From MDT highway condemnations and TransWestern pipeline easements to NorthWestern Energy transmission corridors and wind and solar farm acquisitions — National ROW fights to maximize your Montana compensation. Zero upfront cost.
Montana eminent domain law is governed by MCA Title 70, Chapter 30. Montana requires condemning authorities to make a bona fide offer based on an independent appraisal and to negotiate in good faith before filing a condemnation petition. Property owners are entitled to a jury trial on just compensation.
The Montana Department of Transportation acquires right-of-way for state highway projects, interchange expansions, and rural highway improvements statewide. I-90 corridor widening, US-2 improvements across northern Montana, and US-93 realignments regularly require right-of-way from private landowners and ranchers. Montana’s large ranch properties require specialized appraisal expertise to capture full agricultural value, grazing impacts, and water rights implications. National ROW represents Montana landowners in MDT proceedings, obtaining independent appraisals that account for ranch-specific values and all severance damages to the remainder.
Montana sits at the intersection of major oil and gas pipeline networks serving the Bakken Formation in eastern Montana and North Dakota. TransWestern Pipeline, Kinder Morgan, and other midstream operators are active in the state. Pipeline easements in oil and gas producing areas command significantly higher per-rod values than agricultural areas — but initial offers frequently start well below market. National ROW negotiates pipeline easements for Montana landowners, ensuring full compensation for easement area value, surface damage, restoration requirements, and long-term operational restrictions.
NorthWestern Energy is the primary electric transmission provider in Montana and is actively expanding its grid to serve growing renewable energy development and meet WECC reliability requirements. Transmission line easements permanently restrict land use within the easement corridor, affecting grazing operations, irrigation system height, and future development potential. We negotiate transmission easements for Montana landowners, ensuring compensation reflects fair market value, agricultural impact, and the full scope of long-term use restrictions.
Montana has significant wind energy development potential, particularly in eastern Montana, and is experiencing growing interest from solar developers. Energy developers make complex 30-to-40-year lease offers on wind turbine sites and solar farm easements. National ROW reviews wind and solar lease offers for Montana landowners, negotiating improved payment rates, escalation provisions, better surface use protections, and enforceable decommissioning requirements.
Do not accept the first offer. Montana landowners who negotiate — especially with professional representation — consistently receive more. We review your situation at no cost and only get paid if we increase your compensation.
Get a Free Case ReviewMontana eminent domain is governed by MCA Title 70, Chapter 30. Condemning authorities must make a bona fide written offer based on an appraisal and negotiate in good faith before filing a condemnation petition. Property owners are entitled to a jury trial on just compensation.
Montana requires payment of fair market value for property taken, plus severance damages to the remainder. For ranch and agricultural properties, this includes the impact on grazing operations, water rights, irrigation, and the overall productivity of the remaining land.
Yes, pipeline companies that qualify as public utilities or common carriers under Montana law can exercise eminent domain authority. The specific authority depends on the type of pipeline and applicable state and federal law.
Montana ranch properties require specialized appraisal expertise that accounts for grazing capacity, water rights, and agricultural productivity — not just bare land value. Agency appraisals frequently fail to capture full ranch value, making independent appraisal critical.
"We never tell a landowner to just take what the government offers — we find out what they are actually owed."
Whether you have received an MDT offer, a transmission company easement proposal, a pipeline offer, or a visit from a ROW agent — National ROW reviews your case for free and advises you on next steps. No upfront cost. No obligation.