ANACONDA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte recently joined the Montana Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) to cut the ribbon on the first completed segment of the Anaconda trails system and celebrate the opening of over nine miles of trails for recreational use.
“This project is a prime example of our proud Montana tradition to expand access for public recreation and to utilize innovation to restore resources to productive use,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Hunting, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and enjoying all the Treasure State has to offer is part of who we are as Montanans. Thanks to funds from Montana’s Natural Resource Damage Program and local partners, we were able to restore this land and open over nine miles of trails for the community to enjoy.”
The trail system was developed on land that was restored from previous contamination caused by the Anaconda Smelter from the 1880s to 1980. The contamination resulted in severe loss of vegetation and injury to nearly 18 square miles of land in the mountains surrounding Anaconda.
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Created in 1990, the NRDP is a state program that assesses and recovers damages for natural resources injured by the release of hazardous substances. The Anaconda trails project was completed through the combined efforts of the NRDP, Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, the Open Lands Steering Committee, and the Anaconda Trails Society.
As part of the plan for reuse for the land, in 2025, Gov. Gianforte approved an amendment to the Anaconda Uplands Restoration Plan which provided up to $4 million of Natural Resource Damage Uplands settlement funds for restoration of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County owned lands. This year, the county implemented the funds to construct approximately nine miles of recreational trails.
“This has opened land access for the community, that's what's important,” said Steve Hill, member of the Anaconda Trails Society. “It demonstrates the cleanup and habitat land restoration successes. In the 70s, these trees were barren. Now they are all tree-covered and we have some well-designed trail systems that anyone in the community can use. It is a cleanup success.”
Construction of these trails was the first action to be implemented under the Anaconda Uplands Restoration Plan with additional restoration planned, including restoring native vegetation, wildlife habitat, and expanding recreational opportunities.
Expanding public access is a top priority for the governor. Since the governor took office, Montanans have gained access to over 245,000 acres including new WMAs in the Big Snowy Mountains, Bad Rock Canyon, North Wildcat Coulee on the lower Yellowstone River, expanded access at Mount Haggin, and a new state park at Somers Beach.
