Lincoln County backs museum tourism projects and seeks federal conveyance of Forest Service parcels

At its Dec. 10 meeting Lincoln County commissioners voted to back two letters of support: one endorsing a Montana Tourism Development Grant application by the Heritage Museum and another urging senators and congressmen to pursue legislation conveying certain U.S. Forest Service lands (and a related land exchange) to Lincoln County.

The tourism letter, read into the record, highlighted plans to restore an early 1900s steam locomotive and develop a logging history exhibit to strengthen local tourism and economic vitality. A museum representative told commissioners a feasibility study will be posted to the museum’s website and social media this week.

The second letter asks federal legislators to introduce and pass legislation transferring Forest Service lands that host critical county facilities — cited in the letter as the Libby shooting range, Troy airport and the Yak community hall — to county ownership at no cost, subject to continued public use. The letter also described a proposed land exchange intended to improve grizzly bear habitat, preserve wetland and roadless areas, establish a snowmobile safety trail, and provide a fire barrier near Libby.

Commissioners discussed administrative benefits: conveyed ownership would reduce special‑use permit red tape, allow the county to pursue grants and improvements more quickly, and preserve public access while easing federal administrative burdens. The board moved, seconded and approved both letters by voice vote; no roll‑call names were recorded in the transcript.