1. Current Recreation Activities 



Current recreation uses of Coriell, although a private island, seem to be 

 similar to that which occurs on most islands in the mainstem Flathead which 

 are in public ownership: boating; picnicking; fishing; day hiking; 

 photography; asparagus picking; bird watching; camping; waterfowl, upland 

 bird, and deer hunting; and fiirbearer trapping. Neither the Flathead Land 

 Trust or Dr. Coriell have posted the island. 



Most of these recreational activities which take place are passive, and occur 

 either infrequently or seasonally, such as hunting. Based on preliminary 

 observations, these activities seem to have had little impact on the islands's 

 habitat quality. At present, there are at least two deer stands and a waterfowl 

 blind on the island. 



a. Spring: Intense or frequent recreation activities during the spring bird 

 nesting/reproduction period (March through June) could impact nesting 

 success of waterfowl and other wildlife species. Dogs allowed to run through 

 the island can pose a significant hazard. However, because of the difficulty in 

 negotiating the ever-changing channels near Coriell during spring with normal 

 propeller motor boats, the lack of an easy access point adjacent, and rising 

 treacherous water associated with spring runoff, public use during this time 

 does not appear to be in conflict with nesting/reproducing wildlife. This 

 could change with the increased use of jet boats and jet skis which can 

 negotiate the shallow channels and can go up or down stream with few 

 problems. 



b. Summer: During summer, Flathead Lake is at full pool which allows 

 normal propeller boats to reach Coriell from the south. Also, floating from 

 Old Steel down to Foys Bend or Leisure Island is fairly common as the water 

 levels stabilize and warm. The Flathead mainstem may warm even more than 

 in the past due to the construction of the selective withdrawal system at 

 Hungry Horse dam. Warmer water may increase recreational activities on the 

 mainstem. Fishing, picnicking, hiking, bird watching, and camping, if it 

 occurs frequently, could disrupt wildlife populations using the island or 

 impact habitat. 



c. Fall: The fall season includes upland bird, waterfowl, and big game 

 hunting seasons. The island is one of the few places in the Flathead Valley 

 which provides both wildlife habitat and defacto access for these recreational 

 activities. The amount of hunting activity which takes place on Coriell is not 

 presently known; however, several deer and duck blinds indicate it is used by 

 the public, probably on most weekends during the hunting season. As with the 

 other recreational activities, if it becomes too frequent, impacts to habitat or 

 wildlife may occur. 



d. Winter: Trapping rights have been previously reserved by a local trapper. 

 Trapping primarily for beaver or river otter were likely to have occurred on 

 Coriell during the winter months. Access to the island from Leisure island is 

 dependent on water levels, ice cover, and motor boat type. Because of 



B4 



