The public is invited to comment on a proposal by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to acquire the 3,600-acre Seymour Creek parcel in the Big Hole River Watershed.
The existing private landowners are partnering with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and BLM to conserve their family lands in southwest Montana through this Land and Water Conservation Fund acquisition. The comment period for the public to share any issues and concerns that should be considered by the BLM during their environmental assessment planning process to evaluate the impacts of acquiring the acreage will close on August 4, 2022.
The proposed acquisition is about 55 miles south of Butte, in Beaverhead (est. 3,178 acres) and Deerlodge (est. 422 acres) Counites. The Seymour Creek parcel is approximately 13 miles upstream from the confluence of the Big Hole River and Wise River. The area can be accessed via Highway 43, although the property remains in private ownership and is not currently open to the public.
“Acquiring these lands would provide opportunities for increased access for public recreation and management for multiple benefits including maintaining outstanding wildlife and fisheries habitat and ensuring proper watershed function,” said Lindsey Babcock, Butte Field Manager.
“RMEF is excited to work with this traditional Montana ranching family and the BLM to conserve this property that is so important to elk, mule deer, moose, and other wildlife. This project provides an outstanding and diverse conservation and public access opportunity, while alleviating complex public land management,” said Jennifer Doherty, RMEF director of land conservation & access.
To comment on the proposed acquisition, visit the ePlanning website and click on this link to search for the Seymour Creek project.
(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)