Stafford Ferry CE

[Big Fin]

I made some inquiries to people about the status of the Stafford Ferry Easement. The response is likely a realistic appraisal.

Randy,
I have been told there are no plans for this to come before the Commission in the near future. I would encourage you to reach out to your elected officials ............. Not sure where this is stalled ...................

So, it appears after all the work on this project, an easement that most would consider pretty straight forward as far as easement complexity, somewhere between the FWP Director and the Governor's office, this easement is stuck in limbo. The Department and Commission are not allowed to put it on the agenda and nobody knows why it is stalled.

It further convinces me that the idea is to run out the clock on an elderly landowner who has invested a lot of time and trust in FWP to get this done. These easement can be important cogs in the larger plans landowners make for the long-term use of their properties. The landowner deserves an answer.

If the Governor, Director, a County Commissioner, or a legislator has people who want to kill this easement, then say so. Don't drag the landowner along and act like it is something he/she should count on in their long-term planning.

Anyone interested in contacting the Governor's office about the Stafford Ferry Conservation Easement, here is a link - https://governor.mt.gov/contact/

Maybe someone in the Governor's office can get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding this easement.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Thanks for the reminder and the link. Strong, tactful message sent to the Governor. This debacle has gone on too long. It dishonors the due diligence and the property rights of the landowner. Moreover, it may set a precedent of delaying or even blocking easements. It also may result in prominent black marks in the Governor's office legacy book ... regardless of any beneficial actions.

 

[Forkyfinder]

I made some inquiries to people about the status of the Stafford Ferry Easement. The response is likely a realistic appraisal.




So, it appears after all the work on this project, an easement that most would consider pretty straight forward as far as easement complexity, somewhere between the FWP Director and the Governor's office, this easement is stuck in limbo. The Department and Commission are not allowed to put it on the agenda and nobody knows why it is stalled.

It further convinces me that the idea is to run out the clock on an elderly landowner who has invested a lot of time and trust in FWP to get this done. These easement can be important cogs in the larger plans landowners make for the long-term use of their properties. The landowner deserves an answer.

If the Governor, Director, a County Commissioner, or a legislator has people who want to kill this easement, then say so. Don't drag the landowner along and act like it is something he/she should count on in their long-term planning.

Anyone interested in contacting the Governor's office about the Stafford Ferry Conservation Easement, here is a link - https://governor.mt.gov/contact/

Maybe someone in the Governor's office can get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding this easement.

@Big Fin


Is this the right people to email?

Land Board

dnrc.mt.gov

 

[Straight Arrow]

@Big Fin


Is this the right people to email?

Land Board

dnrc.mt.gov

The Governor chairs the Land Board and with all the shenanigans and upheaval between the Governor and his FWP, it seems appropriate to put the pressure on him. If he wants it on the agenda, it will be there. If he doesn't, it won't.

 

[Big Fin]

@Big Fin


Is this the right people to email?

Land Board

dnrc.mt.gov

The Stafford Ferry easement is small enough, that it will not require Land Board approval. Maybe they will ask for Land Board approval, but it is not necessary. I would focus on the Governor’s office, Director’s office, and the commissioners of FWP.

 

[BrowningCitori]

The Stafford Ferry easement is small enough, that it will not require Land Board approval. Maybe they will ask for Land Board approval, but it is not necessary. I would focus on the Governor’s office, Director’s office, and the commissioners of FWP.

Thanks for the link to the governor's office, I submitted comments.

 

[CKthree]

Comment submitted. Hopefully he listens

 

[Straight Arrow]

Messages sent to all parties deemed to be part of the process.

Did receive a response from FWP, as follows:

Thank you for your note. I passed it along to our Lands Division in Helena. We continue to push to get this project through, some of the roadblocks occurring are not in FWP’s control.
Sincerely,
Cory Loecker| Region 4 Wildlife Manager

 

[WanderWoman]

For those following, this project and others are headed to the August commission. If you are so inclined, feel free to submit a comment. Glad to see movement on this, which likely would not have happened without public support and pressure.

https://fwp.mt.gov/homepage/news/2025/jul/0707-montana-great-outdoors-phase-2-stafford-ferry-80000-acres-of-habitat-conservation-leases-headed-to-fish-and-wildlife-commission?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLcu5FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmKlMeYq1gkEjvkzRrMCoQNsulhWAURfntwCijnsuuASZE_8Pe6DQkBHgebC_aem_FFWMfmHH4iGGUfdsz9VpeQ

 

[MTGomer]

As @WanderWoman said, this is finally going to the commission for a vote. This has been a long time coming and the commissioners need to hear from the public that we support conservation easements on key pieces of land like this.

Please go to this link, scoll down to the Stafford Ferry section and submit a comment. At this same page are hyperlinks to a lot of information on this project.

Fish And Wildlife Commission Meeting: August 21, 2025 | Montana FWP

Fish and Wildlife Commission Meeting: August 21, 2025

fwp.mt.gov

Many many people, businesses and non profit organizations have worked very hard to get this to where it is.

 

[WanderWoman]

The Stafford Ferry CE was just unanimously approved by the Fish & Wildlife Commission, with many commenting beforehand and at the meeting in support.

This project would not have made it without the advocacy of WSF and many on here who contacted FWP, Fergus County, and the governor’s office, time and time again.

As a Montana sportswoman and someone who cares deeply about wild places, critters, traditional ag, and CEs, thank you.

 

[BrowningCitori]

The Stafford Ferry CE was just unanimously approved by the Fish & Wildlife Commission, with many commenting beforehand and at the meeting in support.

This project would not have made it without the advocacy of WSF and many on here who contacted FWP, Fergus County, and the governor’s office, time and time again.

As a Montana sportswoman and someone who cares deeply about wild places, critters, traditional ag, and CEs, thank you.

This is awesome news!