Montana DNRC wants to sell your public land! (Missoula, Seeley Lake: sale, real estate)

[mtfishinguy]

The State of Montana DNRC is proposing to sell 160 acres of public property near Seeley Lake to the highest bidder. This land is prime wildlife habitat, home to mule deer, whitetail deer, black bears, great horned owls, etc. This property lies immediately next to more than 7 square miles of former Plum Creek timberland that was recently preserved from development by the hard work (and lots of $$$$) of the Nature Conservancy.

If you object to the State of MT giving away your public land and your access to additional public land, you can make a difference! DNRC is accepting comments on this proposed sale of the SE 1/4 of section 12, Township 16 North, Range 15 West. Comments are accepted until 5 PM on Monday, May 5, 2008, and should be sent to:

Liz Mullins, Land Use Planner
DNRC Southwestern Land Office
1401 27th Ave
Missoula, MT 59804
mullins@mt.gov lmullins@mt.gov

Please help preserve Montana by sending your comments to Liz by May 5th. These lands belong to the people of the State of Montana, and I don't feel that the State of Montana should be getting rid of these tremendous assets. Many people live in Montana because of the great access to public lands. Also, this proposed sale runs in direct opposition to the great preservation work currently being done in the Blackfoot valley by the Nature Conservancy, the US Forest Service, BLM, The Blackfoot Challenge, and the Montana Dept. of FWP. Please help me let Liz know this is wrong!

[bigtrees]

In my opinion, public land should not be sold in Montana at the current time. It will only continue to appreciate in value (can anyone imagine the day when people don't want to move to Montana??) and it doesn't make sense to me to sell assets that are appreciating in value.

Thanks for making this public knowledge so people will know what's going on and I'm confident that if enough people write to the DNRC they will cancel the proposed sale. But we will have to write in to make our views heard!

[Timberwolf232]

Public land needs to be kept public. Unfortunately the beauty of Seeley Lake is becoming increasingly "Californicated" with all the mini-mansions going in. They (DNRC) have no right to sell off public land without a public vote.

I propose we open season on Yuppies and Politicians before Montana turns into "Eastern Arctic California".

Thanks for the post mtfishinguy.

[jimj]

Originally Posted by Timberwolf232

Public land needs to be kept public. Unfortunately the beauty of Seeley Lake is becoming increasingly "Californicated" with all the mini-mansions going in. They (DNRC) have no right to sell off public land without a public vote.

I propose we open season on Yuppies and Politicians before Montana turns into "Eastern Arctic California".

Thanks for the post mtfishinguy.

My thoughts exactly! It's like someone selling your house without you knowing or approving!

[bigtrees]

Originally Posted by Timberwolf232

Public land needs to be kept public. Unfortunately the beauty of Seeley Lake is becoming increasingly "Californicated" with all the mini-mansions going in. They (DNRC) have no right to sell off public land without a public vote.

Unfortunately this is incorrect for State Trust Land in Montana. I don't know if the subject parcel is a State Trust Land parcel but the DNRC manages the state trust lands on behalf of Montana.

The School Trust Lands in Montana were land given to the state of Montana for the sole purpose of funding the school systems. The DNRC has managed these lands for the most valuable use and given the money to the state school system. For many years, timber was the most valuable (since it's renewable) use of the lands. After people started moving here, real estate became a more valuable use of the lands, and the state land board is required to manage them in the way that brings the most money in.

That's why I made my comment the way I did. I don't think any lands should be sold and I think they should remain public. But the purpose of the state trust lands is not for them to remain public, it is to raise the most amount of money for schools.

As long as the assets are appreciating in value, the best way of earning money for the schools is to continue to allow them to appreciate rather than selling them now and only lose out on future appreciation.

[Timberwolf232]

Originally Posted by lgmagone

Unfortunately this is incorrect for State Trust Land in Montana. I don't know if the subject parcel is a State Trust Land parcel but the DNRC manages the state trust lands on behalf of Montana.

The School Trust Lands in Montana were land given to the state of Montana for the sole purpose of funding the school systems. The DNRC has managed these lands for the most valuable use and given the money to the state school system. For many years, timber was the most valuable (since it's renewable) use of the lands. After people started moving here, real estate became a more valuable use of the lands, and the state land board is required to manage them in the way that brings the most money in.

That's why I made my comment the way I did. I don't think any lands should be sold and I think they should remain public. But the purpose of the state trust lands is not for them to remain public, it is to raise the most amount of money for schools.

As long as the assets are appreciating in value, the best way of earning money for the schools is to continue to allow them to appreciate rather than selling them now and only lose out on future appreciation.

I should have phrased that differently.

In my opinion, the DNRC (or any government agency) should not have the right to sell public land without a public vote.

It reminds me of the land swindling that has been going on with places like the Yellowstone Club. Public lands should not be sold/traded or anything else just so some rich people can put up vacation homes. Makes my blood boil.

[bigtrees]

Originally Posted by Timberwolf232

I should have phrased that differently.

In my opinion, the DNRC (or any government agency) should not have the right to sell public land without a public vote.

It reminds me of the land swindling that has been going on with places like the Yellowstone Club. Public lands should not be sold/traded or anything else just so some rich people can put up vacation homes. Makes my blood boil.

Yes, I agree with you whole heartedly. I don't believe in selling public lands (actually I generally don't agree in selling land in general, including my own).

I didn't want to sound too harsh on explaining about the state trust land - but people who may be writing into the DNRC need to understand what the issue is so the letters they write address the issue properly. A letter saying the lands are for the public good won't be nearly as effective as a letter saying the lands should be kept because they'll be more valuable in the future....

At any rate, we're all on the same team and I hope these are kept for the public.

[Timberwolf232]

No worries lgmagone,

I understand what you are saying, and I appreciate the insight.

[jimj]

And why would you sell land in a down market when there's a glut to boot? Great management don't ya think????

[Timberwolf232]

Originally Posted by jimj

And why would you sell land in a down market when there's a glut to boot? Great management don't ya think????

Haha, and I'm sure none of the people involved in the development of that land has anything to do with political contributions or political actions. Have you seen that area lately? It's getting as bad as Big Sky. Can't just put up a cabin in the woods anymore, it has to be a cabin style mansion with all the amenities of home. I don't get it. (But again I'm a guy who tent camped, snow caved, or used my jungle hammock for 20+ years until my wife made me break down and get a camper 2 years ago.. )

"but we're the almighty government, we are here to do things on YOUR behalf, you can trust US. Gotta take care of the ones who donate lots of money to politicians.. Why let the public vote on things when we can pass measures to make decisions that effect everyone without the American sheeple getting involved.."