

April 1986 



PACIFIC NORTHWEST RIVERS STUDY: PROJECT SUMMARY 

 STATE OF MONTANA 



This report presents a brief description of the assessment process and 

 preliminary findings for each of the resource categories analyzed in the 

 Montana component of the Pacific Northwest Rivers Study. 



The Pacific Northwest Rivers Study was initiated to assess the 

 significance of river segments for a variety of environmental values. The 

 expressed purpose of the project is to identify environmental and 

 institutional considerations which might have a bearing on hydropower 

 development in the Northwest. Information produced through this project will 

 provide input into a variety of regional and state power planning and resource 

 management activities. 



The State of Montana coordinated the assessment process within state 

 boundaries. The project itself is a cooperative effort of the four Northwest 

 states, federal land management agencies, and Indian tribes. The Bonneville 

 Power Administration provided regional coordination and funding. 



The resource assessment phase of the Rivers Study was initiated in June 

 1985, and completed in January 1986. This phase produced both tabular 

 information regarding each river segment in the state and a series of maps 

 identifying the location of river segments. Each segment was also assigned to 

 one of a series of resource value classes depending on its relative 

 significance within a given resource category. Subsequent to the initial 

 assessment, information was encoded into computer format and made available 

 for review by project participants. 



Separate yet coordinated resource assessments were conducted for each of 

 five resource categories. A summary is provided for each. They are presented 

 in the following order: 



1. Resident Fish 



2. Wildlife 



3. Natural Features 

 A. Cultural Features 

 5. Recreation 



For further information regarding the Montana component of the Pacific 

 Northwest Rivers Study, contact: 



Patrick Graham, State Coordinator 



Stewart Allen, Research Coordinator 



Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks 



1420 East Sixth Avenue 



Helena, Montana 59620 



(406) 444-2449 



