Montana Great Outdoors Phase 2 easement would protect about 52,930 acres, presenters say

Representatives of Green Diamond Resource Company and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks told Lincoln County commissioners on Aug. 20 that the Montana Great Outdoors Phase 2 project would place roughly 52,930 acres — about three‑quarters of it in Lincoln County — under a working‑forest conservation easement.

The presenters said the purchase price for the easement is $57.5 million. They said most funding is expected from the U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy Program, with additional contributions from Habitat Montana and a roughly 35% donation by Green Diamond. Under the proposed easement, Green Diamond would retain ownership and continue timber management under a sustained management plan while residential and industrial development rights would be removed, presenters said.

Advocates described several conservation priorities: maintaining long‑term timber management and forest health through practices such as pre‑commercial and commercial thinning, securing permanent free public access for recreation, protecting habitat for species including bull trout and big game, and reducing long‑term fire‑suppression costs by limiting development in the wildland‑urban interface and allowing continued hazardous‑fuel management.

"The total cost to purchase the easement is 57.5 million," Green Diamond manager Brian Hobde told commissioners. Fish and Wildlife staff said the property receives substantial annual recreational use — the presentation estimated about 9,500 days of hunting and fishing access per year — and emphasized the easement would preserve that public access while allowing continued sustainable timber operations.

Presenters acknowledged at least one public concern raised during prior outreach about mineral rights. FWP staff said the easement would encumber only rights the easement holder possesses and that their legal review had addressed mineral‑rights questions. "I can't grant an easement to somebody on your property if I don't own rights to your property," a presenter said in response to the question.

Commissioners and presenters also discussed the local market for low‑value biomass material generated by thinning operations and the challenge of finding outlets for pulp and non‑saw fiber. Several commissioners and presenters expressed interest in local biomass processing capacity but said economic and freight constraints remain major obstacles.

The presenters said the environmental analysis is complete and that the project was scheduled for review by the Fish and Wildlife Commission the day after the meeting; if the commission approves, it will go to the Land Board on Oct. 20 and could close in December if the Land Board approves.

No county decision or vote was taken at the Aug. 20 meeting; the county received the presentation and commissioners asked staff to remain informed about the project timeline.

The presenters who spoke to the board included Brian Hobde (area manager for Green Diamond Resource Company), Leah Binger (habitat conservation biologist, Fish, Wildlife & Parks) and Amber Steed (regional supervisor, Northwest Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks).