- Reclamation
- Missouri Basin and Arkansas-Rio Grande-Texas Gulf
- Montana Area Office
- Fresno & Tiber Grazing Leases
2023 Fresno and Tiber Reservoir Grazing and Agriculture Leases Available
The Bureau of Reclamation is proposing to lease approximately 24,000 acres of rangeland for grazing purposes surrounding Fresno Reservoir, Milk River Project and approximately 23,000 acres of rangeland and farmland surrounding Tiber Reservoir, Lower Marias Project. Fresno Reservoir is located 14 miles northwest of Havre, Montana. Tiber Reservoir is located 18 miles southwest of Chester, Montana. Successful bidders will earn the lease rights for five years (one-year term with four renewal options).
A total of 33 leases on Tiber Reservoir and 37 leases on Fresno Reservoir are available in a mix of open (bidding open to anyone), limited (bidding open to adjoining landowners and those with proof of access), and negotiated bids (Federal lands fully surrounded by one landowner). The lease rate for grazing leases will begin at $28 per AUM, and $31 per acre for agriculture leases. Below perspective bidders will find maps for individual units, as well as bid forms and other information.
For bids to be considered valid, they must include a deposit in the form of certified check, cashier’s check or money order equal to 100% the amount of the first-year grazing fees (bid amount X AUMs or acres). Please include an individual deposit payment on each specific unit. Proof of access for limited bids must be included in your bid package for bids to be considered valid. Access may include but is not limited to the following: bordering land ownership, lease agreements, or written access agreements from a neighboring (bordering Reclamation lands) landowner. Bid forms, as well as specific information on grazing units, minimum bids, total AUMs, maps, etc., may be obtained below.
Sealed bid packages can be mailed to:
Bureau of ReclamationAttention: Robert Thompson
PO Box 30137
Billings, MT 59101
Reclamation will begin accepting sealed bids on November 13, 2023, and the bidding period will close on December 4, 2023. Sealed bids will be opened on December 11, 2023, at the Montana Area Office in an open event with rights being awarded to the highest bidder.
For more information, please contact Robert Thompson, Natural Resource Specialist, at the Montana Area Office at 406-247-7335 or via email at rnthompson@usbr.gov.
Overview Information
- Bid Sheet
- Fresno Reservoir Map
- Fresno Reservoir Unit Information
- Tiber Reservoir Map
- Tiber Reservoir Unit Information
Fresno Reservoir Maps
Tiber Reservoir Maps