Years of work came to fruition recently with the completion of the Falls Creek Project near Troy.

A partnership between the Kootenai National Forest and Vital Ground Foundation secured 160 acres in the Cabinet Mountains. Vital Ground, based in Missoula, completed the purchase using the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund before transferring it to the U.S. Forest Service.

“This unique parcel, situated along the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness, serves as a key link between lower elevation recreational opportunities and the higher, more rugged wilderness experience,” Kootenai National Forest Supervisor Chad Benson said. “We are excited to manage the land appropriately and maintain public access for all to enjoy. This was an excellent example of collaboration, with many people in different groups working toward a common goal of land conservation.”

Established in 1964, the Land and Water Conservation Fund garnered permanent yearly funding in 2020 from offshore U.S. oil and gas development royalties to the tune of $900 million annually.

The fund is chiefly meant to protect national parks and lands surrounding rivers and lakes from development, as well as national forests and wildlife refuges, according to the Land and Water Conservation Fund Coalition.

The completion of the project ends decade-long concerns that development would cause a loss of access to the waterfalls and Cabinet Mountains.

Formerly private timberlands, the property was owned by conservation-minded individuals looking to transfer ownership but keep the land as open space with public access. The project’s landscape includes a hiking trail to one of the area’s largest waterfalls as well as access to the larger Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area.

“The landowners recognized that the public has always enjoyed access to these private lands and adjacent public lands,” said Mitch Doherty, conservation director for Vital Ground. “This project ensures that access will continue while also conserving an important area for grizzly bear recovery.”

The project provides public recreation access to the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness, Savage Lake and Falls Creek. 

Adjacent to the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness near Troy, Montana, the land acquisition provides key habitat for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife species, protects local water quality and sustains a mixed conifer forest by preventing development along the Savage Lake shoreline.

The Forest Service intends to manage the 160 acres according to the Kootenai National Forest Plan, which states improvements are "made to maintain or increase recreational opportunities, including the establishment of winter non-motorized trails in lower elevations." 

The parcel provides public access to activities that include fishing, birding, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking and camping along with winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. 

“The Falls Creek Project is a win-win for conservation and for the Troy community,” said Shawna Kelsey, a local business owner and former president of the Troy City Council. “The Falls Creek land is a gem whose protection is broadly supported as a resource for its cultural and ecological values but also its recreation assets. That area has long been a local favorite hiking and biking spot, and it would have been devastating to many if the land had been subdivided and developed, locking the public out. As Troy is being sought out more and more for its recreation opportunities, it is invaluable to have more front-country hiking options for visitors and locals alike.”

Because of its benefits to both people and wildlife, the project garnered a wide range of state and local support.

Montana Sen. Steve Daines and former Sen. Jon Tester both endorsed the conservation effort along with the Troy City Council and mayor, the Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Collaborative and a broad majority of residents in the Savage Lake area, more than 20 of whom wrote letters of support.

Additional support for the project came from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Atira Conservation, onX, The Weeden Foundation and individual contributors.

In addition to public recreation, the land acquisition maintains open space that allows wildlife to move between the Cabinet Mountain high country and lower elevations. 

The area is home to a rich suite of native species including moose, elk, wolves, wolverine, native trout and a population of roughly 50 grizzly bears spread between the Cabinets and the Yaak Valley to the north.

The Falls Creek Project will help both bears and local residents by conserving an important environmental buffer between forested mountain habitat and developed areas along Savage Lake. Other adjacent lands currently under conservation protection through the Forest Legacy Program strengthen this buffer. 

This acquisition prevents fragmentation habitats for protected species, enhances watershed attributes and supports practical landscape management.

    A sluice box on Falls Creek near Savage Lake. The structure was part of prior mining attempts to find precious medals. A project between the Vital Ground Foundation, Kootenai National Forest and other partners conserved 160 acres and is now part of the KNF. It guarantees public access to the Falls Creek Water Fall and Cabinet Mountains. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    The Falls Creek Project near Troy conserved 160 acres and is now part of the Kootenai National Forest. It guarantees public access to the Falls Creek Water Fall and Cabinet Mountains. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)