The second phase of a plan to conserve wildlife habitat and secure public access in the Cabinet Mountains is gaining widespread support from Flathead Valley residents. 

The state completed the first phase of the plan in February by purchasing rights to 32,821 acres of land roughly north of the Thompson chain of lakes from Green Diamond Resource Company, creating the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement. Now, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking approval to add another 52,930 acres to the perpetual easement.

At a March 5 public meeting, long-time Happy’s Inn resident Mark Maskill praised the plan as a “common sense solution” to combat the subdivision and development of Montana forestlands. 

“I’ve seen a great amount of development as timber companies have come and gone,” said Maskill. “I hate to see all the land kind of be developed like the surrounding area of Kalispell is.” 

Wildlife officials as of last week had received about 30 comments on the project, mostly in support of the purchase. 

While Green Diamond would retain primary ownership of the land located between Kalispell and Libby, the terms of the conservation easement grant the state rights to manage certain aspects of the land for the benefit of wildlife and outdoor recreation. If the land is later sold, these terms carry on to the next owner, creating “de facto public lands.” 

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Habitat Conservation Biologist Leah Breidinger characterized the strategy as a mutual win for wildlife, outdoor recreationists and the timber industry.  

“This easement really is a working forest easement,” said Breidinger at the public meeting held in Kalispell. 

According to the project’s environmental assessment, the proposed nearly 53,000-acre addition to the easement produces about three million board feet of timber each year, contributing about $12 million to the local economy. If the easement is purchased, Green Diamond could continue to harvest timber, but the company would have to follow guidelines to ensure ample wildlife habitat remains. 

“This property is unique because animals really seem to migrate through this area,” said Breidinger. 

About 53,000 of private timberland would be placed under the conservation easement, if the second phase is approved.  

Threatened species like grizzly bears, Canada lynx and wolverines have all been observed on the property, and some 1,500 deer, elk and moose roam the woods. The abundance of wildlife has long enticed hunters and other outdoor recreationalists to visit the property. 

Green Diamond and its predecessor, Weyerhaeuser, have historically allowed recreational use on their property, but the terms of the conservation easement would ensure public access remains even if the land is sold.  

According to a report from Headwaters Economics, 49,120 acres of undeveloped land in Flathead County was converted to housing between 2000 and 2021, and the project’s environmental assessment claims that landowners like Green Diamond have received upwards of 16 unsolicited offers per month to sell parcels of land in the Cabinet Mountains. 

“Without a conservation easement, residential subdivision would likely occur over portions of the property,” reads the environmental assessment. 

The conservation easement was appraised for a purchase price of $57.5 million, but Green Diamond is contributing an in-kind donation of $20 million. About $35.8 million is expected to come from the United States Forest Legacy Program, and $1.7 million will be contributed from state funds. 

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is accepting public comments on the project through March 15. Comments can be emailed to Leah Breidinger at [email protected]. 

Following the public comment period, both the state Fish and Wildlife Commission and the Land Board will review the project and issue a decision. If the purchase is approved, the state wildlife agency will likely finalize a contract with Green Diamond in October.  

To learn more, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/news/public-notices. 

Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at [email protected] or 758-4433.