Environmental Assessment Decision Notice For Heritage Park East Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project

NorthWestern Energy approached Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks with the Heritage Park East Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project in mid-2021. As part of NorthWestern Energy’s license to operate the Missouri River hydro power projects, they are required to mitigate impacts by enhancing native plants and wildlife populations and their habitats on the lands and waters associated with these projects. The focus of this project is to increase riparian vegetation and bird habitat. The Heritage Park area was selected because of its proximity to the Missouri River, the productivity of the neighboring Giant Springs and River’s Edge Trail corridor as bird habitat, and an adjacent existing irrigation system. The area around Giant Springs proper is best described as high-density mature forest. Heritage Park is described as low-density maturing forest. The intent of this project is to develop a high-density vegetative zone that will benefit wildlife species and increase native plants in the Heritage Park area for both park character and wildlife habitat. 

 

Related Documents: Environmental Assessment Decision Notice For Heritage Park East Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project (pdf)