Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is moving forward with plans to renovate 49 acres and restore productive alfalfa hay on a section of the Foy’s Bend Fisheries Conservation Area southeast of Kalispell.

To achieve the project at no cost to the department, FWP will lease hay fields to a local grower who, over a four-year period, will transition acreage back into productive alfalfa hay fields. The fields were planted more than 15 years ago, and the alfalfa has run out and is no longer competitive against invading weeds.

FWP is requesting proposals from qualified applicants for the agricultural lease on the 49 acres. The lease term will run from Sept. 3, 2018, through Sept. 15, 2022. The lessee will keep some or all the resulting agricultural crops for his/her own possession and use through the duration of the lease. Required qualifications, evaluation criteria, and description of services can be obtained by contacting Franz Ingelfinger, Restoration Ecologist, FWP, 490 N Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901, (406) 751-4580, fingelfinger@mt.gov.

FWP recently completed an environmental assessment for the project. After reviewing all the public comments and other relevant information, and evaluating environmental effects, FWP approved the renovation and four-year lease of alfalfa fields.

In May 2009, FWP purchased approximately 245 acres on Foy’s Bend of the Flathead River a few miles below the Old Steel Bridge in Evergreen. The property, now known as the Foy’s Bend Fisheries Conservation Area, was purchased using funds provided by the Bonneville Power Administration for the express purpose of protecting and enhancing resident fish habitat to help mitigate fish habitat losses associated with the construction of Hungry Horse Dam. The purpose of the Foy’s Bend FCA is to preserve, create, enhance, restore, and protect the functional values of riparian lands, wetlands, and uplands for the benefit of fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, floodwater retention, groundwater recharge, open space, aesthetic values, and environmental education.

Copies of the latest decision notice are available at the FWP office, 490 N. Meridian Rd., Kalispell; Montana State Library, 1515 E 6th Ave., Helena; FWP State Headquarters, 1420 E 6th Ave., Helena; the FWP website; and available for viewing at local libraries.