More Public Land Added To Elkhorn Mountains
Author: Chiara Cipriano, Public Affairs Officer
More Public Land Added to Elkhorn Mountains
Chiara Cipriano
Public Affairs Officer
In partnership with Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust, a private inholding is now new public land
TOWNSEND, June 17, 2024—Last month, the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest finalized a 40-acre land acquisition in partnership with the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust. The former private inholding is now public land that will be managed by the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. The property is located approximately 10 miles southwest of the City of Townsend in the Elkhorn Mountains.
“The acquisition of this private inholding in the Elkhorns will increase public land opportunities for hikers, hunters and horseback riders,” said Realty Specialist Tim Olson. “It will also enable more efficient management of these lands.”
The Elkhorn Mountains stretch roughly 300,000 acres in central Montana and provide rich wildlife habitat. In 1986, the Elkhorns were designated a Wildlife Management Unit, one of the first in the nation and remain a great place to spot elk and other wildlife. No taxpayer funds were used to obtain the new land. The new parcel was paid for using the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) that collects royalties paid by energy companies drilling for oil and gas and reinvests them into protecting natural resources.
Please contact the Townsend Ranger District at (406) 266-3425 if you would like to learn more or visit: Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest - Resource Management (usda.gov).
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PhotoCredit: United States Forest Service
Image 1 Caption: New public land shown in blue square west of Crow Creek Campground.
USFS Photo
Image 2 Caption: As of May 2024, the Townsend Ranger District acquired a 40-acre inholding of new public land that includes open meadows and more.
USFS Photo
