DOCSLIB.ORG

Animal Vehicle Collisions and Habitat Connectivity Along Montana

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Animal Vehicle Collisions and Habitat Connectivity Along Montana ANIMAL-VEHICLE COLLISIONS AND HABITAT CONNECTIVITY ALONG MONTANA HIGHWAY 83 IN THE SEELEY SWAN VALLEY, MONTANA: A RECONNAISSANCE FHWA/MT-06-002/8177 Final Report prepared for THE STATE OF MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION in cooperation with THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION February 2006 prepared by Marcel P. Huijser, Ph.D. Kari E. Gunson Carla Abrams Western Transportation Institute Montana State University RESEARCH PROGRAMS You are free to copy, distribute, display, and perform the work; make derivative works; make commercial use of the work under the condition that you give the original author and sponsor credit. For any reuse or distribution, you must make clear to others the license terms of this work. Any of these conditions can be waived if you get permission from the sponsor. Your fair use and other rights are in no way affected by the above. Animal-Vehicle Collisions and Habitat Connectivity along Montana Highway 83 in the Seeley-Swan Valley, Montana: a Reconnaissance by Marcel P. Huijser, Ph.D., Research Ecologist, Kari E. Gunson, M.Sc., Research Ecologist and GIS specialist & Carla Abrams, M.Sc., Field Technician Western Transportation Institute College of Engineering, Montana State University PO Box 174250, Bozeman, MT 59717-4250 A report prepared for the MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Montana Department of Transportation PO Box 201001, 2701 Prospect Ave. Helena, MT 59620-1001 in cooperation with the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION February 2006 Animal-Vehicle Collisions and Habitat Connectivity along MT 83 Documentation Page TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE 1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No. FHWA/MT-06-002/8177 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date Animal-Vehicle Collisions and Habitat Connectivity February 2006 along Montana Highway 83 in the Seeley-Swan Valley, Montana: a Reconnaissance 6. Performing Organization Code 7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Report No. Marcel P. Huijser, Kari E. Gunson & Carla Abrams 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. Western Transportation Institute College of Engineering Montana State University 11. Contract or Grant No. PO Box 174250 MDT PROJECT #8177 Bozeman, MT 59717-4250 12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered Research Programs Final research report, May 2004 – December 2005 Montana Department of Transportation 2701 Prospect Avenue 14. Sponsoring Agency Code PO Box 201001 5401 Helena MT 59620-1001 15. Supplementary Notes Research performed in cooperation with the Montana Department of Transportation and the US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. This report can be found at http://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/projects/env/seeley.shtml. 16. Abstract Montana Highway 83 in northwestern Montana, USA, is known for its great number of animal-vehicle collisions, mostly with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). This document reports on the first phase of an effort to produce an effective implementation plan that has broad support from natural resource management agencies as well as the local community. Phase 1 is aimed at acquiring information and at identifying potential additional research and resource needs. This document identifies and ranks high-frequency zones for white-tailed deer-vehicle collisions, identifies road- and landscape characteristics associated with white-tailed deer-vehicle collisions, identifies and ranks (additional) habitat linkage zones based on expert knowledge, and identifies and documents additional research and resource needs that may need to be addressed before proceeding with the following phases of an effort to produce an effective implementation plan that has broad support. 17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement Animal-vehicle collision, Collision zone, Habitat Unrestricted. This document is available through the linkage zone, Local expert knowledge, Land use, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA Mitigation, Road-, traffic- and landscape 21161. characteristics, Road-kill, White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), 19. Security Classif. (of this 20. Security 21. No. of Pages 160 22. Price report) Classif. (of this Unclassified page) Unclassified Western Transportation Institute Page ii Animal-Vehicle Collisions and Habitat Connectivity along MT 83 Disclaimer DISCLAIMER This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Montana Department of Transportation and the United States Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The State of Montana and the United States Government assume no liability of its contents or use thereof. The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Montana Department of Transportation or the United States Department of Transportation. The State of Montana and the United States Government do not endorse products of manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers’ names appear herein only because they are considered essential to the object of this document. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. ALTERNATIVE FORMAT STATEMENT MDT attempts to provide accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person participating in any service, program, or activity of the Department. Alternative accessible formats of this document will be provided upon request. For further information, call (406) 444-7693, TTY (800) 335-7592, or Montana Relay 711. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study was funded by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Many thanks to Pat Basting, Breta Duncan, Dave Galt, Tom Hanek, Pierre Jomini, Sue Sillick, and Shane Stack (MDT) for their interest in the issue and their help. Thanks also to Thanks also to Steve Albert, Jeralyn Brodowy, Tony Clevenger, Amanda Hardy, Kate Heidkamp, Neil Hetherington and Pat McGowen (WTI-MSU) and Mo Hartmann and Melanie Parker (Northwest Connections) for their help and advice. Special thanks are due to the people interviewed with regard to their knowledge and experience of high-risk areas for animal-vehicle collisions and habitat linkage areas for selected species: Bill Bartlett, Anne Dahl, Kristi DuBois, Bruce Friede, Glen Gray, Jay Haveman, Bob (Robert) Henderson, Bert Johnson, Jamie Jonkel, Jay Kolbe, Joe & Joyce Lawrence, Tom Litchfield, Rick (Richard) Mace, Chuck (Charles) Mcleod, Bud Moore, Tom Parker, John Squires, Mike (Michael) Thompson, Scott Tomson, Ken Wolff. Thanks also to Steve Albert, Pat Basting, Carol Diffendaffer, Bruce Friede, Amanda Hardy, Dwane Kailey, Jay Kolbe, Carla Little, Bud Moore, Sue Sillick, Sandra Straehl, Scott Tomson, and Ken Wolff for reviewing an earlier version of this report. Western Transportation Institute Page iii Animal-Vehicle Collisions and Habitat Connectivity along MT 83 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. vi List of Figures.............................................................................................................................. viii 1. Executive Summary............................................................................................................... ix 2. Introduction..............................................................................................................................1 3. Previous and Ongoing Efforts..................................................................................................6 3.1. Introduction..................................................................................................................... 6 3.2. South of Clearwater Divide (Seeley Lake Area) ............................................................ 6 3.3. North of Clearwater Divide (Swan Valley) .................................................................... 7 4. High-Frequency Zones For Deer-Vehicle Collisions ..............................................................9 4.1. Introduction..................................................................................................................... 9 4.2. Data Sources and Considerations.................................................................................... 9 4.2.1. Search and Reporting Effort ................................................................................... 9 4.2.2. Species Reported................................................................................................... 12 4.2.3. Spatial Accuracy................................................................................................... 12 4.3. Changes in the Traffic Volume, Deer Population Size, Road or Landscape................ 13 4.4. Analyses........................................................................................................................ 17 4.4.1. Analyses of Trends and Characteristics of White Tailed Deer Carcasses and Collisions with Wild Animals............................................................................................... 17 4.4.2. Cluster Analyses................................................................................................... 18 4.5. Results..........................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bigfork North/South EA
    Environmental Assessment & Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation For Bigfork North & South STPP 52-1(18) 27 Control No. 4035 Prepared for: Montana Department of Transportation June 2004 Environmental Assessment & Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation For Bigfork North and South STPP 52-1(18) 27 Control No. 4035 This document is prepared in conformance with the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) requirements and contains the information required for an Environmental Assessment under the provisions of ARM 18.2.237(2) and 18.2.239. It is also prepared in conformance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for an Environmental Assessment under 23 CFR 771.119. Submitted Pursuant to 42 USC 4332(2)(c) 49 U.S.C. 303 & Sections 2-3-104, 75-1-201 M.C.A. By the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration And the Montana Department of Transportation Submitted by: Date: Montana Department of Transportation Environmental Services Reviewed and Approved for Distribution: Date: Federal Highway Administration One may contact the following people for additional information regarding this document: Jean A. Riley, P.E. Craig Genzlinger Engineering Section Supervisor Missoula Operations Engineer Environmental Services Bureau Montana Division Montana Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration 2701 Prospect Avenue 2880 Skyway Drive PO Box 201001 Helena, Montana 59602 Helena, MT 59620-1001 Table of Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................ES-1
    [Show full text]
  • National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
    NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. Oct. 1990) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM 1. Name of Property historic name: Dearborn River High Bridge other name/site number: 24LC130 2. Location street & number: Fifteen Miles Southwest of Augusta on Bean Lake Road not for publication: n/a vicinity: X city/town: Augusta state: Montana code: MT county: Lewis & Clark code: 049 zip code: 59410 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this _X_ nomination _ request for detenj ination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the proc urf I and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property X_ meets _ does not meet the National Register Criterfi commend thatthis oroperty be considered significant _ nationally X statewide X locafly. Signa jre of oertifying officialn itle Date Montana State Historic Preservation Office State or Federal agency or bureau (_ See continuation sheet for additional comments. In my opinion, the property _ meets _ does not meet the National Register criteria. Signature of commenting or other official Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification , he/eby certify that this property is: 'entered in the National Register _ see continuation sheet _ determined eligible for the National Register _ see continuation sheet _ determined not eligible for the National Register_ _ see continuation sheet _ removed from the National Register _see continuation sheet _ other (explain): _________________ Dearborn River High Bridge Lewis & Clark County.
    [Show full text]
  • November 15, 2017 Volume 43 • Number 40 Fairview Elects New Mayor
    PRSRT STD U.S. 3267$*( 3$,' The Roundup ECRWSS Postal Customer Phone (406) 433-3306 Fax (406) 433-4114 %XVLQHVV2IÀFH 0DLOLQJ$GGUHVV E-mail address: /RFDWHGDW:HVW0DLQ P.O. Box 1207 info@roundupweb.com 6LGQH\07 6LGQH\07 www.roundupweb.com Wednesday, November 15, 2017 Volume 43 • Number 40 Fairview Elects New Mayor By Jordan Hall services have to be provided by McKenzie County and Yellow- RI0RQWDQDNQRZVWKDWWKHVWDWHGRHVQ·WVWRSDW%LOOLQJVµ+H Brian Bieber has replaced longtime Fairview mayor, Bryan stone Township, they are still important to the community, which DOVRPHQWLRQHGKRSHIXOSDUWQHUVKLSZLWKRWKHUHOHFWHGRIÀFLDOV Cummins. Winning with 143 votes against his opponent – who GRHVQ·WQHFHVVDULO\VWRSDWDQLPDJLQDU\OLQH%HLEHUVDLG´, VD\LQJ´,WKLQNZHQHHGWREHPRUHLQWRXFKZLWKWKHFRPPLV- KDGRQO\YRWHV%LHEHUZLOOEHWKHÀUVWQHZPD\RULQ)DLU- KDYHWKHVXSSRUWRISHRSOHLQ(DVW)DLUYLHZDVZHOODQG,GRQ·W sioners and also with McKenzie County. There is help available view in nearly 30 years. Bieber is a born-and-raised resident of want to leave them out. They are our friends and neighbors.” IRUXV:HMXVWQHHGWRDJJUHVVLYHO\JRDIWHULW´ Fairview, a 1983 graduate of Fairview High School, and owner “One of the main concerns is funding for some of our infra- 7KHQHZPD\RUZDQWVWKHFLW\RI)DLUYLHZWRNQRZWKH\FDQ of BB Electric since 2005. VWUXFWXUHµ%HLEHUFRQWLQXHG´DQGZH·YHJRWVDOLQHZDWHUOLQHV approach him to discuss anything related to city government. “I was born and raised here,” Beiber told the Roundup, “and and saline streets that need repaired. Our water-lagoon situation %HLEHUVDLG´,WKLQN,·PYHU\DSSURDFKDEOH,UXQDVPDOOHOHFWULFDO ,·YHVHHQ)DLUYLHZUHPDLQWKHVDPHDQG,WKLQNLW·VWLPHWRPRYH LVKROGLQJLWVRZQEXWLIWKHUH·VDQ\JURZWKLQ)DLUYLHZWKDW·V shop in Fairview and I am approached by people all the time. IRUZDUG:H·YHPLVVHGRXWRQORWVRIELJRSSRUWXQLWLHV,·YHJRW JRLQJWREHDSUREOHP:HKDYHPDMRULQIUDVWUXFWXUHLVVXHVµ ,·OOWDNHSHRSOH·VFRQFHUQVDQGFRPSODLQWVDQGKHDUWKHPRXW some good ideas and support from a lot of people in Fairview.
    [Show full text]
  • Appraisal Report Of
    APPRAISAL REPORT OF: A 78.30 ACRE TRACT – AS IF VACANT AT MONTANA HIGHWAY 83 CONDON, MONTANA PREPARED FOR: Ms. Emily Cooper, Land Sections Supervisor State of Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Trust Land Management Division P.O. Box 201601 Helena, Montana 59620-1601 MARKET VALUE AS OF: April 12, 2017 PREPARED BY: Elliott M. Clark, MAI & Christopher D. Clark Clark Real Estate Appraisal 704-C East 13th Street, #509 Whitefish, Montana 59937 (406) 862-8151 704-C East 13th Street, #509 Whitefish, Montana 59937 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL May 11, 2017 Ms. Emily Cooper, Land Sections Supervisor State of Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Trust Land Management Division P.O. Box 201601 Helena, Montana 59620-1601 Re: Appraisal Report of Real Property Identified as Swan Valley Retreat, Condon, Montana (As If Vacant) Dear Ms. Cooper: In compliance with your request Elliott M. Clark, MAI and Christopher D. Clark with Clark Real Estate Appraisal viewed the above referenced property on April 12, 2017 accompanied by Mr. Claude Cassidy, Ms. Emily Cooper, and Ms. Chloe Katsilas all with the Montana DNRC. We reviewed applicable information regarding zoning, and researched and analyzed trends in real estate activity in the immediate and greater subject market area. The property viewing, reviews, and analyses were made in order to prepare the attached appraisal report in a summary format. We were requested by the client to provide an opinion of value for the subject property As If Vacant. For that reason, the value concluded in this report is based upon the Hypothetical Condition that the property was vacant as of the report effective date.
    [Show full text]
  • Under the Big Sky E-Letter December 2020
    Photo Credit: Virginia Rux, Meteorologist at NWS Glasgow. Under the Big Sky e-Letter December 2020 National Weather Service Glasgow, MT Welcome to the December 2020 Edition of the NWS Glasgow Under the Big Sky E-Letter! Each month we issue the latest Under the Big Sky newsletter in which we provide you with important weather, climate, and water information. Routinely included are the latest three month outlooks, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, COOP precipitation reports, summaries of important weather events, trivia, and more. In addition, we also try to shed light on local office NWS Glasgow happenings from time to time such as keeping you up to date on any staffing changes. We hope that you find these regularly issued newsletters both fun and informative and we thank you for allowing us the opportunity to serve! As always, we continue to welcome any feedback that you may have so feel free to share with us what you think! A Peak Inside: 2020 Highlights...Page 1 Top 5 Weather Events in 2020...Page 2-4 CoCoRaHS/30 Day Summary...Page 5 Hydro Summary...Page 6 CPC Outlook/Drought Monitor...Page 7 Climate Highlights...Page 8 Monthly COOP Precipitation...Page 9 Monthly Trivia...Page 10 2020 Highlights from NWS Glasgow By Tanja Fransen, Meteorologist in Charge On March 17th, operations at NWS Glasgow drastically changed as we were told we had to go into mandato- ry, maximum telework and we all wondered, “How is this going to work?” We had a new employee who started April 1, and we couldn’t let him into the office for two weeks due to the statewide mandate to quarantine if you were coming from outside of the county.
    [Show full text]
  • Planning Area
    Dawson County /Glendive Growth Policy TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................i PART ONE CONDITIONS AND TRENDS PLANNING AREA ........................................................................................................................1 POPULATION ..............................................................................................................................5 ECONOMICS..............................................................................................................................11 Employment............................................................................................................... 11 Income....................................................................................................................... 20 HOUSING ...................................................................................................................................27 General...................................................................................................................... 27 Number of Housing Units........................................................................................... 27 LAND USE..................................................................................................................................34 Ownership and Land Use Data.................................................................................. 34 Residential Development..........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
    NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 expiration date 03/31/2022 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in National Register Bulletin, How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. 1. Name of Property Historic name: Stark House__________________________________ Name of related multiple property listing: ____N/A___________________________________________________ (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing ____________________________________________________________________________ 2. Location Street & number: _4945 Lindbergh Lake Road _________________________ City or town: _Condon___________ State: __MT__________ County: Missoula ____ Not For Publication: Vicinity: X ____________________________________________________________________________ 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this X nomination ___ request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic
    [Show full text]
  • 2006 Montana Commercial Vehicle Size and Weight and Safety Trucker’S Handbook
    2006 Montana Commercial Vehicle Size and Weight and Safety Trucker’s Handbook MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MOTOR CARRIER SERVICES DIVISION FIFTH EDITION Mission Statements .................................................................................................................. 1 Goals ....................................................................................................................................... 1 MCS Organizational Structure.................................................................................................. 1 Complaint/Dispute Resolution Process ................................................................................... 2 Montana Speed Limit Laws...................................................................................................... 3 Construction Zone Speed Limits are as posted for all Vehicles ................................................ 3 Traveler Information - 511 Information in Montana................................................................ 3 Studded Tires........................................................................................................................... 4 Vehicles required to Stop at Open Weigh Stations. .................................................................. 4 HELP/PrePass in Montana ..................................................................................................... 4 Montana Bridge Formula Weights...........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Missoula County Trails Bond Program Level II Application – Friends of 2 Rivers
    Missoula County Trails Bond Program Level II Application – Friends of 2 Rivers Part B – Application Summary Applicant Information Name of Applicant: Friends of 2 Rivers Address: PO Box 376, Milltown MT 59851 Primary Contact: Gary Matson Title: Treasurer Telephone: (406) 370-6584 Email: gjmatson@montana.com Fiscal Sponsor Information (If applicable. Additional partners should be discussed in Part C5: Project Match of the application.) Name: Address: Contact: Title: Telephone: Email: Partner Responsibilities: Project Information Project Title: Bonner Streetcar Trail Surface Type: Paved Planning Region: Missoula Project/Trailhead Location (Geocode, Lat/Long, etc): From Tamarack Road in West Riverside to Speedway Avenue in East Missoula, along the south side of HWY 200 and the north side of the Clark Fork River. Bond Program Request as % of Total Project: Bond Program Request: $318,600 20% Secured Funding Total: $0 Total Project Amount: $1,593,000 Has your organization received Trails Bond funding in the past? No. Trails Bond Funding – Level II Application Page 4 of 27 Missoula County Trails Bond Program Level II Application – Friends of 2 Rivers Part C – Project Details (Scored out of 100 points) Please respond to each of the following prompts as completely as possible. Place responses directly beneath each individual prompt. Write in “N/A” for any prompt that does not pertain to your project. If attachments apply to a question, fully answer the question and include a reference to the attachment included with Part G of your application. Point assignments will be used as a guide for project recommendations. No minimum score is required for project approval.
    [Show full text]
  • Swan Valley-Condon Comprehensive Plan Amendment
    $5.50 Swan Valley-Condon Comprehensive Plan Amendment Missoula County, Montana Adopted by the Missoula County Commissioners December 18, 1996 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Michael Kennedy Barbara Evans Fern Hart MISSOULA CONSOLIDATED PLANNING BOARD Ginny Cass Janene Caywood Helen Cipolato John Fletcher Bonnie Gee Troy Kurth Tom Maclay John Spangler Gerald Stone Sam Warren SWAN VALLEY COMMUNITY CLUB COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMITTEE Gloria Bush Al Cluck Chris Goodman Michelle Holmes, Recorder Sue Holmes Marita Kirchhofer Len Kobylenski Mike Lake Rolle Matthew Zoe Mohesky, County Planning resource, Office of Planning & Grants Tom Parker Jerry Sorensen, Manager, Land Use Planning, Plum Creek Timber Company Alan “Pete” Taylor, Facilitator Acknowledgments - i SWAN VALLEY-CONDON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN STATEMENT OF PURPOSE This plan, prepared by a committee, and approved by the residents of the Swan Valley establishes community objectives and goals to be used by the Missoula County Office of Planning and Grants and the Board of County Commissioners in guiding future growth in the Swan Valley. The plan includes appendices and references numerous studies that are available at the Swan Valley Community Library. The Swan Valley Community Club will serve as the liaison between the community, agencies and the County Commissioners on land use issues. ii - Statement of Purpose SWAN VALLEY-CONDON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ......................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Swan Valley Geographic Area
    Flathead National Forest Forest Plan Swan Valley Geographic Area General overview The Swan Valley geographic area encompasses the entire Swan River basin and also extends north into the eastern portion of the Flathead River valley and west to encompass a portion of the east shore of Flathead Lake. The Flathead Indian Reservation borders the geographic area to the west, following the shore of Flathead Lake and the Mission Mountains divide. The divide between the Swan River and Clearwater River basins forms the southern border, shared by the Lolo National Forest. The peaks of the Swan Range form the eastern border. The Flathead River valley in the northern portion of the geographic area is mostly non-NFS land. A substantial portion (approximately 28 percent) of the Swan River watershed is also non-NFS land, about half of which is the approximately 61,000-acre Swan River State Forest. Acres in the Swan Valley in private ownership were much higher prior to 2010, when the Forest Service acquired approximately 45,000 acres of Plum Creek Timber Company lands through the Montana Legacy Project. Portions of the Swan Lake Ranger District are within this geographic area. The Swan River watershed is characterized by a wide valley bottom of flat to rolling, gently sloped terrain that is bordered on both sides by rugged mountains jutting up steeply from the valley floor. Elevation ranges from about 3,000 feet at the mouth of the Swan River on the shores of Flathead Lake to over 8,000 feet on the highest peaks of the Swan Range and Mission Mountains.
    [Show full text]
  • Cabinet-Purcell Wildlife Linkage Initiative
    The Vital Ground Foundation T-2 Fort Missoula Rd. Missoula, MT, 59804 Phone: 406-549-8650 Fax: 406-549-8787 E-Mail: khope@vitalground.org Web: www.vitalground.org WILDLIFE CABINET- LINKAGE November 2010 PURCELL INITIATIVE The Vital Ground Foundation page 2 Project Description for Phase II Vital Ground is currently fundraising to secure its first two land acquisitions within grizzly bear/wildlife linkage zones in northwestern Montana via the Cabinet-Purcell Wildlife Linkage Initiative. The projects were identified by the Private Lands Working Group, an international team of NGOs, wildlife agencies, and wildlife biologists. In the U.S. these are Vital Ground, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MTFWP); in Canada these are Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) and the Trans-border Grizzly Bear Project. Of the land acquisition priorities the Private Lands Working Group has set in the Cabinet-Purcell Linkage Zone priority area, two properties rank highest due to: 1) their current availability on the open real estate market; and 2) their ripeness for development if sold to non-conservation buyers and the subsequent threat of linkage disruption and wildlife displacement. The first property is located in the northern tier of the USFWS Cabinet-Yaak Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone along U.S. Hwy. 2, less than one mile southeast of the Yaak River-Kootenai River confluence. The second property is located just south of the Recovery Zone near Montana Hwy. 200, 2.5 miles northwest of the Bull River-Clark Fork River confluence. Both properties adjoin Kaniksu National Forest lands.
    [Show full text]