Land Board unanimously approves four timber sales totaling millions of board feet

Lieutenant Governor Kristin Juris presided over the State Board of Land Commissioners’ April meeting, where the board unanimously approved four timber sales (agenda items 0426‑1 a–d) recommended by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

Director Castor told the board the Johnson’s Draw timber sale (0426‑1a), located about 9.5 miles southeast of Libby, includes five harvest units using tractor, skyline and combination logging and totals an estimated 2,600,000 board feet of saw logs. The board also considered a sale west of Missoula (0426‑1b) with an estimated 3,600,000 board feet; the Pink Barnacle sale near Eureka (0426‑1c) with an estimated 3,200,000 board feet; and the Sunset Potomac sale near Greenough (0426‑1d) with an estimated 2,200,000 board feet.

Castor summarized minimum bid levels and shared the DNRC’s revenue estimates and fee projections for each sale, noting portions of proceeds flow to the Common Schools Trust and to the Capitol Buildings trust and that forest‑improvement fees are expected in addition to sale receipts. After the department’s presentation and with no public comment, a board member moved to take items 0426‑1 a–d together; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The board did not amend the sales or attach additional conditions during the vote. The DNRC will proceed with the actions described in the agenda packet for each timber sale.