Land exchange nears completion

SANDPOINT - An environmental assessment has been finalized for a land exchange designed to benefit wildlife habitat and improve recreation access in the Hope area.

The Hope-Sagle land swap involves trading 995 acres of federal lands for 922 acres of private lands owned by Stimson Lumber Co. The exchange is based on trading equal value for equal value, which resulted in slightly more acres of federal lands included in the exchange, the U.S. Forest Service said in a news release.

Stimson will be responsible for a cash equalization payment.

"This land exchange is the culmination of a long partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The Bonner County Sportsmen and Idaho Fish & Game have also been very supportive of the project," said Dick Kramer, ranger for the Sandpoint District.

The exchange includes the acquisition of low-elevation winter elk habitat, elk travel corridors, elk calving grounds, grizzly bear habitat and a half-mile of high-quality westslope cutthroat trout habitat. Bringing the land under public ownership raises the possibility of constructing a new trailhead for Beetop-Roundtop Trail No. 120, one of the most scenic trails in North Idaho.

Currently, the popular trail is inaccessible from Clark Fork and there is no public right of way at the trailhead on Spring Creek Road.

Federal lands being exchanged include four parcels north of Bayview in the Three Sisters Peaks area and another parcel two miles west of Hoodoo Lake. These parcels were identified for exchange due to a lack of public access, lower-quality wildlife habitat, and their difficultly to manage for public benefits, according to the Forest Service.

The private lands being acquired include a single 922-acre block of lands along Spring Creek near Hope.

The final exchange of deeds for the Hope-Sagle Land Exchange is expected to take place this summer, following the end of the required public appeal period.