MISSOULA, Mont.— The U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Western Pacific Timber LLC and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation have agreed, in principle, to work together on activities related to a potential land exchange in the Upper Lochsa River watershed along the Idaho-Montana border.

A memorandum of understanding documenting the agreement was signed Thursday at the Elk Foundation’s 24th annual convention in Reno.

Western Pacific Timber owns approximately 40,000 acres of land in the upper Lochsa drainage. The land was formerly owned by Plum Creek Timber Company. Often referred to as “checkerboard,” these private lands are interspersed with public lands managed by the Clearwater National Forest.

Western Pacific Timber has indicated interest in exchanging these lands with the Forest Service. This would allow the Forest Service to consolidate ownership in the area.

The Clearwater National Forest is currently conducting a feasibility analysis to determine if the land exchange is in the public’s best interest. The analysis will ensure compliance with applicable forestland management plans, identify public benefits, ensure the availability of resources to complete the proposed exchange and identify title and property description problems.

As a part of the feasibility study, the Forest Service is currently working to identify federal lands appropriate for exchange. The study will be completed this spring and will culminate with a decision regarding whether or not to proceed with the land exchange.

The Elk Foundation is interested in the proposed exchange because of its potential to permanently protect habitat for elk and other wildlife, including fish.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Missoula, Mont., the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. The Elk Foundation and its partners have permanently protected or enhanced over 5.2 million acres, a land area larger than Connecticut, Delaware and District of Columbia combined. More than 500,000 acres previously closed to public access are now open for hunting, fishing and other recreation. The Elk Foundation has more than 150,000 members, a staff of 150 and 10,000 active volunteers. To help protect wild elk country or learn more about the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, visit www.elkfoundation.org or call 800-CALL-ELK.