Second Phase Of Easement: Montana pursues $17.1mn timberland deal; public can weigh in by September 26

For generations, the forests of northwest Montana have been more than timberland. They have provided habitat for wildlife, working forests for local communities and places where people hunt, hike and explore. Now, state officials are working to give a large stretch of that landscape permanent protection. According to Western News and Daily Inter Lake, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has begun the second and final phase of the Upper Thompson Conservation Easement, a project that could ultimately place development restrictions on 47,907 acres of private timberland in the Cabinet Mountains. The first 34,610 acres were secured in July, while another 13,297 acres are now under consideration. The proposed second phase covers timberland in the Little Thompson River, Smiley Creek and Buffalo Bill Creek drainages. Under the agreement, FWP would acquire the development rights from Green Diamond Montana Timberlands, while the company would continue to own and manage the property.That distinction is important. The land would not become a state-owned preserve, and timber operations would not end. Green Diamond would be able to continue harvesting timber under the terms of the easement, with ...