PACIFIC NORTHWEST RIVERS STUDY ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES 



MONTANA 



CHAPTER I 

 OVERVIEW 



Introduc tion 



This document presents the process that the state, Federal agencies, and 

 Indian tribes will follow to complete the Pacific Northwest Rivers Study 

 (Rivers Study). It identifies assessment guidelines for each river resource 

 category, provides reporting formats for data collection and presentation, and 

 describes expected results and applications. 



Agency Consider ations 



In order to effectively respond to existing policies and programs as well as 

 to reflect differences in river character, data availability, and public 

 concerns, the study has been organized into four state level studies. State, 

 Federal, Tribal, and interest group participants will conduct the assessment 

 using state boundaries as the geographical framework.. 



It is not the intent of the study to circumvent the management responsi- 

 bilities of any state, Federal agency, or Indian tribe. The study is a 

 cooperative planning effort which will benefit all participants. Results do 

 not constitute official policy and by themselves imply no specific action by 

 any participant. 



Time Schedule and P roducts 



The Rivers Study is an 18-24 month effort by the 4 northwest states. Federal 

 agencies, and the Tribes. Funding of approximately 1.0 million dollars is 

 being provided by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Concurrently, 

 the Northwest Power Planning Council (NPPC or Council) will provide $540,000 

 to evaluate anadromous fish resources and Indian cultural/archeological 

 values. Rivers Study activities and goals, budgets, and time schedules are 

 listed in the September 1984 Pacific Northwest Rivers Study Plan available 

 from BPA. 



Applications 



The Rivers Study will produce a consistent and verifiable river resource data 

 base. While this information may have utility for a variety of applications, 

 the specific purpose of the project is to identify resource considerations 

 which might have a bearing on hydropower development. The ultimate objective 

 is to use this information to identify areas where minimal impact can be 

 anticipated and thus where development might be appropriate. The study 

 responds to the expressed need for resource information for the following: 



1. Energy Supply Forecasting - NPPC and BPA 



2. Protected Areas - NPPC: 1984 Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife 

 Program §1204(c)(l). 



3. Site Ranking - NPPC: Northwest Conservation and Electric Power Plan 

 §14.2. 



