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MULTI-RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN Haskill Basin Watershed Conservation Easement By Paul McKenzie Lands and Resource Manager F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Company With input by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and The City of Whitefish This Multi-Resource Management Plan (the "MRMP"), dated as of F-c-b I , 2016, is entered into by F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co., a Montana corporation, whose principal address is PO Box 1429 Columbia Falls, MT 59912, (hereinafter referred to as the "Landowner" or "Stoltze"), the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, whose address is 1420 East Sixth Avenue, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, Montana 59620-0701 (hereinafter referred to as the "Department") and the City of Whitefish, whose address isl005 Baker Street, P.O. Box 158, Whitefish, Montana 59937-0158 (hereinafter referred to as the "City"). This MRMP is being entered into pursuant to Deed of Conservation Easement granted by Stoltze to the Department and City on · , 2016 and recorded itl-Buuk: _ ,-Page-_ of the records of Flathead County, Montana; he "Easement"). da/ bOW0305 A portion of the funding for the Easement is being provided through the Forest Legacy Program which is administered by the U.S. Forest Service pursuant to Section 1217 of Title XII of the Food, Agricu1ture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (16 USC Section 2103C) created "to protect environmentally important private forest lands threatened with conversion to non- forest uses". A portion of the funding for the Easement is provided by the City of Whitefish to ensure water quality and quantity to the residents and visitors of Whitefish. The primary intents of this Easement are: To effect the purpose of the FLP in accordance with the provisions of Title XII of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 2103c), by protecting environmentally important forest areas that are threatened by conversion to non-forest uses, protecting important scenic, cultural, fish, wildlife, recreational resources and riparian areas, protecting the capacity of the Land to produce economically valuable forestry products - all while allowing the Landowner and its successors and assigns to continue conducting sustainable commercial timber and resource management activities. To protect important habitat for native wildlife and fish species. To this end, the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, is providing additional funding for the Easement through its Section 6 Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants Program, which is specifically designed to help states conserve important habitat for federally listed and at-risk species. Landowner Acknowledgement: aw Q Department Acknowledgement Haskill Basin Watershed Multi-Resource Management Plan January 22, 20 15 Page I of 11 ---PAGE BREAK--- To perpetuate the Land as forest land; to ensure the long term, sustainable, professional management of the forest resources through forestry activities permitted hereunder; and to provide for commercial production of forest products in a manner compatible with the conservation of water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation and other Conservation Values (as defined in the Easement). To satisfy a number of needs of, and provide a multiplicity of benefits to the residents and visitors of Whitefish, including the protection and preservation of the City' s water supply, including the primary source drinking water supply for the City's municipal water system, (ii) the aesthetic protection of the scenic backdrop to the City, (iii) the preservation of important wildlife and fish habitat, (iv) the securing of nearby and accessible recreational opportunities, and the preservation of sustainable timber harvesting, along with all of the associated local job and economic benefits that come with such benefits. This MRMP identifies and describes the objectives and actions that Stoltze will take to protect, manage, maintain, and enhance soil, water, range, aesthetic quality, recreation and public access, timber, fish, and wildlife resources in a manner compatible with Landowner objectives. As such, it is intended to help meet the requirements of the FLP to protect environmentally important forest areas that are threatened by conversion to non-forest uses as well as the requirements of the HCP Land Acquisition Grants Program, and to ensure management consistent with the Standards of Sustainability of the American Tree Farm System as further described below. I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Land that is the subject of the Easement and this associated MRMP consist of 3 ,020 acres in northwestern Montana, near the City of Whitefish (the "Land"). The Land is intermingled with other private land, State Forest lands managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation ("DNRC"), and public lands administered by the U.S. Forest Service, Flathead National Forest. The Land is located primarily north and east of the City of Whitefish and are dissected by the Haskill Creek drainage. The Land consists of 10 whole or paiiial sections. All of the Land is located within Flathead County. The Land is forested valley bottoms and mountains that have been managed for timber production over the last 100+ years. Elevations vary from approximately 3,500 to 5,500 feet. Haskill Creek and its tributaries cross the property. The Land contains outstanding fisheries and, habitat, and sf awning grounds (provided by Haskill Creek, 1 st Creek, 2nd Creek, 3rd Creek, 4th Creek, and 5t Creek) for a variety of fish species, including, but not limited to, westslope cutthroat trout. Currently, the Land comprises approximately ninety percent (90%) of the source drinking water for the City. The Land also includes numerous tributaries, streams and riparian wetland areas. Forestland dominates the landscape. It is a mixed conifer forest with all Montana commercial timber species represented. The current forest is well stocked with vigorous growing stock of Landowner Acknowledgement: ~WR Haskill Basin Watershed Multi-Resource Management Plan Department Acknowle gement:~ January 22, 20 15 City Acknowledgment Page 2 of 11 ---PAGE BREAK--- native mixed species. The desired condition for the forest is through sustainable harvest to maintain a diversity of stand structure, age class and species mix with a preference for uneven aged stand conditions where ecological conditions permit. Dominant species are Douglas-fir, western larch, true firs, Engelmann spruce and western red cedar. Ponderosa pine, white pine, and lodgepole pine can also be found in most of the area. Limited amounts of cottonwood and aspen can be found along creeks and near wetland areas and paper birch is evident on many north-facing slopes. The timbered stands vary in age from young regeneration to commercial saw timber. IL FOREST MANAGEMENT Stoltze's objective is long term forest stewardship which will fully utilize its resources through innovative forestry management and harvest techniques. Wise stewardship and good business practices go hand in hand. Stoltze manages its land in accordance with its Stewardship Forestry Principals included in the Stoltze Tree Farm Management Plan. This Tree Farm Management Plan guides management activities, which are planned and implemented by professional foresters and trained contractors in ways that continue to protect riparian area and important scenic, cultural, fish, wildlife, and recreational resources on the Land. The management goal is to practice sustainable forestry to meet the needs of the present while maximizing growth for future generations and meet the challenges of changing times. Managing for the four tenets of the American Tree Farm System, wood, water, wildlife and recreation has proven to be a good goal for over I 00 years of Stoltze land management and the Tree Farm Management Plan outlines specific measures to insure that these important four tenants will continue to guide forest management practices on the land into the future. This plan will be updated periodically to maintaining flexibility necessary to adapt management to new information, technology and changing ecological, social and regulatory conditions. Stoltze commits to managing the Land in accordance with good and sound silvicultural practices consistent with the American Tree Farm System (A TFS) program certification requirements as outlined in the American Forest Foundation 2015-2019 Standards of Sustainability for Forest Certification (A TFS). A TFS is the United States' oldest family forest certification program. In 1941, ATFS began promoting responsible forest management on our nation's private forests. The Tree Farm sign is the sign of good stewardship. A TFS certification gives family woodland owners confidence and validation that they are doing right by their land. Stoltze maintains ce1tification, in good standing, and will make a copy of this conformance available to the Department following each audit. As part of the commitments to sustainable forest management, Stoltze also agrees to the following guidelines and metrics within this MRMP to measure their activities. These guidelines and metrics are not intended to restrict fiber production but to provide measures to ensure the MRMP objectives are met. If Stoltze's forest practices are found to vary from these guidelines on a landscape level, the Liaison Committee, established by the Easement, will develop, and insure that Stoltze implements, a plan to bring the practices into compliance. Landowner Acknowl edgemen , City Acknowledgment Aokoowl~V(:~ Haskill Basin Watershed Multi-Resource Management Plan January 22, 20 I 5 Page 3of 11 ---PAGE BREAK--- The A TFS program is a comprehensive system of principles, objectives, and performance measures that integrates the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with the protection of wildlife, plants, soil and water quality. The participation in the program requires an independent verification process, which Stoltze has incorporated into their management of the Lands. Stoltze's foresters and the independent contractors who work for Stoltze are committed to good stewardship. In order to operate on the Lands, contractors must participate in formal Best Management Practices ("BMP") and Streamside Management Zone ("SMZ") training. Stoltze will continue to manage the Land in a responsible manner in compliance with this MRMP and A TFS standards as they exist now or are updated in the future. III. OTHER RESOURCES In accordance with the Forest Legacy Program and Stoltze's Tree Farm Management Plan, outlined below, the following describes Stoltze's objectives and actions for various resources. A. Soil Stoltze will maintain soil and site productivity by implementing Montana State Best Management Practices minimizing soil disturbance to the extent practical and, when possible, by retaining an appropriate amount of harvest residues for soil nutrient and soil structure enhancement. B. Water Stoltze will implement voluntary Montana Forestry BMP's. All forest owners in Montana are required to comply with the Streamside Management Zone law, and applicable Federal Standards under the Clean Water Act. The Landowner commits to additional conservation measures outlined in this MRMP. C. Range None of the Land is managed as rangeland. Grazing may be allowed for weed control or other land management purposes consistent with the protection and maintenance of the Conservation Values of the Land. D. Aesthetic Quality Stoltze recognizes aesthetic values along the Whitefish Face area and will consider aesthetic impacts by managing these areas within the Land by using appropriate design standards and harvest methods. E. Public Recreation The Easement gives the public the general right of access to the Land in perpetuity for the responsible use of the Land for legal non-commercial recreation including but not limited to hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, trail running, cross country skiing, berry picking, wildlife viewing, and subject to all applicable Montana laws and regulations. Public access for mechanized uses, both motorized and nonmotorized, is also allowed but is restricted to the existing road network. The public use of the Land is subject to certain open lands policies incorporated into this MRMP (Exhibit A) and certain rights of Landowner and Grantees to Landowner Acknowledgement: Haskill Basin Watershed Multi-Resource Management Plan D•p•rtm•"' Aokoowl~ ~ fa""'ry 22, 20!5 City Acknowledgment Page 4 of 11 ---PAGE BREAK--- restrict or suspend public access and recreation, as more fully set forth below and in the Easement. The Department and City agree to assist the landowner in enforcement of the policies and restrictions outlined herein to ensure continuance of the conservation values of the Land. The Parties intend to preserve the public's perpetual, general right of access to the Land along with the Easement. Public access may be temporarily suspended in accordance with Section C 6 and of the Easement. F. Habitat Conservation Objectives and Implementation. A TFS Standards of Sustainability include specific standards for Air, Water and Soil Protection; Fish, Wildlife and Biodiversity; Forest Aesthetics and Protection of Special sites. The Standard contains Performance Measures and Indicators specific to these objectives. The Stoltze Tree Farm Management Plan and Wildlife BMP's also provide guidance for wildlife habitat management in conjunction with other land management objectives. Stoltze commits to implementing all of these measures on the Land, in addition to the Best Management Practices outlined in this MRMP. Standards in this MRMP may exceed those found in the Wildlife BMP's, when that is the case, the standards in this document will apply on the Land covered under this MRMP. G. Fish and Wildlife Stoltze manages its resources while considering fish and wildlife through judicious control of road access, timber harvest management, and cooperation with state and federal fish and wildlife agencies. Canada lynx and grizzly bear are both federally protected species while a pure strain of cutthroat trout also resides within the Lands. Management of Stoltze lands under the ATFS program has proven to be a successful strategy in maintaining the variety and security of habitats necessary to support viable populations of these species within the Land and surrounding area. Continued management under ATFS guidance will provide similar habitat conditions into the future. In addition to the above, the Land is important for elk, deer, moose, black bear, wolverine, pine marten, grouse, songbirds, cavity-nesting birds, and a variety of other native and migratory wildlife species. Stoltze recognizes the value and importance of maintaining or enhancing fish and wildlife habitat to ensure stable populations. The Land shall be managed in accordance with Stoltze's Tree Farm Management Plan, which include provisions to maintain or enhance biodiversity. In consideration of the particular wildlife habitat values of the Lands, Stoltze shall apply the practices as set forth below: Riparian zones and non-forested wetlands, including bogs, fens, and marshes, shall be identified prior to implementing forest management activity in a harvest unit. The draining, filling, dredging, or destruction of any wetland area or any other activity that has significant adverse impacts on a wetland is prohibited except as allowed under forest management practices described in the Easement. 2 Riparian areas will be defined and managed in accordance with State of Montana Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) law. In addition, the following best management practices will be Landowner Acknowledgement:~ City Acknowledgmen Depfil