1. Welcome! Lake County Conservation District
Promoting Wise Use of Natural Resources
Serving the conservation needs of Lake County’s residents since 1945
Unpaid Board of Supervisors meets monthly to discuss and address important conservation topics

2. Montana Conservation District’s Mission
“It is hereby declared to be the policy of the legislature to provide for the conservation of soil and soil resources of this state, for the control and prevention of soil erosion, for the prevention of floodwater and sediment damages, and for furthering the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water and thereby to preserve natural resources, control floods, prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs, preserve wildlife, protect the tax base, protect public lands, and protect and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state. ” ( )
This conservation forest would create funds to fulfill that mandate.

3. Step 1 “Discovery” Federal forest management changes Climate change
Fuels build-up
What can we do to be proactive about wildfire danger?
(Swan Lake)

4. Swan Resource Management Study
Lake County Conservation District

5. Proposed Conservation Forest
60,000 acre management unit
Made up of the non-wilderness, non- protected Federal lands in Lake County
Currently managed by the Forest Service
Managed under State of Montana laws, rules and regulations
Managed by DNRC, in trust for LCCD

6. Step 2 Outreach 4 open house style meetings
Over 30 presentations to groups
Explained concept of Conservation Forest
Asked participants to tell us if we should start a study

7. Survey Results
A voluntary and annonomous survey was given to gage support for the continuation of the swan resource management study.

8. Public Comments Favorable: Unfavorable: Reduce fuel buildup in forest
Manage our resources locally through a collaboration with the forest service
Actively manage forest to maintain and improve forest health
Unfavorable:
No data has been shown that there will be income from this project
LCCD does not have the funds to fight fires
Negative political and social effects of privatizing these lands

9. Step 3 The Role of Management
Consulted Dr. Peter Kolb, Forest Ecologist
Study the dynamics that affect our Montana forests
Understand the role forest management can play as our climate changes

10. Step 4 Economic Analysis
Conducted by Mason, Bruce and Girard, Inc. and BDL Forestry
9 Potential Cash Flow Scenarios
ALL SCENARIOS HAVE POSITIVE NET REVENUES!!
Most conservative: $200/Mbf 40,000 acre. Net revenue: $497,950
Best case scenario: $300/Mbf 60,000 acre. Net revenue: $1,646,950
Analysis of potential cash flows scenarios:
Stumpage prices at $250/Mbf
Stumpage prices at $200/Mbf
Stumpage prices at $300/Mbf
Acres
60,000
50,000
40,000
Net Revenue
$1,196,950
$997,450
$797,950
$746,950
$622,450
$497,950
$1,646,950
$1,372,450
$1,097,950

11. Conservation Forest Management
DNRC trust lands division
Laws rules and regulations of the state of Montana
State land board, payed fully with timber receipts
Timber receipts would also pay the state of Montana fire for protection
Net revenue would all go back into conservation work in Lake County, starting with the Swan

12. Goal of Swan Forest Management
Profit left over from timber production would go directly to on the ground conservation efforts in the swan region.
This is about conservation, about money, and about more conservation.

13. Step 5 Legal Review
State Level - Liberally construed, the State Conservation District Law allows for the proposed action but should be clarified further with the state of Montana.
Federal Level - It would take an act of congress to specifically set permission for a Conservation District to manage national forest lands.

14. Next Step - Political Support
All politics is local