Beaverhead-Deerlodge Forest Set to Acquire Nearly 100 New Acres of Public Lands Near Butte After Tester Efforts

Delmoe Lake, north of Homestake Pass, is popular with recreationists and protects critical habitat

After a sustained push by U.S. Senator Jon Tester, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is set to acquire nearly 100 acres of public lands north of Homestake Pass near Butte.

The property, near Delmoe Lake, consists of six former mining claims that the USFS will purchase and add to the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest for future generations of Montanans to enjoy.

“Our public lands create jobs and economic opportunity all across our state, and this good news means Montanans will soon have access to even more public lands,” Tester said. “I am thrilled to have worked with folks on the ground to open these lands, which will help support Montana’s outdoor recreation economy, conserve critical habitat for wildlife, and provide Montanans space to fish, hike, hunt and more for generations to come.”

The Delmoe Lake area is popular for all kinds of recreation including motorized recreation and hunting, and serves as critical wildlife habitat – particularly as a migration corridor for big game. USFS expects public acquisition of the Delmoe Creek property to be completed by spring of 2021. Tester worked hand-in-hand to facilitate the acquisition with USFS officials and property owners who recognized the public benefit of the area opted to enter into the agreement rather than develop the properties.