The dense shrub cover along backwater sloughs and channels provides excellent 

 upland nesting habitat for mallards, Canada geese, ruffed grouse, ring-necked 

 pheasants, and wild turkey. The older cottonwood snags provide cavity nesting 

 habitat for wood ducks, common and hooded mergansers, woodpeckers, tree 

 swallows, and chickadees. Overhanging banks provide nesting habitat for belted 

 kingfisher, bank swallows, and rough-winged swallows. Riparian shrubs and mature 

 cottonwood habitats also provide nesting habitat for a variety of neo-tropical migrants 

 and other passerines. The security and cover on the island provide important habitat 

 for white-tailed deer. 



The island's accumulated logjams, dead and down material, berry-producing shrubs 

 such as hawthorn provide habitat for raccoons, striped skunks, coyotes, and red fox. 

 Black bear and moose are occasional visitors. 



3. Proposed Actions 



a. FWP will complete an inventory and map of aquatic, wetland, and riparian 

 habitats and their associated species and values during 1996. This baseline 

 report will include photo points, vegetation lists, cover type maps, stand size 

 and stocking, species lists, weed maps, human disturbances, and other data 

 from which future changes in habitat quality can be detected. This baseline 

 information will be critical to monitoring changes, adapting new management 

 policies to address changes as needed to ensure maintenance of the existing 

 habitat quality. 



b. FWP will incorporate a weed management plan into the Coriell Island 

 Management Plan during summer, 1996. This plan will address how FWP 

 intends to meet county weed management obligations. The weed management 

 plan will address the current infestation of Canada thistle and any other weeds 

 observed during baseline inventories. 



C. FWP will undertake at least 1 field inspection trip each year for purpose of 



monitoring habitat changes or impacts, updating resource values, and 

 recommending management changes as needed. FWP will encourage local 

 interest organizations to participate and assist on this field trip(s). The 

 purpose of the field inspection is to insure long-term protection and 

 maintenance of these riparian/wetland values, and compliance with this 

 management plan, A record of field investigations will be kept with the 

 management plan. 



d. FWP will evaluate the benefits or detriments of including the Coriell project 

 within the Montana Natural Areas Program. 



B. Maintaining Public Recreational Opportunities 



Maintaining recreation opportunities for the general public is an important but secondary 

 objective of the Coriell land acquisition. Many islands in the mainstem Flathead are 

 perceived as being in public ownership, although many are not. Purchase of Coriell by FWP 

 will insure some degree of public access, provided access does not conflict with the habitat 

 objectives stated above. 



B3 



