Days
to
Course Location
Missoula, MT
Course Fees
Tuition
$1119
Conference Fee
$359
The 2025 Dividing the Waters Conference will address a range of water issues arising in this part of the Columbia River watershed, in Missoula (MT) and nearby Flathead Lake (Flathead River watershed). The field day will include visits to UMT Flathead Lake Biological Research Station and the downstream reservation for the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes.
DTW has secured a room block at $249 per night. Details will be emailed after registration.
This conference is open to judges only.
Schedule
Wed: Pre-conference workshop is 9-3, Opening Reception: 5:30 pm
Thu: 8 - 5; Dinner at 7 pm
Fri: Field Day - 8:30 to 6 pm ish
Sat: 8:30-Noon
Conference fee is mandatory and includes the opening reception, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, conference dinner (Thur), and field day.
Course $1119
Conference Fee $359
Scholarship assistance makes NJC courses more affordable for judges.
During this course, you will learn to:
- Manage a complex adjudication or settlement of conflicts regarding federal and state water rights, applying statutory changes to the common-law Prior Appropriation Doctrine.
- Assess biological science and water quality chemistry to judge impacts on and needs of fishery resources.
- Apply the Winters Doctrine for federal reserved water rights, including for the needs of tribes for water diversions and instream flow.
Distinguished Faculty: The faculty will consist of scientists, water administrators, water lawyers and judges with wide-ranging experience in water litigation and management in the Western United States
- Hon. Kate Appleby, DTW Executive Chair (UT Court of Appeals)
- Hon. John Thorson, Founder/Convener, Dividing the Waters
- Hon. Shannon Bacon, NM Supreme Court
- Hon. Maria Berkenkotter, CO Supreme Court
- Hon. Stephen Brown, MT Water Court
- Hon. Ronald Robie, CA Court of Appeal
- Hon. John Schlegelmilch, Third Judicial District Court, Lyon County, NV
- Hon. Debra Stephens, WA Supreme Court
- Hon. Eric Wildman, ID District Court, Twin Falls, ID
- Hon. Sherri Zendri, Special Master, Arizona Water Court
- Sandi Zellmer, UMT Water Law Professor
Participants will be responsible for their own travel and lodging.
The 2025 Dividing the Waters Conference will address a range of water issues arising in this part of the Columbia River watershed, in Missoula (MT) and nearby Flathead Lake (Flathead River watershed). The field day will include visits to UMT Flathead Lake Biological Research Station and the downstream reservation for the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes.
DTW has secured a room block at $249 per night. Details will be emailed after registration.
This conference is open to judges only.
Schedule
Wed: Pre-conference workshop is 9-3, Opening Reception: 5:30 pm
Thu: 8 - 5; Dinner at 7 pm
Fri: Field Day - 8:30 to 6 pm ish
Sat: 8:30-Noon
Conference fee is mandatory and includes the opening reception, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, conference dinner (Thur), and field day.