State OK's purchase of 160 acres near Anaconda

HELENA – The Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area near Anaconda grew by 160 acres this week, which may seem like a drop in the bucket considering it's 56,000 acres, but state officials said it’s a good addition.

The state Land Board voted 5-0 Monday to approve the $464,000 acquisition from the Edna Schmeller Living Trust, which was the appraised price and included a $25,000 contribution from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The other funds will come from Habitat Montana, run through the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Money for the program, which started in 1987, comes from a portion of big game hunting license fees, and a strong majority if it comes from nonresident hunters. The money is to be used for fee titles, land purchases or conservation easements on private land.

According to the FWP, there are eight structures on the property: four storage shed-type structures, outhouse, bath house, mechanical shed and a two-car garage. The FWP said it would dispose of these structures after buying the property. There are three domestic wells.

Martin Balukas, FWP land agent, told land board members the proposal had received 17 comments on an environmental assessment from the public and all were positive. He also noted the Deer Lodge County commissioners expressed support for the purchase in March and FWP gave it approval as well on June 13.

Mike Mueller of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation praised the site and said it was another example of a great partnership between his group and the FWP.

“It has great wildlife, fishery and public-use values,” he said, noting the location next to a public highway. “The location is everything.”

Mueller said the foundation would like to stay involved and do stewardship projects such as fencing, weed issues, water development.

He said he represents 14,000 members and “this is exactly what they like to see us do.”

Nick Gevock, conservation director of the Montana Wildlife Federation supported the purchase as well.

He said he realized it was a small parcel, “but it does have really good wildlife values.”

Gevock said he there is moose as well as elk and a lot of willow trees in the area.

“It offers an excellent forage for elk as well as a great access addition for people to get on the wildlife management area,” he said. “We are happy to see this project come together.”

The FWP says the property is part of the migration pathway for mule deer and elk. Forests provide calving/fawning areas and elk security in the fall. Two meadows and aspen and willow stands provide year-round habitat for moose, beaver, black bear, ruffed grouse, short-tailed weasel and other small mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles.

Oregon Creek, which runs along the western portion of the property, provides habitat for brook trout. The FWP says it has plans "to restore native westslope cutthroat trout and Arctic grayling to the French Creek watershed, including Oregon Creek, beginning in 2020.

The property is 10 miles south of Anaconda with access off of Highway 274.

The land board is made up of the governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state superintendent of public instruction and the state auditor.

Reporter Phil Drake is our eye on the state capitol. For tips, suggestions or comment, he can be reached at 406-231-9021 or pdrake@greatfallstribune.com. To support his work, subscribe today and get a special offer.

See for yourself

For more on the property, go to: http://bit.ly/2Lw2shU

For more on Habitat Montana, go to: http://bit.ly/2SqjkqT

For more on Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area, go to: http://bit.ly/2JOc0BE