State approves Stimson conservation easement

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the 20,629-acre Stimson Timberland Conservation Easement last week, further expanding an already vast portfolio of publicly accessible lands in Northwest Montana.  

The newest addition includes parcels throughout Lincoln, Sanders and Mineral counties, the largest of which closes a gap in the mass of state-owned conservation easements that trail along the eastern edge of the Cabinet Mountains. 

The agreement also marks “the final step, the final building block” toward protecting the entirety of Stimson Lumber Company’s Montana holdings from future development, according to Barry Dexter, the firm’s resource advisor. 

Once the deal is signed, the property’s development rights will transfer to the state wildlife agency. The timber company may continue to harvest wood products from the easement using best management practices, but substantial developments and parcelization of the property will be severely restricted. The agreement also requires Stimson to continue to allow public access for hunting, fishing and other forms of public recreation. 

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

“It really means that this landscape is going to continue to be managed as it has been in our lifetimes for future lifetimes,” Anaconda Sportsman’s Club President Chris Marchion told commissioners at the Aug. 19 meeting. 

Marchion was one of seven attendees representing outdoor recreation and wildlife organizations who spoke in favor of the conservation easement during the allotted public comment period. Another 12 comments were submitted to the commission ahead of the meeting, all of them in favor of the motion. 

Those submitting written comments ranged from Billings to Seattle with most in Northwest Montana.

"Please vote yes on the conservation easement, it improves our access as hunters, fishermen and recreationalists," Marion resident Terry Zink said.

Thompson Falls resident Sean Moran was also an enthusiastic supporter.

"Please accept this letter of support from a long standing (25-plus years) resident of Sanders Co. regarding the proposed purchase of the large conservation easement on Stimson Lumber Company lands within Sanders, Lincoln, and Mineral counties in northwest Montana," Moran said. "I appreciate the opportunity to preserve sportsman's access to undeveloped lands here in NW MT. I also appreciate the balance between keeping the lands open to sustainable timber harvest while also protecting riparian areas."

The commission unanimously approved the easement, which was appraised at a value of $29.2 million.  

The U.S. Forest Service Legacy Program is providing $10.2 million for the purchase. Private fundraising coordinated by the Trust for Public Lands secured another $1 million in funding. Regional utilities Avista and NorthWestern Energy pledged a combined $400,000 to the project. Stimson is providing an in-kind donation for the remainder of the easement’s appraised value.