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eMo'lta'la Cfi'isJt. 'l¥'rldJife 3201 Spurgin Road Missoula, MT 59804 [PHONE REDACTED] December 7,2009 Missoula City Open Space Advisory Committee 600 Cregg Lane Missoula, MT 59801 RE: Five Valleys Land Trust - Allied Waste Conservation Easement Proposal Dear Members of the Missoula City Open Space Advisory Committee: The North Hills-Allied Waste Property is an integral component of important elk winter range for the North Hills elk herd (250 - 275 elk). GPS collared data on these elk revealed that they use the eastern portion of the property, and that since the current landowner removed a sheep fence, the elk have used it even more. Wildlife use of the site will only improve under the current ownership - Mr. Bauer has already started habitat improvement projects. With increased development on the periphery of the City, parcels such as the Allied Waste property are important components in providing wildlife connectivity to adjacent open space, allowing for elk and other wildlife to continue to utilize the landscape at a broader scale. The eastern portion of the property has a unique combination of woody draw and grassland habitats that also supports such species as Swainson's hawk, red-tailed hawks and a large diversity of songbirds. Typically, woody draws support even greater songbird densities and diversity as those habitats in coniferous forests. The surrounding grasslands support a variety of grassland bird species, which may include the grasshopper sparrow. Both the Swainson's hawk and grasshopper sparrow are Species of Concern in Montana. Thank you for the opportunity to offer support for the Allied Waste Conservation Easement proposal. Sincerely, ruVJ~1~()-C~lcLL Vickie Edwards Wildlife Biologist Cc: Pelah Hoyt, Five Valleys Land Trust