Public-Private partnership conserves 655 acres next to Bull River Wildlife Management Area
Addition provides critical habitat for endangered and threatened species
by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
November 21, 2007
Wildlife in northwestern Montana have more room to roam as a result of a public-private partnership to protect valuable conservation lands near Bull Lake. The Plum Creek Timber Company, Revett Minerals, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and The Conservation Fund recently finalized a transaction that will add 255 acres to the Bull River Wildlife Management Area and conserves another 400 acres purchased by Revett Minerals.
The Bull River flows 18 miles from the southwestern slopes of the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area to its confluence with the Clark Fork River, just east of the small community of Noxon. The watershed, and the Bull Lake headwaters, are home to many wildlife and fish species, including moose, bighorn sheep, lynx, bald eagle and the threatened bull trout.
“The Noggle Creek property contains key riparian resources, seasonal grizzly bear habitat and important deer and elk winter range,” said Jim Satterfield, regional supervisor for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with Plum Creek, Revett Minerals and The Conservation Fund to secure these habitat values and associated public recreational opportunities into the future.”
In particular, the Noggle Creek property plays a critical role in protecting grizzly bears. The property offers important seasonal habitat and a corridor to grizzlies and other rare species traveling between the east Cabinet Mountains and the west Cabinet and Yaak Mountains.
Recognizing Noggle Creek’s conservation value, Plum Creek has finalized the sale of the property to the State of Montana and to Revett Minerals. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will add their 255 acres to Bull River Wildlife Management Area and Revett will manage their 400 acres similarly to the rest of the Wildlife Management Area. The Conservation Fund, which previously worked with the State and Plum Creek to establish the Wildlife Management Area, helped facilitate the current transaction.
“Plum Creek is committed to helping conserve unique lands throughout Montana as well as in other states where we manage land. We are pleased that this partnership will result in continued public access to these lands and protection of important wildlife habitat,” said David Greer, senior manager of planning for Plum Creek.
Revett Minerals President and CEO Bill Orchow said, “This acquisition is a good example of how diverse groups can work together to protect critical habitat while also keeping the area available for use by sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts. This is an important step in our efforts to protect wildlife and the environment along with efforts to reduce grizzly-human conflicts, all while providing good-paying jobs for hard-working Montanans.” Revett has two underground copper-silver properties, the Troy Mine that currently employs 175 people, and its proposed Rock Creek Mine with estimated employment of approximately 300. This key land acquisition will be permanently handed over to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for addition to the Bull River Wildlife Management Area or to the U.S. Forest Service once the evaluation phase of the Rock Creek Project is completed.
“The Conservation Fund salutes the involved parties for working collaboratively to set aside these important habitat and recreational lands for future generations,” said Mark Elsbree, Vice President and Northwest Director for The Conservation Fund.
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