Save The Plateau - Location and Maps
Historically, various animal species ranged freely across the state depending on their needs and the state of the habitat during the various times of the year.
The larger mammals such as deer and elk, moved to higher elevations during the spring and summer in search of fresh food sources and cooler temperatures.
In the winter, with food sources buried by snow, and water sources frozen by cold, most animal species on the Boise Front migrated toward lower elevations. Traditionally, this meant descending as far as the bottoms of the Boise River.
With time, the conversion of the Boise Valley to agricultural production, together with increases in population, have deprived deer and elk populations of much of their historic winter habitat. The absence of viable winter habitat leads to higher winter mortality rates and lower numbers of deer and elk.

In the winter, a large portion of the deer and elk population associated with the Boise front are now effectively trapped. They are driven south by the cold and snow associated with higher elevations to the north and east. They are driven east by the urban development in the valley to the west. Finally, the cliffs and reservoir associated with Lucky Peak Dam prevent them from moving farther to the south (Blue Line).

The only viable winter habitat left for much of the deer and elk populations of the Boise front is the Boise River Wildlife Management Area and Hammer Flats.
While the management area does a good job of providing necessary habitat, it has traditionally been tacitly assisted by the adjoining Hammer Flats area. If Hammer Flats is converted to residential housing, the effective winter habitat associated with the combined Hammer Flats / Boise River Wildlife Management Area will be reduced by about one-quarter. Further, it can be expected that the reduction in winter habitat will have a negative impact of similar magnitude on the deer and elk population of the Boise front. That is why it is so important to take steps to preserve the Hammer Flats area in something like its current state.

Home | Introduction | Mission Statement | Plateau Location / Maps
Major Issues: 1, Wildlife Mitigation Plan, and; 2. The Entry Road
>>> Support SaveThePlateau <<<
NEW >>> SaveThePlateau Online Store <<< NEW
STP Comment and Observations | Notes and Images from "The Cliffs" Application
Video Presentation | Plateau Images | Economic Overview | Hammer Flat in the News
New >>> Free 2008 Save the Plateau Calendar and Holiday Cards <<< New
Governmental Agencies that Need to Hear Your Voice
Get Your Save Hammer Flat Yard Sign | Mayor Bieter's Letter to Ada County
Petition Still Active -
Online Petition to Preserve Hammer Flat
2,821 Signatures and Growing - Click Here
Commissioners on Public Info | Tucker's Blog Rebuttal

To get on the Newsletter Email List or to find out how you can help:
Contact SaveThePlateau.org