individual state. Both quantitative and qualitative criteria are employed. 

 In the development of standards and criteria, resource "potential" was taken 

 into account. 



This document is an effort to standardize criteria for each state level study 

 and to ensure studywide consistency. The regional and state level project 

 management staff, with input from relevant Federal, Tribal, and private 

 interest group experts, have developed the criteria shown in this guide. A 

 separate, yet similar, guide has been developed for each of the four northwest 

 states. The actual assessment method may vary by resource category and by 

 state. Evaluation forms have been developed for each resource category to 

 promote efficiency and coordination. 



Step 4: Individual Resource Category Evaluation 



An independent inventory of river resources will be undertaken for each 

 resource value category. Under the direction of designated senior resource 

 experts, rivers and streams meeting minimum threshold standards will be 

 assessed by field level specialists using the identified criteria and 

 assessment procedures. Resource experts will assign a value class to each 

 river segment on maps and data forms. River segment descriptions and rules 

 governing treatment of tributaries will be determined by the state level 

 project management staff. The number of river segments to be included in each 

 value class will be determined by resource experts. No regionwide guidelines 

 will be given. 



Results will be compared for consistency, and river segments will be 

 preliminarily grouped according to overall significance. As appropriate, 

 similar assessments may be conducted by user groups to verify results. The 

 resource evaluation findings will be reviewed by designated senior resource 

 experts and agency and Tribal participants. Results will be revised as 

 appropriate by the senior resource experts in consultation with regional 

 project management. An opportunity to review results and provide comments 

 will be given to private groups and citizens who have given input or expressed 

 interest. 



The final result of the category assessment will be the identification of all 

 river areas which should be recognized as possessing a particular fish, 

 wildlife, natural, recreational, cultural or institutional value and an 

 identification of the relative significance of each area. The terms 

 outstanding significance, substantial significance, moderate significance, 

 limited significance, and unclassified or unknown are used to denote relative 

 value. Areas with no resource value will be noted. 



Step 5 : Display of Category Results 



Results will be displayed in tabular data forms and also recorded on base maps 

 at an appropriate scale for each resource value. Where available and 

 applicable, a scale of 1:100,000 will be used. The basis for expert judgments 

 will be recorded in narrative form on data sheets for each river segment or 

 segments. Maps of a scale suitable for public presentation (1:500,000) will 

 also be developed. Public meetings to present the findings of Step 4 and the 

 graphic displays of Step 5 may be held. Preliminary statewide results are 

 projected to be available in November 1985. 



Step 6 : Information Synthesis (1986) 



Information obtained for all resource categories will be combined. All 

 significant values associated with a given river or stream will be identified 

 and all tributaries which contribute to these values will be noted. A matrix 



