I. INTRODUCTION 



House Bill 526, passed by the 1987 Legislature (MCA 87-1-241 and MCA 87-1-242), authorizes 

 Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) to acquire an interest in land for the purpose of 

 protecting and improving wildlife habitat. These acquisitions can be through fee title, fee title 

 purchases, or leasing. In 1989, the Montana legislature passed House Bill 720 requiring that a 

 socioeconomic assessment be completed when wildlife habitat is acquired using Habitat Montana 

 monies. These assessments evaluate the significant social and economic impacts of the purchase 

 on local governments, employment, schools, and impacts on local businesses. 



This socioeconomic evaluation addresses the fee title purchase of property presently owned by the 

 Palmer family. The report addresses the physical and institutional setting as well as the social and 

 economic impacts associated with the proposed fee title purchase. 



n. PHYSICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL SETTING 



A. Property Description 



The 1 16-acre Palmer property is located 1 mile northeast of Charlo, Montana, in Lake County. A 

 detailed description of this property is included in the environmental assessment (EA). 



B. Habitat and Wildlife Populations 



Migratory birds and pheasants are the two main species utilizing the area although there are a host 

 of nongame wildlife that also depend on these types of habitats. A complete list of species is 

 available in the environmental assessment. 



C. Current Use 



The Palmer property is currently used for hay production. 



D. Management Alternatives 



1) Fee title purchase on the property by MFWP 



2) No purchase 



