The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) has 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 is currently accepting public comment on the petitions. A public hearing will be held on June 3, 2026, in Gallatin Gateway, Montana, for those that wish to provide oral comment.
DNRC will review all comments before determining any action. Actions could include granting the petition for closure, modifying the current recreational use on site, or denying the closure.
Public Meeting:
June 3, 2026, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Gallatin Gateway Community Center
145 Mill Street
Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730
The meeting will also have an online option via Zoom at: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/88187030620?pwd=ZpiyS9M4ChHct7hLuH52AXyzftAVwf.1
Or by phone at:
+1 206 337 9723 US (Seattle)
Webinar ID: 881 8703 0620
Passcode: 945826
To Submit Comments:
Complete the online survey or mail DNRC’s Bozeman Unit Office, 2273 Boot Hill Court, STE 110, Bozeman, MT 59715.
Deadline for Comments:
Provide any comments by midnight June 3, 2026.
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, Trust-Land, Recreation and Public Use