May 23-24, 2002

 

 

ITEM 115-1005-R0502��� ����������� Approval to Negotiate Purchase and Acquisition of Land Adjacent to Lubrecht Forest; The University of Montana-Missoula

 

THAT:�������������������������������������� The Board of Regents of the Montana University System authorizes The University of Montana-Missoula to negotiate the purchase and acquisition of a 46-acre tract of land adjacent to the University�s Lubrecht Forest property.

 

EXPLANATION:����������������������� The University wishes to negotiate the purchase at a mutually acceptable price and the subsequent acquisition of a 46-acre tract of land comprised of two lots on the south edge of the University�s Lubrecht Forest property. The 46-acre tract, in the Stinkwater Creek drainage area, includes:� a lot, approximately 20 acres, recorded as the E1/2 of the SW1/4 of the NW1/4, Section 29, Township 13 North, Range 14 West; and a second lot, approximately 26 acres, recorded as the W1/2 of the SW1/4 of the NW1/4, less right of way and lot #1 of COS#458 of Missoula County.� The asking prices total $54,000; $24,500 for the first lot and $29,500 for the second lot.� Consistent with applicable Regents� policies and procedures, the University will obtain two separate appraisals of the 46-acre tract and base its offer price on appraised value.�

 

The University wishes to purchase this property because it borders the Lubrecht Forest on two sides; it represents the only private property in the Stinkwater Creek headwaters; and it serves as an effective buffer between Lubrecht Forest and existing private lots to the south of the Washoe Creek drainage.� Vehicles can access the lots only in non-winter months via the Garnet Range Road owned and controlled by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).� The BLM limits road access to snowmobiles during the winter.� The University will maintain the 46-acre tract in its present timbered state and incorporate the tract as part of the Lubrecht property for management and maintenance purposes.� Use of the 46-acre tract will not change, thus the change requires no environmental assessment.� The University will fund this acquisition out of Lubrecht property revenues.