out by the DNRC and MDFWP prior to this date. Field work after July, 1978 

 was conducted by DNRC personnel and a private contractor. Much of the 

 material presented herein was previously published by MDFWP (Joslin, 1978). 



Realizing the need for continuous monitoring of the wildlife resource 

 and updating of the baseline data, NLI agreed, on January 19, 1979, to 

 fund a long-term wildlife monitoring study. The monitoring study was 

 designed to concentrate on certain key species and habitats which would 

 most likely be affected by the proposed developments and to supplement 

 the original wildlife study. 



At the time this study was made. Northern Lights, Inc. had not 

 applied to DNRC for a certificate under the Major Facility Siting Act 

 (MFSA), and the only other studies under way were the vegetation and 

 fisheries studies. Therefore, the impact analysis presented here was 

 not prepared in conjunction with the DNRC's analysis of engineering 

 visual, recreation, and other concerns, as is the usual procedure with 

 evaluation of major facilities. In the event that Northern Lights, Inc. 

 submits an application under the MFSA, the results of this study and of 

 the monitoring studies will be integrated into the complete evaluation 

 required by the MFSA, the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), and 

 other applicable statutes. The impact analysis and recommendations for 

 mitigation and compensation presented in this report are thus tentative 

 and subject to refinement as the DNRC's evaluation of the overall impact 

 of the facility proceeds. Final conclusions and recommendations will be 

 developed only after public and professional comment has been received, 

 and will be presented in the DNRC's final environmental impact statement 

 on the project. 



THE STUDY AREA 



The study area for this project extends along the Kootenai River, 

 roughly from the proposed outlet structure to the head of the proposed 

 pool, and includes a strip of upland habitats of variable width adja- 

 cent to the river (Figure 1). The Falls area received the greatest 

 intensity of study throughout the report period. At the beginning of 

 this study, the project design differed considerably from that described 

 in NL^'s application to FERC (NLI 1978). This early design called for 

 extensive vegetation clearing of the bench between the damsite and the 

 footbridge (Figure 2); therefore, the study initially focused on this 

 area until the latest design was received in late 1978. Information on 

 proposed pool levels did not become available to DNRC until July 9, 1979, 

 and consequently a detailed vegetation map was not available until 

 September 19, 1979. The emphasis of study within the overall study area 

 thus shifted as new information about the project was received. 



