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Land Board approves habitat leases, timber sale and easements; authorizes filing on water‑rights objections (one 4‑1 vote)
Summary
At the Feb. 17 Land Board meeting, members unanimously approved habitat conservation leases, a Sophie Lake timber sale and proposed easements; the board voted 4‑1 to authorize filing objections on water rights after an executive‑session discussion.
HELENA — The Montana Board of Land Commissioners on Feb. 17 approved a batch of trust‑land actions, including Habitat Conservation Leases, a timber sale at Sophie Lake and multiple easements, and authorized filing objections on water‑rights claims by a 4‑1 vote.
DNRC Deputy Director Erin Weisgerber presented items on the agenda. Christi Jacobsen, Secretary of State, moved to approve item 0226‑1, Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Habitat Conservation Leases; the motion was seconded by Susie Hedalen and carried unanimously. Public comment was recorded from Christy Clark, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Director.
Item 0226‑2, a Sophie Lake timber sale, and item 0226‑3, proposed easements, were both moved and approved unanimously. The board then considered item 0226‑4, approval to file objections on water rights. The board met in executive session under MCA 2‑3‑203(4) to discuss litigation strategy before returning to the public meeting. James Brown moved to approve item 0226‑4; the motion was seconded by Christi Jacobsen and carried 4‑1; the transcript does not identify the dissenting member by name.
The board also recorded motions placing a future Land Exchange Policy update on the May agenda and directing DNRC to pursue grazing‑policy rulemaking and a production‑livestock preference policy (both described in separate proceedings at the meeting).
The board adopted the audio recording as the official meeting record, and the DNRC posts meeting minutes and recordings at https://dnrc.mt.gov/TrustLand/About/LandBoardMeetingArchive.
Votes at a glance
- Item 0226‑1 (Habitat Conservation Leases): Moved by Christi Jacobsen; second Susie Hedalen; outcome: approved unanimously.
- Item 0226‑2 (Timber Sale: Sophie Lake): Moved by Christi Jacobsen; second Susie Hedalen; outcome: approved unanimously.
- Item 0226‑3 (Easements): Moved by Christi Jacobsen; second James Brown; outcome: approved unanimously.
- Item 0226‑4 (Approval to File Objections on Water Rights): Moved by James Brown; second Christi Jacobsen; outcome: approved 4‑1 (transcript lists tally but does not name the dissenting member).
- Item 0226‑5 (Bison Grazing Proposals): See separate item; motion to direct DNRC to prepare rule changes and pause new/pending bison turnouts carried unanimously.
The board adjourned after completing the agenda.
