S Bissellf ca«l 333.11 Orait F^deiii environnental 18G7 analysis Caa) for the Morris Island purchaso DRAFTENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS (EA) FOR THE MORRIS ISLAND PURCHASE A ProposedProjectforthe Riparian/Wetland Conservation Program, aPartofFish, Wildlife & Parks WUdUfe Mitigation ^^«»docuMENTS COLLECTION forHungryHorse Dam MAY 1 6 1997 April9, 1997 MONTANA STATE LIBRARY 1515 E. 6th AVE. MONTANA 59620 HELENA, by Gael Bissell & Montana Fish, Wildlife Parks 490 NorthMeridianRd. Kalispell, Montana 59901 y i'lV^ \i ^ r,. i i MONTANASTATEL'BRARJ', 3 0864 0009 9645 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS PART DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION I. 1 PART n. DESCRIPTION OF REASONABLE ALTERNATIVES 5 PART m. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW 6 PART IV. CONCLUSION SECTION 12 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Locationofdie Morris proposedprojectarea inthe Flathead River Valley. Figure 2. Locationofdie Morrisproposed projectarea andadjacentpublic lands. APPENDICES Appendix A. Montana DepartmentofNatural Resources and Conservation Reportby Teresa Kinley: Age Review and Ownership Status ofMorris Island, Fladiead River, MT. (widioutphotos). Appendix B. Proposed DraftManagementPlan, Morris Island. Appendix C. Wildlife species expected to occur on die Morris island based ondata coUected at die Owen Sowerwine Natural Area and adjoiningareas (D. Casey and odiers, FWP, ui^ublished data). Appendix D. Moms Island Socio-Economic Assessment. PART DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION I. A. PROPOSED ACTION & The Montana Fish, Wildlife Parks (FWP) is proposing to purchase approximately 40 acres ofa 58 acre island locatedatdiejunctionofthe Stillwater and Flathead Rivers southeastofKalispell, & Montana (Sections 22 and 27, Township 28 North, Range 21 West.) (Figs. 1 2). The proposed purchase would meetthe goals ofFWP's Riparian/Wetland ConservationProgram, anelementof FWP's Wildlife MitigationProgram for Hungry Horse Dam, and utilize interestfrom die Wildlife MitigationTrustFund. The proposedproject is adjacent to die previously proposed Coriell Island projectpursued by FWP as partofdie Riparian/Wedand Conservation Program in 1995 (Fig. 2). Aldiough FWP had issued a Decision Notice (FWP 1996) widi the intentto purchase the 73 acres on Coriell Island, pending final FWP CommissionReview, die final purchase is awaiting DepartmentofNatural Resources (DNRC) clearance ofdieir claim to tide to die Coriell project DNRC area. has completed dieir review ofdie Morris Island projectarea and determined they have no claim to tide (Appendix A). The portionofMorris Island being considered forpurchase is privately owned. The remaining 18 acres are owned by U.S. Forest Service, Fladiead National Forest(FNF). This remaining parcel is partofa proposed landexchange between FNF andFWP (Fig. 2). The Morris property is dominated by a mature riparian/wedand forest w^ch has had a mininmiTn ofdirecthumandisturbance. Dominantoverstory species are black cottonwood (Topulus trichocarpa^ and spruce (probably Picea englftmaniiV The understory is dominated by riparian shrubs and herbaceous species. No human developments have beenobserved on die property. Recreation is the primary landuse. FWP has negotiated a purchase price for Morris based on recentappraisals ofriver islands and FWP lands, a nearby recent sale, and timber/recreational values. is proposing to purchase approximately 40acres owned by the Morris family for $55,000 or $1,375 per acre. The project would resultin40acres ofwildlife mitigation credit. B. AUTHORITIES AND DIRECTION FWP is mandated by public law (87-1-201) to protect, enhance, and regulate die wise use of Montana's fish and wildlife resources for public benefit now and m die future. Recendy, die FWP Commissionadopted HabitatMontana policy andplan (I^WP 1995a) which calls for FWP to focus conservationefforts on "intermountaingrassland, shrub grassland, and riparianecosystems". Inaddition, die Northwest Poweir Actof 1980 (P.L. 96-501) authorized die creationofthe NordtwestPower Planning and Conservation Council (NPPC) and charged it with developinga program to "protect, mitigate and enhance fishand wildlife affected by die development, operation and management" ofdie federal hydropower system indie Columbia River Basin. Under die NorthwestPower Act, die Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and FWP established an agreement diatprovided fiinds from BPA for the protection, mitigationand enhancementof wildlife and wildlife habitataffected by the development ofLibby and Hungry Horse Dams. This Setdement Agreementwas signed in 1988; payments to die Wildlife Mitigation Trust Fund were Figure 1. Location of the Morris proposed project area in the Flathead River Valley. ^ Wfnneger Figure 2. Location of the Morris proposed project area and adjacent public lands. a •t Morris Project Area ^ iuoriell Project Area Dept. of Natural Resources & Conservation /y) Flathead County & Parks Recreation Flathead National Forest Montana Fish, WUdlife & Parks completed in 1994. This preliminary projectproposal was reviewed and unanimously approvedby Ae Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission in May 19%. The proposed project was also reviewed and unanimously supported by die Wildlife Mitigation Advisory Committee (WMAC) members on WMAC April 11, 1996. is the group established by die SetdementAgreement to provide FWP reconmiendations and guidance to on implementationofmitigation activities. C. PURPOSE AND NEED OF THE PROPOSED ACTION The primary purpose ofthis acquisition is to insure conservationofthe riparianand wedand habitat resources ofthe island as a means to mitigate for some ofthe 6,400 acres ofriparianand wetlands lostdue to constructionofHungry Horse Dam. Because die Morris island adjoins odier public lands and is widiina popular recreation corridor along die Fladiead River mainstem (Fig. 2), die project woidd result indie securing ofpublic recreationvalues as well. The parcel would be managed as partofFWP's Wildlife Habitat Protection Area Program with primary managementemi^iasis onhabitatvalues and secondary focus onrecreationvalues. A proposed managementplanfor the site is attached in Appendix B. D. PROPERTY DESCRIPTION The Morris property occupies mostofan island widiin the main channels ofdie Fladiead River (island onrightside ofcover photo). The property is comprised ofboth riparianand wedand habitats in nearly pristine condition. The dominantoverstory consists ofmature cottonwood and spruce, a dense understory ofdeciduous shrubs, younger spruce trees, and many types of herbaceous communities typical ofriver systems. The island contains a few bacicwater channels. The island lies between the hi^y active or "delta" sectionofdie Fladiead River and its confluence with die Stillwater River. Atdiis confluence, die Flathead Riverbecomes a wide, single channel, meandering river system. The highly braided channel area around the Morris Island is caused by die change ingradientbetween the upper and lower Flathead River systems. The lower portionofdie FladieadRiver fromFlathead Lake up to diis braided river sectionis influenced by Kerr dam. The operationofKerr Dam maintains hi^er than normal water levels in die Flathead River mainstem during die summer mondis. One can see bodi die erosional aspects ofdie higher water levels ondie lowerpartofdie island and die depositional effects on the upper endofdie island. The dynamic and uiq)redictable nature ofdiis river sectionhas helped maintain diis island's relatively undisturbed nature. As a result, Morris Island supports some ofdie bestand last examples ofundisturbed mature and old growdi riparianforestand high quality riparianhabitats widiin die entire upper Flathead mainstem corridor. Historical photos from 1937 to present indicate the island has changed inconfigurationand size over time probably due to bothnatural events and to die influence ofKerr Dam. Based on existing trends, die island appears to be gradually eroding along the steeper channel banks (southeastand nortwest) andbuilding atthe northeastand soudi points. The Morris Island is adjacent to various types ofpublic and private lands (Fig. 2). The Fladiead National Forest (FNF) owns approximately 18 acres on the north end ofMorris Island and anodier small parcel onLeisure Island westofMorris. FNF is in the process ofexchangingdieir Fladiead River tracts to FWP. NortiieastofMorris, along Brenneman's Slou^, another 12.7 acres of riparianforesthas been donated to FWP. DNRC owns approximately 442 acres ofstate land upstream ofthe proposed project >^ch is currently leased to the Flathead Audubon Society as the Owen Sowerwine Natural Area. This tract is the state's firstand only designated state natural FWP area. In 1995, agreed to purchase approximately 73 acres ofthe Coriell Island directly nortiiwestofMorris from the Flathead Land Trust. Tliis project is awaiting determinationby DNRC to their claim to all or a portionofthis island. Finally, Fladiead Coimty Parks and Recreationowns anundeveloped 89 acre parcel onLeisure Island northwestofMorris (Fig. 2). E. VALUES OFPROPERTY L WUdlife The Morris property provides year-roundhabitatfor numerous game species including white-tailed deer, turkey, pheasants, ruffed grouse, a variety ofwaterfowl, beaver, river otter, mink, and muskrat. In fact, die proximity ofdiis braided section to downstream sloughs, Brenneman's slougji, die Stillwater River, and the island character make itsome ofdie bestriver otterhabitat inMontana. Itis located withina river section vAuch supports a hi^ density ofbeaver (2 colonies per channel mile). Itprovides foraging habitatfor greatblue herons and double crested cormorants whichhave rookeries located just to the eastofthe island. Active nests ofosprey occur along die edge ofdie island in old Cottonwood snags. This island is consistendy used by migratory and winteringbald eagles. The large diameter trees and snags provides exceUent nesting andbrood rearing habitatfor cavity nesting ducks such as wood ducks, commonand hooded mergansers. Barrows and common goldeneyes. Canada geese nestinosprey platforms, onold snags, and on the ground. The dense vegetationalso provides excellent nesting cover for mallards. The island's wedandhabitats supportwestern toads and painted turdes. A wildlife species listbased onsurveys ofdie OwenSowerwine Natural Area and adjacent habitats (Appendix C) is indicative ofdie wildlife diversity and importance ofdiis habitat. 2. Fisheries Inaddition to wildlife values, the aquatic habitatprovides exceUent foraging and cover habitatfor a large number ofmigratory and residentfisheries. Mostnotable is the importance the Fladiead mainstem for migratory adultandjuvenile bull trout, a species recendy consider "warranted " for listingas a direatened and endangered species by die & U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, and west slope cutthroat trout, a species ofspecial concern inMontana. (The proposed final status for bull troutis expected by August IS, 1997). Both diese species use die gravel bars, overhanging banks, and channels for foragingand cover during dieir migrations. 3. Recreation The island has traditionally beenused for fishing, picnicking, bird watching, deer hunting, upland game bird hunting and waterfowl htmting. The land has notbeenposted in die past. 4. MitigaUon Credit Fee-title acquisitionofdiis property would result in 40 acres ofmitigation creditfor riparian/wetlands according to creditingpolicies described in FWP's Final Programmatic EIS on tbe Riparian/Wetland Conservation Program (FWP 1995b). THREATS F. Altfaougji no developmenthas occurred intiie past, Ae landowner has beenapproachedby buyers to sell this island (and other nearby lands) for cabin, private recreation, and house boatdocking sites. The landowner has also planned to log the spruce and cottonwood atvarious times in die past. Ifdie property stayed inprivate ownership, one or more ofthese land uses is likely to occur. G. MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The draft managementplan (Appendix B) for Morris IslaiKl calls for inclusionofdiisparcel indie FWP's Wildlife DivisionWildlife Habitat ProtectionArea program. Wildlife HabitatProtection Areas are small parcels ofland, oftendonated to FWP, witii exemplary or special wildlife values. They are managed primarily for dieir wildlife habitatvalues and only secondarily for their recreationvalues. The island may also meetthe criteria ofdie State Natural Areas Program. The potential for including the Morris property into the Natural Areas Program, particularly with the Owen Sowerwine Natural Area locatedjustnordiwest, wouldbe evaluated during implementation ofdiis managementplan. As stated inthe DraftManagementPlan, tbe managementgoal for Morris is: " to protectand maintain the riparian/wetiand values and special wildlife uses associated widi diis islandproperty and to allow recreationuses wiiich do notundermine or impact diese natural values". This managementplan would notexclude recreationri^ts guaranteed under the streamaccess laws or other recreational laws.