First phase of Watershed Project completed resulting in protection of 7,000 acres

The first phase of the Whitefish Lake Watershed Project has been completed protecting more than 7,000 acres of forestland north of Whitefish.

A public-private partnership paved the way for the first phase of the easement, which looks to ultimately preserve a roughly 13,400-acre block of forestland as part of the multi-phase watershed project.

The Trust for Public Land, in partnership with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Thursday announced the completion of the first phase which focuses on the Lazy Creek section of the property. State, federal and private funds were used to complete the $15.5 million conservation easement.

Kristin Kovalik, senior project manager for TPL, said it’s “surreal” to have the first phase of the project complete after several years of work.

“It’s taken a few twist and turns to get here, but it feels great to have 7,000 acres in public ownership,” she said. “It’s a great day for Montana and for conservation.”

The groups worked together to acquire the land and the conservation easement that will permanently restrict commercial and residential development, along with protecting important fish and wildlife habitat, ensure sustainable forest management, and secure public access for recreation, according to a release by the organizations involved.

Kovalik said the project was a priority for TPL because it was so important to the “state agencies and hunting, fishing and recreation groups that were involved.”

“This area is important for its habitat and also for its recreation value and this preserves public access to the project,” she said. “There were a lot of reasons to support it.”

Kris Tempel, Resource Specialist with FWP in Region One, praised the project.

“Completion of this conservation easement project has taken the hard work and dedication of many partners, and FWP is thrilled to have been a part of conserving this critical piece of fish and wildlife habitat in perpetuity while also ensuring sustainable forest management and public access into the future,” said Tempel, in a prepared release.

The land, spanning nearly 11 square miles, will be added to Stillwater State Forest, the largest state forest in Montana.

Seattle-based timber company Weyerhaeuser previously decided to sell the property, but agreed to give the Trust for Public Land the first option to buy and conserve it. A series of land maneuvers — TPL purchased the property and FWP purchased a conservation easement for the property and finally DNRC bought the property from TPL — allowed for the project’s completion.

The agreement represents the successful completion of the first phase of the Whitefish Lake Watershed Project, which encompasses forestland surrounded on three sides by Stillwater State Forest.

Shawn Thomas, Trust Lands Division Administrator, said the Trust Land Management Division of DNRC is excited to re-purpose land banking funds generated from the sale of isolated, low-performing tracts to bring this property back into state ownership

“These lands, which include some of the most productive timberland in the state, were originally granted to Montana’s trust beneficiaries by Congress in the late 1800s and were subsequently sold to private interests in the early 1900s,” Thomas said in a release. “This acquisition is truly a treasure returned to the state trust and the public who will enjoy it.”

Two sections of the total Watershed Project remain to be completed. An additional 3,000-acre chunk of the Lazy Creek section known as Phase II and the 3,000-acre Swift Creek section called Phase III of the project await protection.

Kovalik said work is ongoing to convey Phase II into state ownership by the end of the year. TPL is waiting on word about potential federal funding for the phase, the appraisal process is expected to begin shortly and the section will need to go through federal and state review, she noted.

The Swift Creek section, or Phase III, has a goal of completion by the end of the year as well, she noted. The Bonneville Power Administration is expected to provide about $11.5 million in funding for the purchase of the 3,000 acres in the Swift Creek watershed. In exchange for their funding, BPA is expected to retain a perpetual conservation easement with ownership of these sections being transferred to the state.

Several funding sources were used for the Phase I of the Lazy Creek section of the easement. Federal funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund was provided to the project through the USDA Forest Legacy Program and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund program.

Additional funding came from the Montana Fish & Wildlife Conservation Trust, established by Congress to conserve fish and wildlife habitat and promote public access, and FWP’s Habitat Montana program which is funded by hunter license dollars and used to protect vital wildlife habitat.

Private dollars were provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through Walmart’s Acres for America Program, the Whitefish Community Foundation and several individuals.

Noreen Walsh, Mountain-Prairie Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said the Service is “proud to support this project that connects over 5 million acres of public lands in the iconic Crown of the Continent.”

“This remarkable land provides important habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife and protects waters that are critical for Whitefish’s water supply,” Walsh said in a release. “This acquisition ensures permanent protection for one of the last remaining unprotected habitats in this unparalleled landscape, will create additional recreational activities for the public, ensure sustainable forest management, and maintain the area’s proud tradition of working lands.”

The project has received support from Montana’s U.S. Senators.

Democratic Sen. Jon Tester praised the project.

“This project increases public access to public lands, allows for responsible timber harvest, protects wildlife, helps bolster the local economy, and provides clean water to folks across Northwest Montana,” he said in a statement. “It’s a win-win-win-win-win. That’s why I’m fighting to permanently reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, because it makes projects like this possible.”

Republican Sen. Steve Daines also said of the project, “It’s good to see federal, state, and private partners come together to protect public access and timber management.”