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Montana Looking to Buy Wildlife Habitat Along Missouri River
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8/18/2010
Montana fish and wildlife officials are proposing to conserve more than 1,600 acres of private ranch and farm land along the Missouri River, saying the wildlife habitat is in danger of becoming another housing subdivision.
GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — Montana fish and wildlife officials are proposing to conserve more than 1,600 acres of private ranch and farm land along the Missouri River, saying the wildlife habitat is in danger of becoming another housing subdivision.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks estimates it would spend about $1.5 million on two properties, each 800 acres or more and includes 10 miles of Missouri River between Cascade and Ulm that is teeming with wildlife from white-tailed deer to sandhill cranes.
"It's very, very critical habitat,'' said Cory Loecker, a FWP wildlife biologist based in Great Falls.
Riparian zones, which support a disproportionate share of the state's wildlife, are being threatened by housing development along the Missouri River. Residential, commercial and recreational development of the properties could displace native plants, prime soils and wetlands, according to FWP.
"Everybody wants a view of the river or to live along the river,'' Loecker said.
The proposed conservation easements would restrict subdividing the land, while protecting wildlife habitat, ranching, farming, hunting and wildlife viewing, Loecker said.
Mule and white-tailed deer, pheasant, sandhill cranes, bald eagles and turkeys are among the species that use the land. The Missouri River also is one of the most important stopover locations for migratory waterfowl along the Rocky Mountain Front, according to FWP officials.
The final purchase price will depend on an appraisal, Loecker said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service has offered $480,000 to go toward paying for one parcel and $525,000 for the other. The service requires a match from the state agency and its partners, and FWP plans would use money from the Habitat Montana Program for its share.
A 30-day comment period on the two proposals concludes Sept. 10.
After the comment period is over, a recommendation will be made to the FWP Commission, which will decide whether to send the proposals to the State Land Board, which will have the final say.
