Montana § 76-15-905 - Coal Bed Methane Protection Program -- Restrictions

§ 76-15-905. Coal Bed Methane Protection Program -- Restrictions

Coal bed methane protection program -- restrictions. (1) There is a coal bed methane protection program administered by conservation districts that have coal beds within the exterior boundary of the district or whose water sources may be adversely affected by the extraction of coal bed methane. The purpose of the coal bed methane protection program is to compensate private landowners or water right holders for damage caused by coal bed methane development. (2) A conservation district shall establish procedures, approved by the department, for evaluating claims for compensation submitted by a landowner or water right holder. The procedures must include: (a) a method for submitting an application for compensation for damages caused by coal bed methane development; (b) a process for determining the cost of the damage to land, surface water, or ground water, if any, caused by coal bed methane development; (c) the development of eligibility requirements for receiving compensation that include an applicant's access to existing sources of state funding, including state-mandated payments, that compensate for damages; and (d) criteria for ranking applications related to available resources. (3) An eligible recipient for compensation includes private landowners and water right holders who can demonstrate as the result of damage caused by coal bed methane development: (a) a loss of agricultural production or a loss in the value of land; (b) a reduction in the quantity or quality of water available from a surface water or ground water source that affects the beneficial use of water; or (c) the contamination of surface water or ground water that prevents its beneficial use. (4) (a) Subject to the conditions of subsections (5) through (8), an eligible landowner may be compensated for the damages incurred by the landowner for loss of agricultural production and income, lost land value, and lost value of improvements caused by coal bed methane development. A payment made under this subsection (4)(a) may only cover land directly affected by coal bed methane development. (b) Subject to the conditions of subsections (5) through (8), an eligible water right holder may be compensated for damages caused by the contamination, diminution, or interruption of surface water or ground water. (5) In order to qualify for a payment of damages under this section, the landowner or water right holder shall demonstrate that it is unlikely that compensation will be made by the coal bed methane developer or operator who is liable for the damage to land or the reduction in or contamination of surface water or ground water as the result of coal bed methane development. (6) Compensation made to a landowner or a water right holder under this section may not exceed 75% of the cost of the damages. The maximum amount paid to a landowner or water right holder may not exceed $50,000. (7) Conservation district administrative expenses for services provided under this section are eligible costs for reimbursement from the coal bed methane protection account. (8) (a) Except as provided in subsection (8)(b), compensation for damages allowed under this section may be made only after June 30, 2011. (b) Compensation for an emergency may be made after June 30, 2005.