3. Birds of high federal interest in the Coal Program, 

 particularly those limited to riparian habitat and of 

 broad distribution. 



Species of low concern shall include all other Montana species, 

 that usually are associated with riparian habitats, for which 

 interest is sufficient to warrant consideration in this analysis. 



High quality habitats are in excellent condition and may contain: 



1. Communities of special concern, which shall include 

 river islands, well developed riparian vegetation, 

 old-growth cottonwood bottoms, old-growth coniferous 

 bottoms, ox-bow sloughs. 



2. Communities with high diversity, both vegetation and 

 wildlife . 



Intermediate quality habitats are: 



1. Habitats that show evidence of man-caused disturbance 

 but still retain obvious values as wildlife habitat. 



2. Habitats in relatively good condition which do not 

 satisfy the additional standards for high quality 

 habitats . 



Low quality habitats are those which show evidence of major, 

 man-caused disturbance, and limited opportunity for vegetative 

 rehabilitation. 



Category 2: Recreation Value 



For consumptive wildlife recreation, the analyses will be based 

 on hunting/trapping efforts (days) and harvest rates (per mi^) 

 for hunting districts in which river segment or basin lies. 

 These values will then be qualitatively modified for the 

 particular drainage being evaluated. 



To obtain a nonconsumpti ve wildlife values, the overall levels 

 and types of uses, scientific and educational values and 

 aesthetics will be evaluated. All rivers and basins will be 

 evaluated for both types of recreational value. 



Table 2. Proposed value classes of river segments, as determined 

 from recreation value. 



Recreation Use 

 Wildlife Use 



Potential High Intermediate Low 



High 11 2 



Intermediate 2 3 4 



Low 3 4 4 



EXCEPTIONS 



The following situations will result in an automatic assignment 

 to Value Class 1 or Class 2. 



1. Lands and interests of the National Wildlife Refuge 

 system. National Fish Hatcheries, Wildlife management 



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