Commission approves 5 Valleys Land Trust contract to plan Anaconda Uplands, citing up to $4 million in NRD funds

The Anaconda Deer Lodge County Commission approved a professional services agreement on Aug. 12 with 5 Valleys Land Trust to begin recreation planning for the Anaconda Uplands.

Carl, the presenter, said the work will build on the county's open lands plan and will focus on Stuckey Ridge, Sea Hill and potentially A Hill if ownership transfers to the county. ‘‘This is utilizing or beginning to tap into the natural resource damage programs funding that's been earmarked, up to $4,000,000 for county owned parcels within the Uplands,’’ Carl said, and added the county's lands committee had solicited firms and recommended 5 Valleys after interviewing three candidates.

Carl said 5 Valleys has already conducted a field visit and met stakeholders, and that the county expects the contract to be reimbursed by the NRD funds. He told commissioners he anticipated bringing the full contract forward for formal approval at a subsequent work session or meeting once contracting formalities are complete.

Commissioners asked about coordination with local stakeholders; Carl said groups such as the Anaconda Veil Society have independently funded trail design work and plan to coordinate so the county plan encompasses those efforts. The motion to approve the professional services agreement passed by voice vote.

The agreement sets in motion planning steps intended to produce a more holistic recreational system intended to serve multiple user groups; the commission did not approve project construction funding at the meeting and the work is expected to proceed under the consultant contract with NRD reimbursement.