5. Recreation/I.ncal Ecnnnmv/Acsthetics/Opgn fijuu^ 



Proposed Action: The proposed action will help maintain hig^ quality fish and wildlife 

 habitat associated widi die island. It will also help maintain the existing recreational 

 opportunities associated with the Fladiead River islands which, in turn, will main tain or 

 encourage local river-related economies such as fishing, boating, bird-watching, and 

 hunting. The proposed action will maintain existing open-space and aesdietics of the area. 

 However, this alternative would not allow commercial development of these recreational 

 (^^rtunities (e.g. commercial hunting preserve). These general impacts have been 

 described in the Riparian/Wetland Programmatic EIS issued September 1995 by FWP 

 (FWP 1995). 



The fiact tiiat die FNF is exchanging the remaining 18 acres of die Morris island to FWP 

 enhances die recreational values and management opportunities and consistency on die 

 island. 



No Action: Bodi die habitat base and public recreational opportunity which exist on die 

 island would not be assured. If sold privately, die Morris property would probably be 

 purchased for personal recreational purposes or for profit from its recreational values 

 (e.g. by a landowner/outfitter). Recreation, as die most marketable aspect of the 

 property, would likely continue under both alternatives. However, die proposed action 

 would allow public recreation while die No Action could result in private recreation. 



i. Taxes. Finanrial. Fmnlovment Opportunities. Private Bitsingss 



Proposed Action: A Socio-Economic Assessment for die proposed action is attached 

 (Appendix D). As discussed in this report, the Proposed Action will maintain die current 

 tax proceeds to Flathead County as FWP wildlife/habitat programs are required to make 

 Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) to die county where tiiey purchase land. Future tax 

 proceeds which mi^t occur from commercial activities (e.g. timber, outfitting) would not 

 be available under die Proposed Action. 



The Proposed Action will help maintain current habitat and public recreation (^iportunities 

 and help to maintain existing demand for outdoor recreation equipment and services. 



No Action: The impacts would be similar to the Proposed Action widi die addition that 

 under the No Action Alternative, some type of commercial activity may occur at some 

 point in the future. 



7. rultiiraimtstnric Rgsmirces 



Proposed Action: No expected impact. No permanent structures or vegetation or soil 

 disturbance would occur under this Alternative. The EA is currendy being reviewed by 

 the State Historic Preservation OfRce and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes 

 culture committees to determine if any cidtural or historic values exist widiin the proposed 

 project area. 



No Action: No immediate impact. Future impacts unknown at diis time, 

 •r 10 



