76-15-407. Selection and acquisition of water storage sites. (1) Each conservation district within the state shall seek and may select at least one off-stream water storage site for the construction of a reservoir.

(2) If funding is available for a reservoir or other reclamation project, the conservation district shall acquire the site by purchase.

(3) Supervisors of conservation districts may designate sites for future construction of reservoirs. The supervisors shall designate such site by filing a legal description thereof in the office of the clerk and recorder of the county in which the site is located or the counties in which the site is located if it extends across the boundaries of two or more counties. Upon filing of such designation, the state of Montana, its agencies, or political subdivisions may not acquire the properties so designated for public purposes other than reservoir sites and may not construct any public facilities except reservoirs. Supervisors may cancel a site designation by filing notice with the clerk and recorder of the county or counties affected.