I. INTRODUCTION 



House Bill 526 passed by the 1987 Legislature (MCA 87-1-241, MCA 87-1-242) authorizes 

 the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) to acquire an interest in land for the purpose 

 of protecting and improving wildlife habitat. Additionally, the Northwest Power Act 

 authorized funds for acquiring wildlife habitat due to habitat losses from the development of 

 Libby and Hungry Horse dams. These acquisitions can be through fee title, conservation 

 easements, or leasing. In 1989, the Montana legislature passed House Bill 720 requiring that 

 a socioeconomic assessment be completed when wildlife habitat is acquired. These 

 assessments evaluate the significant social and economic impacts of the purchase on local 

 governments, employment, schools, and impacts on local businesses. 



This socioeconomic evaluation addresses the fee title purchase of land owned by the Flathead 

 Land Trust. The report addresses the physical and institutional setting as well as the social 

 and economic impacts associated with the proposed purchase. 



n. PHYSICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL SETTING 



A. Property Description 



The property is an island in the Flathead River located just upstream from the 

 confluence of the Stillwater River. The Coriell property comprises 73 acres of the 

 eighty acre island. It does not appear the remaining acres are in private ownership. 

 A legal description and map of the property are in the environmental assessment 

 (EA). 



B. Habitat and Wildlife Populations 



Due to the braided nature of the Flathead River in this area, the islands in this section 

 contain mature and old growth forest as well as excellent riparian habitat. 



This land supports numerous game species (white-tailed deer, pheasants, turkey, 

 waterfowl, grouse) as well as habitat for a long list of other wildlife. A detailed list 

 is provided in Appendix A of the draft environmental assessment (EA) and 

 management plan for the property. 



C. Current Use 



The property is currently owned by the Flathead Land Trust. They have managed the 

 land to protect the wildlife and habitat values associated with the property. While the 

 island is privately owned the Flathead Land Trust has allowed public access to the 

 property for recreational uses. 



D. Management Alternatives 



At diis point in time, two alternatives are available to the Montana Fish, Wildlife and 

 Parks regarding the Coriell property. 



1) Fee title purchase of the property by MFWP. 



2) No purchase 



C2 



