DNRC Modifies Recreational Use on State Trust Land Near Logan
Releases decision to address public safety concerns
HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) today announced modified recreational use for state trust land near Logan. After receiving a petition to close four tracts of state trust land to recreation, DNRC held a public meeting on June 18 and accepted public comment on the petition before deciding to proceed with a modified use approach that keeps one tract open, addressing public safety concerns while maintaining recreational access.
“Recreating in Montana is key to our way of life. With that comes the responsibility to recreate safely on State Trust Lands. As part of DNRC’s engagement with the public, we received comments that indicated there are public safety issues at the site. The decision to modify recreational use addresses these safety issues while maintaining recreational use for Montanans,” said DNRC Bozeman Unit Manager, Kara Huyser.
Before the decision, the tracts near Logan allowed for recreational use and included areas that are heavily used for target shooting. The petition received by DNRC requested full closure to all recreational activity. The decision released today by DNRC grants the petition with modifications. The modified closure will close three of the four tracts to recreational target shooting to address safety issues and limit impacts to private property and livestock, allowing the lessees to better use the state trust land for grazing use.
One of the state trust land tracts will remain seasonally open to recreational target shooting with restrictions to address public safety concerns, fire danger, and private property damage.
All petitioned tracts remain open to other recreational uses, including licensed hunting during applicable hunting seasons. The updated uses will go into effect July 15. The department will re-evaluate the decision for a majority of the tracts in the summer of 2027.
The Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) recently applied for an easement for a formal shooting range on one of the tracts from the petition. That application is a separate process, and this decision does not impact that process or the potential for a formal shooting range. More information can be found on their website at: https://fwp.mt.gov/public-notices/news/2025/march/0324-public-scoping-logan-public-shooting-range-project-march-24-2025.
For more information on the petition for recreation closure and DNRC’s modification of recreational use, visit: https://dnrc.mt.gov/News/dnrc-news/closure-petition
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The DNRC’s mission is to help ensure that Montana's land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations.Tags: