Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest adds parcels around Delmoe Lake

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest grew by about 100 acres this summer with the acquisition of multiple formerly private mining claims around Delmoe Lake in southwest Jefferson County.

In a Facebook post on Oct. 19, the forest announced that the U.S. Forest Service finalized the acquisition on July 13, formally adding the parcels to the Butte Ranger District of the forest, which covers much of Jefferson County. The acquisition was funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which the forest described in the announcement as “a federal program [that] supports the protection of federal public lands and waters—including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and recreation areas—and voluntary conservation on private land.”

Tim Lahey, the district ranger, said in the announcement that “We are extremely thankful that landowners Hart Baitis, and Art and John Dick were such willing partners in this acquisition that helps us conserve this landscape and expands public access in this popular area.”