Second phase of huge Plum Creek land sale completed

Another big chunk of Plum Creek lands has been purchased under one of the largest land conservation deals in history.

Last week the Nature Conservancy and The Trust for Public Land announced the purchase of another 111,740 acres of western Montana forestland from Plum Creek for $250 million. Funds for the acquisition were obtained through a provision within the 2008 Farm Bill created by Montana Sen. Max Baucus.

When the deal is fully completed, a total of 310,000 acres of Plum Creek lands will be purchased. As part of the sale, Plum Creek retains a 10-year fiber agreement on the land.

This is the second phase of the purchase. The first was completed in December when the two groups purchased 130,000 acres from Plum Creek.

The idea of the purchases is to keep them as working timberlands and open space, noted Nature Conservancy spokesman Chris Bryant.

Within three years, the two groups will convey the purchase of the phase-two lands to the Forest Service, Bryant said. But in the interim, the Conservancy will keep the same open lands policy Plum Creek had.

In other words, the land is still open to hunting and fishing.

The latest purchase resolves the “checkerboard” of land ownership in the Swan Valley, where Plum Creek-owned sections of lands interspersed with National Forest lands.

“I am really pleased to support this landmark conservation effort that will benefit Montana’s environment, our working forests and our local communities,” said Baucus. “It is also serving as a model for other places in the nation that want to conserve their forests in the face of huge pressures to convert them to other uses.”

Plum Creek has been liquidating some of its lands — particularly those near lakes and rivers — for subdivision and housing development.

“We’re all enormously thankful for the enduring work of Sen. Max Baucus in making this project possible. It has enabled us to pursue a vision that benefits all Montanans — from those who earn their living in the forest, to those who hunt, ride, hike or simply take in the remarkable scenery. It’s a gift to us now and for future generations,” said Kat Imhoff, state director of The

Nature Conservancy in Montana.

The next phase targets land in the Potomac region near Missoula.

State legislation, House Bill 14, would allow for $21 million in bonds to purchase lands, but

Bryant said the last phase of the land sale, scheduled for December 2010, should happen whether the bill passes or not.

He said it’s been a misconception that the last phase of the land sale would not go through without state funding.

Eventually, all of the land will go into state, federal or private ownership.

The land sale amounts to a sale of one-third of all of Plum Creek’s land holdings in the state.