The Office of Administrative Hearings is a centralized unit within the Director's Office of the DNRC that hears administrative disputes arising from DNRC program decisions, including Water Resources, Trust Lands Management, and rule-making proceedings.
This unit is staffed by Administrative Law Judges (ALJ)/Hearing Examiners and administrative support personnel, who conduct and preside over administrative hearings. ALJ/Hearing Examiners are responsible for conducting fair and impartial hearings in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and procedures. They prepare and issue recommended or final decisions that include Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Orders based on the case record and applicable law.
The Office of Administrative Hearings strives to provide transparency to assure the public it will be afforded due process through fair, well-reasoned, and consistent decision making.
Contact Information
Please do not discuss the facts or issues in dispute with the ALJ/Hearing Examiner. That would be ex parte communication, which is prohibited. If you have any questions regarding any cases pending in the Office of Administrative Hearings, please contact the Hearings Assistant.
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Office of Administrative Hearings |
Autumn Bahr |
Jamie Price |
Martin Balukas |
Jay Weiner |
Upcoming Hearings
In the matter of application for beneficial water use permit no. 42M-30163320 by Big Horn Leasing LLC:
A contested case hearing will be held on October 7 and 8, 2026, at the following location:
Richland County Extension Office
Conference Room
1499 N Central Ave
Sidney, MT 59270
Please use the Zoom links below to attend virtually:
The following link will be available at 9:00 a.m. on October 7, 2026:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/89598904406?pwd=6GnktpElkvdg1ijbTvzsjVq8tktjEh.1Meeting ID: 895 9890 4406
Password: 756970
Dial by Telephone: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 895 9890 4406
Password: 756970
Find your local number: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/u/kbepvrVqZ9
The following link will be available at 9:00 a.m. on October 8, 2026:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/85340870736?pwd=2nH4nzOagPitDwbEU2AbWK0QEzIClh.1
Meeting ID: 853 4087 0736
Password: 450032
Dial by Telephone: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 853 4087 0736
Password: 450032
Find your local number: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/u/kwZogk2wa
AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING IS NOT A PUBLIC MEETING. THE HEARING IS AN ADVERSARY PROCEEDING
HAVING OPPOSING SIDES LIKE A DISTRICT COURT TRIAL AND IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR OBSERVATION ONLY.
YOU MUST BE A PARTY TO PARTICIPATE IN A CONTESTED CASE HEARING.