About $2 million in federal money was designated Friday to buy conservation easements for hunting and fishing access along the Rocky Mountain Front.

The money had been included as a special project in last fall's fiscal year 2007 Interior Department budget, but all such "earmarks" were dropped when Congress failed to pass the budget bill. Instead, money was only was allocated for federal agencies at Fiscal Year 2006 levels.

But Sen. Max Baucus, along with Sen. Jon Tester, sought to renew the funding for the easements, according to Baucus spokesman Barrett Kaiser.

"Max went directly to the (Interior Department) and asked if they would use the money set aside for Fiscal Year 2007 to fund these projects," Kaiser said late Friday. "The final decision makers were in the Office of Management and Budget. Max and Jon made a last-minute intensive lobbying effort ... and the OMB made the final decision today to fund them."

Conservation easements are voluntary agreements between private landowners and government agencies or conservation organizations that typically involve reimbursing a landowner for not developing parcels or for allowing public access. Lands protected by conservation easements remain private, and continue to contribute to the local tax base.

Tana Kappel, spokesperson for The Nature Conservancy, said that the Fish and Wildlife Service -- the federal agency funding the easements -- has been in contact with a number of landowners about possible conservation easements, but she doesn't know if any were selected. Agency representatives weren't able to be reached after the announcement was made on Friday.

Kappel added that their non-profit organization also has been contacted by Rocky Mountain Front ranchers who are interested in the easements.

The program began a few years ago, but funding wasn't available then, and The Nature Conservancy's state director, Jamie Williams, said this is a big step forward.

"The news of this funding is a great reward for the grassroots effort by so many landowners to protect the Rocky Mountain Front's working ranches and wildlife habitat," Williams said. "Senator Baucus and Montana's congressional delegation deserve a special thanks for this funding in one of the toughest budget years in many, many years."

Baucus and Tester noted that the Rocky Mountain Front is considered a special place by many Montanans, and that the easements will ensure access by the public.

"We are an outdoor state. We hunt. We fish. We take our kids hiking, and these dollars will help preserve a vital piece of our outdoor heritage," Baucus said.

Tester added that "The Front is a first among equals."

"These funds will build on Sen. Baucus' work earlier this year to make sure The Front will forever remain a treasured part of Montana's heritage," Tester said.

Reporter Eve Byron can be reached at 447-4076 or by

e-mail at eve.byron@helenair.com.