8. riimulative Effects 



Proposed Action: The Proposed Action could stimulate additional interest from private 

 landowners to donate, sell or otherwise transfer to FWP a conservation easement, lease, 

 or fee-titie to their privately owned islands within the Flatiiead River as a means to 

 mitigate for the habitat losses at Hungry Horse dam. However, FWP would not be able to 

 pursue any of tiiese potential projects until DNRC releases their potential interest in 

 claiming tiiese islands. If private landowners do pursue working with FWP, this may 

 stimulate DNRC's need to "adjudicate" their lands witiiin the Flathead mainstem. The 

 results of adjudication may result in conversion of previously existing "private lands" to 

 DNRC ownership. 



On the otiier hand, due to tiie complexity in determining island ownership with DNRC, 

 private landowners may not pursue additional riparian/wetiand projects with FWP in the 

 Flatiiead mainstem. In tiiis case, die cumulative effects of additional habitat conservation 

 may or may not be realized, depending on tiie role DNRC takes in adjudication. 



Ultimate protection of die braided island sections widun die Flathead from future 

 development whedier as part of DNRC or FWP ownership, would benefit die existing 

 habitat values, local economy, aesdietics and open space needs of the Flathead Valley. It 

 would help encourage die existing rural lifestyle associated widi die east side of die 

 Fladiead River and Lower Valley areas. The proposed project fits in well with existing 

 public ownership patterns. It would minimize future costs to government associated widi 

 flooding impacts to developments in hi^y vulnerable flood plains. 



Odier socio-economic impacts of die Proposed Action are set fordi in die Socio-Economic 

 Assessment report attached to this EA (Appendix D). The cumulative impacts of the 

 Riparian/Wetiand Conservation Program were also disclosed in a Final Programmatic EIS 

 issued in September, 1995 by FWP. 



No Action: If FWP does not purchase die Morris property, die cumulative biological and 

 socio-economic benefits may or may not be realized and die negative environmental 

 impacts may occur as described under die No Action Alternative. 



11 



