Report on Water Use Violations at Crazy Mountain Ranch and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Crazy Mountain Ranch (CMR), an ultra-luxury golf resort located in the Shields Valley of Montana, has recently come under scrutiny for violating water irrigation regulations. Purchased in 2021 by CrossHarbor Capital Partners, a private equity firm owning several upscale retreats, CMR opened its golf course in September 2024. The course, co-designed by golf legend Ben Crenshaw, attracted significant attention not only for its design but also for its unauthorized water use practices.

Water Rights Violations

1. CMR began pumping water from Rock Creek to irrigate its golf greens without obtaining the necessary permits from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC).
2. The resort altered the diversion point of Rock Creek, transferring water over a ridge to the golf course and storing water at Rainbow Lake, a site designated exclusively for wildlife, all without approvals.
3. CMR withdrew its previous water rights applications and has not submitted any new applications, continuing unauthorized water use.

Regulatory and Community Response

• In November 2023, the Park County Conservation District decided not to take action or impose fines against CMR despite the violations.
• Local landowners, including downstream ranchers, have expressed strong opposition. Tim Sundling emphasized the importance of equal enforcement of rules, while Scott Knutson filed an official objection with the DNRC.
• The ongoing water demand during the peak season exacerbates tensions among golf courses, agricultural users, ranchers, and wildlife dependent on these water sources.

Enforcement Challenges and Options

1. The DNRC has the authority to fine violators up to $1,000 per day, but such penalties are rarely imposed and may be financially insignificant for CMR.
2. Court-issued cease-and-desist orders and lawsuits could halt unlawful water use, but physical enforcement such as shutting off water pipes remains uncertain.
3. Rich Sarrazin, a local water deputy, has stated intentions to shut down water diversion to Rainbow Lake and the golf course for the summer, with potential law enforcement involvement if necessary.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The unauthorized diversion and use of water threaten equitable access to clean water for agriculture, wildlife, and local communities.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – Storing water in Rainbow Lake, a wildlife-designated area, risks harming local ecosystems and biodiversity.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The resort’s disregard for water use regulations exemplifies unsustainable resource consumption practices.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The limited enforcement of water rights highlights challenges in governance and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The shift in land ownership from agricultural to luxury resorts affects community interdependence and resource sharing, impacting social cohesion.

Broader Context and Future Considerations

• The case of CMR sets a concerning precedent for water rights enforcement in the Western United States, where increasing development pressures challenge sustainable water management.
• Traditional agricultural landowners maintain social accountability through community ties, whereas luxury resorts like CMR operate with greater autonomy, complicating enforcement and cooperation.
• Organizations such as Trout Unlimited and the Agricultural Council are monitoring the situation and advocating for legislative reforms to enhance oversight of new types of water users.
• The resolution of this issue will have significant implications for regional water sustainability, ecosystem health, and equitable resource distribution.

Conclusion

The water use violations by Crazy Mountain Ranch underscore critical challenges in balancing economic development with sustainable water management and environmental protection. Strengthening enforcement mechanisms and promoting adherence to water rights are essential to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to clean water, ecosystem preservation, and strong institutions. The ongoing situation calls for coordinated action among regulators, local communities, and stakeholders to ensure responsible and equitable water use in the region.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The article focuses heavily on water rights, water use, and the impact of unauthorized water diversion on local ecosystems and communities.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land – The diversion of water from Rainbow Lake, which is designated for wildlife, and the impact on fish and other wildlife are key concerns.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The article discusses unsustainable water use practices by a private luxury resort, highlighting issues of resource management and equity.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The enforcement of water rights, legal actions, and governance challenges related to water use violations are central themes.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 6 Targets:
   • 6.4 – By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
   • 6.5 – Implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
   • 6.b – Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.
2. SDG 15 Targets:
   • 15.1 – Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
3. SDG 12 Targets:
   • 12.2 – Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
4. SDG 16 Targets:
   • 16.3 – Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • 16.6 – Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators related to SDG 6:
   • 6.4.1 – Change in water-use efficiency over time, implied by the unauthorized water pumping and irrigation practices.
   • 6.5.2 – Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation, implied by local water governance and enforcement mechanisms.
   • 6.b.1 – Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water management, implied by involvement of local stakeholders and objections filed.
2. Indicators related to SDG 15:
   • 15.1.1 – Forest area as a proportion of total land area and freshwater ecosystem status, implied by the impact on Rainbow Lake and Rock Creek ecosystems.
3. Indicators related to SDG 12:
   • 12.2.1 – Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP, implied by the resource use and sustainability concerns.
4. Indicators related to SDG 16:
   • 16.3.2 – Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population, indirectly related to enforcement actions and legal proceedings.
   • 16.6.2 – Proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services, implied by local community dissatisfaction and governance responses.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: themeateater.com