MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILIILIFF, AND PARKS 

 Helena, Montana 59620 



PACIFIC NORTHWEST RTVERS STUDY 



Method for Assessing the Significance of River Segments and Systems for 

 Fisheries Resources In Montana 

 Revised May 21 , 198S 

 LEAD AGENCY 



Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks 



SENIOR RESOURCE EXPERT AND STAFF 



George Helton, Senior Resource Expert 

 Burwell Gooch, Programmer /Anal ysi 



COOPERATING RESOURCE EXPERTS 



Don Bartschl, Region 1, U.S. Forest Service 



Dan Hlnkley, Montana State Officii, U.S. Bureau of Land Management 



Larry Lockard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 



David Cross, Confederated Sallsh and Kootenai Tribes 



INTRODUCTION 



The Pacific Northwest Rivers Study w;is Initiated to assess the significance of 

 river segments and systems for a variety of fish, wildlife, natural, 

 recreational, and cultural res<iurce values. The Montana Department of Fish, 

 Wildlife and Parks has been designated to take the lead in assessing the value 

 of rivers for fisheries In the state cf Montana. 



This report siimmarl/cs the method which will be used to complete this 

 assessment. It identifies the value classes to which river reaches will be 

 assigned, the criteria which will le used to determine the value of river 

 reaches, the standards used to apply these criteria, and the process by which 

 decisions will be made. 



CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS 



Each stream reach Is to be placed in a value class (see below) for each of the 

 following two categories. The final classification, the fishery resource value, 

 will be the higher class given for category 1 or 2. A stream that does not 

 sometime contain fish or for wlilch explicit fish population Information is 

 lacking is assigned class 5. 



Category 1 - Habitat and Species Value of Stream Reach 



The class of each reach is determined by a point system in which most points are 

 awarded for important habitats of fishes of special concern (native fishes found 

 In limited numbers and/or limited warcrs). Fewer points are awarded for less 

 Important liabitats of fishes of special concern and for the occ\irrence of 

 widespread species found in substantial numbers. Least points are awarded for 

 occurrence of non- indigenous species considered of minimal value. Additional 

 consideration is given stream reaches with especially important spawning 

 habitat. Points are also given for spring streams; for local communltv value 

 where a stream, being one of few or the only one in the immediate area, is 

 important to a community for scientific study, nature study, and/or recreation; 

 and for streams with documented potential for significant sport fisheries 

 habitat improvement. 



Category 2 - Sport Fisl ie ry Value of Stream Reach 



The class of each reach Is based on a point system In which points are awarded 

 for each of the following criteria: • I ) fish abundance as indicated by biomass 

 or numbers and sizes of game or sport fish, (2) Ingress (legal rights of the 

 public to fish the reach or willingness of landowner to permit fishing), (3) 

 esthetics and (4) use by fishermen (fishing pressure). 



VALUE CLASSES 



Value Class Class Definition 



1 Outstanding fisheries resource 



2 High value fisltery resource 



3 Substantial fisheries resource 



4 Moderate fisheries resource 



5 Limited fisheries resource or 



unclassified resource 



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