State officials are laying the groundwork for a new 21,000-acre conservation easement in Lincoln, Mineral and Sanders counties.

The project would preclude the land from residential or commercial development, conserving key wildlife habitat and securing permanent public recreational access, according to public scoping notice released April 1.  

Under the terms of the agreement, Stimson Lumber Company would retain primary ownership of the land, but Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks would take over the property’s development rights. The timber company would continue harvesting wood products, using best management practices.  

The terms of the agreement are perpetual, meaning they would pass on to any future landowners.  

The proposed easement encompasses 20,824 acres, with the largest parcel situated between U.S. 2 and the Fisher River, southeast of Libby. The chunk of forestland closes a gap in the mass of state-owned conservation easements that trail along the eastern edge of the Cabinet Mountains. The proposed project would also incorporate several smaller parcels scattered throughout Lincoln, Sanders and Mineral counties. 

Funds for the purchase would likely come from the U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy Program and grant funding from the Trust for Public Lands. 

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is accepting public comment on the proposed project through April 30. Future steps may include an environmental analysis, at which time the public would also be invited to provide input. Comments may be emailed to Leah Breidinger at [email protected]. 

Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 406-758-4433 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.