75-7-201. Policy. The legislature finds and declares that the natural lakes of Montana are high in scenic and resource values and that the conservation and protection of these lakes is important to the continued value of lakeshore property as well as to the state‘s residents and visitors who use and enjoy the lakes. The legislature further declares that local governments should play the primary public roles in establishing policies to conserve and protect lakes. Local governments do not have adequate statutory powers to protect their lake areas, and it is the purpose of this part to confer such powers on local governments, provided that such powers are exercised to maintain public health, welfare, and safety.

Terms Used In Montana Code 75-7-201

  • Lake: means a body of standing water and the area within its lakeshore occurring naturally rather than by virtue of constructed impoundments (although a natural lake whose level is raised and whose area is increased by the construction of impoundments includes the additional level and area), having a water surface area of at least 160 acres for at least 6 months in a year of average precipitation as such averages are determined by the United States geological survey, not used exclusively for agricultural purposes, and navigable by canoes and small boats. See Montana Code 75-7-202
  • Property: means real and personal property. See Montana Code 1-1-205
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Montana Code 1-1-201
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