Kenney Creek Ranch Conservation Easement
In 2010 LRLT purchased the 585 acre Kenney Creek Ranch.  Following this purchase, in 2011, the Kenney Creek Ranch was transferred to long time Lemhi area rancher, Fran Tonsmeire with a conservation easement in place in exchange for a conservation easement on her Hayden Creek Ranch.
Lemhi Regional Land TrustPO Box 871 Salmon, Idaho 83467(208) 756 - 8879info@lemhilandtrust.org
Project Timeline
  • 2007: The Nature Conservancy (TNC) receives funding for a conservation easement on the Kenney Creek Ranch.
  • 2009: Current owners of the Kenney Creek Ranch decide to sell the ranch. In December, LRLT and TNC begin acquiring the Kenney Creek Ranch by purchasing the main 505 acre parcel
  • June-December 2010: Purchased three adjoining parcels totaling 80 acres, reconnecting them to the original ranch and adding over 1/2 mile of additional Lemhi River frontage.
  • August 2011: Conservation easement is completed and ownership of the Kenney Creek Ranch is transferred to long time Lemhi area rancher, Fran Tonsmeire in exchange for a conservation easement on her 1,040 acre Hayden Creek Ranch.

Funding for this project was provided by the Snake River Basin Adjudication Habitat Fund and Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. 

Location: 17 miles southeast of
Salmon, Idaho on Kenney       Creek and the Lemhi River
Land Size: 585 acres
Year: 2011

Project Goals
  This easement provides for the continuation of ranching and agricultural activities and helps to protect the water quality and quantity in Kenney Creek and the Lemhi River.  Additionally,  functioning riparian and wetland ecosystems and spawning and rearing habitat for anadromous and resident fish will be preserved.  Reconnection of Kenney Creek to the main stem Lemhi River is also accomplished through a water management agreement.

Project Partners