Land Board approves three timber sales near Libby and Whitefish

The Montana State Land Board on March approved three timber sales proposed by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, the board’s director said.

Director Castor presented the package, identifying the Island Lake sale (about 28 miles east of Libby) as an estimated 16,286 tons and 2,500,000 board feet of sawlogs with a minimum bid of $20.40 per ton that would yield about $332,234 to the common schools trust and about $66,447 in forest improvement fees. He said the Spencer-to-Beaver sale (about 4 miles west of Whitefish) included about 27,792 tons and 4,700,000 board feet with a $24.14 per‑ton minimum expected to generate roughly $670,899 for multiple trusts and about $123,952 in improvement fees. The Taylor-to-Swift sale (about 7 miles northwest of Whitefish) was described as about 15,710 tons and 2,500,000 board feet with a $5.74 per‑ton minimum estimated to bring approximately $90,175 to trust beneficiaries and about $67,032 in fees.

"The Island Lake timber sale is located approximately 28 miles east of Libby ... the estimated harvest volume is 16,286 tons, 2,500,000 board feet of saw logs," Director Castor said, summarizing the first sale’s scale and expected receipts.

The DNRC asked the board to take the three sales together; the board solicited public comment and heard none. Director Castor moved approval of agenda item 0326-1 (a, b and c); the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with no opposition.

The proceeds from the sales were described as benefiting several state trusts, including the common schools trust; Director Castor also identified the expected forest improvement fee amounts. No amendments or conditions were placed on the sales during the meeting.

The board moved on to other business after the unanimous approval.