DNR will again ask the legislature for authority to participate in the regulatory carbon market, has retained experts to evaluate state forest lands as potential carbon projects, and cited private-sector revenue examples.

A Forest Service representative told the commission the agency plans timber and salvage sales (Roundy, Rockwell, Blue Fly), is developing an MOU and seeks county letters of conditional approval for grazing-improvement projects pending SHPO concurrence; commissioners urged rapid action to protect watersheds and speed recovery.

The Board of Natural Resources approved most of the proposed timber‑sale package Sept. 1, 2026, voting separately on the Fish Hook Timber Sale after a board member sought removal of two sensitive units; the Fish Hook sale passed with one dissent. The board also heard market and revenue updates from staff.

Legal counsel and finance staff told the Board that a BLM resource-management plan targeting roughly 500 million board feet does not assure immediate county revenue because of sale preparation, market limits, milling capacity and potential litigation; senators' offices confirmed payment-rate rules for O&C receipts.

Deer harvest in Ashland County declines due to fewer antlerless tags and hunting activity.

Committee demands expedited movement on timber sales critical for county funding.

District Ranger Megan Eno reported Forest Service plans for Imogene Pass retaining‑wall repairs (federal funds committed for FY28), social‑tunnel safety measures, NEPA milestones for Telluride Trails and ski‑area projects, expanded dispersed‑camping management and multiple timber and fuel‑mitigation sales.

The Division of Forestry and Fire Protection presented House Bill 218 proposing to expand the Tanana Valley State Forest by about 600,000 acres to support timber management, habitat, recreation and infrastructure; the committee heard the introduction and will take questions at a future hearing.

A commissioner reported on a National Forest Working Group briefing and urged public attendance at an April 1 Helena hearing about a proposed continuous-yield timber program covering southwestern Montana; the commissioner warned of wildfire risk in the Echo Lake/Discovery Basin area and stressed local participation.

Officials told the budget committee that a lodging‑tax increase and an allocation change could produce roughly $600,000 of new unrestricted funds; timber revenue could rise if federal harvest targets are increased, but much of the benefit is likely to show up in FY27 or later.

Council discusses budget issues and potential property sales to improve public services.

Commissioners reported progress on a Good Neighbor Authority agreement to enable county-administered timber sales and said the county has filed a change-in-use water-rights application for Hatchtown Dam and engaged hydrology and legal consultants.