8legs: Montana land board

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With limited public involvement, Montana Land Board overhauls land-swap process

Montana Land Board approves changes to the land-swap policy in a 4-0 vote, with Gov. Gianforte abstaining.
The revisions are aimed at streamlining the process and reducing bureaucracy, according to State Auditor James Brown.
Board officials say the changes will address water- and corner-crossing disputes in land exchanges.
Opponents argue the plan lacked robust public notice and a sufficient comment period.
The policy narrows definitions for water resources to those with a documented history of meaningful public use for irrigation, recreation, or waterfowl hunting.
The changes involve use of consultants and a pay-to-broker approach cited by opponents as a concern.
Montana’s Land Board oversees exchanges to consolidate public and private land where access is challenging.
The policy change is described as the first sweeping overhaul in more than 20 years.
State Auditor James Brown led the initiative to revise the land-swap policy.
The Land Board is composed of Montana’s top five elected officials and has authority to approve exchanges.

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