Full Text
Primary reasons for the following acquisitions: Prepared by Jacquelyn Corday, Opens Space Acquisition Program Manager 1) Mt. Jumbo – The CE held by FVLT on the ~200 acres on the SW section of Jumbo states “the specific purpose of this easement [is] to conserve important habitat for mule deer, elk, passerine birds, raptors, black bear, and other wildlife species, and to protect rare or unique native plants . . .and to conserve the diverse vegetative communities and the wildlife inhabiting these communities. In achieving these purposes, it is the intent of this CE to permit the continuation of such uses of the Property as may be conducted consistent with the conservation values protected herein.” From a memo to Council and others about the specific goals for purchasing Mt. Jumbo: • Protect wildlife habitat including critical elk wintering areas, calving grounds and migration corridors. The Mt. Jumbo area also provides habitat for an isolated population of mule deer, and numerous non‐game species. • Ensure that the unique opportunity to enjoy “watchable wildlife” on the slopes of Mt. Jumbo be protected and enhanced. • Protect rare and unique plants and plant communities. • Develop a long‐range mgt plan that gives priority to the protection and enhancement of the many natural values of Mt. Jumbo • Develop and implement public use and recreation plans for a variety of low‐impact activities such as hiking, wildlife and flower viewing, and other non‐motorized uses of the area. 2) North Hills (Randolph) ‐ The CE held by FVLT states the purpose of the CE is “to preserve and protect the open space, historic and significant relatively natural features and values of the Property . . .to conserve important habitat for white‐tail deer, passerine birds, coyotes, raptors, grouse, and to protect the Missoula phlox and other rare or unique native plants . . . and to conserve the diverse vegetative communities and the wildlife inhabiting these communities. In achieving these purposes, it is the intent of this CE to permit the continuation of such uses of the Property as may be conducted consistent with the conservation values protected herein.” From the Council Resolution: “Provides the visual backdrop to downtown Missoula and much of the valley floor; supports a variety of rare & unique native plants; holds a well‐established trail system that has provided recreational opportunities for Missoulians.” 3) Sentinel – From the Council Resolution: the Cox property supports a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, white‐tail deer, coyotes, migratory song birds, black bear, raptors, and grassland birds; the property holds a trail connecting the City land on the fact of Mt. Sentinel with National Forest land in Pattee Canyon; the public acquisition will place a complete recreational complex in public ownership across National Forest, State, University, and City lands. 4) Tower Street ‐ From the Council Resolution: property supports a rare black cottonwood bottomland vegetative community; supports a variety of wildlife, including white‐tail deer, coyotes, migratory song birds, and birds of prey. ---PAGE BREAK--- From the Staff Report to Council: The top 3 citizen needs/desires from the 1998 Parks Needs Assessment polling are protecting wildlife habitat, providing public access points to rivers, and acquiring and preserving natural areas. The Tower Street purchase would address all 3 of these needs.