The Montana Land Board on Monday approved a 53,000-acre conservation easement in the Cabinet Mountains of northwest Montana that will protect public access to working timberland owned by Green Diamond Resource Company.

The board, comprising the state’s five top elected officials, voted 4-1 to advance the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement proposal, which was developed by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The vote came after an hour and a half of debate about the mineral rights below Green Diamond’s land and the value and constraints associated with perpetual conservation easements.

Attorney General Austin Kndusen issued the lone “no” vote. Secretary of State Christi Jacobson, Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James B

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