Tenderfoot Land Acquisition Smith River Watershed

Montana Lewis and Clark National Forest

Congressional District: 1 Member: Dennis Rehberg

Location Central Montana, east of Helena, north

of White Sulphur Springs, along the Smith River, in the Little Belt Mountains of Meagher County.

Acquired to Date

Method Acres* Cost ($)

Purchase **1,160 $1,500,000 Purpose Conserve the Tenderfoot Watershed,

protect riparian and wetland habitats, protect archaeological values, conserve diverse wildlife and fisheries and open space, and protect public access for recreation.

Exchange 0 0 Donation 0 0 Other 0 0 Partners 0 $8,040

President’s Budget FY2011

Method Acres* Cost ($) Purchase Opportunities

The philanthropic, non-profit Bair Ranch Foundation (TBRF) is offering 8,220 acres for public acquisition, to ensure permanent public access, and conserve natural resources and traditional land uses. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) holds an exclusive option to purchase the land in phases.

Purchase 3,080 $4,000,000

President’s Budget FY 2012

Method Acres* Cost ($) Purchase 3,980 $5,040,000

*Includes fee interest **Phase 1 Completed FY2010

Partners Forest Service, RMEF, Tenderfoot Trust and TBRF. TBRF will contribute 5% of net

sale proceeds to Forest Service for management of the acquired lands. Montana Fish & Wildlife Conservation Trust will contribute $100,000 and National Fish & Wildlife Foundation will contribute $50,000 toward this purchase.

Cooperators The Tenderfoot land acquisition is strongly supported by Governor Brian Schweitzer,

the Meagher County Commissioners, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and numerous sportsmen’s and conservation groups listed on the attached page.

Project Description

A tremendous opportunity exists in Montana. TBRF is offering 8,220 acres for public access and enjoyment, and to conserve natural resources and traditional land uses. The offered lands are located in the Tenderfoot watershed, which flows into the Smith River, a highly popular floating and fishing stream, in the heart of the historic Lewis & Clark National Forest. Remarkably diverse, the Tenderfoot lands span 3,200 feet in elevation from sub-alpine mountains to grass meadows and riparian areas. These lands provide high quality water and fisheries habitat including the sensitive west slope cutthroat trout, habitat for elk, moose, deer and a multitude of species, incredibly scenic v and extraordinary recreation opportunities. This project will ensure access to thousands of acres of intermingled public lands. Because of the access it will provide and the habitat it will secure, this acquisition will be enormously valuable to hunters and anglers.

O&M Cost This project will reduce agency

management costs over time. Estimated annual O&M costs = $10,000.

Strategic Goals

Conserve and enhance healthy watersheds. Protect riparian and wetland habitats, Conserve diverse wildlife, plant and fisheries habitats. Conserve intact ecosystems, wildlife connectivity and open space. Prevent land conversion to other uses. Protect and enhance traditional public access for high-quality recreation opportunities.

Forest Service

Smith River

Rock Creek

Smith Rive r

Smith River

Smith

River

Smith River

Tenderfoot Creek

file: c:\(data\lwcd2012\r1\maps\legacy\ Arlene Heap

0 1 20.5Miles

State of MontanaForest Service Region 1

Lewis and Clark National Forest

Map Creation Date - 01/06/2011Map Revision Date -

Tenderfoot Creek

FY 2012 LWCFThis map depicts USDA Forest Service Land Status Record dataand the approximate location of the proposed purchase parcel.

The USDA Forest Service Makes no warranty, expressed or implied,regarding the data displayed on this map, and reserves the right tocorrect, update, modify, or replace this information without notification.

Townships 13/14 North, Range 4/5 East, PM

LegendAdministrative Forest Boundary2011 Acquisition ParcelsProposed Acquisition Parcels2010 Acquisition ParcelsNational Forest System Lands

Vicinity Map

Phase III Purchase Proposed 2012Tenderfoot Creek Parcels

Phase I Purchase Completed FY 2010

Phase II PurchaseProposed FY 2011

L e w i s a n d C l a r kL e w i s a n d C l a r kN a t i o n a l F o r e s tN a t i o n a l F o r e s t

FY 2012 LWCF Project Nomination

Tenderfoot Land Acquisition Smith River Watershed

Lewis and Clark National Forest,

Montana, Northern Region

Fishing - Tenderfoot Creek

Grizzly sow and cubs