The Montana Land Board has approved a 53,000-acre conservation easement in the Cabinet Mountains of northwest Montana, ensuring public access to Green Diamond Resource Company’s timberland. This decision, passed by a 4-1 vote, advances the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement. The proposal was crafted by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and focused on preserving natural habitats while maintaining timber industry access.
Attorney General Austin Knudsen cast the only dissenting vote. Joining Lt. Gov. Kristin Juras, representing Gov. Greg Gianforte, Secretary of State Christi Jacobson, Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen, and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown endorsed the project. The Land Board’s authority, expanded under a 2021 state law, allows oversight of high-value conservation easements.
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Director Amanda Kaster highlighted the area’s significance, with approximately 9,500 annual hunting and fishing days and habitats for species like grizzly bears and Canada lynx. The easement’s $58 million cost is primarily funded by the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program. Green Diamond donates $20 million, and Habitat Montana, through hunting licenses and recreational marijuana taxes, contributes $1.5 million.
Similar funding was used in a previous smaller easement, approved in December. FWP Director Christy Clark emphasized the easement’s role in maintaining public access and forest management. “By approving this easement, you’re not just protecting trees and acres, you’re protecting a way of life built on open land, wildlife, and public access,” Clark noted.
Supporters at the Land Board meeting included Sen. Mike Cuffe and representatives from the Lincoln County Commission and Montana Logging Association. However, opposition came from Lloyd Parsons of WRH Nevada Properties, owning mineral rights on some acreage, and Matt Vincent of Montana Mining Association, citing concerns about property rights and future federal funding for conservation projects.
Despite opposition, Brian Thompson of Green Diamond and Barry Dexter of Stimson Lumber Company argued that conservation easements offer stability crucial for timberland management. Dexter mentioned the challenges of commercial access and the importance of easements for the forest product industry and rural community economics.
Critics like Peter Scott of Citizens for Balanced Use question the strategy’s effectiveness in reversing the timber industry’s decline. Knudsen expressed concern over perpetual easements and their impact on mineral access and the federal deficit.
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