What is an Administrative Hearing?
An administrative hearing is not a public meeting. Very similar to a court trial, it’s a legal proceeding that gives potentially affected individuals the opportunity to challenge the agency’s decision. Opposing sides present testimony and evidence before an impartial Administrative Law Judge, who makes a final decision based solely on the evidence presented on the record of that proceeding. It is a required step if a person wants to challenge certain kinds of DNRC decisions.
A rule-making hearing is an open public meeting and is the public’s opportunity to comment on rules proposed by DNRC programs in order to implement their statutory mandates from the legislature.
Types of Hearings
Matters brought before DNRC Administrative Law Judges/Hearing Examiners arise from decisions most commonly relating to:
- Water Appropriation Permits and Change Authorizations
- Cabin Site Valuations
- Surface Lease Cancellations
- Agriculture/Grazing Competitive Bids
- Administrative Rulemaking
Pending and Issued Hearing Orders
| TITLE | APPLICATION | HEARING EXAMINER | HEARING DATE | DECISION DOCUMENT (DATE ISSUED) |
| MEINE, ROBERT & DOROTHY REVOCABLE TRUST | 41B 30123390 (CHANGE) | MARTIN BALUKAS | 07/16/2025 |
FINAL ORDER (12/15/2025) PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION (04/08/2024) |
| POWER - TETON COUNTY WATER & SEWER DISTRICT | 41K 30150582 (PERMIT) | MARTIN BALUKAS | 06/17/2025 |
PETITION FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW (11/20/2025) FINAL ORDER (10/21/2025) PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION (10/04/2023) |
| TITLE | APPLICATION # | PUBLIC NOTICE AND PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION | HEARING EXAMINER | HEARING DATE | STATUS |
|
STEEN, JAMES K AND LACEY J |
41S 30171580 (Change) |
LINK TO APPLICATION FILE (As of 8-11-2026) |
MARTIN BALUKAS | ACTIVE | |
|
YELLOWSTONE LAND & LIVESTOCK LLC |
42M 30164947 (Permit) |
LINK TO APPLICATION FILE (As of 07/29/2026) (WQRS) |
JAY WEINER | ACTIVE | |
|
WHITE ROCK OIL & GAS LLC |
40P 30171180 (Permit) |
LINK TO APPLICATION FILE (As of 06/19/2026) (WQRS) |
MARTIN BALUKAS | 3/16-17/2027 | ACTIVE |
|
ROCKING J RANCH LLC |
76E 30158160 (Change) |
APPLICATION FILE (AS OF 06/18/2026) |
JAY WEINER | ACTIVE | |
|
SHERIDAN COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT |
WATER RESERVATION NO. 40R L084502-00 |
NOTICE OF HEARING AND PROCEDURE TO PARTICIPATE REQUEST TO PARTICIPATE FORM (CLOSED 05/29/2026) |
MARTIN BALUKAS | ACTIVE | |
| MITCHELL, ROSS P; MITCHELL, JENNIFER B | 41G 30159590 (Change) |
LINK TO APPLICATION FILE (As of 04-23-2026) |
MARTIN BALUKAS | ACTIVE | |
| VH PIPE LLC | 42M 30163750 (Permit) |
LINK TO APPLICATION FILE (As of 04-13-2026) (WQRS) |
MARTIN BALUKAS | ACTIVE | |
| EXPLORATION DRILLING INC; VAN HOOK, WILLIAM JR REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST | 42M 30163788 (Permit) |
LINK TO APPLICATION FILE (As of 04-09-2026) (WQRS) |
MARTIN BALUKAS | ACTIVE | |
| LAKESIDE COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT | 76LJ 30165067 (Permit) |
LINK TO APPLICATION FILE (WRQS) |
JAY WEINER | STAYED | |
| BIG HORN LEASING LLC |
42M 30163320 (Permit) |
JAY WEINER | 10/7-8/2026 | ACTIVE | |
| MONTANA, STATE OF DEPT. OF FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS | 43B 30156179 (Change) | JAY WEINER | STAYED | ||
| WARDEN HUTTERIAN BRETHREN | 76LJ 30151310 (Permit) | MARTIN BALUKAS | CONTINUED; CERTIFIED TO WATER COURT | ||
| RED DOG RANCH LLC | 43A 30158389 (Change) | MARTIN BALUKAS |
|
ACTIVE | |
| DEBUFF, DANIEL G.; DEBUFF, SANDRA L. | 40A 30105384 (Permit) | JAY WEINER | 4/7-8/2027 | ACTIVE |
Hearings Order Index (summary of water right hearing cases)