Land Board OKs four timber sales expected to yield about $383,000 for trust beneficiaries

The Montana Land Board unanimously approved four timber sales presented by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), which DNRC staff said will generate proceeds for state trust beneficiaries and forest improvement accounts.

DNRC’s presentation described the package—items 0126‑1 a through d—as follows: Banana Fire Salvaged (about 5 miles northeast of Plains) includes four ground‑based harvest units with an estimated 7,857 tons of sawlogs and a minimum bid of $13.82 per ton, producing approximately $108,584 for the Common Schools Trust and about $31,978 in forest improvement fees. Donegal (about 6 miles northeast of Ovando) includes 12 ground‑based harvest units with an estimated 9,938 tons, a $8.25 per‑ton minimum, and estimated revenue of $81,989 for the Common Schools Trust and $37,665 in forest improvement fees. Sawdust Gulch (about 5 miles north of Sula) includes four tractor harvest units with an estimated 5,677 tons at a $7.98 per‑ton minimum, producing roughly $45,302 for the Capital Buildings Trust and $18,053 in forest improvement fees. Young Creek (about 10 miles northwest of Eureka) includes two ground‑based harvest units with an estimated 9,198 tons, a $16 per‑ton minimum, and estimated revenue of $147,168 for the Common Schools Trust and $32,101 in forest improvement fees.

DNRC asked the board to take the four sales together. A board member moved to approve items 0126‑1 a–d; the motion was seconded and the board voted unanimously to approve them.

The DNRC presentation and the board vote concluded the item; DNRC will proceed with the sales under the terms described in the agenda packet. There were no public comments recorded on these sales during the meeting.