Open Lands Trails and Recreation Plan gets Commission approval

The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission has given the go-ahead to the plan for utilizing $4 million in Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) funds to enhance both outdoor recreation opportunities and ecological and wildlife habitat restoration on county-owned lands after a century of smelting activities.

The Commission voted 5-0 in favor of a revised version of the ADLC Open Lands Trails and Recreation Plan at their business meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20. 

Rich Keeland, chair of the plan's steering committee, presented on the revisions to the plan, stating that the committee had made a few changes in response to public comment at the previous Commission meeting, specifically adding language to the plan affirming that hunting is an acknowledged use of such lands and that the plan "is in no way restrictive of that."

Keeland also said that language on "bike-optimized trails" had been replaced to emphasize the multi-use character of these trails.

"I appreciate the changes that were made," said Commissioner Ed Beaudette, adding that one of the benefits of the plan is that it "will reduce the erosion we're seeing on these lands." 

"It's forward-looking, and it meets the intentions of the NRDP," Beaudette said.

The NRDP funding for the plan comes from the State of Montana's settlement with the Atlantic Richfield Company, with the portion specifically allotted for ADLC-owned lands being that which was available after the restoration of the state-owned lands in the affected area was completed. 

The portion allotted for ADLC-owned lands came out to $1.9 million for recreation and trails, $1.9 million for wildlife habitat and $200,000 for purchase of the "A" Hill, which is pending.

The plan received wide approval during public comment as well, with half a dozen members of the public speaking in favor of it and none against. It drew specific praise from representatives of the Anaconda School District, the Anaconda Sportsmen's Club, Discover Anaconda and the Echo Lake Trail Association all in support of it. Also, Ken Connors with the Connors Law Firm representing the families that are in the process of selling the "A" Hill told the Commission that they are "on board with this."

According to the executive summary for the Open Lands Trails and Recreation Plan, the plan relies on three main considerations: historic use, inclusiveness of recreational opportunities for all ADLC residents, including motorized and non-motorized use, and sustainability – economically, environmentally and socially. 

To that end, the plan recommends the following: 

• For Stucky Ridge, trails that provide non-motorized and pedestrian-only trail opportunities, as well as consideration of high-value wildlife habitat; 

• For the "A" Hill: formalizing existing side-by-side and utility terrain vehicle use and expanding opportunities for non-motorized recreation with high-density stacked loops; 

• For the "C" Hill: expanding motorized and non-motorized trail opportunities with high-density stacked loops near town and longer loop opportunities behind the hill itself. 

• Clear Creek: providing remote-feeling and low-density trails to protect high-value wildlife habitat and reduce long-term maintenance costs.

It also includes guidance for a phased approach to implement the plan, with the stated intent "to maximize the cost-benefit of [NRDP] investments and provide high value to the residents of ADLC." 

The revised ADLC Open Lands Trails and Recreation Plan is included in the Jan. 20, 2026 Commission packet, which is available to read online at https://www.adlc.us/DocumentCenter/View/5571/January-20-2026-CM-. The revised plan, along with additional documents pertaining to the plan, also can be viewed at https://www.adlc.us/DocumentCenter/Index/410.