BIG SKY, Mont. (AP) Gallatin County and lawyers for media mogul Ted Turner have resolved a dispute over paving a road that borders Turner's ranch.

The surprise settlement came after a court hearing on the matter was postponed yesterday.

Turner had sued the county to keep it from paving a five-mile stretch of Spanish Creek Road next to his Flying D Ranch, south of Bozeman.

His attorneys claimed the project could endanger water quality in Spanish Creek.

Yesterday, the county agreed not to pave the road.

In exchange, Turner Enterprises will reimburse the county $5,000 a year for maintenance costs. The money will go up with inflation each year.

Information from: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, http://bozemandailychronicle.com (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 08-10-07 0653CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list