Public meetings planned in May to review details

The Milltown Water Right, once a privately owned hydropower right at the former Milltown Dam site, is now in public ownership and becomes enforceable this year. An implementation framework that describes the right and what to expect was released last week.

The water right, co-owned by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT), will be managed for the purpose of instream fishery conservation in the Upper Clark Fork and Blackfoot River Basins. The Milltown Work Group, which included members from FWP, CSKT, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and the Natural Resource Damage Program, worked together to develop the implementation framework and shares a long-term vision for water management in these areas.

Although the right becomes enforceable on April 24, 2025, this year’s focus is on communication and planning. CSKT and FWP will continue to work with water users to set goals for stream conditions and develop localized water management plans this year and into the future.

Review the framework online at fwp.mt.gov. Public meetings, hosted by FWP and CSKT, are set for May to go through the details and answer questions:

• May 19, Deer Lodge at 6:30 p.m. Powell Community Center (416 Cottonwood Ave)
• May 20, Ovando at 6:30 p.m. Ovando Fire Hall (410 Main St)
• May 22, Drummond at 6:30 p.m. Community Hall (52 East Broad St)

For over 100 years, the Milltown Water Right was used by the former Milltown Dam to supply hydropower to the Bonner lumber mill and surrounding communities. In 2008, when the dam was removed, the State of Montana acquired the water right with the intent to help restore the fishery in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin.

Then, on April 24, 2015, the Montana Legislature ratified a Montana Water Rights Compact between the CSKT and State of Montana and split the Milltown Water Right into two rights—one for the Upper Clark Fork and one for the Blackfoot (still referred to collectively as the Milltown Water Right)—and made FWP and CSKT co-owners of the water right.

Enforcement of the water right was deferred until April 24, 2025, to give FWP and CSKT the opportunity to engage with stakeholders in the area. As FWP and CSKT move into the final stages of planning, they are sharing the framework and asking for input on future water management in the Upper Clark Fork and Blackfoot Basins. Find out more, provide input, sign up for updates, and request assistance with local water planning at fwp.mt.gov.