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Big Timber City Council turns off bulk water sales, affecting ultra-wealthy golf club
The council acted after residents petitioned and a lawsuit challenged unauthorized water use, halting sales until a formal policy is created; 1.64 million gallons were sold recently.
- On August 11, 2025, during a special meeting, Big Timber officials narrowly approved a 3-2 measure prohibiting the sale of large quantities of drinking water to external parties, with exceptions made only for emergency situations.
- The ban came amid increasing dispute and a lawsuit initiated by Montana’s state agency responsible for natural resources management against Crazy Mountain Ranch for unauthorized use of irrigation water.
- Crazy Mountain Ranch acquired and shipped a total of 1.65 million gallons of water from Big Timber to irrigate its 112-acre golf course located nearly 50 miles away in Park County.
- City officials said the city sold up to 100,000 gallons daily at $14 per 1,000 gallons, and Mayor Greg DeBoer noted “Emotions are driving a lot of this, not common sense.”
- The ban will remain until a bulk water sales policy is devised, temporarily ending intense public debate and leaving the Crazy Mountain Ranch without city water.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
'I'm for water': Big Timber City Council votes to halt bulk water sales to Crazy Mountain Ranch
The ban, allowing for emergency purchases for fires and other events, remains in force until a bulk water sale policy can be devised and instituted, leaving the Crazy Mountain Ranch
Big Timber City Council votes to halt water sales to Crazy Mountain Ranch
BIG TIMBER - The Big Timber City Council has voted 3-2 to ban the sale of all bulk drinking water to outside entities, except for emergency services.The decision came after two hours of intense debate and discussion during a special meeting on Monday night.Watch the video below: Big Timber votes to end water sales to Crazy Mountain RanchThe ban will end the proposed sale of up to 100,000 gallons of treated water per day to the Crazy Mountain Ran…
Big Timber town council votes to stop selling water to luxury ranch to water its golf course
Big Timber city officials voted 3-2 to ban the sale of all bulk drinking water to outside entities following a special meeting. The nearly two-hour meeting was interspersed with heated debate from the public and between council members.
Big Timber city leaders vote to ban bulk water sales: Crazy Mountain Ranch golf course left high and dry
Big Timber city officials voted 3-2 to ban the sale of all bulk drinking water sales to outside entities following a special meeting on Monday, August 11. The nearly two-hour meeting was interspersed with heated debate from the public and…
Helena Independent Record
Big Timber City Council turns off bulk water sales, affecting ultra-wealthy golf club
In a sometimes contentious meeting, Mayor Greg DeBoer, who voted to break a 2-2 tie, said he was swayed by a petition that gathered more than 130 signatures.
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