Funding the Acquisition by the State of Montana of Habitat in the West Swan ValleyCX(s) Applied: B1.25Date: 10/21/2010Location(s): Lake County, MontanaOffice(s): Bonneville Power Administration
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
October 21, 2010
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CX(s) Applied: B1.25
Date: 10/21/2010
Location(s): Lake County, Montana
Office(s): Bonneville Power Administration
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) proposes to fund the acquisition of up to approximately 9,500 acres of habitat in the Swan Valley of northwestern Montana for conservation purposes. While the mechanism of securing the habitat is still being evaluated, BPA would either fund fee title acquisition by the State of Montana and BPA would hold a conservation easement; or BPA would fund the acquisition of a conservation easement by the State of Montana, with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) holding a conservation easement, and BPA would retain rights of enforcement. The property is being acquired because of the opportunity it provides to protect and enhance the habitat for important resident fish species. The West Swan parcel includes water bodies that are designated as critical habitat for bull trout, resident fish that are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.