County back 14,000 acre Lolo Trails Landmark acquisition southwest of Missoula
KPAX
The Lolo National Forest and Trust for Public Land on Wednesday sought renewed support from Missoula County for the acquisition of nearly 15,000 acres southwest of the city prized for its habitat, recreation and historic values.
Commissioners agreed and signed a letter to Regional Forester Leanne Marten and Lolo Forest Supervisor Carolyn Upton, backing their effort to secure an additional $6 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to complete the purchase.
Catherine Schmidt, a field representative for the Trust for Public Land, said the funding would secure the second phase of the Lolo Trails Landmark Project.
That phase of the project would acquire roughly 8,500 acres of former industrial timber land from Weyerhaeuser Co., the property’s current owner. The two phases together represent around 14,800 acres.