Success along the Upper Snake

Partners Celebrate Two Decades of Land Conservation

More than 300,000 people visit the South Fork of the Snake River each year to enjoy world-class fishing and floating, abundant wildlife, and one of the most scenic rivers in the West.  For nearly 20 years, the BLM, The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy, the Teton Regional Land Trust, and willing landowners have worked together to permanently protect over 18,000 acres along the South Fork and the lower Henry's Fork. 

Cooperation among Federal agencies, national and regional conservation organizations, and a number of landowners willing to permanently conserve their lands makes the Snake River Land Conservation Partnership one of the most successful conservation collaborations in the country.

The South Fork supports the largest native Yellowstone cutthroat trout fishery outside of Yellowstone National Park and produces half of the bald eagles in Idaho.

Some of the most productive dry farmlands in eastern Idaho lie along the high bluffs lining the river, helping Bonneville County maintain its statewide lead in barley production. 

Eastern Idaho also benefits from the economic impact of fishing and boating along these two waterways.  Boaters, anglers and other visitors generate an estimated $41 million in income for the area and support some 1,200 jobs in local communities.

LWCF

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FLTFA

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Donors

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Conservation of lands along the Upper Snake River began in 1991, with appropriations of $452,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).  By the end of 1998, LWCF funding had enabled the BLM to acquire 944 fee acres and a 324-acre conservation easement along the South Fork, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy. | Photos & summary - LWCF

In 1999, efforts expanded to include the Henry's Fork and Main Snake River.  The first transaction involving funding under the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA) came in 2007.  FLTFA funded a conservation easment acquisition with the same willing landowner in 2008 and two additional landowner-partners in 2009. | Photos & summary - FLTFA

Through 2009, LWCF funding has allowed 37 Upper Snake River properties - a total of 7,412 acres - to be protected.  The Fund supported conservation of another 3,240 acres by allowing the BLM to contribute to title, appraisal and closing expenses associated with five properties.  Another 1,561 acres (four properties) along the South Fork and Main Snake have been protected with funding from FLTFA.