Northwestern Energy has submitted an easement application to authorize the extension of a 1 phase 7,200/12,740V electric primary distribution line on State Trust Land located in T1S R2W Section 24 pursuant to MCA 77-2-101 & 102. This extension will feed a cell tower for Vertical Bridge Development, LLC. This extension of power service will involve installation construction and require future maintenance on State Trust Land. The statement of necessity states that the nearest alternative to provide power to the cell tower would require routing power from an overhead power line on the east side of HWY 287on private property. This route would require crossing the MDT maintained highway and impact 2900 feet of private active farmlands, in which the private landowners were not willing to sign an easement for this -route. The route selected for the extension is along a private road that provides access to a gravel pit (G-1086-86), and the new underground powerline will lay adjacent to other utilities already encumbering the route. The proposed easement is approximately 1,404.65 feet long by 10 feet wide, encompassing 0.32 acres. See the attached exhibits for the proposed easement route and location.