Bozeman, Montana Worries About "A Thousand Sucking Straws"

Water law in Montana has evolved from “first-come, first-served” accounting to a complicated mesh of regulations, particularly in fast-growing areas like Bozeman. Now lawmakers are trying to decide how best to deal with legacy wells that have grown to over 15,000 in number.
“‘An impact of multiple 2 percents does add up to measurable harm,’ said Laura Ziemer, director for Trout Unlimited’s Montana Water Project. ‘And it’s a permanent 2 percent. Two percent every year from now until forever.'” Cary Flandro in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.