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.