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Commission grants level‑1 approval to five Gallatin Valley Land Trust conservation projects totaling nearly county fund allocation
Summary
After presentations from Gallatin Valley Land Trust and staff, the commission granted level‑1 approval to five conservation easement applications seeking funds from the county Open Lands program; the portfolio seeks nearly the full FY26 allocation of $2,793,740 and includes projects on 191 Land LLC, Bridger Livestock, Chuck Fettis Ranch, Kirk Hill, and White's Potato Farm.
The Gallatin County Commission voted Dec. 2 to grant level‑1 approval for five conservation‑easement applications presented by the Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) under the county Open Lands program.
Sean O'Callaghan, the county's open lands coordinator, told commissioners the FY26 program had $2,793,740 available and the five GVLT projects collectively seek just under that amount. Level‑1 approval is preliminary: after level‑1, land trusts complete due diligence and secure matching funds before a separate level‑2 (final) county approval and closing.
GVLT and landowner presenters summarized each project and funding ask:
- 191 Land LLC: Zane Ashford said the 217‑acre property would conserve about 190.5 acres with 27 acres excluded along Blackwood Road to preserve family flexibility; preliminary easement valuation was $3,620,000 and GVLT requested $977,400 (27%), with a 50% NRCS match sought and the landowners donating ~23% of value. Ashford said two Open Lands Board members originally opposed inclusion of the 27 acres because of visibility along the road, but site visits alleviated some concern.
- Bridger Livestock Inc.: Kelsey Heiser presented a 612‑acre Bridger Foothills property; GVLT requested $642,600 (30% of a $2,142,000 valuation), with landowner donating 70% and no NRCS match being sought.
- Chuck Fettis Ranch: Crystal Beckman presented a roughly 315‑acre project intended to connect to adjacent conserved blocks; appraisal $2,200,000 with a county request described in the presentation (20–27% discussed), and the landowner would donate the remainder while seeking NRCS matching funds.
- Kirk Hill Conservation & Trail (Chris Harris land): Cole Herdman described a 40‑acre project adjacent to MSU’s Kirk Hill Nature Area that would protect scenic open space, wildlife connectivity and create a potential trail easement to address erosion and trail bottlenecks; the county ask was $54,000 for transaction costs with the landowner donating remaining value.
- White's Potato Farm: Ashford presented a proposal to conserve 185 acres (with 6 acres excluded plus 1 acre for family flexibility) to protect prime irrigated soils and adjacent conservation blocks; valuation $1,940,000 and GVLT requested 27% from county funds and anticipated NRCS 50% matching funds.
Commissioners asked questions focused on building envelopes and the rationale for excluded acreage in the 191 Land project and on forest‑management allowances under easement terms for Kirk Hill. GVLT representatives said exclusions were intended to provide family transfer and financing flexibility and that future forest management is typically permitted subject to a management plan and qualified forester oversight.
A commissioner moved to grant level‑1 approval to all five applications as presented by staff and GVLT; the motion was seconded and the commission voted in favor. The action is preliminary and contingent on subsequent due diligence, matching financing and possible level‑2 approval for each project prior to closing.
