waterfowl. Alternative C also considers the value of these habitats on lands that are 

 adjacent to one of the more popular WMAs in western Montana. 



Alternative C supports the acquisition by fee title of 116 acres of irrigated hay/pasture 

 land that will compliment FWP's management effort at Ninepipe WMA to produce and 

 maintain habitats for a variety of wildlife and for a variety of compatible public uses. 

 Alternative C would allow FWP to implement management strategies and management 

 activities on the Palmer property that have been successfully employed on the 

 Ninepipe WMA. Alternative C would result in significant increases in production of and 

 seasonal use by ducks, geese, and pheasants thereby creating an estimated 500 

 additional hunter days recreation each year. 



AN ALTERNATIVE CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED 

 Alternative B - Conservation Easement. 



The Palmer family was not interested in selling or granting the Department a 

 conservation easement. 



ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 



This section of the environmental assessment presents an evaluation of the impacts of 

 the alternatives including secondary and cumulative impacts on the physical and 

 human environment: 



PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 



Land Resources: 



Alternative A: No action would not ensure that soil stability would be maintained in the 

 future. 



Alternative C: Acquisition of the Palmer property will maintain or improve soil stability 

 and reduce erosion. 



Air Quality: 



Alternative A: No action would not ensure that current air quality would be maintained 

 in the future. 



Alternative C: No negative impacts on current air quality in the project area are 

 anticipated. 



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