River tracts to FWP. Nortiieast of Morris, along Brenneman's Slou^, another 12.7 acres of 

 riparian forest has been donated to FWP. DNRC owns approximately 442 acres of state land 

 upstream of the proposed project >^ch is currently leased to the Flathead Audubon Society as the 

 Owen Sowerwine Natural Area. This tract is the state's first and only designated state natural 

 area. In 1995, FWP agreed to purchase approximately 73 acres of the Coriell Island directly 

 nortiiwest of Morris from the Flathead Land Trust. Tliis project is awaiting determination by 

 DNRC to their claim to all or a portion of this island. Finally, Fladiead Coimty Parks and 

 Recreation owns an undeveloped 89 acre parcel on Leisure Island northwest of Morris (Fig. 2). 



E. VALUES OF PROPERTY 



L WUdlife 



The Morris property provides year-round habitat for numerous game species including 

 white-tailed deer, turkey, pheasants, ruffed grouse, a variety of waterfowl, beaver, river 

 otter, mink, and muskrat. In fact, die proximity of diis braided section to downstream 

 sloughs, Brenneman's slougji, die Stillwater River, and the island character make it some 

 of die best river otter habitat in Montana. It is located within a river section vAuch 

 supports a hi^ density of beaver (2 colonies per channel mile). It provides foraging 

 habitat for great blue herons and double crested cormorants which have rookeries located 

 just to the east of the island. Active nests of osprey occur along die edge of die island in 

 old Cottonwood snags. This island is consistendy used by migratory and wintering bald 

 eagles. The large diameter trees and snags provides exceUent nesting and brood rearing 

 habitat for cavity nesting ducks such as wood ducks, common and hooded mergansers. 

 Barrows and common goldeneyes. Canada geese nest in osprey platforms, on old snags, 

 and on the ground. The dense vegetation also provides excellent nesting cover for 

 mallards. The island's wedand habitats support western toads and painted turdes. A 

 wildlife species list based on surveys of die Owen Sowerwine Natural Area and adjacent 

 habitats (Appendix C) is indicative of die wildlife diversity and importance of diis habitat. 



2. Fisheries 



In addition to wildlife values, the aquatic habitat provides exceUent foraging and cover 

 habitat for a large number of migratory and resident fisheries. Most notable is the 

 importance the Fladiead mainstem for migratory adult and juvenile bull trout, a species 

 recendy consider "warranted " for listing as a direatened and endangered species by die 

 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and west slope cutthroat trout, a species of special concern 

 in Montana. (The proposed final status for bull trout is expected by August IS, 1997). 

 Both diese species use die gravel bars, overhanging banks, and channels for foraging and 

 cover during dieir migrations. 



3. Recreation 



The island has traditionally been used for fishing, picnicking, bird watching, deer hunting, 

 upland game bird hunting and waterfowl htmting. The land has not been posted in die 

 past. 



