2. Designation significant statewide. Includes natural features designated as 

 state parks, monuments, recreation areas, or natural areas. Includes known stands of 

 plant species proposed for threatened status by the Montana Rare Plant Project. 

 Includes Nature Conservancy natural area preserves and proposed national natural 

 landmarks of priority 2. 



3. Locally significant designation. Includes natural features designated as 

 county or municipal monuments, parks, recreation areas, or natural areas. Includes 

 known stands of rare plants listed by the Montana Rare Plant Project. Includes 

 proposed national natural landmarks of priority 3. 



4. Not designated. Includes proposed national natural landmarks of priority 4 or 

 lower, 



U, Unknown designation. 



Criterion C. Scientific reference or educational value . Sites will be rated 

 based on their value for scientific reference or study or for educational purposes, as 

 follows : 



1. Exemplary or "textbook" examples of rare or unusual plant communities, 

 disjunct or relict communities, pristine natural vegetation types that are rare or 

 threatened, geological formations or features, or fossil assemblages; type localities 

 for rare, threatened or endangered plants as listed by USFWS or the Montana Rare Plant 

 Project (table 1), type localities for geological formations or fossils. 



2. Type localities for other plant species, for forest habitat types, or soil 

 series; near-pristine vegetation sites (Ross et al. 1973). 



3. Other areas with important educational value, including areas frequently 

 visited by school groups 



4. Study areas for long-term botanical or hydrological studies 



U. Unknown scientific or educational value 



Criterion D. Public and Recreational Use . Sites will be rated based on the 

 existing type and level of public and recreational use, as follows: 



1. National Attraction. Feature attracts visitors nationwide as a primary 

 objective; very high overall level of use; shown on most state highway maps. 



2. Statewide Attraction. Feature attracts visitors statewide as a primary 

 objective; high overall level of use. 



3. Multi-county Attraction. Feature attracts visitors from a multi-county area; 

 moderate overall level of use, 



4. Local Attraction. Feature attracts primarily attracts local visitors (those 

 living within the county or a few adjacent counties). 



U, Unknown level of use. 



