BLM to offer nearly 4 million feet of timber in Silver Bow County

BUTTE, Mont. - The Bureau of Land Management is accepting written bids for the Big Hole West timber sale until Sept. 23, 2025. The sale includes nearly 4.2 million board feet of timber across 1,800 acres to thin dense Douglas-fir stands and reduce tree encroachment on grasslands near Wise River in Silver Bow County. These efforts will increase forest resiliency, improve wildlife habitat for sage grouse, big game, and other species, and benefit local communities.

"Resource specialists carefully planned the project, with the health of public lands and the local municipal water supply in mind," said BLM Butte Field Manager Lindsey Babcock. "The BLM designed the project to both increase the resilience of public forest lands and provide traditional forest products, such as timber, to the local economies."

Sealed bids are due to the Butte Field Office by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. The BLM will open the bids on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, and notify the successful bidder by phone or email.

This sale supports Executive Order 14225, "Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production," and will provide critical supplies for construction and other industries and support jobs in local communities.

The Montana and Dakota's forestry program is responsible for managing 1.3 million acres of forest land, with 900,000 acres of commercial forest land. These lands are located primarily in western Montana. For more information, please contact the BLM Butte Field Office at (406) 533-7600.