PURPOSE AND NEED 



This parcel is in a high priority area identified in the Five Valleys Prairie Pothole Joint 

 Venture of the North American Waterfowl Plan. It is situated amid a complex of tribal, 

 state, and federally managed wildlife habitat protection sites. This is a critical piece of 

 real estate in helping to block up the portion of the valley identified by state, tribal, and 

 federal biologists as having exceptional wildlife values. It is strategically located 

 immediately adjacent to the Ninepipe WMA and contiguous to the Ninepipe National 

 Wildlife Refuge. 



This extremely productive upland bird and waterfowl habitat supports a great diversity 

 of other wildlife species, including wetland and other birds, small mammals, reptiles, 

 and amphibians. The general area supports one of the highest recorded densities of 

 redhead ducks, short-eared owls, rough-legged hawks, and northern harriers. Bald 

 eagles and peregrine falcons visit the site. Trumpeter swans, which are being 

 reintroduced into the valley, may utilize the property. A whooping crane spent a couple 

 of days in the vicinity in 1993. 



The Palmer family has retired from the agricultural business and will dispose of the 

 agricultural property. This property has been on the market previously and all inquiries 

 have been from developers and private hunt clubs. The current threat status is 

 imminent. If homesite development occurs, the capacity of the area to support wildlife 

 and wildlife-related recreation will likely be diminished. The real estate trend in the 

 Mission Valley is for buyers from out of the area wanting to relocate to the valley. 

 Therefore, the land will probably not continue to be used exclusively for agriculture. 

 The higher probability is that one or more dwellings will be constructed, thereby 

 diminishing the capacity to support wildlife and reducing recreational potential. 



Importance of Acquisition 



The value of this land as wildlife habitat, because of its upland nesting cover and 

 existing wetlands and its proximity to wildlife habitat management areas, is exceptional. 

 Private development would result in a significant reduction in the value of the habitat 

 for upland game birds, waterfowl, and songbirds. The free-roaming pets often 

 associated with rural subdivisions pose a threat to ground nesting birds of all types. 

 Opportunity for quality pheasant and waterfowl hunting on adjacent WMA properties 

 could be significantly reduced if the Palmer property were developed as a residential 

 neighborhood. 



The Ninepipe WMA, Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge, and associated WPAs 

 comprise the most productive waterfowl and upland game bird habitat in the Flathead 

 River drainage. This proposed addition of property to the WMA will provide habitat and 

 recreational benefits of greater proportion than simply the additional acreage. The 

 project area is also becoming increasingly popular with local and regional bird watching 

 organizations. 



