PACIFIC NORTHWEST RIVERS STUDY 



Method for Assessing the Significance of River Segments 

 and Systems for Wildlife Resources in Montana 



LEAD AGENCY 



Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks 



SENIOR RESOURCE EXPERT AND STAFF 



John Mundinger, Senior Resource Expert 

 Gael Bissell, Project Staff 

 Janet Decker-Hess, Project Staff 



COOPERATING RESOURCE EXPERTS 



Larry Thompson, Natural Resource Information System 



Ray Hoem, Bureau of Land Management 



Don Bartschi, U.S. Forest Service 



Alex Hoar, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 



Carol Taylor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 



INTRODUCTION 



The Pacific Northwest Rivers Study was initiated in 

 February 1985 to assess the significance of river seg- 

 ments and drainage basins for a variety of fish, wild- 

 life, natural, recreational and cultural resource 

 values. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and 

 Parks (MDFWP) was designated to take the lead in 

 assessing the value of rivers for wildlife in thi state 

 of Montana. 



This report will summarize the method used to 

 assess the wildlife resources in Montana. It describes 

 how river assessment units were developed and identi- 

 fies the value classes to which these units were 

 assigned; the criteria used to determine the value of 

 the units; the standards used to apply the criteria; 

 and the methods used to collect, analyze, and review 

 the necessary data. Evaluation of the assessment 

 process will be discussed as well as use considerations 

 of the wildlife database. 



The assessment guidelines have changed considerably 

 from those outlined by Graham (1985). The original 

 approach to the wildlife assessment involved either 



