Upper Lochsa Land Exchange

In 2005, WPT acquired its Idaho block from Plum Creek Timberlands.  The Idaho property represents WPT’s second largest block of land ownership, consisting of approximately 40,000 acres of timberland, and is located in the Upper Lochsa area. These parcels are within the Clearwater National Forest and lie in a checkerboard ownership pattern with USFS lands.  As was the case in the Central Cascade Land Exchange, WPT saw a unique opportunity to pursue a trade with the Forest Service that would allow a government agency to acquire lands that are best suited for public ownership.

Sign on Lolo Pass

In 2008, WPT and the Forest Service entered into an Agreement to Initiate the Upper Lochsa Land Exchange, which will potentially allow the Federal Government to “block up” the land that is intermingled with the WPT property.  WPT has not harvested any timber on the Upper Lochsa  property and, as a condition of the proposed exchange, WPT has agreed to contribute $500,000 toward the restoration of the Upper Lochsa property.

In the Agreement to Initiate, the Forest Service has proposed to trade to WPT scattered parcels located throughout seven Idaho counties; namely:  Benewah (2,230 acres), Bonner (1,145 acres), Clearwater (9,425 acres), Idaho (10,970 acres); Kootenai (57 acres); Latah (4,342 acres) and Shoshone (316 acres).  A majority of the lands offered by the Forest Service meet WPT’s primary objective which is to acquire timberlands appropriate for active timber management.  Although WPT’s primary goal is to acquire land for timber production, some of the Forest Service properties included in the exchange may have recreational development potential. At this time, WPT has no definitive or immediate plans for development of any of the properties.

Spruce Creek in the Upper Lochsa drainage

If it acquires the Forest Service lands, WPT will continue to meet or exceed Best Management Practices which are designed to enhance future timber yields while protecting the underlying land and water quality.  Consistent with its management of its other timberlands, WPT’s operations will be conducted in compliance with state and federal regulations.    For more information on this trade please see the USFS website.

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• Protecting Habitat

  • The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation partners with WPT and the USFS to protect key elk habitat. For more info, go to the RMEF website.
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• More Information

  • For more information on the Upper Lochsa Land Exchange please see the USFS website.
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