Groups dedicate newest section of Helena National Forest

The coalition of groups that worked to make the 386 acres in York Gulch public land for wildlife habitat and recreation joined on the property to celebrate the culmination of their efforts. The project included an inholding owned by the Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation, and the acquisition of neighboring property from former owner Betty Tiddy of Helena.

Outgoing executive director for the foundation George Bettas recalled his conversation with Tiddy about selling the property, which had some interest from a California doctor.

When asked about selling to a land trust for the same price, she replied, “I always wanted to do something for the people of Montana,” Bettas said.

“It’s so important to understand the value of this to the community -- this is a really wonderful resource,” he said.

Both properties were made up of 19 connected, heavily used mining claims, and that required cleanup before conveyance to the Forest Service could go forward. Since 2009, remediation took place between the Forest Service, Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation and the Lewis and Clark Conservation District to remove mining waste.

As a bonus, the Tiddy acquisition allows additional public access to the property from Forest Service roads near Hedges Mountain. The other access is from the private Black Bear Road starting in York and heading south east, crossing several pieces of private land. Support from those landowners came in part from efforts to reduce conflict on the road with signs, Bettas said.

“This is a great way to honor everyone in the community that came together to make this happen -- it’s been humbling to be a part of,” said Helena and Lewis and Clark national forests’ supervisor Bill Avey.

Several of the speakers praised Jeanne Holmgren, real estate specialist with the Helena National Forest, for her innovated approaches in navigating the path to public ownership.

“It’s been a difficult ride but we made it to the end, and it’s a testament to how many people were part of this project,” she said.

Appraised value for both properties neared $1 million, Bettas said, although he did not have exact figures. Funding came from the Montana Fish & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Lewis and Clark Open Space Bond, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Mule Deer Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation.

Holmgren handed out plaques to the funding partners as they took time to take in the newest piece of national forest.

The area, located 3 miles from York, is now adorned with reclaimed mine sites on steep hillsides with mature conifers jetting to the skyline. Just off the road snaking up the bottom, a new sign marks the area, recognizing each of the groups who put their time and money toward seeing the project through.