Alternative 1 (Purchase Conservation Easement): This Alternative should 

 result in the same benefits listed under the Proposed Action. 



No Action: This Alternative offers nc5 guarantee as to the continued 

 maintenance of natural habitats and the species which depend on them. Future 

 land uses such as sand and gravel operations, cottonwood logging, or grazing 

 could have a detrimental impact on these resources. 



6, Unique, endangered, fragile, or limited environmental resources; 



Proposed Action: Extensive riparian areas in nearly pristine condition are 

 relatively rare in Montana. The braided section near Kalispell has many of 

 these qualities and this project would help to sustain this ecosystem. The 

 project would also benefit breeding, wintering, and migrating bald eagles, a 

 federally threatened species. It benefits river otter, osprey, and great blue 

 herons, also species of special interest in Montana (Flath 1991). In addition, 

 the project would benefit bull trout, a species warranting listing as a federal 

 threatened or endangered species, and west-slope cutthroat trout, a fish species 

 of special concern in Montana (Flath 1991). 



Alternative 1 (Purchase Conservation Easement): Same as Proposed Action. 



No Action: The opportunity to protect a biologically important, relatively rare 

 and unique riparian/wetland community would be foregone. 



B. EVALUATION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND REASONABLE 

 ALTERNATIVES ON THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT 



1. Noise/Electrical Effects/Transportation 



Proposed Action: Noise from hunting would probably be similar to that which 

 exists today. No other noise effects expected. No impacts on electricity supply 

 or demand or transportation are expected. 



Alternative 1 (Conservation Easement): May be same as proposed action. 



No Action: Noise from hunting would be the same as Alternative 1 . There is a 

 low probability that activities such as sand and gravel extraction or logging 

 might occur at some point in the future. If these activities did occur, they 

 would contribute to noise impacts in a natural setting and relatively quiet area. 

 No impact to electrical or transportation effects are expected. 



2. Public or Government Services/Schools/Utilities 



