|
 Foust Farms, Moiese, Montana. The slough visible near the bottom of the photo and the green irrigated pasture behind it, as well as the brown former irrigated cropland area are included in the Foust Wetlands Reserve Program easement and planned for renovation.
Many of those who helped make the Foust Wetlands Reserve easement a reality gathered at the site July 26, 2016 to celebrate.
Arnold Foust, left, describes planned renovations in the slough area of the Foust WRP easement.
|
“This is a dream come true,” says Everett Foust of the new conservation easement on his family’s property.
Some of the many individuals and organizations that worked together to make that dream a reality gathered at the site on July 26th to honor the Foust family for their conservation excellence. In addition to the Foust family, participants included representatives of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Montana Association of Land Trusts (MALT), Five Valleys Land Trust, Ducks Unlimited, Montana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Lake County Conservation District, and others. As Everett Foust stated during the event, “Everyone has had a part in bringing this together.”
The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easement “fits our plan perfectly,” says Foust. The Fousts had been exploring conservation options for several years and decided to apply to the WRP in 2012. A key factor in that decision was making the easement a part of their active agricultural operation. The WRP is a voluntary conservation easement program under the 2008 Farm Bill that helps landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. Since 2012, NRCS and other partners have been working with the Foust Family to complete the easement acquisition. The acquisition was completed this past winter and restoration activities broke ground this summer.
The Foust easement is located in a unique floodplain ecosystem in the Lower Flathead River area near the National Bison Range in northwestern Montana. The easement includes more than a mile of riverfront on the Flathead River, which provides exceptional recreational value. Designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1976, the Flathead River and its associated wetlands are home to many different fish and wildlife species.
The spring-fed wetland habitat that exists on the Foust property and its connection with the Flathead River and adjacent agricultural fields play a significant role in the life history of not only resident waterfowl populations in the Mission Valley, but also to those that use the area on their annual migrations.
Waterfowl surveys have shown it is not uncommon for thousands of waterfowl to use the habitat on this easement as a staging area. In addition, this area is a corridor for several federally listed species including grizzly bear, Canada lynx and wolverine. Federally listed bull trout inhabit the Flathead River, and upcoming restoration of the associated wetlands will help to restore and preserve prime habitat for them as well.
According to Lisa Coverdale, NRCS State Conservationist, partnerships between agencies and private landowners are crucial to protecting and restoring wetland and riparian habitat. Approximately 75% of wetland resources are located on private lands. Coverdale says, “Without working with families like the Fousts who have a strong tie to the land and a desire to protect it for future generations, NRCS would not be able to achieve our vision of productive lands and a healthy environment.”
Foust Farms is located in the Lower Flathead River area. |
Everett Foust talks about how the Foust WRP easement came to be. |
The Foust WRP easement was celebrated during Montana Open Land month. |
