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Alder - #156972

$1,450,000

Location

This rare Ruby River offering is located approximately 30 miles South of Alder, Montana in Madison County and is accessed by paved Highway 287 and graveled county maintained road. Sheridan located 12 miles North of Alder is the nearest community which has typical small town services including schools (K-12), medical clinic, county hospital and various commercial enterprises. The small town of Alder provides limited services including a school (K-8), gas station & convenience store combination, restaurants, motel and taverns.

Acreage

The Upper Ruby Refuge consists of approximately 170 deeded acres according to Madison County Tax Appraiser’s records, all within the National Forest boundary (see the attached topo map for location). The offering includes more than a half mile of both side of the famed Ruby River in addition to Lazyman and Badger Creeks which bisect the property.

Recreational Opportunities

This is truly an angler’s paradise with some of the best fishing available on the Ruby River and just a short drive to the Madison, Big Hole, and Beaverhead Rivers. In addition, the ranch is surrounded by National Forest service to guarantee the best of big game hunting as well as privacy. This is the last deeded acreage as you enter the Beaverhead National Forest boundary.

Fishing:

Open grassy meadows are bordered by cottonwoods and willow groves which provide natural habitat for an abundance of wildlife. It is not uncommon to see elk, deer, moose, bear and many other animal and bird species throughout the year. The current owners have utilized this ranch for summer grazing and also leased some of the fishing rights to a local fishing lodge. The Ruby River is considered one of the Montana’s premier “Blue ribbon” trout streams and fishing this stretch of the Ruby is superb. The most avid fly fisherman can attest to the abundance and variety of trout in this area including the recently introduced rare artic grayling. The offering is currently undergoing a streambed restoration project which is being developed for improved grayling spawning on Lazyman Creek which feeds into the Ruby River. This government grant will develop spawning pools and protect the riparian areas to enhance the fishery.

Access

The property is surrounded by National Forest land with the Snowcrest, and Gravelly Mountains all touching the boundaries and the Greenhorn, Ruby and Tobacco Root Ranges in the vista. Rarely do you find a property this remote which has both phone and electricity available. There is a homestead cabin on the property which serves as a hunting camp and there is electrical service to this cabin. There are a number of building sites which are proximate to power.

Community

The nearby rural communities of Alder and Sheridan offer small town amenities and commercial facilities including schools (K-12), medical facilities, and paved County maintained airport is located proximate to Sheridan. Dillon is home of Western Montana College and offers expanded medical and commercial enterprise. Both Bozeman, home of Montana State University (2000 census pop. 30,723) and Butte (pop 33,000) are within a two hour drive and provide expanded commercial, institutional and social amenities including international airports.

Description of the land

The terrain varies from fringes of timber to the lower lush meadows with cottonwoods and willows for both livestock and wildlife shelter. Badger Creek, on the North end of the property is lined with Aspens and has a rich riparian area which supports many species of wildlife. Lazyman Creek on the Southern boundary will be the site for the Future Fisheries grant work to be completed in 2007 for grayling habitat.

Elevation, Precipitation, and Climate

The Ruby Valley area average annual precipitation is about 14 inches, average annual temperature is around 40 degrees F. Since this is in the upper reaches of the Ruby, you can expect to see your growing season decrease but your average precipitation will increase with higher altitudes.

Natural Water Resources

The Upper Ruby Refuge is the last large in-holding (surrounded by National Forest) in the Upper Ruby drainage and has been under the same ownership for over thirty years. These offerings don’t come along very often and to the fly fishing aficionado who has paid attention to the real estate market in the Ruby Valley, take note that quality river properties which have not sold several times during the past 10 years are unheard of. Don’t miss the opportunity to own this highly desirable fly fishing property.

Improvements

Water Enhancements

Water Rights

There are water rights which are associated with the acreage from both the Ruby River and Lazyman Creek. A new diversion and irrigation system is planned and will be completed on the property in 2007. Water right abstracts are available at the listing office upon request.

Mineral Rights

Mineral rights too. The Seller will convey the property without reservation; however, no representations are made as the quantity or quality of any appurtenant mineral or other subsurface rights.

Utilities and Services

Rarely do you find a property this remote which has both phone and electricity available. There is a homestead cabin on the property which serves as a hunting camp and there is electrical service to this cabin. There are a number of building sites which are proximate to power.

Price

$1,450,000

Brokers Comments

$1,450,000 Investigations by a surveyor have determined that the property could be conveyed in two separate parcels, which is a distinct advantage to the buyer seeking tax benefits from a conservation easement or for two buyers who want to boundary adjust for individual ownership. Cash. Sellers may intend to conduct an IRC Section 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange(s) as part of any sale/exchange of the offered property.

Contact Listing Agent for Exact Legal Description

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT

Michelle Van Dyke, Broker
Prudential Montana Real Estate
P.O. Box 400
Twin Bridges, MT 59754
406 596-0805 cell
406 684-5686 office
406 684-5687 fax

Email: michelle.vandyke@prumt.com
Website: www.prumt.com