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June hearing set in exempt wells case

By The Associated Press

Story Created: Mar 16, 2010 at 5:35 AM MST

Story Updated: Mar 16, 2010 at 5:35 AM MST

BILLINGS - Montana officials plan a June hearing on claims by some ranchers that wells drilled for homes in rural subdivisions are overtaxing fragile groundwater supplies and should be more tightly regulated.

The ranchers, backed by environmentalists, want the state to stop granting well permit exemptions for developers building homes that draw 35 gallons of water a minute or less.

Tens of thousands of those exemptions have been granted over the last two decades. Developers say they are crucial to keeping rural projects affordable.

Whether the regulations are legal will be considered during a June 17 hearing planned in Helena. The hearing date was set Monday.

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