75-7-102. Intent -- policy. (1) The legislature, mindful of its constitutional obligations under Article II, section 3, and Article IX of the Montana constitution, has enacted The Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act of 1975. It is the legislature's intent that the requirements of this part provide adequate remedies for the protection of the environmental life support system from degradation and provide adequate remedies to prevent unreasonable depletion and degradation of natural resources.

(2) It is the policy of the state of Montana that its natural rivers and streams and the lands and property immediately adjacent to them within the state are to be protected and preserved to be available in their natural or existing state and to prohibit unauthorized projects and, in so doing, to keep soil erosion and sedimentation to a minimum, except as may be necessary and appropriate after due consideration of all factors involved. Further, it is the policy of this state to recognize the needs of irrigation and agricultural use of the rivers and streams of the state of Montana and to protect the use of water for any useful or beneficial purpose as guaranteed by The Constitution of the State of Montana.