Completed Land Exchanges
- Ancient Red Cedar Grove – Upper Priest
Lake - Helped preserve in public ownership perhaps the largest contiguous block
of old growth red cedar in the continental U.S., from the Canadian Border to Upper Priest
Lake. Includes critical habitat for several threatened and endangered species including
grizzly bear, woodland caribou, Harlequin duck, bull trout, west slope cutthroat and
several sensitive plants. Related
news article#1, Related
news article #2, Related
article #3,
Related article #4
- Grande Ronde River, Oregon - Acquired
riparian habitat, salmon and steelhead spawning grounds on Big Sheep Creek, Swamp Creek,
Wallowa, and Grande Ronde Rivers, including Red’s Horse Ranch inside the Eagle Cap
Wilderness.
- Rocking M Ranch on Brownlee Front south of
Hell’s Canyon – Provided public access to 17,000 acres of private land
plus access to BLM and state lands that were previously unavailable for sportsmen.
Important big game winter range and habitat for chuckar, blue grouse, quail, ruff grouse,
deer, elk, black bear, mountain lion. Secured reduced grazing levels and wildlife habitat
as open space in perpetuity preventing future development.
- Snow Peak-Buck Creek - Shoshone
County north of Mallard Larkin Wilderness Area – About 12,000 acres into public
ownership from Plum Creek Timber Company to the Idaho Fish and Game for bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, mountain goat, elk and other wildlife management and habitat
protection. This area is mostly road-less and considerable old
growth.
- Craig Mountain, north of Salmon/Snake River
confluence (tribes, private, BIA, financial institutions) Acquired approximately
20,000 acres of timber for Nez Perce tribe in two multi-party
transactions.
Land Exchanges in Progress
- Blackfoot Corridor – Montana: With Nature Conservancy & BLM, acquiring
10,600
acres along about 10 miles of the scenic Blackfoot River corridor.
To be managed by BLM. (nearing completion) Related
news article#1, Related
news article #2, Related
news article #3
- Eastern Washington -Channeled
Scablands-Shrub Steppe habitat: West of Spokane – Acquired to date for
the public, 40,000 acres of shrub steppe, one of the most under represented habitat types
in the U.S. according to the BLM. The area encompasses unique geological and archeological
features, and critical habitat for endangered species, waterfowl and upland game. The area
is among the highest conservation priorities in eastern Washington with the greatest
number of at risk species with the lowest level protection. Over 20 wildlife species of
concern including sharp-tailed grouse, ferruginous hawk, and several plant species. Acquired
for public access the Coffee Pot Lake campground and boat launch, previously a private
hunting preserve. We continue to work with the BLM to add more critical habitat.
(in progress). To view the Environmental Assessment for
this project, click
here.
- John Day River Basin, Oregon: Many miles of Riparian habitat for threatened and endangered wild steelhead and salmon, and
bull trout along the river corridor will be placed in public ownership.
(nearing completion)
- Two Crow, Central Montana: Near
Lewistown – In conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to protect elk
habitat. A phased project with one & two closed, phase three is in route to protect
elk habitat. 15,000-20,000 acres going into public ownership near the confluence
of the
Mussleshell and Missouri Rivers, which adjoins the C.M. Russell Wildlife Refuge.
(nearing completion) Related
news article
- Coeur d’Alene River/Chain Lakes Assembled
Land Exchange, Northern Idaho – This multi-party transaction protects
threatened & endangered native and anadromous fisheries, preserves critical areas in
the Wild & Scenic River Corridor along the South Fork of the Salmon River and in the
Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, and
protects and enhances water quality at Priest Lake. Involves 53 separate non-federal and
federal parcels and 5600 acres. Includes four National Forests and seven ranger districts
in Idaho. (nearing completion) Related
news article
|
