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We need your help to keep it that way!
For years, local hikers, bikers and skiers have used the galaxy of trails on the Spring Hill claim block, located three miles south of Helena encompassing both Grizzly and Oro Fino Gulches. These trails are easily accessible from either Oro Fino Gulch Road or Grizzly Gulch Road, and potentially off of Mt. Helena's trail system. Many trail users probably did not know that Spring Hill was privately owned. However, in the past few years, there was a growing concern among some that public use of Spring Hill might end because its owners had decided to sell the land for development.
Although Spring Hill appears on the map to be a single tract of land comprising 457 acres, it is actually composed of 26 separate patented mining tracts (see map inside). Nestled within the Helena National Forest on both sides, a few of the patented tracts were actively mined until WW II. For the past fifty years, the possibility existed that Spring Hill could be mined again; however, for a variety of reasons, mining at Spring Hill became less feasible. When mining ended in the 1940's, unauthorized public use of the trails that criss-cross Spring Hill began to increase.
While Helena National Forest officials have always been interested in acquiring this land that is enveloped by public lands and is such an important recreation and wildlife corridor, Spring Hill, until recently, was not considered threatened.
As the owners of Spring Hill decided mining was not an option, they realized that many of their mining properties commanded awesome views of the surrounding countryside, and these tracts might easily be developed into luxury residential lots. Their conclusion was further buttressed by the fact that expensive and time-consuming compliance with subdivision review by local government might not be required on patented mining lands. For these reasons, it appeared likely that Spring Hill would become a large residential subdivision just inside the boundaries of the national forest.
In February of 2003, the Prickly Pear Land Trust (PPLT) came to the rescue and purchased 457 acres of land at Spring Hill for nearly $500,000 with assistance from a local bank which helped finance the purchase. Since the Forest Service could not purchase Spring Hill out-right, PPLT sought other partners to help finance the purchase.
Having secured the commitment of two other non-profit groups-the Montana Discovery Foundation (MDF) and the Montana History Foundation (MHF)-to help raise funds to purchase portions of Spring Hill, PPLT decided to go forward with the purchase.
Tthe two non-profit groups are interested in an exchange for other land that the Forest Service now owns.
The Montana Discovery Foundation is interested in a parcel of land now owned by the Forest Service at the southeast quadrant of the I-15 Cedar Street exit, where it hopes one day to build The Discovery Center. For more about MDF's plans for The Discovery Center, click HERE.
The Montana History Foundation's interest in acquiring land is for its Scriver Center on special permitted Forest Service land adjacent to where the Montana Discovery Foundation wants to build the Discovery Center.
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To Keep it Open
The Montana Discovery Foundation must secure $165,000 to purchase a portion of the Spring Hill Claim Block by December 31, 2004.
The Helena National Forest has made Spring Hill its number one priority and is commited to acquiring the property as funds become available.
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The Forest Service and elected officials must be shown community support for keeping this land open. Please click HERE to make your pledge to help.
Important Facts:
- the Montana Discovery Foundation will be purchasing a portion of Spring Hill along with other partners securing 457 acres in single ownership, keeping an important wildlife and recreation corridor intact
- the Spring Hill Claim Block spans both Grizzly Gulch and Orofino Gulch
- it is located less than three miles south of downtown Helena
- it is nearly surrounded by Helena National Forest lands
- it includes the popular Wakina Sky area (formerly Squaw Gulch Trail and Meadows)
- it is an important habitat for deer, elk, moose, bear and other species
- it presents opportunities for the Forest Service to manage the urban/wildland interface including fire, critical open spaces, and weed reduction
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