1. (1) The governor shall submit to the legislature a report in accordance with 5-11-210 identifying specific water storage projects proposed for development, including the rehabilitation of existing projects and new project proposals. The report must contain:

   1. (a) a list of water storage project priorities;
   2. (b) an implementation strategy for each priority project that identifies the resources (including specific budget requests), government actions, and other actions needed to accomplish the project; and
   3. (c) a progress report on the development of water storage projects during the previous 2 years.

2. (2) In setting priorities among new water storage projects, the governor shall consider whether a project:

   1. (a) solves a severe water problem;
   2. (b) provides multiple uses and benefits;
   3. (c) provides for public uses;
   4. (d) shows strong evidence of broad citizen support;
   5. (e) is able to obtain nonstate sources of funding;
   6. (f) protects and seeks to enhance social, ecological, cultural, and aesthetic values;
   7. (g) improves local and state economic development;
   8. (h) could resolve Indian and federal reserved water rights issues;
   9. (i) supports water conservation activities; and
   10. (j) promotes the use of water reserved under Montana law.

3. (3) In setting priorities among water storage rehabilitation projects, the governor shall consider whether the project:

   1. (a) is needed to protect public safety;
   2. (b) has impacts if not repaired or rehabilitated; and
   3. (c) accomplishes the goals listed in subsections (2)(a) through (2)(j).

4. (4) In establishing budget priorities for the allocation of state water storage development funds:

   1. (a) first preference must be given to projects that resolve threats to life and property posed by high-hazard facilities that are in an unsafe condition;
   2. (b) second preference must be given to projects that improve or expand existing water storage facilities; and
   3. (c) third preference must be given to the planning and construction of new water storage facilities.

History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 659, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 117, Ch. 261, L. 2021.