Forest land sells for $2.3 million

An online auction for 90 acres of Forest Service land plus buildings that include the old Hungry Horse Ranger Station has closed with a final bid of $2.38 million.

Linda Smith, the Flathead National Forest's lands program manager, confirmed that Stephen Byrd of Spokane submitted the high bid on Nov. 28.

He represents the Byrd Family Limited Partnership, which reportedly includes members of Byrd's family who live in the Canyon.

During the final days of bidding, only one other competing bidder was involved in the auction, which was handled by the General Services Administration through a Web site.

Bidding started in June and carried on longer than Flathead Forest officials expected, with a total of 56 bidders involved over the duration of the auction.

Once an acceptance and closing process is completed, proceeds from the sale will be used to build a new ranger station on adjacent land retained by the government.

The station will serve as headquarters for the Hungry Horse, Spotted Bear and Glacier View ranger districts.

"We're happy with it," Smith said of the final bid. "It's a great price for the government. With those kinds of funds, we should be able to build the new office."

With the $2.38 million bid, the sale will average $26,309 per acre. Most of the land is forested with mature trees, and the sale includes the current ranger station plus multiple outbuildings. The buyer is required to lease the old ranger station back to the Forest Service for up to two years until the new ranger station is built.

Smith was not aware of the partnership's intentions for the land.

Forest Service officials have said the sale could lead to growth for Hungry Horse, a town that has been hemmed in by national forest land.

The Forest Service's acceptance process will be completed by Dec. 28, followed by a 90-day closing period.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com