Open Lands
Open Lands Program Guide(PDF, 1MB)
In November 2008, voters in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, (the County) approved the Land, Water and Wildlife bond measure. This $10 million general obligation bond is for "...protecting drinking water sources and ground water quality; protecting water quality in and along rivers and streams; conserving working farm, ranch and forest lands; protecting wildlife areas; preserving open lands and natural areas; providing for recreation; and managing growth and development". Funds generated by sales of these bonds are distributed through the Open Lands Program. The primary purpose of the Program is to conserve resources on private lands in Lewis and Clark County that fulfill the objectives of the bond measure.
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) appointed the Citizens Advisory Committee on Open Lands (CAC) to make recommendations on project applications. The CAC is advisory only and the BOCC makes the decision to utilize the bond funds on a particular project.
Completed Projects
Open Lands Project Story Board
2020: Potter Ranch Conservation Easment
2019: Falls Creek Land Acquisition
2019: Peaks to Creeks (10-mile & 7-mile) Land Acquisition
2017: Shoco Ranch Conservation Easement
2016: Lincoln Community River Park Land Acquisition
2016: Gehring Ranch Conservation Easement
2016: Specimen Creek Land Acquisition
2015: South Hills Land Acquisition
2015: Welch Ranch Conservation Easement
2015: Johnston Ranch Conservation Easement
2014: York Gulch Land Acquisition
2012: Aspen Trails Conservation Easement & Land Acquisition
2011: Milburn Conservation Easement
2010: McDonough Ranch Conservation Easement
Open Lands Accomplishments(PDF, 148KB) (Spreadsheet Updated December 14, 2021)
Project Flow Chart(PDF, 404KB)
