82-11-175. Coal bed methane wells -- requirements. (1) Coal bed methane production wells that involve the production of ground water must comply with this section.

(2) Ground water produced in association with a coal bed methane well must be managed in any of the following ways:

(a) used as irrigation or stock water or for other beneficial uses in compliance with Title 85, chapter 2, part 3;

(b) reinjected to an acceptable subsurface strata or aquifer pursuant to applicable law;

(c) discharged to the surface or surface waters subject to the permit requirements of Title 75, chapter 5; or

(d) managed through other methods allowed by law.

(3) (a) Prior to the development of a coal bed methane well that involves the production of ground water from an aquifer that is a source of supply for appropriation rights or permits to appropriate under Title 85, chapter 2, the developer of the coal bed methane well shall notify and offer a reasonable mitigation agreement to each appropriator of water who holds an appropriation right or a permit to appropriate under Title 85, chapter 2, that is for ground water and for which the point of diversion is within:

(i) 1 mile of the coal bed methane well; or

(ii) one-half mile of a well that is adversely affected by the coal bed methane well.

(b) The mitigation agreement must address the reduction or loss of water resources and must provide for prompt supplementation or replacement of water from any natural spring or water well adversely affected by the coal bed methane well. The mitigation agreement is not required to address a loss of water well productivity that does not result from a reduction in the amount of available water because of production of ground water from the coal bed methane well.

History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 578, L. 2001; Sec. 85-2-521, MCA 2001; redes. 82-11-175 by Sec. 1, Ch. 117, L. 2003.