PACIFIC NORTHWEST RIVERS STUDY 

 MONTANA INVENTORY OF NATURAL FEATURES 



The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation 

 conducted the Natural Features inventory, with assistance from 

 the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. 

 Geological Survey, University of Montana, Montana State 

 University, Museum of the Rockies, Carter County Museum, Montana 

 Rare Plant Project, and the Nature Conservancy. 



Existing National Natural Landmark Theme studies and U.S. 

 Forest Service lists of Research Natural Areas provided a 

 starting point for the inventory. 



Features assessed were: rare, threatened, or endangered plant 

 species; rare, unique, or exemplary plant communities; geological 

 and hydrological features; and previously-designated natural 

 areas such as National Natural Landmarks or Research Natural 

 Areas . 



Features were assigned to one of four value classes 

 (Outstanding, Substantial, Moderate, or Unknown) using four 

 criteria: resource scarcity from a local, regional, or national 

 perspective; scientific and educational value; public and 

 recreational use; and designation or listing by a management 

 agency. Each natural feature identified received a rating on 

 each criterion, and overall value class was the highest of the 

 four ratings. 



The study identified 399 botanical features and 922 geological 

 features, about twice the number that had been anticipated. Of 

 the total, 31 percent of the sites were rated as Outstanding 

 (Class I), 29 percent as Substantial (Class II), and 31 percent 

 as Moderate (Class III) resources. The value of an additional 

 nine percent was unknown, so these fell in Class IV. Educational 

 value and previous designation were primary determinants of value 

 class. Most paleon tological sites and all 146 geologic type 

 locations received Class I ratings. 



Most of the features were located in the western third of the 

 state. Sites were clustered around Missoula, Bozeman, and Butte, 

 in part because of previous work done by the Universities. 



Because a field inventory was not conducted, the list of 

 natural features is far from complete although many high-value 

 natural features were identified. Priorities for further study 

 include: examination of 7.5' quadrangle maps for additional 

 features; identification of major co t tonwood/island/al luvium 

 complexes; and coordination with the Montana Natural Heritage 

 Program's rare plant inventory. 



