assumed black bears also use the area. Historical Columbian sharp- 

 tailed grouse habitat is located in proximity to this area, and the 

 unit may be used by this species. Use by the three mountain grouse 

 species is likely to occur as a diversity of upland and timbered 

 habitats are found within the boundaries of the unit. 



Since this unit was purchased in 1978 no authorized livestock 

 grazing has taken place. A field examination of the area indicated 

 the range has responded favorably to this rest, with vigorous 

 stands of grasses present throughout the majority of the area and 

 many stands of shrubs becoming established, adding to the habitat 

 diversity within the unit. Limited management and maintenance of 

 the unit has been accomplished through a share-cropper who hays a 

 portion of the unit. 



When the majority of the unit was purchased the water rights 

 were not transferred and have not been subsequently transferred. 

 Lack of water for irrigation has allowed for degradation of the hay 

 fields - mule deer spring range. The Montana Department of Fish, 

 Wildlife and Parks has filed for the water rights; however, a 

 hearing determining the validity of the claim has yet to be con- 

 ducted. 



West Kootenai Unit. This unit consists of 920.12 acres of 

 timbered, upland habitat west of Lake Koocanusa and adjacent to the 

 United States - Canada border. The majority of the area is uti- 

 lized by wintering big game, with mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk 

 and moose known to use the area (Campbell 1973). Spring though 

 fall use of the area by these species also occurs but at a lower 

 level of use. Use of the area by black bear, ruffed grouse, blue 

 grouse, and spruce grouse was assumed to occur. 



This unit is primarily timbered with a diversity of conifer 

 species. No authorized grazing occurring on the unit since it 

 was purchased in 1979 and 1980. Limited maintenance of the area 

 has been accomplished through the use of small Christmas tree 

 sales, where the buyer preformed a given maintenance for the right 

 to cut a given number of Christmas trees (J. Cross 1984, pers. 

 coramun.) . 



Kootenai Falls Unit. This unit (Sheppard Meadows) consists of 

 106.69 acres of floodplain and lower bench habitat along the north 

 side of the Kootenai River, upstream from Kootenai Falls. The 

 primarily big game use of this area is winter and spring range for 

 bighorn sheep and mule deer (Zajanc 1948, Joslin 1978). 



These units (Table 5) provided a potential for increased big 

 game wintering habitat, which would have partially mitigated the 

 loss of big game v/inter range resulting from the Libby Dam project; 

 however, operation and maintenance funds have not been allocated. 

 A Memorandum of Understanding (February 9, 1976) indicated the 

 Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks was to assume 

 management responsibility for the mitigation lands once the U.S. 



72 



