Crazy Mountain Ranch, an 18,000-acre members-only resort, is disputing an $8,000 fine for purchasing irrigation well water owned and illegally sold by the City of Boulder in Jefferson County to irrigate its bourgeoning 112-acre, 18-hole golf course in Park County.

The guest ranch disagreed with a Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation motion filed in Park County District Court on Oct. 20 in a request for hearing filed Wednesday. The motion declared that CMR violated a July agreement with the DNRC.

A request for hearing is a formal, written request disputing a decision. Boulder area rancher Edward McCauley filed the initial complaint with the DNRC regarding the city selling unauthorized water from a well to CMR on Aug. 18.

No water runs to the headgates owned by his fam

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