Based in Missoula, Water Rights, Inc. (WRI) is a multi-disciplined natural resource consulting firm offering comprehensive expertise in water rights adjudication and management, permitting, system and infrastructure design, hydrogeologic project support, and water quality monitoring — serving industry, government, and individuals across Montana.
Who We Are
Lee Yelin
Founder and President
Lee has more than 30 years of experience in water rights and water resource related projects. His expertise are vast, with extensive knowledge in the water right permitting process, interpreting historical documents, maps, land uses and aerial photographs, Montana Water Court decrees; restoration projects such as stream bank stabilization and mining reclamation; pond permitting and installation; ditch laws and maintenance issues; wetland delineations; and hazardous material remediation in soils and aquatic medium.
Lee started WRI after 10 years at the DNRC. He began private projects and consultation in 1992. Lee’s expertise in water rights and resources is unsurpassed in the State of Montana.
Jeremy Longdon
Water Rights Biologist
Jeremy earned a Bachelor of Science in Terrestrial Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana in 2008. Jeremy’s interests and areas of prior experience include: lab work (aquatic invertebrate sampling, classifying and sorting), wildlife ecology/conservation (environmental science, fieldwork in population dynamics and mortality of elk in Montana and nest success of Passerines in Sagebrush Steppe habitats) and surface/ground water quality sampling and monitoring in support of mining in Western Montana and Idaho. He possesses strong analytical, oral, written, and computer skills (Microsoft Word, Works, Excel, Access, PhotoShop, ArcGIS, LOAS, etc.).
Sidney Palmer
Water Resource Specialist
Sidney Palmer is a water resource specialist with extensive knowledge of water policy and law. She has a Bachelor’s in Environmental Policy and a Master of Science in Resource Management and a background specializing in the public sector for the State of Idaho, the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes, and a government instrumentality representing the State of Montana and the Tribes water rights on the Salish Kootenai Reservation. Prior to working in the public sector, Sidney worked for a private company navigating environmental regulations and standards concerning water, reclamation, and biodiversity. She has navigated the field of water policy and law from the regulators position as well as the private sector side.
Jeff Silkwood
Geomorphologist and Projects Advisor
Jeff is a geomorphologist and a published cartographer with extensive knowledge of GIS and spatial systems analysis for surface and groundwater, and natural resource restoration including streams, rivers and wetlands. He conducts hydrologic investigations, conducts water rights research, assists with water rights permitting and provides water rights evaluation and documentation.
John Hackethorn III
GIS Specialist
John Hackethorn III is an emerging professional specializing in GIS technology and environmental monitoring, with a strong focus in forestry, remote sensing, and hydrology. He earned both his Bachelor’s degree in Forest Management, with a GIS certificate, and his Master’s degree in Sustainable Forest Management focusing in Geomatics and Biometrics from Oregon State University. John holds a FAA remote pilot license, enabling him to leverage drone technology for advanced environmental assessments. His Master’s thesis centered on environmental monitoring for stream restoration, integrating aerial image processing, data analysis, and hydrology-focused research.
Ready to Work with a Team You Can Trust?
WRI has been solving Montana’s most complex water and environmental challenges for decades. Tell us about your situation — we’ll help you figure out the best path forward.