big Horn</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Blaine_County,_Montana" title="Blaine County, Montana">Blaine</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Broadwater_County,_Montana" title="Broadwater County, Montana">Broadwater</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Carbon_County,_Montana" title="Carbon County, Montana">Carbon</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Carter_County,_Montana" title="Carter County, Montana">Carter</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cascade_County,_Montana" title="Cascade County, Montana">Cascade</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Chouteau_County,_Montana" title="Chouteau County, Montana">Chouteau</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Custer_County,_Montana" title="Custer County, Montana">Custer</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Daniels_County,_Montana" title="Daniels County, Montana">Daniels</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dawson_County,_Montana" title="Dawson County, Montana">Dawson</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Deer_Lodge_County,_Montana" title="Deer Lodge County, Montana">Deer Lodge</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Fallon_County,_Montana" title="Fallon County, Montana">Fallon</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Fergus_County,_Montana" title="Fergus County, Montana">Fergus</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Flathead_County,_Montana" title="Flathead County, Montana">Flathead</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Gallatin_County,_Montana" title="Gallatin County, Montana">Gallatin</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Garfield_County,_Montana" title="Garfield County, Montana">Garfield</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glacier_County,_Montana" title="Glacier County, Montana">Glacier</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Golden_Valley_County,_Montana" title="Golden Valley County, Montana">Golden Valley</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Granite_County,_Montana" title="Granite County, Montana">Granite</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hill_County,_Montana" title="Hill County, Montana">Hill</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Jefferson_County,_Montana" title="Jefferson County, Montana">Jefferson</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Judith_Basin_County,_Montana" title="Judith Basin County, Montana">Judith Basin</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lake_County,_Montana" title="Lake County, Montana">Lake</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark_County,_Montana" title="Lewis and Clark County, Montana">Lewis and Clark</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Liberty_County,_Montana" title="Liberty County, Montana">Liberty</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lincoln_County,_Montana" title="Lincoln County, Montana">Lincoln</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Madison_County,_Montana" title="Madison County, Montana">Madison</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/McCone_County,_Montana" title="McCone County, Montana">McCone</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Meagher_County,_Montana" title="Meagher County, Montana">Meagher</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mineral_County,_Montana" title="Mineral County, Montana">Mineral</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Missoula_County,_Montana" title="Missoula County, Montana">Missoula</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Musselshell_County,_Montana" title="Musselshell County, Montana">Musselshell</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Park_County,_Montana" title="Park County, Montana">Park</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Petroleum_County,_Montana" title="Petroleum County, Montana">Petroleum</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Phillips_County,_Montana" title="Phillips County, Montana">Phillips</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pondera_County,_Montana" title="Pondera County, Montana">Pondera</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Powder_River_County,_Montana" title="Powder River County, Montana">Powder River</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Powell_County,_Montana" title="Powell County, Montana">Powell</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Prairie_County,_Montana" title="Prairie County, Montana">Prairie</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ravalli_County,_Montana" title="Ravalli County, Montana">Ravalli</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Richland_County,_Montana" title="Richland County, Montana">Richland</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Roosevelt_County,_Montana" title="Roosevelt County, Montana">Roosevelt</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Rosebud_County,_Montana" title="Rosebud County, Montana">Rosebud</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sanders_County,_Montana" title="Sanders County, Montana">Sanders</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sheridan_County,_Montana" title="Sheridan County, Montana">Sheridan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Silver_Bow_County,_Montana" title="Silver Bow County, Montana">Silver Bow</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Stillwater_County,_Montana" title="Stillwater County, Montana">Stillwater</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sweet_Grass_County,_Montana" title="Sweet Grass County, Montana">Sweet Grass</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Teton_County,_Montana" title="Teton County, Montana">Teton</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Toole_County,_Montana" title="Toole County, Montana">Toole</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Treasure_County,_Montana" title="Treasure County, Montana">Treasure</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Valley_County,_Montana" title="Valley County, Montana">Valley</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Wheatland_County,_Montana" title="Wheatland County, Montana">Wheatland</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Wibaux_County,_Montana" title="Wibaux County, Montana">Wibaux</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Yellowstone_County,_Montana" title="Yellowstone County, Montana">Yellowstone</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2"><div><b><span class="nowrap"><span class="mw-image-border noviewer" typeof="mw:File"><span><img alt="flag" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Flag_of_Montana.svg/32px-Flag_of_Montana.svg.png" decoding="async" width="32" height="21" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Flag_of_Montana.svg/48px-Flag_of_Montana.svg.png 1.5x, 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