Auction, tours planned for proposed Bad Rock wildlife area

Fundraising continues for the proposed Bad Rock Canyon Wildlife management area just east of Columbia Falls along the Flathead River.

The project aims to secure about 772 acres of land from the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. and create a new state wildlife management area that will include trails open to the public.

The Flathead Land Trust, Flathead Lakers and River to Lake Initiative have recently issued a $100,000 matching grant challenge until July 15.

The total cost of the project is just under $7.1 million, noted land trust Executive Director Paul Travis. Of that, the local match is about $500,000, Travis said last week.

Most of this funding has been secured already from large federal and state grants and much of the needed remaining funding will likely come from a state grant.

An online auction with various items will also help the project, with several packages up for bid.

The trust also plans to hold public tours of the property in May. The hope is to have the property secured by the end of this year, Travis said.

Online bidding for the auction will begin on April 5 and last until the end of the month. For more information, contact Travis at ptravis@flatheadlandtrust.org or visit the website at http://www.flatheadlandtrust.org