Hunter survey final report, Phase I - baseline study. Garrison-Spokane 500-kV transmission project

Technical Report · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6029453

Allen, S

The State of Montana, in cooperation with the US Forest Service and the Bonneville Power Administration, is conducting a five-year study on the impacts on elk security habitat and hunter opportunity in western Montana of a 500 kV transmission line. Potential impacts stem from the new and upgraded access roads required for the line, which may reduce summer/fall security habitat and make hunting areas less remote. The line itself could affect the aesthetics of popular hunting areas located along the route. As part of this monitoring program, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is surveying hunters at seven check stations in the project's two study areas. The hunter survey research has three phases. Phase I was conducted in fall, 1983, to collect baseline data on hunting use and quality in the study areas. After the line is constructed and energized, the Phase II survey, scheduled for fall, 1985, will test hypotheses developed from baseline data to assess the project's impacts on hunting use. During Phase III, scheduled for fall, 1986, the persistence of any impacts identified will be measured. Reports from each phase will be issued to the Interagency Wildlife Technical Committee (chaired by the Bonneville Power Administration). The data will also be used by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, both to help manage elk and to assist in US Forest Service Land management planning. Over 600 hunters were interviewed using a questionnaire developed by DNRC and reviewed extensively by state and federal agencies. The survey form contained questions on hunters' reasons for choosing the study areas as places to hunt, hunting success and related information, previous hunting experience, hunting area evaluations, place of residence, and age. The data were tabulated to describe the 1983 baseline data, and then subjected to cluster analysis. 36 references, 1 figure, 9 tables. (ACR)

• Research Organization: Montana Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation, Helena (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6029453
• Report Number(s): DOE/BP-16380-1; ON: DE85009343
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
HUMAN POPULATIONS
BEHAVIOR
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
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DEER
LAND USE
MONTANA
PREDATOR-PREY INTERACTIONS
ANIMALS
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MAMMALS
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530100* - Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies- Social & Economic Studies- (-1989)