<<Back to Fall/Winter 2010 Steward
BLM and its Partners Celebrate Land
Acquisitions on Shores of Hauser Lake
Story and photos by David Abrams
Mark Sommer of American Public Land Exchange Company points to one of the recently-acquired parcels of land during a small ceremony celebrating the Chain of Lakes Land acquisition Sept. 3 on the shores of Hauser Lake.
A Sept. 3 ceremony celebrated the recent acquisition of three parcels of land as additions to the BLM’s Chain of Lakes Special Recreation Management Area north of Helena.
The event was held at the BLM’s White Sandy Recreation Site on the shores of Hauser Lake, not far from the three different sections of land which were added to the Bureau’s inventory this summer.
The BLM and The Conservation Fund partnered with landowners to acquire two private parcels which were otherwise in-holdings amongst public land in the Brown’s Gulch/Ward Ranch area. These lands will be managed for public recreation, wildlife habitat and other uses similar to the surrounding public lands.
The acquisition of the parcels was accomplished using Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act funds.In another transaction, the BLM and PPL Montana, LLC partnered with a willing landowner to acquire a 5.7-acre parcel adjacent to the Holter Lake Campground. A parking area will be constructed on the parcel to provide overflow parking for the heavily used Holter Lake Campground, significantly reducing traffic congestion and safety issues associated with people parking along Beartooth Road.
Rick Hotaling, District Manager for the BLM’s Western Montana District, said that land acquisitions like these are beneficial to both the people and the land: “These three acquisitions are important for a number of reasons. They help protect our open spaces and the viewshed from potential subdivision development on this stretch of Hauser Lake. They also maintain or improve vital wildlife habitat, enhance public recreation opportunities within the Missouri River corridor, and consolidate public lands by reducing private inholdings.
“We are truly grateful for the efforts of everyone involved to help make these transactions a reality,” Hotaling added.
A Sept. 3 ceremony celebrated the recent acquisition of three parcels of land as additions to the BLM’s Chain of Lakes Special Recreation Management Area north of Helena. The event was held at the BLM’s White Sandy Recreation Site on the shores of Hauser Lake, not far from the three different sections of land which were added to the Bureau’s inventory this summer. The BLM and The Conservation Fund partnered with landowners to acquire two private parcels which were otherwise in-holdings amongst public land in the Brown’s Gulch/Ward Ranch area. These lands will be managed for public recreation, wildlife habitat and other uses similar to the surrounding public lands. The acquisition of the parcels was accomplished using Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act funds. In another transaction, the BLM and PPL Montana, LLC partnered with a willing landowner to acquire a 5.7-acre parcel adjacent to the Holter Lake Campground. A parking area will be constructed on the parcel to provide overflow parking for the heavily used Holter Lake Campground, significantly reducing traffic congestion and safety issues associated with people parking along Beartooth Road. Rick Hotaling, District Manager for the BLM’s Western Montana District, said that land acquisitions like these are beneficial to both the people and the land: “These three acquisitions are important for a number of reasons. They help protect our open spaces and the viewshed from potential subdivision development on this stretch of Hauser Lake. They also maintain or improve vital wildlife habitat, enhance public recreation opportunities within the Missouri River corridor, and consolidate public lands by reducing private inholdings. “We are truly grateful for the efforts of everyone involved to help make these transactions a reality,” Hotaling added. |
 |