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	Land and Water Conservation Fund          Building a Legacy Since 1964
FY 2007 Land Acquisition Request
Forest Service

Greater Yellowstone Area

States of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming
Forest Service Region 1, Gallatin, Beaverhead-Deerlodge, and Custer National Forests;
Region 4, Caribou-Targhee and Bridger-Teton National Forests

Representative Dennis Rehberg, MT, Congressional District 1
Representative Barbara Cubin, WY, Congressional District 1
Representative Michael Simpson, ID, Congressional District 2

Senators Conrad Burns and Max Baucus, MT
Senators Larry Craig and Michael Crapo, ID
Senators Michael Enzi and Craig Thomas, WY

Appropriation History:

Appropriations received FY1996-2005	$38,712,356	20,229 acres acquired
FY 2006 Appropriation	$995,000	245 acres planned
FY 2007 Request	$6,058,000	150 acres planned
Future Requests	$45,550,000	11,155 acres planned

SIGNIFICANCE:

Since the early 1900s there has been strong public and interagency interest in the protection and management of the natural resources, including fish and wildlife habitat surrounding Yellowstone National Park (NP). The Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee (GYCC), formed in 1964, has dedicated its time and resources to the ecological integrity and outstanding natural resources of this area, with a coordinated perspective over the entire area. The Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee consists of six National Forests in three Regions, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, and the National Elk Refuge and Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. For the past 5 years the GYCC has recognized land patterns, in and around the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) as one of their priorities.

While the federal lands within the GYA retain a large degree of ecological integrity, these values are being diminished and their function lessened by development of inholdings and lands adjacent to the park, forests and refuges. We are experiencing increased encroachments, loss of traditional public access, changes in wildlife habitats and migration patterns, and changes in recreational uses and patterns across the landscape. Numerous partners including, the State of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Trust for Public Lands, The Nature Conservancy, local land trusts, local counties, cooperating landowners, and conservation and sportsman groups have long recognized the connection and dependence upon the larger landscape of private and public lands. They have been significant partners in the conservation of private lands that provide critical winter range and migratory habitat for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, bison and other wildlife, crucial linkage zones for grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Recovery Area, and key watersheds providing stream and riparian habitats for bald eagles, whooping cranes and trumpeter swans, native cutthroat trout, and other species.

The twenty counties that make up the GYA are among the fastest growing in the United States and are predicted to continue to outpace the national average well into the future. Between 1990 and 1996, the populations of Teton County, Idaho, Gallatin County, Montana, and Teton County, Wyoming grew by an astronomical 50%, 20% and 22%, respectively. Between 2000 and 2004 census data tells us that an addition 35, 000 people moved into the Greater Yellowstone region, primarily in the Bozeman, Red Lodge, MT and Idaho Falls, ID areas. Close to one-third of the regions three million private acres have already been subdivided. In addition to protecting key ecological values, acquisition of inholdings would reduce long term federal management costs associated with land surveys, permit processing, road maintenance, increased fire protection costs, public land access and other management complications.

LOCATION:

Below are narratives of several properties that have been identified for acquisition under this proposal using Land and Water Conservation Funds (LWCF). These individual transactions are not prioritized, but have been selected and represent the most important transactions within the Greater Yellowstone (GY) region. Our intent is to provide the most important and available transactions for LWCF consideration when looking across the entire GY region.

Bozeman Pass: The 320 acre Bozeman Pass project is located (Section 29) within Gallatin County, Montana, and inside the Gallatin National Forest boundary. The additional land offered for donation, either to Gallatin County or to the U.S., is located adjacent to the Forest boundary. The parcels that make up this transaction lie along Interstate I-90 and have community, visual, recreational and ecological values. The Bozeman Pass project is located 5 miles east of downtown Bozeman, Montana, straddling Interstate I-90 between Livingston and Bozeman. National Forest System lands are to the south, east and west of the project parcels. Private land, some of which are already protected with conservation easements, adjoin the Bozeman Pass parcels on the north, east and west. This entire corridor area is under intense pressure for new subdivision and development. Without acquisition in the near future, it is likely the current owners (Schmidt) would sell some or all of these lands.

Key Features: Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks considers the Bozeman Pass project “…one of the most unique and important acquisitions for wildlife and wildlife habitat to be proposed in the Gallatin Valley." Largely due to the property’s strategic location between the Gallatin Mountain Range to the south and the Bridger/Bangtail Mountains to the north, the property provides habitat for a wide range of species, including mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and other species. Carnivores (bears, mountain lions), in particular, use this crossover point since there is more forest cover than at other sites. The Craighead/ American Wildlands study notes that the Bozeman Pass area “…offers the best route for connectivity between secure habitat on either side of the freeway." A year ago, Congress appropriated $250,000 for the Bozeman Pass Wildlife Corridor and Highway Safety Project, to study ways to reduce the animal-vehicle collisions on Interstate 90 in this area. The property contains Rocky Creek, a tributary to the Gallatin River, and wetland or riparian areas on less than 50 percent of the area. Existing development has already reduced habitat and possible locations where wildlife can traverse the interstate.

Concurrent with this Forest Service project, Gallatin County is negotiating the purchase of adjoining Bozeman Pass parcels for the purposes of protecting a well-used recreational area and open space of visual quality along the Interstate. The lands to be acquired include one of Bozeman’s most popular rock climbing areas. Although the private owners have tolerated recreation access and use, future use can only be assured by acquiring the property. In addition this project includes a proposed easement to be donated to the Forest Service to provide needed recreational trail access to the popular Chestnut Mountain area of the Gallatin National Forest, for activities that include hiking, hunting, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, rock climbing, backbacking, and viewing the scenic landscapes and wildlife.

In addition to County and Forest Service projects, the local community is working with Montana Department of Transportation to create a safe passage area for wildlife in this same stretch of I-90. This project will also address a major safety and trespasss issue for the Federal Highway Administration, landowner, and community at large, caused by vehicles pulling off and onto Interstate 90 to access the rock climbing area on private land. The partners in this project are committed to finding a solution to these safety and trespass problems. A new access road and parking area is being considered, to be located on the land to be acquired. Montana Department of Transportation is very supportive of providing this new access road and parking.

Elements of the Transaction: In total, the Bozeman Pass projects proposes 2,055 acres for acquisition, in fee title or conservation easement as follows:

• 640 acres (Phase I and II) for purchase in fee by the Forest Service using LWCF appropriations.
• Phase I - the FY06 LWCF appropriation ($1,000,000) will be used to purchase approximately 245 acres in FY06.
• Phase II - Phase II - the FY07 funding request will be used to purchase 150 acres of the Bozeman Pass project.
• Phase III - a request of $1,000,000 will be requested in FY 2008 for the remaining 245 acres to complete the project.
• 175 acres for donation in fee to U.S.
• 1,240 acres for Conservation Easement, purchased by County.
• (FY 2007 request - $605,800)

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE:

There are no future administrative costs associated with the acquisition of Bozeman Pass - Section 29. There is no weed problem on the tract and the amount of forest boundary and number of boundary monuments doesn’t change. The establishment of new access to the National Forest results in a savings of approximately $20,000.

SUPPORT:

The Bozeman Pass proposal is strongly supported by the community of Bozeman, the Gallatin County Commissioners, the Open Space Land Board and the Montana Congressional Delegation. The Bozeman Pass project is supported by many elected officials because of the opportunities to protect the wildlife travel corridor, to improve recreational access to public lands, to reduce the threat of development and land conversion, to address the safety and trespass concerns, and also because of the strong effort being made by the county, state, federal government agencies, and the non-government organizations to all work together to support and complete this project. There is no known opposition to the project.

FUTURE REQUESTS:

Goose Lake/Goose Creek: The Goose Lake/Goose Creek project being presented is made up of 95 acre within Park County, Montana. The tracts identified for purchase are located inside the Custer National Forest boundary and completely within the designated Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness, at the headwaters of the Stillwater River and approximately 5 miles from Yellowstone National Park.

Key Features: Acquisition and integration of this private land parcel into the surrounding Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Preserve (AB) ensures a future high water quality for the Stillwater River. Public land management of this parcel ensures long-term and secured commitment to the conservation and management of Yellowstone cutthroat trout and their habitat within Goose Lake and Goose Creek. The property provides critical habitat for grizzly bears and habitat for a wide range of species, including moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, wolverine, lynx, and other species, dependant on subalpine and alpine habitats. The Goose Lake/Creek parcel includes alpine lands, which receive active management consideration to protect their fragile natural condition through the AB wilderness management plan. Acquisition of this private inholding into the surrounding public land unit ownership and management will also ensure greater opportunity for public enjoyment of these natural resources and settings

. The lands to be acquired would be accessible and usable by the public for wilderness type of activities. Acquiring the Goose Lake properties will secure the use and enjoyment of the Kersey Cabin Trail #569, which passes through the property, without the benefit of any secured right-of-way, in route to Grasshopper Glacier and eventually Granite Peak (Montana’s highest peak at 12,799’) within the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness.

Elements of the Transaction: This project represents Phase 1 with two or three future potential acquisitions (totally another 1,000 acres) associated with the Margaret Reeb estate. The Reeb estate has recently changed ownership with the passing of Margaret Reeb, and the current owners are now interested in divesting ownership of the property. The strategy is for the purchase of this 95-acre parcel by the Forest Service, using Land and Water Conservation Funds. (Future Request $380,000)

SUPPORT:

The Goose Lake/Creek project is strongly supported by the Eastern Wildlands Chapter of the Montana Wilderness Association, Sierra Club, Audubon, and The Nature Conservancy.

South Fork of the Snake River: This 530-acre project is located along the South bank of the Snake River, in southeast Idaho, below the Palisades Dam, on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The inholdings are located in the river corridor that is co-managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service (FS) under the guidelines in the 1991 Snake River Activity/Operations Plan (Plan).

Key Features: The ecological qualities, found along a 61-mile stretch River from Palisades Dam to the confluence with the Henry’s Fork, resulted in the South Fork being eligible for study under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This is an important preliminary distinction that could lead to designation of the River as scenic or recreational by the U.S. Congress at some point in the future. The project area supports the largest riparian cottonwood gallery forest in the West and is among the most unique and bio-diverse ecosystems in Idaho. There are thirteen bald eagle nesting territories, three peregrine falcon eyries, and a population of the Ute Ladies’ Tresses orchid along the South Fork of the Snake River. These threatened and endangered species are dependent on the rich ecosystem of the River, which is home to 126 bird species, including 21 raptors (birds of prey), thus resulting in its “National Important Bird Area” designation. The South Fork of the Snake River (the River) supports two sub-species of cutthroat trout (the Yellowstone and the Snake River Fine Spot), and is the largest native cutthroat fishery outside of Yellowstone National Park. The area provides crucial big game winter range for mule deer and elk, and supports a diverse array of other wildlife including moose, deer, elk, mountain goats, mountain lions, black bear, bobcats, coyotes, river otter, beaver, fox, mink, weasel, and raccoon. The area along the River was designated as Critical Big Game Winter Range in the 1997 Revised Forest Plan for the Targhee National Forest. Recreational opportunities abound on the River, which is known throughout the country as a premier blue ribbon trout fishery and was selected as the host site for the 1997 World Fly Fishing Championship. The River receives over 300,000 visitors each year, with recreationists enjoying fishing, camping, hiking, and boating. Acquisition of this parcel would help maintain existing conditions. Development of the property would seriously impact the outstanding scenic character of the river corridor, fragment the unique river ecosystem, and would deter the ability of the BLM and the FS to maintain their common river management goals. If the parcel were developed, there would be a loss and disruption of threatened and endangered species, as well as wintering big game habitat. Acquisition of the parcel would provide access to a portion of the Forest currently without access.

Key Features: This project includes four (4) parcels belonging to four individual owners and referred to as the Adams, Fullmer, Mud Creek and Spaulding acquisitions. Together these acquisitions account for 530 acres of inholdings. Lands would be acquired as free of any reservations as possible. (Future Request $1,140,000)

SUPPORT:

The BLM strongly supports our efforts to conserve these properties. Since 1992, the BLM has acquired approximately $3,600,000 worth of properties and interests utilizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) appropriations for the Upper Snake/South Fork of the Snake River Project (the Project), of which the majority has been spent on the South Fork of the Snake River. Bonneville Power Administration, Palisades Dam Mitigation Project, The Nature Conservancy, a conservation buyer, and private donor together have provided an additional $10 million of acquisition funds for the BLM Project. The Nature Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, Teton Regional Land Trust, Henry’s Fork Foundation, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Tribe have been actively conserving key properties along the river corridor since 1991. In addition to LWCF appropriations, the river partners have used a variety of conservation plans to protect the river corridor, including conservation easement acquisition and donation, Bonneville Power Administration mitigation funds, and conservation buyers. The Trust for Public Land and Greater Yellowstone Coalition support this acquisition and are willing to aid us in acquiring inholdings as well as land along the River. Bonneville Power Administration, Trout Unlimited, Upper Snake River Chapter, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and Ducks Unlimited are also supporters of federal acquisition along the River corridor. We are not aware of any opposition to this project.

Teton Gateways Initiative: The Teton Gateways Initiative (the Initiative) is a community-based effort to protect the Gateways (Buffalo Valley, Snake River Canyon, and Hoback Canyon) to the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF). The Initiative focuses on four inholdings totaling 225 acres within the BTNF, which are Willow Creek, Deadman Ranch, Hatchet Meadows, and Poison Creek. Located in the southern part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), the area is one of America's grandest landscapes, and most intact temperate ecosystem in the world.

Poison Creek: Located along the southeastern Gateway to Jackson Hole, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Wyoming Game & Fish consider this 37-acre parcel a top priority for acquisition. A buffer to the Gros Ventre Wilderness Area, the Poison Creek parcel provides critical winter range and migration corridor for bighorn sheep, elk, and mule deer. The land provides public access for recreation and hunting, and is highly visible to visitors entering Jackson Hole. The land was slated for development as a private gravel source when the Wyoming Game & Fish Department and local elected officials requested that the Land Trust purchase the land to protect it from further degradation. The Land Trust has held the parcel, and now desires to move it to public ownership for long-term management. The Trust developed a trailhead and hiking and horse trails leading to the Forest and the Gros Ventre Wilderness.

Willow Creek: The parcel is located within a quarter mile of the Bridger Wilderness boundary. The 40-acre parcel has the potential for a “trophy home” should it be sold to a developer. The family is split between selling this land on the open market and selling to the United States; timing and money are at issue. Real estate in the Pinedale area is booming due to the growing surge in oil and gas development. This parcel stands to be lost to development, and along with that, access to the Wilderness. Sublette County Commissioners do not want this land to be developed. Wyoming Game & Fish Dept. believe it is critical to make this land public in order to protect mule deer and elk migration routes between the high summer range and the critical winter range.

Deadman Ranch: Located 25 miles south of Alpine along the beautiful Grey’s River Road, this parcel lies in a valley, which funnels elk and mule deer to critical winter range along the Grey’s River. The 120-acre parcel is largely riparian willow bottomlands, and has historically been used for livestock grazing. The family desires to honor the wishes of their deceased father, who believed the land should be in public ownership. Wyoming Game & Fish Department would like to see this parcel become public land to conserve wildlife habitat and migration patterns, and to allow fishing access to Grey’s River.

Hatchet Meadow: This spectacular 28-acre meadow bordering the Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway in Buffalo Valley is the first private land seen upon entering the Jackson Hole valley from the east. On the horizon rises Mt. Moran, a flat-topped mountain at the north end of the Teton Mountain Range. This narrow meadow was slated for development, but was acquired by the Jackson Hole Land Trust to conserve its scenic, agricultural, and wildlife qualities. The Land Trust must move this land into federal ownership, and use the funds to acquire higher priority lands within their area of interest, in order to protect lands, which buffer and support those of the Forest. (Future Request for these 4 parcels $6,500,000)

Key Features: The Initiative inholdings are suitable for inclusion within the National Forest System, each with boundaries contiguous to the BTNF. They are mostly undeveloped, contain important riparian lands and waterways, and provide habitat to wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. In addition, acquisition of the parcels will protect the entryways to the nation’s most beautiful landscapes, which are in clear view of the public accessing the BTNF via major motorized entry routes. Funding of the Teton Gateways Initiative will:

• Protect over two miles of the Grey’s River corridor; Scenic eligible river.
• Protect over three miles of scenic highway corridor along the Gateways to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, including the Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway Corridor.
• Protect water quality and fish habitat for the Colorado fine-spotted cutthroat trout.
• Protect crucial winter and year-round habitat for elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, and moose.
• Protect crucial habitat for the following threatened or endangered species: bald eagle, grizzly bear, whooping crane, peregrine falcon, and trumpeter swan.
• Protect ecologically important riparian and wetland habitat.
• Preserve the character and pastoral setting of the Jackson Hole area.
• Provide additional public access points to the Grey’s River and the Gros Ventre and Bridger Wilderness Areas.
• Provide increased recreational opportunities, including hunting and fishing.

These areas provide phenomenal recreational opportunities and are visited by over three million people per year. The Buffalo Fork of the Snake River and the Hoback River are eligible for a potential inclusion in the National River System as a Scenic River.

SUPPORT:

The Teton Gateways Initiative involves a public/private partnership aimed at leveraging LWCF funding. By combining discounts on market value with the donation of conservation easements on additional inholdings, Forest Service objectives will be reached through public and private means. The Initiative has the support of the other major land management agencies in the region, including Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge.

The following organizations support the protection of parcels included in this Initiative:

• Jackson Hole Land Trust
• Green River Valley Land Trust
• The Trust for Public Lands
• The Nature Conservancy
• Craighead Institute
• Department of Interior, Grand Teton National Park
• Department of Interior, Yellowstone National Park
• Department of Interior, National Elk Refuge
• Greater Yellowstone Coalition
• Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance
• National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
• Trout Unlimited
• Foundation for North American Wild Sheep
• Mule Deer Foundation
• Teton County, Board of Commissioners
• Sublette County, Board of Commissioners
• Lincoln County, Board of Commissioners
• State of Wyoming, Department of Game & Fish Department

FUTURE REQUESTS:

• Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
• Warm Springs – 40 acres for approximately $120,000
• West Fork Madison River Conservation Easement – 461 acres for $1,120,000
• Shelton Homestead - 158 acres for approximately $390,000


• Bridger-Teton NF
• Green River Valley Initiative – 127 acres for approximately $1,400,000 (there is more potential acres but no associated price)


• Caribou-Targhee NF
• Caribou Mountain-– 206 acres for approximately $500,000
• Buffalo River – 648 acres for approximately $5,500,000
• Garrit Siding – 360 acres for approximately $2,500,000
• McCoy Creek –318 acres for approximately $1,600,000
• Harrison Springs – 180 acres for approximately $2,700,000
• Pine Creek – 98 acres for approximately $2,200,000


• Custer National Forest
• Goose Lakes/Creek, Phase 2-3 - 1,000 acres for approximately $4,000,000


• Gallatin NF
• Stinnett Property –- 320 acres for approximately $1,000,000
• Royal Teton Ranch Phase III - 6000 acres for approximately $13,000,000
• Speculator Mining Claims -144 acres for approximately $500,000