Stimson land being considered for conservation easement
Trust for Public Lands applying for funding
by Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio
August 8, 2010
28,000 acres of land in the Troy/Lake Creek area owned by Stimson Lumber Company may carry a conservation easement designation in about two years. The Trust for Public Lands, one of the largest protectors of open lands in the United States, is currently applying to funding sources to acquire the easement.
Stimson owns 110,000 acres of timberland in Montana. As part of an internal review two years ago, Stimson determined that 68,000 of those acres were not strategic enough to continue holding. Those acres are currently being sold off at the rate of 12,000 to 13,000 acres per year over a five year period. None of the land currently being sold is in Lincoln County.
What is in Lincoln County is 28,000 acres being termed some of the best timberland in Montana. A conservation easement would keep the land in timber production in a sustainable manner while protecting fish and wildlife and protecting public access. About 50% is termed critical habitat for grizzly bear, lynx, bull trout, and Kootenai River white sturgeon, all endangered species found in Lincoln county.
All Stimson parcels are said to have a higher, better use value. Most of it is gently sloping with great views and easy access making it ideal for subdivision.
An indication of Stimson's dedication to the Troy/Lake Creek area conservation project comes from the company's willingness to donate as much as 25% of easement value to make the project work.
By comparison, Plum Creek received 100% of fair market value for their lands moving into conservation trusts.
Stimson has the advantage of being a family company with 50 or so family members holding the shares.
Terms for the easement are not yet determined. They will be patterned after the 140,000 acre Thompson/Fisher conservation project, a $40 million project, some of which is in Lincoln County. Commissioner John Konzen pointed out that the Thompson/Fisher project has been around for a number of years and he hasn't heard any complaints about it. All easements will be held and managed by Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
The property will maintain its current tax base to Lincoln County.
Funding for the project may be difficult, since currently all Montana funds are going toward the Montana Legacy project of purchasing 310,000 acres from Plum Creek.
The Trust for Public Lands representative told Lincoln County commissioners that there is a small window of opportunity for this project. They are targeting funds for which the Legacy project does not qualify. Commissioners were told that this project ranks high in the probability of being funded, putting the project in position to close in two years.
Eureka commissioner Marianne Roose said that after seeing the overdevelopment of the Eureka area lands and lakes, she applauds Stimson for preserving the forest land plus the traditional values of hunting and fishing that go with them.
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Story by Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio, www.todaysbestcountryonline.com, e-mail: klcb@frontiernet.net
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