Environmental

In Montana, a property owner near Flathead Lake must consider riparian rights, which typically include:

AUnlimited extraction of water for any commercial purpose
BReasonable use of the water adjacent to the property without impairing downstream users' rights✓ Correct
COwnership of the lake bottom to the center of the lake for all purposes
DNo water use rights because Montana is a prior appropriation state

Explanation

Montana uses prior appropriation for most water rights but also recognizes riparian principles for certain uses. Riparian landowners have rights to reasonable use of adjacent water, subject to prior appropriation rights. On navigable waters like Flathead Lake, bed ownership and use rights require careful analysis.

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