BILLINGS — A billionaire businessman is offering to give the government wildlife habitat near Yellowstone National Park in exchange for forest land within his ranch boundary.
The Billings Gazette reports that William D. Morean would give the government Slip and Slide Ranch — land near Yellowstone that the Forest Service has been pursuing for 30 years.
The Forest Service says the 538-acre parcel is valuable habitat for grizzly bears, bison, elk, mule deer and Yellowstone cutthroat trout.
Gardiner District ranger Walt Allen says Morean’s proposal is a good one.
The deal would have the businessman remove buildings on Slip and Slide Ranch, grant a road easement across his other ranch and give the Forest Service the right of first refusal on 90 more acres.
Morean did not respond to a request for comment.