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FWP and Green Diamond outline $57.5M, 52,930-acre conservation easement; Fish & Wildlife Commission review set for next day
Summary
Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Green Diamond presented Phase 2 of the Montana Great Outdoors conservation easement—a proposed 52,930-acre easement (about 75% in Lincoln County) with a $57.5 million purchase price, funded largely through the Forest Service Forest Legacy program, Habitat Montana and a 35% contribution from Green Diamond.
Presenters from Green Diamond Resource Company and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks described Phase 2 of the Montana Great Outdoors conservation-easement project and asked for the county's informational review.
Brian Hobde, identified as Green Diamond's area manager, summarized company history and stewardship objectives; Leah Binger, a habitat conservation biologist with Fish, Wildlife & Parks, described the easement: "Phase 2 is a 52,930-acre conservation easement that's in Lincoln and Flathead County. Most of those acres are in Lincoln County, around 75% of them," she said. The presenters said the total purchase price for the easement is $57.5 million. Funding is primarily from the Forest Service Forest Legacy program, supplemented by Habitat Montana, with Green Diamond contributing roughly 35% of the cost.
FWP and Green Diamond said the easement would keep the land privately owned while protecting conservation values, retaining timber harvest under a sustained-management plan, and guaranteeing permanent public access. FWP emphasized habitat protection for species including bull trout and large-game winter ranges, and noted the easement would help reduce fire-suppression costs by preventing development in the wildland-urban interface. The presenters said they had completed environmental analysis and that, if the Fish & Wildlife Commission approved the project the next day, it would proceed to the land board on Oct. 20 and could close in December.
Commissioners asked whether thinning and other harvest by-products could feed local biomass or processing facilities. Presenters said pre-commercial thinning mostly biodegrades while commercial thinning yields pulp/nonsaw material with limited outlets today, and encouraged further local infrastructure development.
Next steps: FWP will present to the Fish & Wildlife Commission; county staff will maintain contact with project partners. If the commission and then the land board approve, the transaction could close in December.
