IDAHO
Henry's Lake Area of Critical Environmental Concern

Henry’s Lake Area of Critical Environmental Concern is a jewel of the Yellowstone region. The matrix of private and public land that surrounds the lake supports a dozen large cattle ranches and provides valuable summer habitat and critical wildlife migration corridors. The Henry’s Lake fishery is the last stronghold in the Henry’s Fork basin for the imperiled Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Lakeshore communities of white spruce and aspen wetlands are globally rare and are found nowhere else in the lower 48 states. Many of the two million annual visitors to the area enjoy trail rides, hiking, and other outdoor recreation in the area. Henry’s Lake and nearby rivers are popular destinations for anglers, supporting fly shops and guiding businesses. Expanded use of the LWCF will protect the ecologically irreplaceable Henry’s Lake region from habitat fragmentation, the most critical threat to the wildlife habitat and migration corridors. The large ranches in this area face significant risk of conversion to second homes and recreational developments. LWCF dollars are allowing the BLM to purchase conservation easements, providing local ranchers with an attractive alternative to subdivision and development as well as allow the land to remain in production providing vital support for the local economy.