Montana Great Outdoors conservation easement covers land critical for hunting and fishing access in northwest Montana. FWP photo.

Projects provide public access, protect important habitat

HELENA – At the Aug. 21 Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will propose several land projects to the commission.

“Providing public access while keeping working forests working and conserving critical habitat for our wildlife is a top priority for our agency,” said FWP Director Christy Clark. “Montanans expect us to expand access, and these land proposals are crucial to that mission.”

Montana Great Outdoors: Phase 2

In northwest Montana, the proposed Montana Great Outdoors conservation easement – phase 2 is in the Cabinet Mountains between Kalispell and Libby. Phase 1 of the project was finalized earlier this year. Between the two phases, the project covers nearly 86,000 acres of private timberland owned by Green Diamond Resource Company and ensures public access hunters and anglers have enjoyed for generations.

FWP has concluded an environmental assessment (EA), which evaluated the potential impacts of the proposed project. A decision notice on that EA was issued today, recommending FWP move forward with purchasing the easement.

Funding for the project includes FWP’s Habitat Montana program, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust, the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program, and Green Diamond.

“This project provides critical access for hunters and anglers and preserves thousands of acres of habitat in northwest Montana,” said FWP Region 1 Supervisor Amber Steed. “We’ve worked hard with the landowners and local officials to find a solution that provides a win for everyone involved.”

The Stafford Ferry conservation easement will provide access to nearly 1,100 acres of critical bighorn sheep habitat along the Missouri Breaks in central Montana. FWP photo.

Stafford Ferry

In central Montana, the Stafford Ferry conservation easement is located north of Winifred along the Missouri Breaks. This land is part of critical habitat for the Missouri River Breaks bighorn sheep herd, which is the state’s largest.

FWP concluded an EA on the 1,080-acre project and issued a decision notice last fall.

The Stafford Ferry lands project secures vital habitat for wild sheep. FWP photo.

Funding for the project includes Habitat Montana, Northwestern Energy, the Wild Sheep Foundation, and the Montana Wild Sheep Foundation.

“Wild sheep habitat has become increasingly valuable for the conservation of the species,” said Jason Rhoten, FWP Region 4 supervisor. “Securing this easement ensures the public can access this incredible area for hunting and recreation.”

Both conservation easements received the support of local county commissioners, hunting organizations, and members of the public who commented on the EAs.

Habitat Conservation Leases

In addition to the two conservation easements, FWP is proposing 24 habitat conservation leases (HCL) totaling nearly 80,000 acres of important prairie habitat. The proposed HCLs are for either 30- or 40-year terms and support public access for hunting and wildlife related recreation along with continued agriculture operations.

Funding for the HCLs include Habitat Montana, Pittman-Robertson grants, and other state, federal, or private sources as available.

The proposed lands projects are open for public comment as part of the Commission process. To view all the proposals and information on each project, go to the Commission webpage for the meeting. Comment will be taken until Aug. 4.