Refuge revitalization

CHARLO — Public review for the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wetland habitat restoration plan of an area near Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge came to a close last Wednesday with positive feedback.

The land, known as Ringneck Ranch and the Davis property, was purchased by the state using State Duck Stamp funds and as part of the North American Wetland Conservation Act grant in 2004, and totals 263 acres. One hundred twenty three of these acres will be transformed into wetland.

The plan features the proposal and an environmental assessment of the construction, and according to John Grant, the Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area manager, the feedback was been upbeat.

“Personally, I have heard a few comments saying it’s great and that they can’t wait,” he said. “All have been positive so far.”

The newest wetland would add to the 4,000 acre Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding land. The area features state, federal, tribal and privately owned land, which has made the engineering aspect of the plan somewhat difficult.

“You can’t hunt in a national wildlife refuge,” Grant said. “But wildlife management areas are free and open to public access, including hunting.”

Hunting would be one aspect of the new wetland. Grant said one thing people worry about with state-owned hunting land is that taxpayers pay a portion of the price, which he said is untrue.

“The entire place is bought and managed through sportsmen dollars, be it money from hunting licenses or an excise tax from guns and ammo,” he said. “It doesn’t come from general fund tax dollars, but is paid for from taxes on hunters and other sportsmen.”

The new wetland will be an important piece of migratory bird patterns through the Flathead Valley as well. Birds migrate in the fall and spring, and are funneled by the mountains, meaning that wetland like that found at Ninepipe is an important stop for these waterfowl, Grant said. Over 200 species of bird have been seen in the current wetland area.

“Waterfowl are migratory, and in the spring if they come to a place that’s dry, they’ll keep going, but if it’s wet they’ll stay and breed,” Grant said. “In fall, when they come south, they will rest and eat.”

Despite the bureaucratic process the project must go through, it appears to be on schedule. If no serious issues are raised, construction should begin in October and end in December, according to Grant, so the area will be ready for the spring migration north.

FWP announced on Tuesday it will move forward with the unmodified environmental assessment.

Tribal officials announced last week that the Ninepipe, Kicking Horse and Pablo Reservoirs will be closed beginning on Saturday due to below minimum recreational pool levels