A conservation easement has been signed on an east-central Idaho ranch that's been a top priority for state and federal authorities for years because it contains prime spawning streams for threatened salmon and steelhead.
The agreement between the Bonneville Power Administration and ranch owner Karl Tyler signed last week protects 10 miles of the meandering Lemhi River and half a dozen tributaries.
Lorraine Bodi of Bonneville Power says the agency paid several million dollars for the easement.
The Idaho Governor's Office of Species Conservation and the Lemhi Regional Land Trust helped with the deal.
Tyler, who owns car dealerships in Montana, says the easement will protect wildlife habitat while also making sure ranching continues for future generations.
Idaho officials say elk, moose and deer will also benefit.
