The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) received two-citizen initiated petitions to close two tracts of state trust land near Gallatin Gateway, Montana to all recreational use.
Petition to close state trust land located along Axtell Anceney Road and along High Flat Road in Gallatin County.
- Township 3 South, Range 4 East, Section 6: Gov. Lots 3-7, SE4NW4, SE4, E2SW4
- Township 2 South, Range 4 East, Section 32: NE4
- Public and Hearing Notice
- Petition
Petition to close state trust land located along Axtell Anceney Road in Gallatin County.
- Township 3 South, Range 4 East, Section 6: Lots 3-7, SE4NW4, SE4, E2SW4
- Public and Hearing Notice
- Petition
DNRC received written comments and hosted a public hearing on the matter on June 3, 2026. Per administrative rules of Montana, DNRC must make a decision on the petitions by July 1. The decision may be either to grant a petition, deny a petition, or grant a petition with modifications.
The DNRC has released its decision to grant both petitions with modifications. See the Decision documents by clicking the buttons below.
Department Decision on Petition for Closure of State Trust Lands - Hatter Petition
Department Decision on Petition for Closure of State Trust Lands - Spur Cross Ranch Petition
About State Trust Lands:
DNRC manages 5.2 million acres of state trust land and generates millions of dollars annually for K-12 public education, including school facilities and classroom technology through sustainable forestry, agriculture, grazing and more.
Montana's state trust lands work differently from most other public lands. These lands are managed by the DNRC under the oversight and direction of the Montana Board of Land Commissioners. What makes state trust lands unique is that they have a special constitutional purpose: they must generate money to support Montana's public schools and other important institutions.
Due to this requirement, state trust lands are managed to produce revenue. While many of these lands are open for public recreation, they are primarily working lands—leased for activities like agriculture, grazing, and mineral development to generate revenue for the state’s trust beneficiaries. All management decisions balance revenue production with environmental stewardship and the long-term productivity of the land.
For information on recreational use of state trust lands, visit: dnrc.mt.gov/recreation
Tags: Public Notice