The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has unveiled a proposal to exchange private lands with federal lands in the eastern portion of the Crazy Mountains in the Custer Gallatin National Forest of Montana.
Two groups worked together on the land swap proposal to consolidate the checkerboard pattern of land ownership. These groups included the Crazy Mountain Access Project, a coalition of ranchers, conservationists and hunters, and the Yellowstone Club, a private residential club, ski resort and golf resort located just west of Big Sky, MT.
According to USFS, the “landownership pattern has contributed to a century of complicated management situations on public lands and problematic access issues for both private and public users creating an atmosphere of confusion, distrust, frustration and at times misinformation.”
If the swap is approved, it would involve swapping 10 parcels comprising 4,135 acres of National Forest System (NFS) land for 11 parcels comprising 6,430 acres of private land in the Crazy Mountains west of Melville, MT, and in the Madison Range south of Big Sky.
The proposal would create large areas of contiguous NFS land in the Crazy Mountains to protect sensitive areas, reduce the potential for development on the parcels and improve public recreational access. The swap would also preserve the high-elevation lands of the Crazy Mountains, an important traditional cultural area identified by the Crow Tribe. The Crow Tribe will also have access to Crazy Peak in an arrangement between the Tribe and Switchback Ranch LLC.
The preliminary environmental assessment (EA) stated the need for the land swap arose from disputes over longstanding access issues with the Sweet Grass and East Trunk trails. Following a 2016 trail maintenance workday on the East Trunk Trail, USFS realized any access solutions would need to include six private landowners to determine the viability of allowing access and conducting trail maintenance. Around that same time, the Yellowstone Club approached USFS to expand ski terrain, and in 2018, the club hired Western Land Group (WLG) to develop a proposal for the land exchange.
In 2020, WLG submitted the land exchange proposal, East Crazy Mountains and Inspiration Divide Public Access Improvement Land Exchange. The Crazy Mountain Access Project sought public comments on the proposal, which included provisions to construct new trails and to allow the Yellowstone Club to acquire land for ski access.
After receiving public comments and suggestions from USFS, WLG compiled and submitted the final proposal. WLG and USFS signed an agreement to initiate a land exchange in October 2022 to move forward with the proposed exchange. The most significant change from the original proposal was adding a parcel containing Smeller Lake, which is now included in the exchange, converting it to public land.
In a press release, members of the Crazy Mountain Access Project praised the project and USFS for conducting a formal analysis of the land exchange brought forth by the organization.
“As a fifth-generation rancher our family has come to truly respect and love these mountains. The East Crazy Mountains Land Exchange is a positive path forward to solving the access issues that have plagued this region for decades,” said Nathan Anderson of Billy Creek Ranch near Melville, MT. “It is the end result of many years of collaborative, grassroots efforts between the Forest Service, land owners, recreational and conservation communities. The dialogue and trust that has been created between these entities throughout this process has been invaluable and sets a wonderful example for future projects.”
USFS stated in the preliminary EA that six grazing allotments would be affected by the land swap. They include the South Fork American, Sunlight, Basin, Sweet Grass, Otter Creek and Big Timber allotments. There are no allotments affected in the Inspiration Divide portion of the exchange. USFS stated that some permits might be modified or canceled in whole or part due to the exchange. Permits that are canceled will be given a two-year notice. Suitable lands added to the NFS may be made available for grazing in the future. An authorized officer would make this determination.
Mary Erickson, supervisor of the Custer Gallatin National Forest, held a public meeting in Bozeman, MT, on Nov. 15. According to the Montana Free Press, attendees expressed concerns about trail maintenance, snowmobile access and whether the swap is equivalent in terms of streams and wetlands.
Erickson said USFS would relinquish any claims on the historic Sweetgrass Trail, and the landowner of that parcel has indicated they will still allow access. Still, the arrangement has yet to be codified in the agreement.
Erickson acknowledged the enormity of the proposed land swap and encouraged the public to read the proposed exchange in its entirety.
“They’re really a big deal. They’re long-term commitments of resources, long-term choices that affect people and users and habitat forever, really, for decades to come,” Erickson said. “Take the time; read the maps; look at the documents.”
John Salazar, Montana Wildlife Federation board member, said in a statement that public involvement is vital, and he encouraged everyone to read the proposal. Salazar thanked USFS for “taking the next step in the administrative process.”
USFS is accepting comments on the project through Dec. 23, and the public can comment electronically at cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=63115 or by mail to ATTN: Forest Supervisor Mary Erickson, PO Box 130, Bozeman, MT 59771. — Charles Wallace, WLJ editor
