Title

Identifying & Protecting Critical Lands in the Flathead Basin

Abstract

The Critical Lands Project is a collaborative effort to identify, protect and restore lands critical to maintaining and improving water quality in the Flathead Watershed. The Flathead Watershed is located primarily in northwestern Montana. Its headwaters form in the mountains of Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness and other forested lands. Many streams and rivers flow through the Flathead Valley and join together in Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. Altogether, the Flathead Watershed drains six million acres of scenic landscapes.

Research by the University of Montana Flathead Lake Biological Station indicates that algae in Flathead Lake has increased over the last 27 years and water quality is deteriorating, primarily due to polluted runoff or nonpoint source pollution. Lake and Flathead counties are among the fastest growing counties in the state. The Flathead Lakers initiated the Critical Lands Project to address threats to water quality from growth and development. The goals of the project are to 1) identify, protect and restore lands and waters critical to the quality of Flathead Lake and its tributaries, 2) build cooperation among various agencies and organizations committed to protecting critical lands, and 3) gain grassroots support by informing the public about the importance of critical lands.

Resource professionals from tribal, state, federal, and county resource management agencies, research scientists, and conservationists have worked together to develop criteria for defining critical lands, to identify priority areas, and plan and implement conservation and restoration projects. The project focused its initial efforts in the Flathead Valley upstream from Flathead Lake, since this area contributes the highest nutrient loads to the lake and is facing acute growth pressures. Priorities for protection include wetlands, vegetated stream and river banks, and floodplains. These areas are among the most important areas for maintaining water quality in Flathead Lake and also provide productive and diverse wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities.

Our presentation provides an overview of past accomplishments and ongoing plans, including land conservation, stream restoration, land use planning, and education and outreach efforts.

Start Date

1-4-2005 1:00 PM

End Date

1-4-2005 3:00 PM

Document Type

Poster

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Apr 1st, 1:00 PM Apr 1st, 3:00 PM

Identifying & Protecting Critical Lands in the Flathead Basin

The Critical Lands Project is a collaborative effort to identify, protect and restore lands critical to maintaining and improving water quality in the Flathead Watershed. The Flathead Watershed is located primarily in northwestern Montana. Its headwaters form in the mountains of Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness and other forested lands. Many streams and rivers flow through the Flathead Valley and join together in Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. Altogether, the Flathead Watershed drains six million acres of scenic landscapes.

Research by the University of Montana Flathead Lake Biological Station indicates that algae in Flathead Lake has increased over the last 27 years and water quality is deteriorating, primarily due to polluted runoff or nonpoint source pollution. Lake and Flathead counties are among the fastest growing counties in the state. The Flathead Lakers initiated the Critical Lands Project to address threats to water quality from growth and development. The goals of the project are to 1) identify, protect and restore lands and waters critical to the quality of Flathead Lake and its tributaries, 2) build cooperation among various agencies and organizations committed to protecting critical lands, and 3) gain grassroots support by informing the public about the importance of critical lands.

Resource professionals from tribal, state, federal, and county resource management agencies, research scientists, and conservationists have worked together to develop criteria for defining critical lands, to identify priority areas, and plan and implement conservation and restoration projects. The project focused its initial efforts in the Flathead Valley upstream from Flathead Lake, since this area contributes the highest nutrient loads to the lake and is facing acute growth pressures. Priorities for protection include wetlands, vegetated stream and river banks, and floodplains. These areas are among the most important areas for maintaining water quality in Flathead Lake and also provide productive and diverse wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities.

Our presentation provides an overview of past accomplishments and ongoing plans, including land conservation, stream restoration, land use planning, and education and outreach efforts.