State officials are making headway on two conservation easements that would collectively safeguard more than 55,000 acres of private timberlands in Northwest Montana.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks approved plans in April for the first phase of the Upper Thompson Conservation Easement, encompassing 34,610 acres of forestland northwest of Plains. The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will vote June 12 on whether to approve the purchase. 

Under the proposed terms, Green Diamond Resource Company would retain primary ownership of the land while Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks would take over development rights for the property. The property could be logged using best management practices, but the deal restricts Green Diamond and any future owners from extensive development and subdivision. The timber company will be required to allow public access to the land for hunting, trapping, hiking and other outdoor recreational activities.    

The land was appraised for about $20.6 million. A $7 million in-kind donation from Green Diamond brings the final price tag to about $13.6 million. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks plans to use $13 million in funding from the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program, $225,000 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, $200,000 from the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust and $175,000 from the Trust for Public Lands to purchase the easement.   

Opportunity for public comment will be provided during the Fish and Wildlife Commission’s June 12 meeting. Comments may be provided in-person or through Zoom. Those wishing to provide public comment through Zoom must register at fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission/june-2026-meeting before noon on June 11. 

THE STATE wildlife agency released an environmental assessment May 8 for another 20,704-acre conservation easement that would include several parcels of forestland in Lincoln, Sanders and Mineral counties owned by Stimson Lumber. 

The proposed terms for the Stimson Timberland Legacy Conservation Easement mirror the Upper Thompson Conservation Easement’s conditions. Stimson Lumber would retain primary ownership of the land and the right to harvest timber, but the company and any future owners would be prohibited from extensive subdivision or development. 

Stimson Lumber is offering an in-kind contribution of about $17.8 million for the land, which was appraised for a total value of about $29.4 million. The state plans to fund the remainder of the purchase with $10.2 million from the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program, $250,000 from Avista, $150,000 from NorthWestern Energy, and about $1 million from the Trust for Public Lands.  

The state wildlife agency is accepting public comment on the environmental assessment for the Stimson Timberland Conservation Easement until 5 p.m., June 6. Comments may be emailed to Lead 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.

    The proposed Stimson Lumber Company Conservation Easement includes 20,824 acres in Lincoln, Sanders and Mineral counties. (Courtesy of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks)