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 Reclamation
Attention: 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

Fresno Reservoir Maps

Open Limited Negotiated
Unit 10 Map Unit 1a Map Unit 4 Map
Unit 19 Map Unit 1b Map Unit 5 Map
Unit 20 Map Unit 1c Map Unit 9 Map
Unit 27 Map Unit 2 Map Unit 11 Map
Unit 29 Map Unit 3 Map Unit 16 Map
Unit 30 Map Unit 6 Map Unit 26 Map
Unit 35a Map Unit 6a Map  
  Unit 7 Map  
  Unit 8 Map  
  Unit 12 Map  
  Unit 13 Map  
  Unit 14 Map  
  Unit 15 Map  
  Unit 17 Map  
  Unit 18 Map  
  Unit 21 Map  
  Unit 22 Map  
  Unit 23 Map  
  Unit 24 Map  
  Unit 25 Map  
  Unit 28 Map  
  Unit 31 Map  
  Unit 32 Map  
  Unit 36 Map  

Tiber Reservoir Maps

Open Limited Negotiated
Unit 2 Map Unit 4a Map Unit 5 Map
Unit 3 Map Unit 4b Map Unit 8 Map
Unit 7 Map Unit 6 Map Unit 9 Map
Unit 21 Map Unit 6a Map Unit 11a Map
  Unit 24 Map Unit 12 Map
  Unit 15 Map Unit 11b Map
  Unit 25 Map Unit 12a Map
  Unit 26 Map Unit 13 Map
  Unit 27 Map Unit 16 Map
  Unit 27a Map Unit 17 Map
  Unit 31 Map Unit 17a Map
  Unit 31a Map Unit 19 Map
  Unit 32 Map Unit 20 Map
  Unit 34 Map Unit 20a Map
    Unit 28 Map
Last Updated: 11/16/23