OVERALL SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACTS TO MONTANA'S WILDLIFE RESOURCE 



Overall, the impact to the wildlife resource which would result from the 

 proposed Kootenai Falls project is not exceptional, in comparison with many 

 other energy facilities which have been sited in Montana. NLI is to be com- 

 mended for a sincere effort toward making the proposal as environmentally 

 compatible as possible, as evidenced by the drastic changes in project design 

 which were made during evolution of the final proposal. However, project- 

 related losses should certainly not be considered unimportant, as they involve 

 a number of significant long-term effects which cannot be avoided. Piecemeal 

 erosion of habitat is proceeding statewide at an ever-increasing rate, and irre- 

 versibly affects the future abundance and distribution of animals. Mustard 

 (1978) has termed this attrition "incremental extinction." Losses which appear 

 relatively small at the present time will thus assume a greater importance 

 in the future, when supply is scarcer and demand is higher. 



Adverse Effects Which Cannot Be Avoided 



As discussed previously, there are certain impacts associated with the 

 project which could not be completely mitigated should the project be carried 

 out; these include loss of riparian and "rapids" habitat and associated wildlife 

 species due to inundation; loss of the harlequin duck feeding and loafing habitat; 

 restriction of flows between the damsite and the discharge tunnel; possible reduction 

 of bald eagle prey availability; displacement and associated stress due to con- 

 struction noise and human activity; and increased mortality of various species 

 due to legal or illegal shooting. It appears that little opportunity exists 

 for compensation of these losses through enhancement, and long-term protection 

 of off-site habitats -- although an attractive strategy -- would not be entirely 

 effective in preventing net losses over time. 



Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources 



All long-term impacts which would result from construction of the project 

 would be irreversible, assuming the dam would remain in place and in operation 

 indefinitely. The unmitigated net losses which would accrue over time repre- 

 sent an irretrievable loss of viewing and/or hunting opportunities in this 

 scenic area; such losses assume special importance in light of projected growth 

 in the area and the probable future demand for recreational use the area will 

 consequently receive, and of the probable future decline in supply of quality 

 wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities. No extinctions of species or 

 gene pools are expected to result from the facility, 



Short-Term v. Long-Term Impacts 



Displacement, stress, and increased mortality rates due to construction 

 noise and the presence of construction crews would in most cases be a short- 

 term impact; most species affected would probably re-establish in the area 

 (insofar as habitat alteration allows) following completion of the project. 

 Habitat alteration, however, would be a long-term impact, and would continue 

 to affect populations as long as the project exists. 



107 



