KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) - Two Montana agencies are are working toward a permanent recreation easement for a state park on Flathead Lake.
The Flathead Beacon reported Fish, Wildlife and Parks leases part of Big Arm State Park from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
The agencies have submitted a joint proposal for a permanent easement and a draft environmental analysis is available for review and open to public input through Jan. 3.
Officials say the lease has lasted for more than five decades and is currently set at 5% of the appraised value for the area in northwest Montana, south of Kalispell.
The current lease is set to expire March 1.
The 2019 Montana Legislature passed a bill authorizing Fish, Wildlife and Parks to purchase a permanent easement from Natural Resources and Conservation.
Officials say that without the permanent easement, the lease rate could revert to a standard lease appraisal rate formula, which is expected to jump from $18,000 per year to as high as $600,000 annually.
Officials say Big Arm is one of six state parks serving Flathead Lake.
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