A $1.2 million conservation easement to protect sage grouse habitat on 4,417 acres of the Lehfeldt property north of Lavina was unanimously approved on Monday, but not before the Montana Sage Grouse Oversight Team wrestled with how much to pay and the expenditure’s impact on the program’s balance.

“We're here because we need some help, folks, and we can help you,” John Lehfeldt told the team in a Sept. 9 meeting.

In return for granting a permanent easement under the Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program, he said the family was giving up a “long-term possible value” while still keeping the property in production as grazing land for the sheep they raise.

“I think with our sheep grazing, and with the herders and us being out there all the time, we're helping mitigate predation and we'

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