Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Flathead Voters OK Bottling Plant Ballot Measure

Site of the Montana Artesian Water Company bottling plant near Creston, MT.
Nicky Ouellet
/
Montana Public Radio
Site of the the proposed Montana Artesian Water Company bottling plant near Creston, MT.

An initiative that could spell trouble for a controversial water bottling plant in the Flathead Valley was approved by Flathead county voters last night.

Backers of the Egan Slough zoning expansion say the extending the agricultural zone will protect the area’s prime farmland from industrial development, including Montana Artesian Water Company.

The zoning change passed with 69 percent of the vote.

"It's just awesome that on election day people can come together from both sides of the aisle and share a common goal to protect the community," said Steve Harvey, with Yes! For Flathead Farms and Water, which backed the ballot initiative.

Flathead County Commissioners denied the same zoning expansion in 2016, calling it an attempt to reverse-spot zone. A district court judge ordered commissioners to revisit that decision earlier this year. Commissioners recently re-listened through public comment but haven’t set a date yet for their new decision.

Opponents are also appealing a water right permit granted this January by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. They say the Department failed to follow proper procedures when it granted Montana Artesian Water’s water right. A ruling is expected in October.

Montana Artesian Water owner Lew Weaver has said he opposes the expansion. He petitioned for some of his property to be included in the zone when it was created in 2002.

Nicky is MTPR's Flathead-area reporter.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information
Related Content