Timber in transition: Booming values shift Plum Creek from logging to real estate

Montana has been discovered, he said, its real estate is commanding premium prices, and companies such as Plum Creek are realizing their trees are worth more vertical than horizontal.

By MICHAEL JAMISON of the Missoulian

Full story: http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/02/04/news/top/news01.txt

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Timber in Transition: When Plum Creek land changes hands, public is often locked out

By PERRY BACKUS of the Missoulian

For years, Joe Raible and his family used a road across Plum Creek Timber Co. land to access their home in the Swan Valley.

Set about a mile from the nearest county road, the family depended on Plum Creek’s generosity to access their homestead. And the company gladly obliged.

Not only did Plum Creek allow the Raibles to drive across its property, it even provided a utility easement for the family’s telephone line.

Then, in about 1990, the timber company sold the property to a Florida man. Not long after that, a locked gate appeared across the road to keep the public out.

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2007/02/06/news/top/news01.txt