What is a Habitat Conservation Lease?

A habitat conservation lease is a voluntary agreement between FWP and private landowners. Under this agreement, landowners commit to specific land management practices designed to protect key wildlife habitats. In return, FWP provides a one-time per-acre payment based on the terms of the lease, which can span either 30 or 40 years. These leases are an effective tool for conserving crucial wildlife habitats while allowing landowners to continue their agricultural operations.

Program Focus

The initial emphasis of the Habitat Conservation Lease Program will be on prairie habitats, particularly:

• Sage-Grouse Core Areas

• Prairie Pothole Wetlands

• Other Priority Plains Habitats identified by FWP for their ecological value

As the program progresses, it may expand to encompass other high-priority habitats across the state, enhancing Montana’s rich biodiversity.

Allowed Land Uses

FWP acknowledges the role of traditional ranching in maintaining healthy ecosystems. As such, the following activities are compatible with the conservation lease:

• Livestock Grazing: Grazing and related management activities are to continue as they contribute to habitat health.

• Haying and Farming: Permitted within existing hay and cropland units, provided these units do not exceed 25% of the total lease acreage.

Why It Matters

The Habitat Conservation Lease Program helps protect Montana’s prairie ecosystems, which are vital for many species. By supporting these habitats, the program ensures that wildlife like sage-grouse, grassland songbirds, and waterfowl can thrive, while also helping landowners maintain productive ranching operations. This collaboration between conservation and ranching keeps these landscapes intact and benefits both wildlife and the community.

Benefits to Landowners

1. Financial Incentive:

Landowners receive a substantial, one-time payment based on a per-acre rate for the entire term of the lease. The lease payments are calculated as a percentage of the fee simple value. These rates are averaged separately for the eastern and western portions of Montana.

*Where farmed fields are intermingled with priority native habitats, FWP would pay 50% and 70% of the above per acre value for cropland or hay land, respectively

2. Continued Agricultural Activity:

• Enrolled areas remain as working agricultural lands with traditional ranching activities.

• Haying and farming activities are permissible within existing cropland units that make up 25% or less of the total lease acreage. *

3. Support for Conservation:

•  
• Landowners help ensure long‐term conservation of these habitats by protecting them from being converted to other land uses or developments.

Participating landowners are required to allow a specific number of wildlife-related public access days based on the number of acres being enrolled. Access may include hunting and wildlife viewing, with one third of access days taking place during the commission approved hunting season (Sept 1- Dec 31). However, landowners retain control over how this access is managed. They can set terms for acquiring permission, such as requiring reservations.

Current HCL Public Access

• R6 Access Map (PDF) 

• R7 Access Map (PDF)

Sources of Funding

The Habitat Conservation Lease Program is supported by several funding streams:

• Habitat Montana Funds: Dedicated to preserving the state’s wildlife habitats.

• Pittman-Robertson Funds: Federal funding derived from excise taxes on hunting equipment.

• Other Sources: Contributions dedicated to specific habitat types, such as wetlands.

Matching Funds: Habitat Montana funds are matched at a 1:3 ratio with federal funds, meaning every dollar from Habitat Montana is supplemented by three dollars from federal sources. This leverage maximizes the impact of state resources for wildlife conservation.

To learn more about the Habitat Conservation Lease Program, priority conservation areas, and land management practices, access the following documents:

• Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PDF)

• Decision Notice Cover Letter (PDF)

• Decision Notice (PDF)

FWP has proposed two changes to the Habitat Conservation Lease Program, detailed in the following document:

• Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (PDF)

These changes were open for public comment until May 1, 2023, and are reflected in the above information. For more information, see the Supplemental EA Decision Notice (PDF)