Environmental Assessment/Glacier Town CenterEnvironmental Assessment
Glacier Town Center
Kalispell, Montana
Prepared for:
CTA Architects and Engineers, Inc.
for
Wolford Development Montana, LLC, Inc.
Prepared by:
Hyalite Environmental, LLP
P.O. Box 90
Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730
(406) 763-4228
June 2007
Executive Summary
The Glacier Town Center is proposed for development on approximately 485 acres north of
Kalispell, located north of West Reserve Drive, and between the Whitefish Stage Road and US
Highway 93. The project includes: commercial, mixed use, multi -family residential, single family
residential, park and open space areas. It is anticipated that this project will be annexed to the City
of Kalispell. Phase I of the project is anticipated to provide 1,005,400 square feet of commercial
space on 109 acres, and 28,800 square feet of office/professional space on 3.2 acres, with an
additional 17 acres dedicated to open space and parks. Phase I of the project is proposed to begin
construction in 2007/2008, with subsequent development of Phases II through V extending to 2020.
The full proj ect is anticipated to provide 1,575,943 square feet of retail uses and 246,686 square feet
of office space, totaling 1,822,629 square feet of commercial space.
The proposed project will require changes or relaxations to zoning ordinances as described in other
portions of this project application to the City of Kalispell. With the proposed changes or
relaxations to zoning, the proposed proj ect will be otherwise compliant with Kalispell growth policy.
There will be No Significant Impacts to:
• Historic, Paleontological, Archaeological or Cultural Environment
• Natural Environment: Wetlands
• Natural Environment: Soils and Geology
• Natural Environment: Threatened and Endangered Species, MT Species of Concern
• Natural Environment: Air Quality
• Public Health and Safety
There will be Minor Detrimental Effects to:
• Agriculture —Approximately 476 acres will be removed from agricultural use.
• Natural Environment: Topography — There will be some cut -and -fill and grading
required for effective use of the property.
• Natural Environment: Vegetation, Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat — There will be increased
anthropomorphic impacts on the parcel, and loss of field habitat (tilled and irrigated hay and
grain fields).
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There will be Minor Positive Effects to:
• Agricultural Water User Facilities The project will not likely use the existing surface water
rights that are currently used for agricultural irrigation.
• Natural Environment: Vegetation, Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat— Approximately 72.3 acres,
69 of which are currently agricultural land, will be converted to open space / park with native
species landscaping. There will be an increase in diversity of habitat type due to
incorporation of forbs, shrubs and trees throughout the development. Fifteen hundred linear
feet of the Stillwater River streambank and riparian corridor will be preserved and protected.
• Natural Environment: Ground and Surface Water Quality —The project is designed to ensure
treatment of storm water runoff before infiltration to ground water or conveyance to surface
water, which is an improvement over the current agricultural impacts upon ground and
surface water.
It is anticipated that the Minor Detrimental Effects will be mitigated and / or offset by the Minor
Positive Effects. There will be a somewhat neutral impact related to the shift of wildlife habitat
from the current vegetation of the irrigated fields to the native species in the mixture of open space,
vegetated buffer zones, park, landscaped developed space
There will be Significant Impacts to:
• Local Services: Education
• Local Services: Road maintenance
• Local Services: Water, Sewage and Solid Waste Facilities
• Local Services: Fire and Police Protection
The project is designed to accommodate projected / anticipated growth (Kalispell, City Planning
Department, 2003 and 2007). These Significant Impacts will be mitigated through design of the
project in a manner compliant with the City of Kalispell and Flathead County growth policies, and
Evergreen / Stillwater Zoning District. Significant Impacts will be further mitigated through
improvements that will be paid for by the development (such as improvements to the adjacent
roadways), fees, and increased tax revenues. The City will gain the economic benefit of jobs
created, a new community center with park lands, and the draw of a new retail facilities.
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Table of Contents
Page
Executive Summary ii
Introduction 1
Part I — Property Description
1.
Surface Water
4
2.
Ground Water
5
3.
Topography, Geology and Soils
7
4.
Vegetation
8
5.
Wildlife
10
6.
Land Use
14
Part II — Summary of Probable Impacts
1.
Effects on Agriculture
17
2.
Effects on Agricultural Water User Facilities
17
3.
Effects on Local Services
18
4.
Effects on the Historic or Natural Environment
20
5.
Effects on Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat
21
6.
Effects on the Public Health and Safety
22
Part III — Community Impact Report
1.
Education and Busing
23
2.
Roads and Maintenance
23
3.
Water, Sewage, and Solid Waste Facilities
24
4.
Fire and Police Protection
25
5.
Parks and Recreation
25
6.
Payment for Extension of Capital Facilities
26
Signature Page 27
References Cited 28
Figures 32
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List of Tables
Table 1. Parcels Included in Proposed Project Site Page 3
Table 2. Summary of Wetlands / Waters of the US Page 4
Table 3. Stillwater River Fish Species and Populations, River Mile 6 Page 10
List of Figures
Figure 1. Location of project
Figure 2. 2004 Aerial photo of site
Figure 3. Proposed Lifestyle Center Conceptual Bubble Diagram
Figure 4. Surface water features and water rights
Figure 5. Delineated wetlands and proposed waters of the US
Figure 6. Ground water well data
Figure 7. Topographic survey of the proposed project site
Figure 8. General regional geology of the vicinity of the proposed project
Figure 9. Soil map of the proposed project site
Figure 10. Location of erodible soils and prime farmland
Figure 11. Vegetation and wildlife
Figure 12. Location of vegetation communities and wildlife habitat on preliminary plat
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Introduction
An Environmental Assessment (EA) has been performed for the proposed Glacier Town Center
development, Kalispell, MT. The EA was performed by Hyalite Environmental, LLP (Hyalite),
Bozeman, MT, for CTA Architects and Engineers, Kalispell, MT. The development proposal is
being made by Wolford Development Montana, LLC. Hyalite personnel performing the work were
Chris Thelen, P.E., and Carol Lee -Roark, Ph.D. Field investigations were conducted April 16
through 18, 2007.
The objective of the EA was to examine potential environmental impacts of the proposed project,
providing the design team with input for design and providing information to the City of Kalispell
for review of the proposed project. The EA was conducted following the City of Kalispell Title 24A
Subdivision Regulations Ordinance No. 1238, Appendix B: Environmental Assessment (adopted May
6, 1996, and as subsequently amended through May 2007).
The proposed project site is approximately 485 acres on the northern outskirts of Kalispell. The site
is bound on the south by West Reserve Drive, on the west by US Highway 93, and on the east by
Whitefish Stage Road. The northern boundary coincides with the extension of Rose Crossing Lane
in the northwestern portion of the site and for the remainder of the site, the northern boundary is one
quarter mile north of that road. The site is located in Sections 19 and 30, Township 29 North, Range
21 West, Montana Principal Meridian (Figures 1 and 2) [See also Exhibits A and B].
The proposed Glacier Town Center is a mixed -use development with major components that include
commercial, residential, office, and open -space. Figure 3 is a preliminary conceptual design
diagram of the proposed project. [The most up-to-date version of the proposed project design is
included as Exhibits S, T and U.]
The Glacier Town Center will have architectural themes that connect it to and honor the historical
and cultural heritage of the Flathead Valley. The Glacier Town Center will be tied to the previously
existing surrounding residential and commercial land use areas and historic downtown Kalispell
through a network of pedestrian and bike trails, as well as upgraded roads that are designed to
accommodate the projected growth of the area, as outlined in the Kalispell Growth Policy 2020
(February 18, 2003, and as subsequently amended through May 2007).
The proposed area of development, land use types, and density of proposed development are
explained in text and tables in other parts of the document that is being submitted to the City.
Distribution of land types and amenities are shown on Figure 3.
Aerial photos from 2005 show approximately 140 acres of wheat field, and 330 acres of alfalfa or
hay, and 13 acres of fallow and/or un-farmed land. The property in the proposed project site is
owned by two entities: 478.02 acres are owned by the Stillwater Corporation, for which Roger
Claridge, of Kalispell, MT, is the registered agent; and 4.28 acres are owned by Edwin and Janet
Spannuth, of Lakeside, MT. The aerial photograph in Figure 2 shows that there are currently no
structures on the land. Table 1 lists the parcels included in the proposed project site by lot, geocode,
present tax classification, and area of each parcel.
Table 1. Parcels Included in Proposed Project Site
Geocode
07407819301350000
07407819301400000
07407819401100000
07407830201300000
07407830101500000
07407830201400000
07407830201050000
Land Classification
tillable irrigated land
tillable irrigated land
grazing land
grazing land
tillable irrigated land
tillable irrigated land
tillable non -irrigated land,
continuously cropped
07407830201010000*
tract land
07407830201100000
tillable irrigated land
07407830101200000
grazing land
07407830101150000
tillable irrigated land
Area
20.15 acres
20.15 acres
79.00 acres
23.37 acres
121.76 acres
20.00 acres
4.84 acres
4.28 acres
40.00 acres
42.89 acres
20.00 acres
07407830301600000 tillable non -irrigated land, 85.91 acres
continuously cropped
Note:
* -- Single parcel owned by Edwin and Janet Spannuth. All other parcels are owned by Stillwater Corp.
Source: Montana Department of Administration cadastral database, February 2007.
The zoning of the proposed project site, which is located in the Stillwater and Evergreen and
Vicinity Zoning Districts, is SAG-5 (Suburban Agricultural), SAG-10, AG-20 (Agricultural), R-1
(Residential) and B-2 (General Business) (Flathead County Commissioners Resolution No. 797CN,
November 13, 2003) [See Exhibit D]. It is anticipated that the area of the proposed Glacier Town
Center will be annexed to the City of Kalispell, and that there will be some changes to zoning [See
Exhibit E]. In the Kalispell2020 Growth Policy (Kalispell, 2003 and as subsequently amended), the
area of the proposed development is specified as "KN-1", Kalispell North Mixed Use Area.
This proposed project site (with the exception of the Spannuth parcel) has been the subject of
ongoing public and political discussions since 1999. Legal actions have been taken and
compromises reached in order to accommodate the input of many special interest groups, as well as
the goals and viewpoints of residents of Kalispell and the surrounding areas. The plan presented
here reflects input that Wolford Development and their land planning and design engineering firm,
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CTA Group, have sought from stakeholders and regulatory agencies associated with the proposed
project. Most significantly, the proposed project has been accepted by the local landowners, as
reported in the article by Spence (2007) in the Daily Interlake on February 14, 2007.
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Part I — Property Description
Part I -- Section 1. Surface Water
Figure 4 shows surface water features on the proposed project site. Figure 5 shows delineated
wetlands and waters of the US on the proposed project site [See also Exhibits S, T, and U]. Natural
surface water features at the site include approximately 1,500 feet of the eastern bank of the
Stillwater River. 1.33 Acres of the proposed project site fall within the FEMA (1992) 100-year
floodplain of the river.
There are no irrigation water conveyance ditches on site, and the small area of the parcel that is
adjacent to roads is characterized predominantly by gently sloping roadside areas and ditches that do
not hold standing water or pond surface water runoff for long periods of time (days). Irrigation
water is conveyed on site by underground pipes.
No stream bank alterations or modification of any natural surface water body are planned for the
proposed project. There will be no impacts to the Stillwater River riparian corridor, nor any other
waters of the US.
There are 0.32 acres of jurisdictional wetlands associated with the surface water features on the site,
as listed in Table 2. All of the jurisdictional wetlands are fringe (riparian) scrub/shrub wetlands
associated with the Stillwater River riparian corridor. The Wetland Delineation and Waters of the
US Assessment Report for the proposed project site is included as Appendix F of this submittal
package of materials.
Table 2. Summary of Wetlands / Waters of the US
Wetland
Design
Jurisdictional
Areal
Designation
Type
Accomodation or
Status
Extent
(Figure 5)
Impacts
WL-1
Riverine
Jurisdictional
0.32 acres
50-foot setback
There will be no actions taken within FEMA 100-year floodplain and no impacts will be made to the
identified Jurisdictional Wetlands.
There are two areas on the site where mid -winter and early spring snowmelt and/or rain over frozen
ground can create intermittent ponding or surface water runoff flows. The area in the northeast in
the vicinity of the windbreak trees may have standing water until the ground thaws (personal
communication, Robin Street, in Hyalite Environmental, LLP, 2007). A portion of the site drains to
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the southwest to a drainage swale / gully leading to the Stillwater River through the adj acent Glacier
Memorial Cemetery (personal communication, Glacier Memorial Cemetery in Hyalite
Environmental, LLP, 2007). Neither of these areas of surface water remain during the growing
season, and previous farmers who have raised crops on the site (personal communication, Robin
Street and Steve Striech, in Hyalite Environmental, LLP, April 2007) have found that the site is dry
and well -drained and that there is nowhere that they can not get heavy equipment into the fields due
to saturated soils during the growing season. A Hydrology Report with additional information
concerning current surface water drainage of the site is included in Appendix G.
The only potential environmental permitting anticipated to be required for the proposed project is
Montana Point Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) permitting associated with any detention
pond discharge of surface water runoff. A Surface Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) will
need to be filed with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality for any construction
activities. There are no planned impacts to the Stillwater River, Stillwater River floodway, or
associated wetlands. It is anticipated that the court -mandated development of a watershed plan and
Total Maximum Daily Loads being voluntarily implemented by the community and facilitated by the
Montana Department of Environmental Quality and US Environmental Protection Agency will be
sufficient to achieve compliance with water quality standards and mitigate impacts that are not
related to the proposed potential development.
Part I -- Section 2. Ground Water
Figure 6 shows the location of ground water wells (approximate) and static water elevation data
available for the site vicinity from the Ground Water Information Center (GWIC) database of the
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. Shallowest groundwater is located close to the rivers, with
groundwater eight feet below the ground surface in a well near the Whitefish River (July 30,1990)
and 10.8 feet below the ground surface in a well near the Stillwater River (October 25, 1998).
Deepest static ground water levels have been measured in wells located approximately mid -way
between the two rivers. This area mid -way between the two rivers is located near the eastern
boundary of the proposed project site, where static water levels have been measured at 127 feet
below the ground surface (December 16, 1996, and April 14, 2004).
The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG) has carried out regional groundwater
investigations in the Flathead Valley (LaFave and others, 2004). These regional studies characterize
the area as dominated by a deep, continuous, confined aquifer that is approximately two -hundred
feet deep in the vicinity of the site. Recharge to the deep, confined aquifer is from the mountains
surrounding the Flathead Valley.
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Additional site ground water data derived from soil borings and monitoring wells, is further
discussed in the Hydrology Report (Appendix G) and Preliminary Geotechnical Report (Appendix
H) included with this package of submittal materials. The Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation
performed for the property in July 2003 measured saturated soils at depths ranging from 4.5 to
greater than forty feet below ground surface. Ground water was encountered in only one of the
twenty-three test borings included in that report, at 16.8 feet below ground surface. Ground water
was below the bottom of the other borings (total boring depths of eleven to 40 feet). Additional
shallow monitoring wells that were installed across the northern portion of the property in 2004
recorded 68 wells out of the 75 wells installed as dry (Flathead City/County Health Department,
2007). The remaining 7 wells recorded ground water levels at approximately 10 feet or greater.
None of an additional sixteen soil borings drilled to 48 inches below the ground surface in March of
2004 encountered ground water.
The Hydrology Report (Appendix G) reports that there is a shallow perched water table in the
northeast corner of the property. The area has been delineated with piezometers and is
approximately 60 acres, consistent with that previously defined by other authors. The minimum
depth to the water table observed during the 2007 monitoring period was approximately 6 feet (70
inches), which occurred on April 30, 2007. Monitoring data are included in the Hydrology Report
(Appendix G).
It is proposed that the Glacier Town Center be annexed to the City and connected to City water
systems, as discussed in the Utility Report (Appendix J) included in this package of submittal
materials. There may be short-term dewatering associated with facilities construction. The only
long-term consumption of ground water resources from the site will be that related to
evapotranspiration from vegetation included in the landscape design. During later phases of
development, a ground water well may be installed on the Glacier Town Center site to supply
additional water and water pressure to the city water lines.
The Glacier Town Center has been specifically and carefully designed and engineered to avoid
depletion or degradation of ground water or surface water resources, as discussed / presented in the
Hydrology Report that has been included in this package of submittal materials (Appendix G). The
site grading and the storm water runoff plan have been developed to ensure that storm water runoff
from the site will be appropriately treated (Appendix K).
Recharge of the deep ground water aquifer is from the mountains surrounding the Flathead Valley.
There will be no impacts, depletion or degradation of ground water in the deep alluvial aquifer.
Recharge of the shallow perched water table (found on 60 acres of the northeastern portion of the
site) is primarily from snowmelt infiltration. The stormwater drainage design will minimize
collection and ponding of snowmelt in that area, so that the shallow perched water table may be
somewhat impacted by the proposed development. Structures in the vicinity of the perched shallow
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aquifer will be designed to accommodate that relatively shallow (six-foot below ground surface)
ground water.
Part I -- Section 3. Topography, Geology and Soils
Figure 7 is a detailed topographic survey (1-foot contour interval) of the current configuration of the
proposed project site. The site is located on the upland that divides the lower Stillwater and lower
Whitefish river drainages. The Cover Photo from Google Earth shows an oblique aerial photograph
of the site with no vertical exaggeration, looking toward the south. The confluence of the two rivers
is 1.87 river miles south of the site.
The lowest point on the site is approximately 2960 feet above mean sea level, in the southeast corner
of the site on the eastern bank of the Stillwater River. The northern boundary of the parcel is close to
3030 feet above mean sea level (average slope of 1V:100H). The central portion of the site is a
relatively flat bench at 3020 feet above mean sea level. The slope from the Stillwater River
floodplain to the first terrace level is 7V:100H. There are two small conical hills within the parcel
(14 and 30 acres) that rise to approximately 45 feet above the main bench, with slopes that range
from 7V:100H to as much as 16V:10011. Areas of slopes >15% are identified on the Preliminary
Plat (Exhibits T and U). The small conical hills have been interpreted as kame features (Preliminary
Geotechnical Report, Appendix H), which are stratified supra -glacial deposits that are left as
positive topographic features after glacial ice has retreated.
Figure 8 illustrates the simplified regional geology of the vicinity of the proposed project site, as
reported on a geologic map by Smith (2004). The majority of the site is located in glacial outwash
deposits. Alluvial sediments are deposited across the floodplain of the incised Stillwater River.
There are fine-grained glacial lake sediments in the central -northeastern portion of the site. These
glacial and alluvial sedimentary deposits provide the parent materials for the soils that have
developed at the site, shown in the published soil survey map on Figure 9. There are no areas of
shallow bedrock on the proposed project site.
There are two small conical hills (kames), which have areas of potentially unstable or excessive
slopes. The smaller hill, adjacent to US Highway 93 (toward the northwest) will require cutting and
grading for efficient and effective development of the land in the highway corridor. The larger hill,
(toward the center of the parcel) will be incorporated into park / open space, relying primarily on
vegetation to stabilize the slopes. There is further information concerning the proposed grading
plan, and volumes / areas of cut and fill in the site grading and cut -and -fill figures (see Appendices
N and O) included in the package of submittal materials.
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There are no areas of shallow bedrock within the proposed development. There are no areas with
rock falls, slides or slumps, or rock outcroppings.
There is approximately 1000 square feet of a soil unit on the site that is susceptible to shrink -swell
(Depew silty clay loam) (MRCS, 2007). This unit is also considered to be prime farmland, and is
shown in turqouise on the map in Figure 9a. These soils will be replaced with appropriate soils if
design requires structures on that area.
The only soil units mapped within the parcel (MRCS, 2007) that may be highly erodible are shown
on Figure 9a. The majority of area of erodible soils is on the two small conical hills, the kame
desposits. There are two additional minor areas of erodible soils in the northwest and southeast
corners of the proposed project area. The grading plan and cut -and -fill -plan included in the Utility
Report (Appendix J) show that the same deposit areas will be cut to accommodate development.
Additional details of soil and engineering practices that may be required to address these features are
discussed in the Preliminary Geotechnical Report and Preliminary Soils Assessment that have been
included in this package of submittal materials (Appendix H and Appendix I). Best Management
Practices (BMPs), such as appropriate grading and vegetation establishment will preclude erosion
problems. and standard good operating procedures during construction will inhibit any nuisance dust
problems.
The proposed project site is in Seismic Hazard Zone 3 (Kalispell Uniform Building Code, 2007).
All buildings will be designed to the appropriate seismic engineering standard for this area.
Part I -- Section 4. Vegetation
The site is located within the Intermountain Grassland Ecosystem, and has been impacted by
agricultural development, including tilling. There are two main vegetation communities on the
proposed proj ect site: the riparian corridor of the Stillwater River, and the tilled and irrigated fields.
Figure 10 shows the vegetation communities currently present on the proposed project site. The
majority of the site is tilled, irrigated fields, and is characterized by agricultural and non-native
species. The area of vegetation in the riparian corridor of the Stillwater River is the only area in
which some natural community is present, and even that riparian corridor reflects cleared natural
communities and establishment of agricultural use on the flat areas; clearing and introduced species
in steeper or riverine fringe wetland areas; and invasive weed throughout. There are two windrows
of woody vegetation that in the northern portion of the site that were planted in the 1930's.
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The majority of the area of the proposed project site is cultivated fields. Wheat, alfalfa and hay
grasses are planted, irrigated and harvested. There are no noxious weed species infestations in the
agricultural fields.
The riparian corridor is set off from the majority of the site by 25-foot (vertical) slope that rises from
the floodplain surrounding the river to the terrace(s) and uplands that make up the majority of the
site. Flat and gently sloping areas of the riparian corridor surrounding the Stillwater River have
been used for agriculture at some time (cleared of woody and native species, sowed and harvested).
The steeper and / or wetter (riverine fringe) areas in which agricultural machinery could not be used
retain a more natural riparian scrub -shrub vegetation community.
The agricultural portion of the riparian corridor surrounding the Stillwater River, on the relatively
flat floodplain areas and more gentle slopes, is characterized by introduced species and grasses
typical of the Intermountain Grassland Ecosystem. The distribution of vegetation indicates that at
one time, the flat floodplain area was cleared and sown. Field work for this EA was performed in
April, so that complete and rigorous identification of herbaceous species was not possible. The
grasses appeared to be a mixture of reed canary grass with Idaho and rough fescue, smooth brome,
western wheatgrass, and slender wheatgrass. It appears that this area has not been recently sown or
harvested, and invasive and noxious weeds have become established throughout the grassy areas.
Noxious weeds present in the riparian grassy areas include up to 10% cover, including: Canada
thistle (Cirsium arvense), Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale), and minor tansy (Tanacetum
vulgare). There may be additional noxious weed species present in the riparian corridor that were
not obvious during the field investigation.
The areas of the riparian corridor that are either too steep or too wet (riverine fringe) to work with
agricultural equipment have not been cleared and are characterized by scrub -shrub riparian
vegetation. The overstory is primarily comprised of alder (Alnus incana) and willows (Salix spp).
The dominant scrub -shrub vegetation stratum is characterized by alder (Alnus incana), sandbar (and
other) willow (Salix exigua), red -osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), wood's rose (Rosa woodsii), and
serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis). The herbaceous understory in the scrub -shrub community is
extremely sparse, and is dominated by reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and smooth brome
(Bromus inermis). There are wooded areas dominated by Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir on the
slopes adjacent to the site, but not on site.
At least a 200-foot wide buffer with no construction or structures will be maintained adjacent to the
Stillwater River, as requested by MFWP (Mark Deleray, 2007, personal communication with Deb
Rosa, CTA). A 75-foot riparian vegetation buffer will remain untouched adjacent to the Stillwater
River. Existing wetland communities will be preserved. MFWP has noted that a pathway maybe
made outside of the 75-foot riparian vegetation buffer but within the 200-foot wide structural set-
back. There will be no impacts in the riparian corridor of the Stillwater River. Additional
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consideration may be given to a footbridge across the Stillwater River. All appropriate permits will
be received prior to potential construction of a footbridge.
The two windrows of mature trees and shrubs in the northern portion of the site will be protected and
preserved, incorporated into the landscape design for the proposed development.
There will be at least 72.3 acres of vegetated buffers, open space and park land. Landscaping will be
designed to minimize water use, reduce fire threats, inhibit the establishment of noxious weeds and
be conducive to appropriate wildlife -human interactions. For example, species attractive to large
mammals (bears, deer, etc) will not be planted near traffic areas or in areas anticipated to be subj ect
to frequent human use. The management agreements for both the residential and commercial areas
will stipulate that landscaping must be irrigated, that noxious weeds must be controlled/eradicated,
and that vegetation species used for landscaping will be those least susceptible to wildfire. The
Stillwater River riparian corridor will be preserved, with appropriate vegetation and vegetation
buffers, to provide wildlife cover and refuge. These concepts will be incorporated in the original
landscape design and maintained through common area management documents and covenants
(Appendices D and E). Management documents for the common areas and proposed park / open
space will guide the selection of landscape grass, forb, shrub and tree species. Weeds will be
managed throughout the development by weed control plans approved by the Flathead/Kalispell
Weed Control Board, as stipulated in the management documents and covenants (Appendices D and
E).
Part I -- Section 5. Wildlife
As discussed in Part 1— Section 4, there are two main different habitat (vegetation community) areas
on the proposed proj ect site: the riparian corridor of the Stillwater River, and the tilled and irrigated
fields. Within the agricultural area, there are two windrows that present refuge and a slightly
different habitat in a subset of the agricultural area. Aerial photos from 2005 show approximately
140 acres of wheat field, 335 acres of alfalfa and hay, and 7 acres of floodplain sown grassland and
riparian scrub/shrub. Figure 10 describes types of habitat and wildlife that are present upon or
currently use the proposed project site, as well as the vegetation communities previously discussed.
Figure 12 shows the location of wildlife habitat on the preliminary plat, and Figure 5 shows the
location of delineated wetlands and waters of the US on the proposed project site. The wetland
vegetation community is the only significant vegetation community and the riparian corridor is the
only significant habitat within the proposed project site (Kalispell, 2003; Flathead Lakers 2002,
2004). All buildings will be outside of a 200-foot setback from the Stillwater River, providing
protection for the riparian corridor. There will be a 75-foot vegetation buffer preserved at the edge
of the river. The only potential land use within the 200-foot set back is for a trail or footpath.
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The cultivated fields support small mammal and bird populations, and draw deer out of the riparian
corridor. Because the majority of the fields are tilled, planted, irrigated and cut/harvested, there is
episodic extreme disturbance that impacts species using the fields as habitat, so that the majority of
wildlife use is by small mammals and birds. When the hay and wheat are high, deer bed down in the
fields as well. The edges of the fields (along the windrow and external fence lines, road right of
way) experience less extreme disturbance and likely serve as refuges for the small mammals and
birds when the cultivated fields are being worked.
The Stillwater River riparian corridor is an important wildlife corridor, serving as a migration
pathway and refuge for wildlife. The riparian vegetation provides both refuge / cover and browse
for a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. It is commonly used by white -tail deer,
occasionally used by mule deer, and rarely used by black bear. Small mammals, including raccoons,
skunks and foxes likely live in and use the corridor. The trees and shrubs provide habitat for
numerous small bird species, and the river attracts water fowl.
The Stillwater River is a low gradient water body through the reach adj acent to the parcel of interest,
and has been ranked as a "substantial" fisheries resource by the MFWP. The site is approximately
1.87 river miles upstream from the confluence of the Whitefish River with the Stillwater River, and
approximately 6.07 river miles upstream from the mouth of the Stillwater River at its confluence
with the Flathead River (National Hydrologic Database distances, 2007). The full length of the
Stillwater River, from its headwaters to the confluence with the Flathead River, is 19.058 miles (MT
Fish, Wildlife and Parks distance, 2007).
Species and species populations in the reach of the Stillwater River that is adjacent to the proposed
development from the MFWP fisheries database (MFISH, 2007) are listed in Table 3.
Table 3. Stillwater River Fish Species and Populations, River Mile 6
Brook trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
Rare
Bull trout
Salvelinus confluentus
Rare
Lake trout
Salvelinus namaycush
No Data
Lake whitefish
Coregonus clupeaformis
No Data
Largescale sucker
Catostomus macrocheilus
Abundant
Longnose sucker
Catostomus catostomus
Abundant
Mountain whitefish
Prosopium williamsoni
Rare
Northern pike
Esox lucius
Rare
Northern pikeminnow
Ptychocheilus oregonensis
Common
Peamouth
Mlylocheilus caurinus
Abundant
Rainbow trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Rare
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Redside shiner
Richardsonius balteatus
Abundant
Slimy sculpin
Cottus cognatus
Common
Source: MRSH, 2007
The MFISH database also notes that the reach adjacent to the site is big game critical wintering /
spring area and that there are important river otter populations present in high relative densities.
Montana Species of Concern
The Montana Natural Heritage Program (MNHP) was contacted to determine the potential
occurrence or use of the parcel by any Montana Species of Concern. The response form the MNHP
is included in Appendix N of this package of submittal materials.
The Flathead drainage is inhabited by Bull Trout that occupy Flathead Lake as adults and then
migrate upstream to spawn in tributaries of the Middle and North Forks of the Flathead River. The
headwaters of the Stillwater River and Whitefish River are important spawning waters for Flathead
Lake Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus), and therefore the reaches of those two rivers in the vicinity
of the proposed project are important migration waterways for Bull Trout. Bull Trout is a state S2
species, which is "At risk because of very limited and potentially declining numbers, extent and/or
habitat, making it vulnerable to global extinction or extirpation in the state." The Bull Trout are a
sensitive species that do not tolerate high sediment levels in their spawning streams.
Because the Stillwater River is adjacent to the proposed project, there is potential for impacts to Bull
Trout due to the proposed project. There is potential for construction -related activities to increase
sedimentation to the stream. There is potential for long-term increase in runoff from an increased
area of impervious surfaces. There is potential for increased direct human disturbance to the stream
related to recreational use of the riparian corridor by potential residents of the proposed project.
The proposed design minimizes or mitigates potential impacts by preserving the riparian corriodor,
and using the approximate 7-acre parcel adjacent to the Stillwater River as park / open space. There
will be no building or stormwater retention withn the first two -hundred feet from the Ordinary High
Water Mark, as requested by MFWP (Mike Deleray, 2007, personal communication with Deb Rosa,
CTA). A 75-foot riparian vegetation buffer will remain untouched, and pathways will remain
outside this 75-foot buffer. The storm water runoff plan will ensure that no runoff reaches the
stream without appropriate treatment. Low impact development alternatives such as bioretnetion
cells, bioretnetion swales, and infiltrations basins may be implemented to mitigate surface -water
runoff throughout the project area. In view of mitigation measures that are implemented in the
proposed project design and property management documents, proj ect-related impacts "may affect,
not likely to adversely affect" (USFWS impact category) the bull trout.
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The parcel is within the potential range of the Long -billed Curlew (Numenious americanus), which
is a state S213 species. The S213 ranking indicates that the breeding population (B modifier) of a
species is "At risk because of very limited and potentially declining numbers, extent and/or habitat,
making it vulnerable to global extinction or extirpation in the state." The Long -billed Curlew nests
on relatively dry grasslands and winters in marshes and fields, lawns and beaches (Sibley, 2003).
The Long -billed Curlew breeds widely throughout the state, although it is more common east of the
Rocky Mountains. Long -billed Curlews prefer short grass habitat, commonly native prairies, but
occasionally use grazed mixed -grass communities (MF", 2005; MT Steering Committee
Intermountain West Joint Venture, 2005; Jones and others, 2003). Although there is potential for
Long -billed Curlews to use the proposed project site, it is unlikely to be used for breeding habitat
because of the extreme disturbance related to crop cultivation and grazing on the agricultural fields
within the proposed project site. Therefore, the proposed project will not impact Long -billed
Curlew.
Federally Listed Threatened and Endangered Species
The MDT evaluation of the Highway 93 corridor and recent re-evaluation of potential environmental
impacts of the proposed Kalispell Bypass (MDT, 1994 and 2005) found the potential occurrence for
two federally listed threatened and endangered species in the vicinity of the proposed project: the
American Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus).
Additional lists for Flathead County and literature reviews found that there is potential for Canada
lynx (Lynx canadensis), gray wolf (Canis lupus), and grizzly bear (Ursos arctos horribilis) to
potentially occur in the vicinity of the proposed project site as well.
The greater Kalispell area supports the highest density of nesting Bald Eagles in Montana. There are
no Bald Eagle nests within or in the near vicinty of the proposed project (2.5- to 3.5-mile MNHP
search radius). The proposed project does not lie within the primary use areas for any known Bald
Eagles. Bald Eagles are known to winter in the Kalispell vicinity, feeding primarily on fish,
waterfowl and carrion. Migrating Bald Eagles are also likely to use the Kalispell vicinity during
travel between summer and winter ranges.
Due to the distance of the proposed project site from any nest site, the proposed project is not
expected to substantively disturb any Bald Eagle activity. Abundant undisturbed, significantly better
alternative habitat exists in the vicinity of Kalispell. Vegetation in the riparian corridor will be
preserved. There will be no impacts to Bald Eagles due to the proposed project.
The Bull Trout was previously discussed as a Montana Species of Concern. US Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) will be consulted in order to assure that potential impacts to Bull Trout are
avoided or minimized.
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Canada lynx, gray wolf, and grizzly bear are threatened species that also occur in northwestern
Montana. However, due to the location of this proj ect within an urbanized area and the general lack
of suitable habitat for these species, it is unlikely that any of these species would occur near the
proposed project. For these reasons, any potential effects to these species would be negligible. The
proposed project would have no effect to Canada lynx, gray wolf, or grizzly bear.
Part I -- Section 6. History of the Site and Land Use
The historic center of the City of Kalispell, the intersection of the railroad with Main Street, is
approximately 2.8 miles south of the Glacier Town Center site. However, the City has grown
considerably, and the outermost city boundaries now extend 4.9 miles south and 2.0 miles north of
the proposed project site. The proposed project site is not currently annexed into the City of
Kalispell. Development in Kalispell has occurred around the highway corridor with recent
commercial expansion of business that require larger undeveloped parcels" (Kalispell, 2003; 2007).
Highway 93 North is the major transportation corridor between Kalispell and Whitefish.
The proposed project site has been in agricultural use since early settlement of the region. Both
published and oral resources indicate that it is unlikely that there has ever been any use of the
Glacier Town Center parcels except for farming and ranching since displacement of Native
Americans (Elwood, 1980; Van West, 1986; Spritzer, 1999; McKay, 2000).
Deed and Chain of Title research was performed by reviewing the chain of title for each of the
Glacier Town Center parcels in the plat book of the Flathead County Clerk and Recorder (Hyalite
Environmental, LLP, 2007). The land records for the parcels of interest were tracked and reviewed
to the point at which the deed trail could no longer be tracked without extensive research, due to
record -keeping methods that are not conducive to investigation (non -indexed deeds) or due to record
complexity such as parcels sold at sheriff's sale following a foreclosure. Where possible, the chain
of title was taken back to original patent. There is no evidence in the recorded documents for the
subject site of historic use for any purpose other than agricultural.
There are no known or recorded archeological, paleontological, historical or cultural sites on or in
the near vicinity of the proposed project. A cultural resource file search was conducted by the MT
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). SHPO records showed that there are no previously
recorded sites eligible National Register of Historic Places listing nor have there been any cultural
resources inventories performed in the immediate vicinity of the proposed project site.
Correspondence from SHPO is included in Appendix N.
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The proposed project site is currently in agricultural use (wheat, alfalfa), and is considered to be
"prime farmland if irrigated." Conversion of the land to commercial and residential, open space /
park and other mixed uses will remove the area from agricultural production.
The vicinity of the proposed project is included in the Kalispell Growth Policy (2003, as amended
through May 2007). On the current growth policy map for the vicinity of the proposed project, the
parcels of the proposed project site have been planned as "Mixed Use." It is anticipated that the
project will be annexed to the city.
Adjacent land uses are widely mixed. The Stillwater River riparian corridor, high -voltage power
line easement, and the cemetery lands adjacent to the proposed project site are intended as
"greenbelt." Areas west, northwest and northeast of the site are designated as suburban residential,
whereas the lands to the southwest is commercial (Loew's, Target, Costco), to the southeast is
industrial (Semi -Tool), and to the east and direct south is urban residential.
A traffic study has been carried out to determine the likely needs and impacts of the proposed
development, and is included in this package of submittal materials as Appendix L. Four full -
movement access drives will be built for the build -out of the Glacier Town Center. Additional
proposed access to the development will include a full -movement access on Whitefish Stage Road,
and additional access drives along Rose Crossing Road between US Highway 93 and Whitefish
Stage Road. The traffic impact study includes counts of current traffic, projections of traffic without
the proposed development, projections of traffic with the proposed development, and
recommendations for mitigation / accommodation of increased traffic.
According to the "Kalispell 2006 Construction, Subdivision and Annexation Report" (Kalispell,
2007), there were 349 new housing starts in 2006, down by 7.7 percent from 2005 and 27.3 percent
from 2004. City planners interpret this trend to indicate that "demand for single family housing
continues strong" and that there is "an increasing market for townhouses and multi -family units."
The majority of the new housing construction is occurring in recent subdivisions, located north and
northwest of the city.
In 2004 through 2006, major commercial construction activity occurred in the northern city along
Highway 93, southwest of the proposed project site. Commercial projects in the vicinity of the new
project have included Home Depot, Target, Borders Books, Pier One Imports, Petco, Lowe's,
Costco, and IHOP, Starbucks, Wells Fargo Bank, and hotel(s). A new fire station has been built n
the vicinity of the proposed project, and the new Glacier High School is being built just a little over
one mile west of the proposed project site.
The growth plan, census documents and commercial trends for the area north of Kalispell indicate
the ongoing need for new housing of different types, new office and professional space and new
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commercial retail space. However, while the surrounding development is evidence of need for these
services, the diverse mix of uses in thoughtful coordination as presented in this proposed project is
unique. The residential community would be anchored by a Community Center and parklands. The
adjacent retail services will have a stable core in the Lifestyle Center, which benefits from Wolford
Development's experience in creating successful retail centers and the preliminary commitments of
several prime retail tenants. The juxtaposition of different professional and commercial spaces with
the residential areas and Lifestyle Center offer a potential for reduced car travel and pedestrian life
styles. The Glacier Lifestyle Center is an outdoor and pedestrian -friendly shopping district with
anchor stores that provide an impetus for continued adjacent development by others. Currently,
residents of the Flathead Valley must travel to Spokane for comparable retail exposure.
There is currently an easement for high -voltage power lines across the proposed project site. The
existing high -voltage power lines will remain, and will be the only anticipated health or safety
hazard on the site. There is no anticipation of the future mixed -uses at the site creating a nuisance.
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Part II — Summary of Probable Impacts
The proposed use and number of lots or spaced of each type of residential and commercial unit
are listed on Table 1 and shown on Figure 3.
Part II -- Section 1. Effects on Agriculture
There are 2.65 acres of"Farmland of State -Wide Importance" (MRCS, 2007) within the 485 acres of
the proposed Glacier Town Center site (0.5%). That area is shown on Figure 10. However, 337
acres of the site are "Prime Farmland If Irrigated" (MRCS, 2007). 471 Acres of the 485-acre site
(97.5%) of the land has been in agriculture recently (hay and wheat). All of this land would be
removed from agricultural production.
Agricultural land south, west and north of the Glacier Town Center site has already been considered
or is currently being considered for development. However, it is likely that portions of the land
surrounding the Semitool facility will remain as an agricultural buffer between Semitool and
adjacent properties, so that the southeastern portion of the site may remain adjacent to agricultural
land. The land is owned by the Chief Executive Officer of the Semitool, and the farm manager for
the land does not know of any plans that the owner has except to keep the land in hay production in
the near future (Hyalite Environmental, LLP, 2007). There are advisements and stipulations in the
management documents to limit any nuisance problems that may arise from the adjacency of the
Glacier Town Center and these hay fields.
It is likely that in the long term, the value of the lands for development will strongly outpace the
value of the adjacent lands if they were to remain in agricultural use. The Kalispell Growth Policy
2020 (2003) projects that most of the land north of Kalispell along Highway 93 in the vicinity of the
Glacier Town Center will be developed.
Part II -- Section 2. Effects on Agricultural Water User Facilities
Discussions with adjacent landowners have shown that the only land adjacent to the proposed
proj ect that will remain in agricultural use (for at least the near future) are the hayfields surrounding
the Semitool facility on the southestern boundary of the site. As mentioned above, there are
stiuplations, advisements and mechanisms for complaint set up in the management documents to
avoid and mitigate any potential conflicts with agricultural use.
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The Semitool fields that are in agricultural use do not have any agricultural water user facilities that
cross the proposed project site. Currently, surface water rights for the Glacier Town Center parcels
are taken from the Stillwater River, pumped to the site via underground pipelines and distributed on
the fields via a wheel -line irrigation system. These water rights will most likely no longer be used
for irrigation. No agricultural water user facilities will remain on the Glacier Town Center site.
There will be no increase of vandalism to agricultural water user facilities and no possible nuisance
problems with regard to agricultural wateruser facilities associated with this proposed development.
Part II -- Section 3. Effects on Local Services
Table 1, Anticipated Distribution of Development Types, indicates the proposed use and number of
lots or spaces for each type of development. The exact development of the later phases is not
definite at this point. Details will be finalized and described on materials submitted for permitting of
those phases.
It is anticipated that the project will spur an additional cost for services such as roads, bridges law
enforcement, parks and recreation, fire protection etc. Historically and nationwide studies from
organizations such as the Brookings Institution and American Farmland Trust have shown that
residential construction below a certain amount of household price and density is a burden for a
community. However, commercial and industrial development generally have an immediate net
gain for a community and even -out over a 30-50 year period. The combination of commercial and
residential facilities in a multi -use development such as that proposed for the Glacier Town Center
mitigates the community impact of needed residential development with associated commercial
development. Agriculture and open space have long term net gains for communities because the
services required are much less.
The project will design and incorporate safe intersections, pedestrian walkways and roadways. The
developer will install and pay all costs for installation of roads within the commercial area and the
residential neighborhoods. The commercial center will retain ownership and maintenance
responsibility for the roads in that area. The roads in the residential areas will be owned and
maintained by the City of Kalispell. The developer is working with the Montana Department of
Transportation (MDT) to determine what upgrades will be needed to the roads adjacent to the
proposed project. The proposed project has been designed to support a pedestrian or bike lifestyle,
reducing automobile use of the community.
This project attempts to have a mixture of land use types. The significant open spaces within the
project area net benefit to the community. The developer is gifting a sizeable amount of land to the
parks and recreation department as well as capitol improvements for the park system. It is
anticipated that these gifts would include a 25-acre park and 5 acres to be used for a community
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center. Ongoing maintenance costs could be applied to property taxes or even impact fees currently
under review by the City.
The impacts to the sewer system are anticipated to be born completely by the users of the sewer
system and is a pay-as-you-go cost as users hook up to the system. It should be noted that another
developer is extending water and sanitary sewer along Highway 93 that the Town Center is
anticipated to use. This Glacier Town Center intends to drill at least one well for the project within
the later (third or fourth) construction phase. This will be used to provide pressure to the entire
system. It is anticipated that the cost will born by the developer.
A new fire station is contemplated within 3 years located in the Silverbrook subdivision north of the
project. The tax revenue of this commercial project will help pay for this new station's capitol and
manpower costs projected for this new station.
This project will ultimately impact the school system at full build -out. Because there is such a large
commercial component the impacts are significantly less than other developments in the area.
Typically there are 0.5 to 0.75 children per household in Flathead County. If there are
approximately 550 residential units planned over the course of the ten-year build -out, it is likely that
the project will cause an increase of 275 to 412 children to the school district in the next ten years.
It is anticipated that the city may need to hire additional police to patrol this 485 acre development at
full build -out. Recent projects in the northern Kalispell Highway 93 area have cited that 1.8
officers are needed for every 1,000 residents. Using the current anticipated development unit types
shown on Table 1, and the average household size of 2.5 people per household, the proposed project
will include 1,655 new residents through buildout, potentially requiring three new officers. Based
upon 2006 salary for a police office with one year of experience, three officers would cost
approximately $161,000 per year (2006 dollars).
It is anticipated that the proposed project will generate tax revenues that will pay for the support of
needed services, and will financially support the extension of services that are currently needed .
The proposed project is anticipated to create j obs and bring revenues into Kalispell from throughout
Flathead County and northwestern Montana. The proposed proj ect will significantly increase value -
related property taxes for the parcels within the Glacier Town Center, and likely some adjacent areas
as well.
This project is not expected to negatively impact any current mill levies or bond ratings. The
valuation of the property values due the commercial nature of this project could have a positive
impact on the City's bond rating.
As mentioned above, the project relies on the private extension of water and sewer along Highway
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93. These costs will be initially born by another, separate developer. However, the Glacier Town
Center developer anticipates providing added payments for the right to tap onto the system.
It is anticipated that the development will need to use separate sewer alignment for later phases of
the project (fourth and subsequent phases). These would follow Whitefish Stage Road and would
likely be born by private development similar to the Highway 93 corridor plan.
The assessed value of the parcels included in the Glacier Town Center project is currently $561,482
(2003 full reappraisal value, MT DOA, 2007). The anticipated value of the proj ect at build -out (full,
not assessed tax value) is $750 to $800 million. The 2006 tax revenues generated from the parcels
included in the proposed proj ect was: $83 5 county, $2,445 education, and $74 other (Soil and Water
Conservation and West Valley Fire), or $3,354 in property taxes. In 2006 dollars, tax rates and
approximated taxable values, the amount of taxes that the proposed proj ect would have paid in 2006
would have been (approximately): $33,800 county, $98,900 education, $3,000 other, for a total of
$135,700 in property taxes. [Note: amounts are a rough estimate based upon rates from the
Flathead County Tax Department.] The parcels, developed as proposed, will provide approximately
forty times the tax revenues of the current land use of the parcels.
Currently, impact fees for transportation, fire, police and parks are being contemplated in Kalispell.
Over the long haul, a conservative estimate of construction is about 1.5 million square feet of
commercial, 250,000 square feet of office space and 500 residential lots of varying sizes and costs.
If you apply a $225/square foot cost for the land and building cost for commercial and office, one
gets $350 million in construction costs and improvements. Assuming a residential valuation to the
project at $350,000 average price of a home, the total construction improvement is $150 million for
the residential components at final build -out.
It is proj ected that new real estate taxes would cover the costs of improvements to the system. There
are no special improvement districts contemplated as a part of the project.
Part II -- Section 4. Effects on the Historic or Natural Environment
As discussed in Part I -- Section 6, there are no cultural resources on the proposed project site or
adjacent properties that will be impacted by the proposed project.
As discussed in Part I -- Section 1, there will be no impacts to any natural stream bank. The
development will be served by public water and sewage, so that there will be no private septic
systems potentially impacting
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surface water or ground water. There will be no depletion of groundwater in the deep alluvial
aquifer on site since the development will be hooked up to City of Kalispell public water supplies.
There would be some use of ground water from the deep alluvial aquifer during later phases of the
development, when it is likely that a ground water well will be used as an additional source of water
and water pressure to the city water lines. As discussed in Part I -- Section 2, there will be minor
depletion of the discontinuous, shallow ground water aquifer located in sixty acres of the northwest
portion of the site, since this aquifer is recharged primarily by ponded snowmelt, which would be
limited by development. However, as noted previously, this is a small, discontinuous and seasonally
fluctuating shallow ground water source that is not appropriate for domestic or irrigation water
supply because of low yield and poor water quality. There is additional information concerning
ground water in Appendix G, the Hydrology Report.
The project will be designed and built in compliance with Montana Department of Environmental
Quality and City of Kalispell requirements for minimization and mitigation of storm water runoff
from hardscapes, so that the runoff volume from the development site will be no greater than the
runoff from the site pre -development for a 10-year, 6-hour storm event. Storm water runoff will be
captured and treated in low impact development alternatives such as bioretention cells, bioretention
swales and infiltration basins in conjunction with acceptable traditional storm water treatemetn and
disposal methodsc. Catch basins will include baffles to collect debris and provide oil/water
separation to improve the efficiency of the infiltration system. Additional information concerning
surface water runoff drainage and storm water controls are included in Appendix K, the Storm Water
Report. Culverts and stormwater conveyances will be sized to accommodate the flows that will
result from the design storm /rain events.
Grading required for development and the construction of roads will not create any increased
potential for erosion. There will be no contamination of soils by sewage treatment systems since the
development will be hooked up to City of Kalispell sewage treatment system.
Although unvegetated soils may be exposed during construction, there will be appropriate
construction standard operating procedures, dust control and Best Management Practices to
minimize any potential erosion from the unvegetated soils. After construction and the installation of
landscaping, there is likely to be much less potential for soil erosion on the developed project site
than in the agricultural fields that were previously harvested, tilled and sowed annually.
Part II -- Section 5. Effects on Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat
As described in Part I -- Section 5, 471 of the 485 acres of the Glacier Town Center site are
currently very limited wildlife habitat due to the episodic extreme disturbance of tilling, sowing,
cultivating and harvesting hay and wheat. Although the development will significantly increase
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human activity on the site, it will simultaneously significantly expand and improve available wildlife
habitat.
As shown on Figure 3, approximately 72.3 acres, 69 of which are currently agricultural land, will be
converted to open space / park with native species landscaping. There will be an increase in
diversity of habitat type due to incorporation of forbs, shrubs and trees throughout the development.
Fifteen hundred linear feet of the Stillwater River streambank and riparian corridor will be
preserved and protected.
It is anticipated that the property management documents will promulgate regulations and
restrictions for residential property owners' and tenants' pets. Dogs will be required to be leashed or
under control at all times. Cats are likely to have an impact on the small mammal and small bird
populations that will colonize the new habitat that will be created by the project landscaping in
vegetated buffers and open space. It is probable that there will be an overall balance of negative and
positive impacts on wildlife and wildlife habitat at the site, with the net change primarily a shift in
habitat type and the species using the site.
Part II -- Section 6. Effects on Public Health and Safety
The Glacier Town Center development will have a positive impact on public health and safety by
creating a development which uses City of Kalispell water and sewer, has a well designed, low
impact surface water and storm water drainage system..
There are two primary health and safety hazards adjacent to / on the proposed project site. These
include the high -capacity power line corridor/easement and the natural hazards presented by the
Stillwater River. The high -capacity powerline hazard will be mitigated by strict regulation of land
uses and actions in the adjacent areas. Analogously, the hazard presented by the Stillwater River
will be mitigated by preservation of a 200-foot set back from the river to any buildings or structures.
Any trails or parks within the proposed project will be designed, constructed, and maintained to
comply with all applicable regulations, which will further mitigate any potential risk to human health
or the environment.
Land use adjacent to the proposed project development includes agricultural, residential, industrial
and commercial areas. It is likely that the increased value of the property in the vicinity of the
Glacier Town Center will make the residential and commercial uses of adjacent lands more
prevalent. Adjacent agricultural lands are likely to be developed, and the industrial sites (such as
Sonju Industries, Hyalite Environmental, LLP, 2007) will be more likely to move to more
compatible locations rather than expand their facilities at their present sites.
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Part III -- Community Impact
Part III -- Section 1. Education and Busing
Students living in the Glacier Town Center development would attend Edgerton Elementary School,
Kalispell Junior High School and Flathead High School. Parents may apply for their children to
attend an elementary school other than Edgerton, the neighborhood Elementary School, but
acceptance of transfer is dependent upon available space.
The residential plan for the Glacier Town Center development includes 662 residential units. The
average household in Kalispell is 2.21 people, and 30.6% of the households in Kalispell (2000
Census) have children under eighteen. This suggests that the residential portions of the Glacier
Town Center will be homes to approximately 203 students. Alternatively, if the demographic data
for the county is used, the average number of children per household for Flathead County is 0.5 to
0.75. The Flathead County demographics would suggest that the Glacier Town Center will be
homes to as many as 497 students.
If the ages of these students is distributed evenly, this would be 62 to 153 students in grades 9-12
(Flathead High School District No. 5), and 141 to 344 students in grades K-8 (Kalispell Elementary
School District No. 5). This would be a 2.4% to 6.0% increase in the high school student body and a
5.7% to 14.0% increase in the elementary school student body. Using the 2006-2007 budget for the
school district, this would increase costs from $982,000 to $1,026,000 in entitlements, and $70,000
to $170,000 in transportation (busing) costs (School District No. 5 and Flathead High School
District, 2006).
The new high school facility has been designed to accommodate projected growth. Edgerton
Elementary School, on the other hand, is currently at or above design capacity. The impact of the
Glacier Town Center development to the elementary school is likely to require expansion of
elementary facilities.
Part III -- Section 2. Roads and Maintenance
The Glacier Town Center is anticipated to create more traffic along US Highway 93, West Reserve
Drive, and Whitefish Stage Road. The development team is currently working with MDT to
coordinate the project with improvements to the roads, intersections, signals, and signage on
roadways bounding the project site.
23
Environmental Assessment Hyalite Environmental, LLP
Glacier Town Center, Kalispell, Montana June 2007
It is anticipated that all internal project roads will be constructed by the developer. Following
construction, the roads within the Glacier Lifestyle Center will be owned and maintained by the
Glacier Lifestyle Center. All roads outside of the Glacier Lifestyle Center are to be owned and
maintained by the City of Kalispell. All roads will be constructed to comply with City of Kalispell
standards, and the relaxations requested within this application, should they be approved.
It is anticipated that the project developer would mitigate impacts to the adjacent roads. The Traffic
Impact Report (Appendix L) provides further information concerning likely roadway needs.
Part III -- Section 3. Water, Sewage and Solid Waste Facilities
The site will be supplied with drinking water and wastewater treatment by the City of Kalispell.
City utilities are being extended along Highway 93 beyond the Glacier Town Center site in the
summer of 2007. The specific needs and plans for water and sewage lines, and facilities within the
proposed development are presented in the Utility Report (Appendix J). The development team is
working with Kalispell Public Works personnel who have assured the developer that the City has
adequate capacity to service the project. All utility facilities will be designed and constructed to
meet or exceed the requirements of the City of Kalispell Standards for Design and Construction and
Montana Department of Environmental Quality Circulars 1 and 2.
The Utility Report (Appendix J) concludes that utility demand for Phase 1 can be met with the
infrastructure that will be in place at the time of development. Phase 2 can also be supported by this
infrastructure; however, the system would function better if another supply source was added.
Phases 3 through 5 will require additional infrastructure, however, they are not scheduled to be
developed until 2014-2020. Each phase will need to be reanalyzed prior to development
The Flathead County Solid Waste Landfill is managed by the Flathead County Solid Waste District
(SWD). The landfill has recently expanded its capacity and capabilities. The facility is a licensed
Type 11, III and IV facility and is projected to be sufficient for county needs for thirty to sixty years,
based upon Flathead County's projected growth rate (Flathead County SWD, 2006). The Glacier
Town Center design team has contacted Dave Prunty, the Director of the Flathead County SWD, and
a copy of correspondence dated May 21, 2007, is included in Appendix N.
Additional guidelines and restrictions concerning trash are included in the property management
documents. For example, all commercial buildings will provide at least one enclosed, screened trash
duinpster per building. All trash dumpsters shall be screened from view by durable enclosures, and
shall be animal proof. Trash will be emptied on a regular basis to insure sufficient room to store
trash at the end of each working day. Residential trash containers will be those approved by the
contracted trash collector and will be stored in a garage or shed.
24
Environmental Assessment Hyalite Environmental, LLP
Glacier Town Center, Kalispell, Montana June 2007
Part III -- Section 4. Fire and Police Protection
The Glacier Town Center development will be under the jurisdiction of the Kalispell Fire
Department. All structures within the development will be built to meet or exceed the protectiveness
of the Fire Protection Requirements of the Kalispell Fire Department, as enumerated in a letter from
DC Haas, Assistant Fire Chief/Prevention, to CTA Architects Engineers, dated May 24, 2007. This
letter is included in Appendix N of these submittal materials. Previous discussions with the Fire
Department have pointed out that new development will primarily impact personnel, requiring that
additional staff be hired. There will be some need for new facilities and equipment to expand the
capabilities of the fire department to cover the proposed development. It is anticipated that tax
revenues generated by the proposed development will cover these costs.
City water supplies will be available for fire fighting at the Glacier Town Center. Fire hydrants
connected to city water will be available throughout the development. It is anticipated that an
additional well will be needed to provide additional pressure to the system in later phases of
development.
The developer is currently working with the Kalispell Police Department to discuss law enforcement
concerns. As discussed previously in Section II Part 3, it is anticipated that at full buildout, the
proposed proj ect may require 3 additional police officers. The costs of the additional police officers
are anticipated to be paid through the increase in tax revenues that will be provided by the
development.
Ambulance service will be provided by the City of Kalispell Fire Department. Emergency medical
services will be provided by the Kalispell Regional Medical Center, which is located 3 miles from
the project site.
Part III -- Section 5. Parks and Recreation Facilities
An Open Space map is included as Exhibit K, and Parks Plan is included as Exhibit L. The prof ect
will have a main central park of approximately 25 acres. Amenities are anticipated to include a
pond, tennis courts playground, walking trails etc. The capital improvements will be phased in and
it is anticipated that the costs born by the developer. Perimeter linear parks that include trails,
benches and trash receptacles will be constructed and dedicated by the developer.
It is anticipated that parks will be dedicated to the City of Kalispell and maintained by the City
through taxpayer funds. It should be noted that the developer has agreed to donate a five -acre parcel
25
Environmental Assessment Hyalite Environmental, LLP
Glacier Town Center, Kalispell, Montana June 2007
of land for a new community center.
Part III -- Section 6. Payment for Extension of Capital Facilities
It is anticipated that the developer will pay for water and sanitary sewer on Hwy 93. In addition,
the first phase preliminary plat includes the construction of Rose Crossing to provide an ease -
west connection between Hwy 93 and Whitefish Stage Road.
26
Environmental Assessment Hyalite Environmental, LLP
Glacier Town Center, Kalispell, Montana June 2007
Signatures
Date
Wolford Development, LLC
26 West 6th Ave.
Helena, MT 59624
Date
CTA Architects Engineers
#2 Main Street, Suite 205
Kalispell, MT 59901
Date
Hyalite Environmental, LLP
PO BOX 90
Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730
27
Environmental Assessment Hyalite Environmental, LLP
Glacier Town Center, Kalispell, Montana June 2007
References Cited
CARES, 2006. "Assessing Ecological Economic Impacts of Landscape Change in Flathead County:
Powerpoint presentation of Final Results of Residential and commercial -Institutional -
Industrial Development (RECID) Model." Center for Agricultural, Resource and
Environmental Systems, University of Missouri -Columbia. Retrieved May 2007 from
http://www.cares.missouri.edu/montana/
DNRC — See Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
DuCharme, Lynn, 2002. "Flathead River Focus Watershed Coordinator." Project No. 1996-
08701, (BPA Report DOWBP-00004374-1).
Environmental Protection Agency, 2007. "305(b) Lists / Assessment Unit Information Year
2002." http://iaspub.epa.gov/tmdl/enviro)v2.wcontrol?p_id305b=MT76O002_020
Federal Emergency Management Administration, 1992. "Flood Insurance Rate Map, Flathead
County, Montana (unincorporated areas), Panel 1805 of 3425." Community Panel
Number 300023-1805D.
FEMA — see Federal Emergency Management Agency
Flathead Basin Commission, 2007. "Accomplishments and Trends."
http://www.flatheadbasincommission.org/accomplish.htm
Flathead Lakers, 2002. "Critical Lands Status Report: The North Flathead Valley & The
Flathead River Corridor."
http://www.flatheadlakers.org/about_us/stewardship project/critical_ lands/Critical%20la
nds%20Proj ect.pdf
Flathead Lakers, 2004. "Critical Lands Status Report Update."
http://www.flatheadlakers.org/publications_ maps/reports/Critical%20Lands%20 Status%
20Report%2OUpdate%202004. pdf
Flathead Solid Waste District, 2006. "2006 Solid Waste Report." Retrieved May 2007 from
http://www. co.flathead.mt.us/waste/wastereport/06%2OAnnual%2OReport%20pdf. pdf
Hyalite Environmental, LLP, 2007. "Phase I Environmental Assessment Report, Glacier Town
Center, Kalispell, MT." Prepared for CTA Engineers and Architects for Wolford
Development, Inc., April 2007.
28
Environmental Assessment Hyalite Environmental, LLP
Glacier Town Center, Kalispell, Montana June 2007
Jones, Stephanie L., Thomas R. Stanley, Susan K. Skagen, and Roland L. Redmond, 2003.
"Long Billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) Rangewide Survey and Monitoring
Guidelines." US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Kalispell, City of, 2007. "Construction, Subdivision and Annexation Report 2006." Retrieved
May 2007 from http://www.kalispell.com/downloads/kal06report.pdf
Kalispell, City Planning Department, 2007. "Kalispell, Montana: 2006 Construction, Subdivision
and Annexation Report." Retrieved May 2007 from http://www.kalispell.com/downloads/
kal06report.pdf
Kalispell, City Planning Department, 2003. "Kalispell Growth Policy 2020." Retrieved May
2007 from http://www.kalispell.com/planning/growth_policy.cfm .
LaFave, John I., Larry N. Smith, and Thomas W. Patton, 2004, "Ground -Water Resources of the
Flathead Lake Area: Flathead, Lake, Missoula, and Sanders Counties, Montana,"
Montana Ground Water Assessment Atlas 2, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology,
Butte, MT.
MFISH, 2007. Montana Fisheries Database,
http://maps2. nris. state.mt.us/WIS/NIF'ISHApp/FullReport2. asp? Str=Stillwater+River&Tr
ib=Flathead
Montana Department of Administration, 2007. Cadastral database, retrieved May 2007 from
Montana Department of Environmental Quality, 2007. "303(d) List." (1996 and 2000 lists
available.) http://deq.mt.gov/CWAIC/default.aspx
Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, 2007. "Water Rights Division,
Water Rights for Kalispell Region, Ownership Report." Retrieved April, 2007 from
http://dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_rts/wr_reports/kali spell/kali spell_owner.txt
Montana Department of Transportation, 2006. "Re-evaluation (for the Kalispell Bypass only)
US Highway 93 — Somers to Whitefish West Final Environmental Impact Statement and
Final Section 4(f) Statement." Project NH 5-3(59)109, Kalispell Bypass, Control No.
2038. July 13, 2006.
Montana Department of Transportation, 2005. "Request for FHWA concurrence that Project
BR9015(44) Flathead River Bridge, Control No. 4229, meets the criteria for
29
Environmental Assessment Hyalite Environmental, LLP
Glacier Town Center, Kalispell, Montana June 2007
classification as a Categorical Exclusion." Letter to Janice W. Brown, FHWA, from
Thomas L Hansen, MDT, dated May 12, 2005.
Montana Department of Transportation, 1994. "US Highway 93 — Somers to Whitefish West
Final Environmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Statement." September 12,
1994.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 2007. Rivermiles, retrieved May 2007 from
http://nris.state.mt.us/gis/
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 2005. "Long -billed curlew" in Comprehensive Fish and
Wildlife Conservation StratUy, p 286-287.
http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/cfwcs/strategy.html
Montana Steering Committee Intermountain West Joint Venture, 2005. "Coordinated
Implementation Plan for Bird Conservation in Western Montana."
National Hydrology Database, 2007. Retrieved May 2007 from http://nris.state.mt.us/gis/
Natural Resource Conservation Service, 2007. Soil maps and soil data for the Kalispell region
of Flathead County, retrieved May 2007 from http://soildatamart.nres.usda.gov/.
School District No. 5 and Flathead High School District, 2006. "Kalispell School District No. 5
and Flathead High School District No. 5 2006-2007 Final Budget Information." August
15, 2006.
Sibley, David Allen, 2003. "The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America."
Alfred A. Knopf, NY.
Smith, Larry, 2004. "Surficial Geologic Map of the upper Flathead River valley (Kalispell
valley) Area, Flathead County, Northwestern Montana." Montana Bureau of Mines and
Geology Ground -Water Assessment Atlas No. 2, Part B, Map 6.
Surface Transportation Board, 2002. "Environmental Assessment, Burlington Northern and Sata
Fe Railway Company Abandonment Exemption in Flathead County, MT." Surface
Transportation Board Decision Document AB-6-392-X.
Spence, William L., 2007. "Deal Done," Daily Interlake, February 14, 2007. May be retrieved
from http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articles/2007/02/14/news/news0l.prt
30
Environmental Assessment Hyalite Environmental, LLP
Glacier Town Center, Kalispell, Montana June 2007
US Geological Survey, 1955. "General Surficial Geology of Montana." Paper map published
1955, digital data 1998. Retrieved from http://nris.mt.gov/nsdi/shape/geology55.zip on
February, 2007.
USGS — see US Geological Survey
31
Environmental Assessment Hyalite Environmental, LLP
Glacier Town Center, Kalispell, Montana June 2007
Figures Section
32
Environmental Assessment Hyalite Environmental, LLP
Glacier Town Center, Kalispell, Montana June 2007
I
I
Glacier Town Center r
' M
26
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28
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Figure 1. Location of site
SPI 04 500 1000 e�.j May 25, 2004. Parcel boundaries approximated froiiWe.0-T I art-
.ment of Administration cadastral database, January 2007. Figure compiled
.�-Of, by Hyalite Environmental, LLP.
Figure 2. 2004 Aerial photo of site
Figure 3. Proposed Glacier Town Center Conceptual Lavout
1.5 AC 1.4 AC
2.9 AC 2.2 AC 3.2 AC
3.2 AC
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410
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o 15o 300 600
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8.6 AC
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BUFFER
v WEST RESERVE DRIVE
Glacier Town Center
■ Conceptual Layout B ■
Kalispell, Montana
50'BUFFER
1.8 AC
Legend
®
Town Center
(58.4 Acres)
Town Center/ Future Development
Commercial
(117.8 Acres)
Mixed Use
(41.3 Acres)
Community Center
(5.0 Acres)
Multi -Family
(17.0 Acres 160 Units)
Single Family (6000-7000 sq.ft.)
(25. Acres 152 Units)
Single Family (7000-9000 sq.ft.)
(26.9 Acres 133 Units)
0
Single Family (1/4 Acre)
(5.8 Acres 21 Units)
Open Space/Parks
(84.0 Acres)
rTI
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griculture -- Farm SAices Agency,
❑ Water right -- point of diversion " Stream reaches from the
a r atabase (NM) andAIT Fish
WildlifeandParks (MFWP) database. Water right
NHD stream reach ..�
data from the MTNatural Resource Conservation
MFWP stream reach Servide, X( ruary2007. Figure compiled by
Hyalite Environmental, LLP.
Figure 4. Surface water features and water rights in the vicinity of the proposed project
An
WL-
0.32
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Figure 5. Delineated wetlands and waters of the US
Topographic survey data provided by CTA.
Wetland delineation by Hyalite Environ-
mental, LLP. Figure compiled by Hyalite
Environmental, LLP.
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Figure 7. Topographic survey of proposed
project site
Key to Symbols
-- Contact, dashed where approximate
Stream
Road
--' Township boundary, section boundary
Population center
Marsh
AW Lake or reservoir
5 Location where geologic notes were recorded, photographs taken, and/or a vertical
4 section was described.
GLACIOFLUVIAL CHANNEL Channelized depressions recognized from aerial
photographs and topographic expression; associated with deposits of glacial outwash
in some areas; multiple types of channels are represented: ice -marginal channels;
irregular linear erosional channels formed by channelized flow next to, or partially
beneath the lateral margins of glaciers; commonly form notches, meander loops, and
some integrated drainage networks in bedrock or till that then may have become
modem streams; some contain series of internally drained depressions (pools formed
by scour). Abandoned alLrvial channels: channel traces in unconsolidated deposits
that show the positions of abandoned distributary channels across outwash. Paleoflood
channels: channels formed predominantly in bedrock or till formed by catastrophic
releases of water.
- CREST OF DEPOSITIONAL LANDFORM - Ridgetops of landfomrs formed on
Pleistocene or Holocene sediment; multiple types of landforms are represented:
Drumlins and moraines: mostly oriented parallel to glacier -flow directions, in till
deposits; Kames: conical and elongate ridges, in ice -contact deposits; Disintegration
ridges: elongate, sinuous and intersecting ridges, in ablation till (Gravenor and
Kupseh, 1959; Flint, 1971; Goldthwait, 1975); Eolian dunes: crests of stabilized
dunes, in eolian sand; Debris -flow levees: ridges formed parallel to margins of debris
flows, rare in ablation till and ice -contact [deposits in areas of high relief.
Correlation of Units
Allusium
Eolian
Alluvial Fan Landslide Lacustrine TN sad Ice Contact
and Ouwwash
aldo
P
Deposits
H
Deposits
Qaf
Deposits Deposits Deposits
Qlk
RQI
)
Qgo
Qgls
Holocene
Qgl Qgt
Qgi Qoe
1
Qgt
/
\
Pleistocene
QTs
Kishenehn Forrnution
\/
Eocene -
FilMiocene
-
Belt Supergroup
Middle
Ybe
Proterozoic
Description of Map Units
Qal ALLUVIUM OF MODERN CHANNELS AND FLOODPLAINS (Holocene) - Light to medium brown and grayish brown sand and silt,
and lesser amounts of pebbles, cobbles, and clay along active stream valleys and areas of sheetwash; contains minor amount of colluvium
along the bases of steep slopes; thicknesses average 30 feet, but reach 90 feet in paleochatmels south and southeast of Kalispel I; ,ground
water commonly near land surface; produces significant quantities of water.
Qaf ALLUVIAL FAN DEPOSIT (Holocene) Grayish brown and light to dark yellowish brown sand, silt, pebbles, cobbles, and boulders
deposited in fan -shaped landforms downslope from canyon months: thicknesses range from 1 to 60 feet; ground water commonly near
land surface; locally produces water.
Qc EOLIAN DEPOSIT (Holocene) - Dark to light yellowish brown fine and very fine-grained well sorted sand deposited as eolian dunes and
sand sheets; grains mostly of quartz with common argillic or calcareous rock fragments; pebble -sized clasts of argillile, quartzite, and
weakly consolidated siltstone occur as rare particles in deposits and locally. as layers on or near the ground surface; a distinctive bed of
white to very pale orange volcanic ash (Glacier Peak ash, dated at 11,200 1C yr; Carrara, 1995) occurs within or near the base; bedding
is massive where the unit is thin, but wind -ripple cross -laminations and large-scale sandflow cross stratification are common in thicker
deposits; the deposit is truncated near stream courses by alluvium; soils occur at the surface and buried within the deposit; cane forms
are poorly preserved due to modification during stabilization and post -depositional erosion; thickness ranges from I to 40 feet; water table
is typically below the unit, but the unit may be saturated seasonally; not known to produce significant quantities of water.
Qlk LAKE DEPOSIT (Holocene) - Mostly calcareous silt, clay, and organic debris deposited in perennial and ephemeral lakes; includes minor
amounts of sand and gravel; distribution of unit inferred beneath lakes and marshes; thickness unknown, but likely 1-30 feet; ground water
commonly near land surface; not known to produce water.
Qls LANDSLIDE DEPOSIT (Holocene and upper Pleistocene) - Boulders, cobbles, and pebbles in a light to dark brown matrix of sand and
silt; clasts arc mostly angular and subangular; deposited by gravity sliding to an area near the base of a hill or mountain slope; surface of
unit is typically hummocky and lobate in form; thickness ranges from 1 to 80 feet; ground water commonly near land, surface; locally
produces water.
Qan ALLUVIUM. OLDER (Holocene) - Light to dark brown and grayish brown sand, pebbles, cobbles, and minor silt and clay; upper surface
fors terraces near major stream valleys; topographic position intermediate between active strewn valleys and areas of outwash deposition;
thickness ranges from I to 40 feet; ground water commonly near land surface; produces significant quantities of water.
(}go GLACIAL OUTW ASH DEPOSIT (upper Pleistocene) - Light brownish gray and light to dark brown stratified gravel, sand, and silt; clasts
of calcareous siitite. quartzite, intrusive igneous rocks, sandstone, and Alistone: well stratified, channelized,' and cross stratificd with
lenticular beds of imbricated cobbles and pebbles: rare boulders and larger clasts indicate ice -rafting: upper surface is broad and even with
local closed depressions and abandoned glacio-fluvial channels; thicknesses average 50 feet and are locally more than 140 feet: ground
water commonly near land surface; produces significant quantities ofwaicr_
Qgl GLACIAL LAKE DEPOSIT (upper Pleistocene) - Light yellowish brown, pate brown, and light brownish gray, calcareous fine sandy
silt, clayey silt, and minor clay; thin to medium laminations rhythmically alternate between darker -colored clay -rich laminae and lighter -
colored and thicker silty and sandy laminae; deposit has broad, even surfaces except for few closed depressions; deposited from suspension
in pro -glacial lakes formed behind glacial moraines; thicknesses average 100 feet and are locally greater than 270 feet; typically water -
saturated, but produces little water to wells.
Qgls GLACIAL LAKE DEPOSIT, SANDY (upper Pleistocene) - Light yellowish brown fine to medium -grained sand, conglomerate, sandy
silt, silt, and minor clay: similar to Qgl, but consists predominantly afsand with lesser amounts of rhythmically laminated clay and silty
and sandy laminae; lenticular granule, pebble, and cobble conglomerate locally overlies beds displaying soft -sediment deformation;
deposited in nearshore environments in pro -glacial lakes; deposits have broad, flat surfaces and few closed depressions; thicknesses average
50 feet but locally are more than 150 feet; typically water -saturated, but only locally productive to water wells.
Qgt GLACIAL TILL (upper Pleistocene) - Predominately granules, pebbles, cabbies, and boulders supported by a matrix of light gray, light
brownish gray_ pale yellowish brown, grayish orange, and pale brown, compact sandy or silty loam (diamicton) deposited by active glacial
ice; minor amounts ofstraiifred sand and gravel (stratified drift) deposited by flowing water; clast lithologies include light and medium
bluish gray metacarbonate, white weathered metacarbonate, fine-grained quartzite, argillitc, diorite, and distinctive cobbles of dark gray
to black basalt with amygdules filled with white quartz that contains r_iany fluid inclusions, apparently derived front the Purcell Lava of
die Belt Supergroup, which is present in. Glacier National Park and the Whitefish Range to about 10 miles north of Columbia Falls (Johns,
1970; McGimsey, 1985); clasts typically rounded and subroundc& more resistant clasts are commonly striated; crests of glacial landforms
include drumlins and moraines; occurs as a veneer over Belt Supergroup rocks in most mountainous areas; glaciotluvial channels cut across
the unit and some of the drumlins and moraines; thicknesses average 90 feet and are locally more than 250 feet; typically waxer -saturated,
but produces little water to wells except from bodies of stratified drift.
Qg[a GLACIAL TILL, ABLATION DEPOSIT (upper Pleistocene) -Granule, pebble, and cobble conglomerate, and lesser amounts of light
gray, light brownish gray, pale yellowish brown, grayish orange, and pale brown, compact beds of diamicton and stratified beds of sand;
imerstratified complex of massive till, poorly bedded ice -contact deposits, and well -stratified drift; formed during disintegration of glacial
icc; characterized by knob and kettle topography with some elongated crests of glacial landforms representing crevasse -fills, esker, and
kamcs; thicknesses range from 1 to 130 feet; although lateral and vertical variations in lithology affect potential for ground -water dev°eloprrnnt,
typically produces water to wells in most locations.
r GLACIAL ESKER DEPOSIT (upper Pleistocene) - Pebbles, cobbles, boulders, and some light to medium brown sand; most clasts are
well rounded cobbles; some exposures display horizontal bedding; clasts of grayish black to medium dark gray mctacarbouate, argillite,
light gray and medium gray bedded quartzite, weathered calcareous mudstone, and distinctive cobbles of dark gray to black basalt (Purcell
Lava); forms narrow, sinuous ridges; thicknesses range from i to 60 feet; ground -water levels typically below the unit, but the unit may
be saturated. seasonally; the unit is not known to produce significant quantities of water.
GLACIAL ICt-CONTACT DLPOS1"I (upper Pleistocene) - Light to dark brown and brownish gay pebble and cobble conglomerate with
lesser amounts of laminated silt and clay, bedded sand. diamicton, and boulder conglomerate; chast lithologies dominated by rounded and
subrounded argillitc, melacarbonate, and quartAte with minor siltsionc, sandstone. fossiliferous limestone, and distinctive cobbles ofdark
gray to black basalt (Purcell Lava); beds ofdiffereni.. hthologics arc superimposed and cross cutting, foaming complex sequences; sof-
and frozen-scdiment rotational and collapse features arc common; conglomerates display large- and very large-scale tabular and trough
cross -stratification, crude horizomal stratification in a matrix or granules and coarse -grained sand. and, class imbrication; laminated silt
and clay sequences are mostly less than a few feet thick and discontinuous in outcrop; sand occurs in cross -stratified, upward -inning beds.
and as apparently massive, well -sorted beds with intercalated silt and clay laminae that show collapse structures; diamictons are typically
less than a few feet thick and occur as sheet -like bodies and dipping beds apparently dcpositcd by debris flows; farms individual ennical
and stream -lined hills (kames 1, Flan -topped ridges (kame terraces). and linear deposits (crevasse-GILs), and hummocky topography (Gravenor
and Kupsch, 1959: Flint, 1971 Cnldthwaii, 1975): changing proportion of lithologies causes unit to grade into arras mappped as till, ablation
deposits, and glacial esker deposits; thicknesses range from I to 150 feet; lateral and vertical variations in litlwlogy.fleet potential for
ground -water development in the unit: typically productive to water wells in most locations.
Qgo GLACIAL OUTWASH DEPOSIT, OLDER (Pleistocene) - Light medium brown, yellowish brown, and brownish gray granule, pebble,
and boulder conglomerate and coarse -grained sand; local calcium carbonate cement; clasts of quartzite and meta -carbonate; trough cross -
stratified and chamhelized beds; clasts are imbricated; crops out beneath till in steep exposures in the northeastern part of the map area;
exposed thicknesses are about 100 feet (sec 7 DDB, T. 31 N., R. 19 W.); based on its location below till the unit correlates to upper part
of the deep aquifer north of Flathead Lake.
QTs QUATERNARY OR TERTIARY SEDIMENT (Pleistocene or Tertiary)- Pate yellowish orange to grayish orange (dry), moderate to dark
yellowish orange (moist) stony clay loam (diamicton); clasts include weathered meta -carbonate and argillite; unit inftlls wide fractures in
Belt Supergroup bedrock and occurs beneath light brown unweathered till in limited areas; diamicton may be either an older till (Stoffel,
1980) or Tertiary debris flow deposits (P. C. Ryan, written comm., 1999); exposed thickness about 30 feet; subsurface distribution and
aquifer potential of the unit is poorly known, however its clayey texture suggests the unit is not an aquifer.
KISHENEHN FORMATION (upper Eocene -Miocene) - Yellowish brown to orange medium and coarse -grained pebbly sandstone with
pieces of carbonized wood fragments, pebble and cobble conglomerate, beds of carbonaceous shale, and light olive gray, dusky moderate
yellow, and grayish orange mudstone; conglomerate with silty, sandy matrix, well and moderately rounded clasts of argillite, quartzite.
and orange siltstone; horizontal bedding and imbricated fabric; sandstone and conglomerate beds have channelized, erosional bases;
mudstones have common scoop -shaped, concaveup fractures; moderately indurated with calcium carbonate cement calcium carbonate
occurs locally as 0,04-0.2" thick rinds on clasts; steeply dipping, cemented fractures in sandstones; about 120 feet of section crops out in
steep exposures (Constenius, 1988); water wells completed in sandstone and conglomerate yield adequate supplies of water for household
use in a few parts of the northeastern part of the map area and in the valley of the North Fork of the Flathead River.
BELT SUPERGROUP ROCKS. UNDIVIDED (Precambrian Y) - Numerous stratigraphic units composed mostly of siltite, metacarbonate,
and quartzite flohns, 1970, Winston, 1986; Harrison and others, 1992, 1998) and minor amount ofigneous rocks (McGimsey, 1985); water
wells completed in fractured zones yield adequate supplies for household use.
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Agricultural land -- cultivated
Windrow
Riparian corridor
Natural color aerial photo from US Department of
Agriculture — Farm Services Agency, flown August
2005. Vegetation and wildlife habitat mapping by
Hyalite Environmental, LLP. Figure compiled by
Hyalite Environmental, LLP.
Stillwater River: Brook trout, bull trout, lake trout, lake whitefish, largescale sucker, longnose sucker, mountain whitefish, northern pike,
northern pikeminnow, peamouth, rainbow trout, redside shiner, slimy sculpin
Riparian corridor: Vegetation — alder and willow, reed canary grass, downy brome, wheat grasses; Wildlife -- white tail deer, common
small mammals, brids, amphibians and reptiles
Agricultural land -- cultivated: Vegetation -- wheat, alfalfa and hay; Wildlife -- white -tail deer, small mammals, small birds
Windrow: Vegetation -- Douglass fir, non-native deciduous trees and shrubs; Wildlife -- small mammals and bird species
Figure 11. Vegetation and wildlife
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Legend
: 0 Windrow
0 Riparian Corridor
j 0 Agriculture
i Stillwater River: Brook trout, bull trout, lake trout,
lake whitefish, largescale sucker, longnose sucker,
jmountain whitefish, norhtern pike, northern pikeminnow,
peamout, rainbow trout, redside shiner, slimy sculpin
f Riparian Corridor:
'i Vegetation: alder and willow, reed canary grass, downy
brome, wheat grasses
\ I Wildlife: white tail deer, common small mammals, birds,
amphibians and reptiles
Agricultural Land:
Vegetation: cultivated wheat, alfalfa and hay
` Wildlife: white tail deer, small mammals, small birds,
Windrow:
jVegetation: Douglas fir, non-native deciduous trees shrubs
Wildlife: small mammals and bird species
Glacier Town Center
•Vegetative Cover i
yM June 4, 2007
NORTH Kalispell, Montana