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Conservation Groups Work to Acquire Key Land on Tenderfoot Creek
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
MISSOULA, Mont. (July 20, 2010)--If you're even a casual trout angler, you've probably heard of Montana's Smith River. Even if you don't give a hoot about fishing, the Smith is still a special place, because this blue-ribbon trout stream has blue-ribbon scenery to match. Anyone lucky enough to draw a permit to float it is in for an unforgettable 59-mile trip through the towering limestone canyon carved by the Smith.
Smack in the heart of that canyon, the river is joined by a gorgeous tributary flowing in from the east. Tenderfoot Creek not only provides vital spawning habitat for the Smith's bruiser browns and rainbows, it's a five-star trout stream in its own right. Follow the Tenderfoot up through the Little Belt Mountains and you'll find yourself in the lair of legendary bull elk and buck mule deer. From massive aspen stands to high alpine basins, it's classic Big Sky elk country.
Now, thanks to an agreement between the Bair Ranch Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and the Tenderfoot Trust, 8,200 acres along Tenderfoot has the opportunity to be conserved and opened to the public. The land lies in a checkerboard of ownership, with almost 13 square miles interspersed with National Forest land.
On July 20, 2010, the conservation partners completed a first phase purchase of Tenderfoot lands. In this initial phase, the Bair Ranch Foundation sold 1,160 acres of Tenderfoot lands to RMEF. RMEF then conveyed these lands to the Unites States for inclusion in the Lewis and Clark National Forest. The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provided most of the funding for this acquisition.
"The Tenderfoot is a key area for public use," said Carol Hatfield, District Ranger for the White Sulphur Ranger District on the Lewis and Clark National Forest. "The Forest Service greatly appreciates the Bair Ranch Foundation for making this available and for all the public support and hard work of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Tenderfoot Trust."
The Bair Ranch Foundation lands are a developer's dream. Luckily, they don't want to see trophy homes lining the banks of Tenderfoot. They think it looks better just the way it is. And they want the American public to be able to experience it. That's a vision the RMEF and the Tenderfoot Trust most definitely share.
Wayne Hirsch, President of the Board for the Bair Ranch Foundation, said, "This has been a desire of the board of directors for several years. We believe the land being transferred has limited agricultural applications and is much better suited for use by the general public. The cooperative effort by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, U.S. Forest Service, Tenderfoot Trust and encouragement and assistance from Senators Baucus and Tester, and Congressman Rehberg, all driven by local support, have made this a remarkable project for the people of this great country. Proceeds from the sale will also assist our foundation in carrying on the philanthropic goals of the Charles M. Bair family, the original owners, while outdoor enthusiasts will be able to enjoy many varied pursuits."
"The Bair Ranch Foundation agreed to work with us over time while we sought funding for the project to place it in public ownership," said Mitch Godfrey, President of the Tenderfoot Trust, "They are a great group to work with and we appreciate having this opportunity to protect those lands." The RMEF secured an option agreement with the Bair Ranch Foundation in 2009 that would provide for a phased acquisition, so over time the lands can become public.
Support for the project has been very high with the Meagher County Commissioners, White Sulphur Community, Governor Schweitzer, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Trout Unlimited, Audubon Society, Montana Wilderness Association, Montana Wildlife Federation and other conservation groups. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership contacted sportsman's groups across the state who voiced resounding support for the effort.
"We have received significant support from our entire Montana Congressional delegation" said Ron Marcoux of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. "Senator Baucus, Senator Tester and Representative Rehberg all supported seeking Land and Water Conservation funding. Through their efforts, Congress appropriated $1.5 million in 2010 which allowed us to complete the first phase of 1160 acres."
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation had earlier announced a $50,000 matching grant and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust recently approved a $100,000 grant to assist in the acquisition.
President Obama currently has proposed $4 million for the second phase in the 2011 budget, but Congress will review that proposal in the appropriations process. It is hoped that the project will be completed by 2012 but that will depend on successfully securing funding.
The upper reaches of Tenderfoot Creek are home to an almost pure strain of west-slope cutthroat. Elk, moose, mule deer, black bear and a host of other wildlife thrive in the drainage, and a study on avian-aspen relationships shows a great diversity of bird species rely on this area.
"As someone who's had the opportunity to float the Smith many times over the past 35 years, this effort is especially near and dear to my heart," said Marcoux. "This truly is a national treasure. If we can protect the entire 8,200 acres and open it to the public, it will be a priceless gift to future generations."
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.8 million acres -- a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.
Contact:
Carol Hatfield, White Sulphur District Ranger, 406-431-9656; Ron Marcoux, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, 406-202-1171; Mitch Godfrey, Tenderfoot Trust, 406-949-1111. For a project map, contact Steve Wagner, Blue Heron Communications, 800-654-3766 or steve@blueheroncomm.com.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
MISSOULA, Mont. (July 20, 2010)--If you're even a casual trout angler, you've probably heard of Montana's Smith River. Even if you don't give a hoot about fishing, the Smith is still a special place, because this blue-ribbon trout stream has blue-ribbon scenery to match. Anyone lucky enough to draw a permit to float it is in for an unforgettable 59-mile trip through the towering limestone canyon carved by the Smith.
Smack in the heart of that canyon, the river is joined by a gorgeous tributary flowing in from the east. Tenderfoot Creek not only provides vital spawning habitat for the Smith's bruiser browns and rainbows, it's a five-star trout stream in its own right. Follow the Tenderfoot up through the Little Belt Mountains and you'll find yourself in the lair of legendary bull elk and buck mule deer. From massive aspen stands to high alpine basins, it's classic Big Sky elk country.
Now, thanks to an agreement between the Bair Ranch Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and the Tenderfoot Trust, 8,200 acres along Tenderfoot has the opportunity to be conserved and opened to the public. The land lies in a checkerboard of ownership, with almost 13 square miles interspersed with National Forest land.
On July 20, 2010, the conservation partners completed a first phase purchase of Tenderfoot lands. In this initial phase, the Bair Ranch Foundation sold 1,160 acres of Tenderfoot lands to RMEF. RMEF then conveyed these lands to the Unites States for inclusion in the Lewis and Clark National Forest. The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provided most of the funding for this acquisition.
"The Tenderfoot is a key area for public use," said Carol Hatfield, District Ranger for the White Sulphur Ranger District on the Lewis and Clark National Forest. "The Forest Service greatly appreciates the Bair Ranch Foundation for making this available and for all the public support and hard work of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Tenderfoot Trust."
The Bair Ranch Foundation lands are a developer's dream. Luckily, they don't want to see trophy homes lining the banks of Tenderfoot. They think it looks better just the way it is. And they want the American public to be able to experience it. That's a vision the RMEF and the Tenderfoot Trust most definitely share.
Wayne Hirsch, President of the Board for the Bair Ranch Foundation, said, "This has been a desire of the board of directors for several years. We believe the land being transferred has limited agricultural applications and is much better suited for use by the general public. The cooperative effort by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, U.S. Forest Service, Tenderfoot Trust and encouragement and assistance from Senators Baucus and Tester, and Congressman Rehberg, all driven by local support, have made this a remarkable project for the people of this great country. Proceeds from the sale will also assist our foundation in carrying on the philanthropic goals of the Charles M. Bair family, the original owners, while outdoor enthusiasts will be able to enjoy many varied pursuits."
"The Bair Ranch Foundation agreed to work with us over time while we sought funding for the project to place it in public ownership," said Mitch Godfrey, President of the Tenderfoot Trust, "They are a great group to work with and we appreciate having this opportunity to protect those lands." The RMEF secured an option agreement with the Bair Ranch Foundation in 2009 that would provide for a phased acquisition, so over time the lands can become public.
Support for the project has been very high with the Meagher County Commissioners, White Sulphur Community, Governor Schweitzer, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Trout Unlimited, Audubon Society, Montana Wilderness Association, Montana Wildlife Federation and other conservation groups. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership contacted sportsman's groups across the state who voiced resounding support for the effort.
"We have received significant support from our entire Montana Congressional delegation" said Ron Marcoux of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. "Senator Baucus, Senator Tester and Representative Rehberg all supported seeking Land and Water Conservation funding. Through their efforts, Congress appropriated $1.5 million in 2010 which allowed us to complete the first phase of 1160 acres."
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation had earlier announced a $50,000 matching grant and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust recently approved a $100,000 grant to assist in the acquisition.
President Obama currently has proposed $4 million for the second phase in the 2011 budget, but Congress will review that proposal in the appropriations process. It is hoped that the project will be completed by 2012 but that will depend on successfully securing funding.
The upper reaches of Tenderfoot Creek are home to an almost pure strain of west-slope cutthroat. Elk, moose, mule deer, black bear and a host of other wildlife thrive in the drainage, and a study on avian-aspen relationships shows a great diversity of bird species rely on this area.
"As someone who's had the opportunity to float the Smith many times over the past 35 years, this effort is especially near and dear to my heart," said Marcoux. "This truly is a national treasure. If we can protect the entire 8,200 acres and open it to the public, it will be a priceless gift to future generations."
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.8 million acres -- a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.
Contact:
Carol Hatfield, White Sulphur District Ranger, 406-431-9656; Ron Marcoux, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, 406-202-1171; Mitch Godfrey, Tenderfoot Trust, 406-949-1111. For a project map, contact Steve Wagner, Blue Heron Communications, 800-654-3766 or steve@blueheroncomm.com.
