dropping water levels during the fall, safe access with regular propeller motor 

 boats on a daily basis after November first is tricky. At least one active 

 beaver lodge exists on the island. 



Trapping rights have been recently cleared on the property's title. The 

 braided section of the Flathead has had one of the highest beaver colony 

 densities recorded in the state. Additionally, river otters are abundant 

 throughout the Flathead mainstem probably due to habitat quality and high 

 security; Montana allows trappers to take as many beaver as they want, but 

 only one river otter. 



2. Recommended Actions: 



a. Limit certain recreational uses which will likely have an impact on wildlife 

 during the spring nesting/reproductive period or leave excessive signs of 

 human use: 



i. no dogs/pets without leashes allowed from March 1 to June 30. 



ii. put up signs which explain management objectives and ask the public to 

 minimize human impacts (pack it in/pack it out; other restrictions listed 

 below) 



iii. No overnight camping; no fires; no permanent structures (e.g. duck 

 blinds, deer stands, fire rings, tent poles etc.); temporary structures brought 

 by an individual and removed by the individual after each hunt would be 

 acceptable. 



b. Provide copy of the final management plan to sporting good shops, County 

 Offices and Library, local Chambers of Commerce, state and federal agencies, 

 and interested publics to make them aware of management goals, objectives, 

 and stipulations. 



c. Coordinate management plan and monitoring with FWP enforcement staff, 

 local interest groups, Flathead County Parks and Recreation. 



Monitoring and Adaptive Management: 



Most WHPA's receive little monitoring by FWP due to their small size, isolation, and lack of 

 perceived need to monitor these areas because of low use. However, due to the proximity of 

 Coriell to a large population center, the evidence of many recreational uses, and special 

 wildlife values associated with the island, monitoring on a regular basis is recommended. This 

 could be accomplished with volunteers and enforcement staff in addition to FWP resource 

 personnel. The purpose of monitoring will be to determine if any recreational or human 

 activities are impacting wildlife or habitat values. 



a. Monitor recreation activities over the next 2 years to determine to what degree 

 these activities take place, by whom, and with what frequency. 



B5 



