She has yet to meet with the Madison County Commissioners or the attorneys who filed friend of the court briefs supporting the county’s previous contention that a much narrower easement was fine at the Seyler Lane bridge.

Madison County Commissioner Ron Nye, who lives off Seyler Lane, said he hopes the issue is settled, but has his doubts.

“I wish we weren’t involved in (the dispute),” he said. “We’re spending money because we have to because we have the bridge.”

Swimley said she plans to ask Judge Tucker for a clarification on the ruling since, in her reading, the court order and an attached map aren’t in agreement. Points mentioned in the ruling do not correspond to ones on the map showing a clear route down to the river, she explained.

Kyle Nelson, a Bozeman attorney who represented PLWAA through the Goetz law firm, said his reading of the ruling seems clear on the main point.

“It confirms that Montanans may access the river from the Seyler Lane right of way,” he said.

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