Flathead River to Lake Initiative Conservation and restoration through a diverse collaborative effort Part I – How it began Part II – Conservation Successes Part III – Restoration Successes & the Flathead River Steward Program

The Flathead Lakers Working for clean water, healthy ecosystems and lasting quality of life in the Flathead watershed in northwest Montana.

The Flathead Watershed Nearly 6 million acres of scenic landscapes contribute water to the Flathead Lake – one of the cleanest large lakes in populated areas Flathead River flows into the Clark Fork River at Paradise – average annual discharge of 11,920 cubic feet per second 3 Courtesy of Dr. William Bowen California Geographical Survey ( CSKT & MFWP, Flathead Subbasin Plan: Part I.

Water quality and nutrient pollution Montana has declared water quality in Flathead Lake impaired. Research shows a decline in water quality over the past 30 years. Non-point source pollution -biggest threat to water quality.

Grass Roots Beginnings Flathead Lakers’ Critical Lands Project (1999) Critical Lands workshops: 1)agreed on criteria to identify priority areas (Ecological function, Cultural, recreational and aesthetic values, Urgency of existing & potential threats Ecological defensibility & durability, Feasibility) 2)focus area Critical Lands Status Reports (2002, 2004) 3)strategies to conserve/restore target areas A collaborative effort to: Identify, protect and restore lands and waters that sustain clean water and associated fish and wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities. Promote collaboration. Inform land owners and the public about the importance of these critical lands.

Critical Lands Project Participants American Bird Conservancy Flathead Conservation District Flathead Land Trust Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Flathead Audubon Chapter Flathead Lakers Montana Land Reliance Natural Resources Conservation Service Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Citizens for a Better Flathead Flathead Basin Commission University of Montana Flathead Lake Biological Station The Nature Conservancy 6

Initial Focus Area Flathead Valley above Flathead Lake contributes the highest nutrient loads to the lake: Rapid growth and development in sensitive areas Nutrient/sediment loads to Flathead Lake Significant riparian/wetland habitat, wildlife and fisheries values, farm land, recreational values Housing Density in 1950 Housing Density in 2010

Critical Lands Identification Status Report (2002) Wetlands and sloughs Riparian areas Bird hot spots Bull trout wintering sites Wildlife habitat 8

9 Flathead River Floodplains

Map by the Flathead Lakers & Flathead Lake Biological Station Well database: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (static water level) Shallow alluvial aquifer, wetlands, riparian forests 10

Important Agricultural Soils 11

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Initial successes Flathead Land Trust, American Bird Conservancy, MT Fish Wildlife & Parks, Flathead Lakers, and landowners completed first projects (2003) – over $5 M in grants and match Karen Nichols McWenneger SloughWeaver (Wiley) Slough Foys Bend

Flathead Flathead River River to to Lake Lake Initiative partners Landowners Flathead Lakers Flathead Land Trust American Bird Conservancy Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Montana Land Reliance Flathead Conservation District USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes US Fish and Wildlife Service Flathead River Commission Ducks Unlimited Flathead Audubon Society Intermountain West Join Venture University of Montana Flathead Lake Biological Station

The River to Lake Initiative is a collaborative effort to conserve and restore our Flathead River and Lake natural heritage – excellent water quality, outstanding scenic and recreation values, abundant fish and wildlife, and prime farm land for people to enjoy and benefit from, today and tomorrow through voluntary conservation, restoration, education and outreach. R2L partners meet quarterly and as needed to plan and implement projects (incl. annual Action Plans), outreach, and write funding proposals.

Success of Flathead River to Lake Initiative