RESULTS 



No Montana plant species of special concern were found in 

 the three proposed project areas or nearby where they would be 

 impacted by the projects. The road improvement and building 

 stabilization projects are located in areas which do not have 

 intact native plant communities. Most of the length of the 

 access road to Bannack is through weedy sagebrush grassland which 

 is heavily trailed by cattle. Some native plants are beginning 

 to recolonize the Bannack townsite, but the area remains 

 dominated by introduced grasses, and no populations of plants of 

 special state concern were found. The primary targets for these 

 project areas, Bitterroot milkvetch ( Astragalus scaphoides ) and 

 Lemhi beardtongue ( Penstemon lemhiensis ) , were not seen anywhere 

 in the study area, although they would have been easily 

 recognized in flower at the survey dates, and the project areas 

 are not thought to be potential habitat for these species. 

 Potential habitat for these two species which has not been 

 surveyed may occur elsewhere in the park. No species of special 

 state concern were found in the wetlands potentially impacted by 

 the road improvement and trail construction projects. These 

 areas around Grasshopper and Taylor Creeks were surveyed in June 

 and again in August so that late maturing aquatic vegetation 

 could be identified. In addition, the nature trail is well 

 routed to skirt wet areas. None of the proposed projects are 

 expected to significantly impact the native vegetation of the 

 park or its vicinity. 



A highly significant botanical site was found in the study 

 area, and although it lies mostly outside of current Bannack 

 State Park boundaries, it is mostly within the boundaries of the 

 Recreation and Public Purposes Patent which has been applied for 

 by the park. This is the limestone ridge to the east of 

 Hangman's Gulch where the undescribed bladderpod ( Lesquerella sp. 

 novum I) was previously known. Two more Montana plant species of 

 special concern, tapertip biscuitroot ( Lomatium attenuatum ) and 

 chicken sage ( Sphaeromeria arqentea ) , were found on the same 

 ridge. In addition, two species which are currently in the 

 process of being dropped from listing by the Montana Natural 

 Heritage Program, limestone larkspur ( Delphinium bicolor spp. 

 novum) and sword townsendia ( Townsendia spathulata ) , and three 

 species which were recently dropped. King's sandwort (Arenaria 

 kingii ) , Suksdorf ' s monkeyf lower ( Mimulus suksdorf ii ) , and 

 hedgehog cactus ( Pediocactus simpsonii ) were also found on this 

 ridge. Arenaria kingii , Pediocactus simpsonii , and a third 

 species which was recently dropped from listing, Nevada buckwheat 

 ( Erioqonum ovalif olium var. nevadense) , were also seen in 

 sagebrush habitats in the vicinities of the park and the access 

 road to the north. These species have been or are being dropped 

 because they have been found by recent surveys, mostly in 

 Beaverhead County, to be more abundant than previously thought 

 and are not thought to be threatened at this time. No other 



