About MWRA

Primary Services

State Representation

MWRA provides significant participation and lobby efforts in order to achieve balanced statutory and policy results that are beneficial to Montana’s water users. MWRA participates directly in all water related state legislative, regulatory, and policy development activities.

MWRA also communicates directly with and lobbies Montana and other Congressional delegates and provides information and testimony on water issues.

MWRA works with other agricultural organizations and water interests to ensure protection of water and other property rights.

National Representation

MWRA is affiliated with and pays annual membership dues to the National Water Resources Association. The national association maintains an office and staff in Washington D.C., providing for an excellent lobbying capability and a direct line of communication with current Administrations, Congressional delegations, and their staff.

MWRA also communicates directly with and lobbies Montana and other Congressional delegates and provides information and testimony on water issues.

Executive Director

MWRA employs a full-time executive director to stay informed regarding water issues and policy. MWRA’s Executive Director lobbies extensively during Montana’s legislative sessions, and provides direct input into water related regulatory and policy development.

Issues

As Montanans we take great pride in our state and strive to protect our natural resources while maintaining a balance between the environment, economic growth, and private property rights. However, some well-funded environmental groups and others with very differing political ideologies and social philosophies are working very hard to alter the balance at both state and national levels. These entities target legislative and regulatory reform that would severely impact water and other private property rights and add significant and unnecessary costs to agricultural and other business interests.

Some of the major water related issues include:

  • Water Rights Protection
  • Private Property Rights Protection
  • Federal Clean Water Legislation
  • Federal Endangered Species Legislation
  • State Streambed Ownership and Access
  • Water Right Adjudication
  • Aging Infrastructure and Related Funding
  • Nonpoint and Other Water Quality Regulations
  • Wetlands and other Riparian Area Setbacks
  • States’ Rights

Support for protection of our water and other property rights are crucial. Your membership and participation will help MWRA continue as “Montana’s Voice for Montana’s Water”. MWRA provides a reasonable and responsible approach to retaining values established by hard working Montanans while protecting our water and other natural resources.