A new path forward
Local landowners and public land users have hashed out the East Crazy Mountains and Inspiration Divide Public Access Improvement Land Exchange. This agreement currently would:
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Consolidate public lands in the Custer Gallatin National Forest System.
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Unlock thirty square miles of inaccessible lands on the eastern edge of the Crazy Mountains for hunting, hiking, and camping by rerouting and improving a long-contested trail.
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Provide a legal access agreement to the Crow Nation so that it's members can access Crazy Peak.
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Investigate the possibility of voluntary land protections for several wildlife-rich sections of land in the Crazy Mountains including Crazy Peak and Sweetgrass Creek.
land agreement submitted to Forest Service
The Crazy Mountain Access Project hosted four community open houses attended by over 100 members of the public and collected over 75 comments during a nine-week public feedback period during the summer of 2020.
We thank everyone who attended a community open house or took the time to review the proposal and submit feedback.
An updated proposal was submitted to the Forest Service in July, 2021 for review. We are hopeful the Forest Service can now begin a thoughtful analysis of the public benefits associated with this proposal.
More details are found here.
What people are saying
"The Asaalooke Nation urges you to move forward with this proposal to benefit not only citizens of the local area, but to Montana and its visitors and users of our public lands."
cROW TRIBE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
"The East Crazy Land Exchange Proposal is a win for private property rights as well as the rights of the citizens to access public lands. This proposal has been a collaborative effort that will solve a lot of the current, well publicized issues in the Crazy Mountains."
SWEET GRASS COUNTY COMMISSION
"We urge your support for a well thought out proposal in an area that has been contentious for decades and believe this proposal represents a rare and unique opportunity to benefit public land users, wildlife, and private landowners."
CRAZY MOUNTAIN STOCKGROWERS
"Park County Environmental Council supports both the concept and the process of this land exchange proposal. It resolves long standing issues over trail access and aligns with our conservation goals for the range. We consider it a remarkable example of local people working together towards a common goal, demonstrating that we can resolve very complex land management challenges."