Montana wants to buy mineral rights beneath WMA

State officials have proposed to buy the mineral rights on the Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area near Deer Lodge in a move to protect the property from potential development.

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is proposing to spend $70,745 to acquire the interest in the minerals on a big chunk of Spotted Dog that are owned by the Pauly estate, said Darlene Edge, FWP land agent.

The state bought the 27,616 acre game range in 2010 from the Rock Creek Cattle Co. But it didn’t acquire all of the mineral rights, Edge said.FWP officials are proposing to buy the rights on the 14,149 acres owned by the Pauly estate. It would pay $5 per acre for the rights.