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than no leases at all, ….

than no leases at all, [and] we support using Habitat Montana funds for these leases when these funds would otherwise be unused.”

Ben Lamb with the Montana Conservation Society said he appreciated that the program would protect habitat, increase public access and help farmers and ranchers “make sure the home place is kept in the family.”

“That can really be a game changer for a lot of traditional families,” he said, adding that he appreciated that the program allows for faster approval and more certainty on its outcome than the permanent conservation easements that have been the norm in Montana.

“As someone who was really skeptical in the beginning and is now fully on board, I just want to say what a tremendous job the agency has done in something that looks like it could be a really good benefit to everybody — and hopefully lead to more conservation easements in the future,” Lamb said. In a process similar to the one commissioners used Thursday, June 20, future lease agreements will go before the commission for approval.

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