FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 15, 2023

CONTACT: Logan McInnis, Public Works & Mobility

Department Deputy Director–Utilities
PHONE: 406-552-6766
E-MAIL: McinnisL@ci.missoula.mt.us

CITY SEEKS APPROVAL OF LAND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

City Would Own Poplar Farm, Other Key Areas

The City of Missoula is excited to announce its plan to enter into a land-swap agreement
that will have many benefits for Missoula residents—including ownership of the poplar farm
property, opportunity to extend the popular Milwaukee Trail system, and protection of a riparian
area adjacent to City open space land.

The City of Missoula and the Clouse family wish to exchange ownership of a parcel of
land owned by the City along Mullan Road (approximately 2.6 acres of developable property
including a house and outbuildings) to the Clouse Family in exchange for 184 acres in the
floodplain.

Although the property is in the floodplain, it is extremely important to the City because
the property includes the poplar farm, which the City currently leases, a portion of the old
Milwaukee railroad corridor that will allow for future extension of the Milwaukee Trail system,
and some additional riparian land adjacent to City-owned open space along the Clark Fork River.

Owning the poplar farm instead of leasing it guarantees that the Wastewater Utility will
be able to continue land applying more than 1 million gallons per day of nutrient-rich
wastewater into the future. This reduces algae growth in the Clark Fork River and uses these
beneficial nutrients to grow crops. In addition, purchasing the property eliminates future poplar
farm lease payments.
 An appraisal determined the value of these properties to be similar. The City’s offer
includes minor cash compensation to complete a survey and to satisfy a previous agreement to
drill a well for the Clouse family as part of the Flynn-Lowney Ditch acquisition.

Logan McInnis, Public Works & Mobility deputy director for utilities, said, “This truly is a
win-win for both the City and for the Clouse Family. The Clouse family gets developable land next
to property they already own, and the City gets the poplar farm and all its benefits as well as the
opportunity to expand the Milwaukee Trail and to own and protect a vital riparian habitat. The
Clouse Family has been a great partner with the City since the poplar farm lease and continuing
through this agreement today to permanently protect this property.”

Missoula City Council must approve the agreement and authorize the Mayor to enter into
the agreement with the Clouse family. The proposal was presented to the Council’s Public Works
Committee on November 15, 2023, with final approval decided during the regular City Council
meeting on November 27, 2023.

If City Council approves the property exchange agreement, a survey will be completed to
realign parcel boundaries, and the City will transfer ownership of its Mullan Road parcel to the
Clouse family, except for an area reserved for drilling a municipal water production well. The City
will also retain a well protection zone easement for the well and a public utility easement
through the parcel for a water transmission main and well access. The Clouse family will, in turn,
transfer ownership of the 184 acres to the City.

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Lori Hart, Public Works & Mobility Communications Specialist, 406-552-6354 office, 406-830-6077 cell,
HartL@ci.missoula.mt.us