The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) has received a land exchange nomination from MPG Ranch Inc. (MPG). Under this exchange proposal, MPG would acquire 8,139.94+ acres of land in Missoula County from Montana Checkerboard LLC, currently managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Those lands would then be transferred to DNRC in exchange for 1,804.85+ acres of isolated, inaccessible state trust lands located within the MPG ranch in Missoula County.

DNRC reviews and processes land exchanges on behalf of the State Board of Land Commissioners under its Land Exchange Policy. Land exchange proposals are analyzed using the following criteria:

1. Equal or greater value
2. Similar navigable lake or stream values
3. Equal or greater income to the trust
4. Equal or greater acreage
5. Consolidation of state trust lands
6. Potential for long-term appreciation
7. Improved or equal access to state or public lands

Current Status:

Soliciting Public Comments prior to presentation to the State Board of Land Commissioners.

Public Comments can be submitted by emailing DNRCLandExchangePublic@mt.gov, or by mailing your comments to our Southwest Land Office at 1401 27th Avenue, Missoula, MT 59804 by 5:00PM, Friday, May 1, 2026.

More information is available in the following documents:

Land Exchange Policy

Land Exchange Flowchart

Cramer Creek Public Scoping Notice

Cramer Creek FAQ

Cramer Creek Vicinity Map

Cramer Creek Land to be Acquired

Cramer Creek State Trust Land to be Exchanged

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