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RMEF on proposed land exchange

Big Fin

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As has been talked about on this site, there is a land exchange proposed by the Wilks Brothers, the largest landowners in Central Montana. The proposal would exchange isolated BLM parcels in Central Montana and for lands the Wilks Brothers own that control access to large chunks of BLM ground. The BLM would be asked to give up some of the best elk ground in all of Montana.

Of all land exchanges I have seen proposed over the last decade, this one seems to have garnered more interest than any I can recall. Something about the quality of elk hunting grounds that would be traded seems to correlate to the level of resistance to the proposal the Wilks Brothers have submitted to the BLM.

RMEF has been asked by agencies to give their input on the proposal. That is provided below in the PDF file, link, and quote. The primary focus for RMEF is what this exchange does for elk management and for elk hunting. As you can see in the attached link, RMEF feels that the proposal presented to the BLM from the Wilks Brothers is not a good deal for elk, elk hunters, or the public.

View attachment Land Exchange Falls Short for Elk and Elk Hunters (1).pdf

http://www.rmef.org/NewsandMedia/Pr...andExchangeFallsShortforElkandElkHunters.aspx


March 28, 2014

RMEF: Land Exchange Falls Short for Elk and Elk Hunters
MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation maintains that elk and elk habitat need to be the major points of focus regarding a proposed land exchange in central Montana involving two major land parcels: one south of Grass Range and one north of the Missouri River in the CMR Monument with additional smaller parcels added in both areas.

Dan and Farris Wilks own large tracts of private land surrounding more than 4,860 acres of landlocked Bureau of Land Management (BLM) tracts in Fergus County, south of Lewistown. They submitted a proposal to the BLM to acquire those lands in exchange for 5,250 acres of land that would provide additional access to the Snowy Mountains and the Upper Missouri River Breaks in Blaine County.

“At the core of this issue, it is more about elk than anything else. What’s at stake here is the vital importance of elk and the ability of state wildlife managers to implement elk management,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “If this exchange goes through, that ability will be further compromised in a hunting district where elk are already well above management objectives.”

“Those Blaine County lands have alternative access options that should not require trading critical elk habitat. RMEF is willing to help finance efforts to improve access as needed in this region. We would like to see a more of an apples-to-apples exchange proposed.” Allen added.

Right now, access to the BLM land is extremely limited, including the 2,785-acre parcel best known as Durfee Hills which contains prime elk habitat and a healthy elk population. Hunters and others currently reach those landlocked parcels by plane or helicopter.

The BLM previously stated its principal motivation in considering the land exchange is the potential to restore improved access to about 50,000 acres of backcountry in the Missouri Breaks. Historic access routes to the Blaine County lands north of the Missouri River go through lands the Wilks offered for exchange.

“This is not a black and white issue and it’s much more than just the amount of acreage or land mass involved. On one hand, we already have access to the Big Snowies and we can improve access to the Breaks, but if this deal goes through we lose a key piece of elk habitat in the Durfee Hills that the public will never get back. If the public is going to trade this amazing elk country, the public should receive a much better deal if any deal is made,” added Allen.

The BLM is preparing an environmental assessment and ask for public comment on the proposed exchange. Go here to view maps and other information.


About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 200,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 6.4 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation™” at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

Will be interesting to see if the Wilks Brothers offer a more appealing alternative. To this point, I know of hardly anyone who is supporting the proposal as it stands. Given this strong public sentiment against the proposal, I would be very surprised and disappointed if the BLM accepted the deal as proposed by the Wilks Brothers. Surely we can get a better deal than this.
 
BLM parcels in Central Montana and for lands the Wilks Brothers own that control access to large chunks of BLM ground.

Access to BLM lands is not controlled, just the type. Air and foot access will still get a person into all of this land.
 
Yes, the area can be walked into. There are also a couple airstrips and a River access. Lots of open roads in there as well, but permission is needed by the private landowner to access them.
 

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