1. Nationally signific^int designation. This category includes natural features 

 designated as national monuments, national natural landmarks, BLII or USPS natural 

 areas, areas of critical environmental concern, research natural areas, or 

 outstanding natural areas. It also includes l<nown stands of federal I y-l isted 

 threatened or endangered plant species (no plant species are currently listed for 

 Montana), those listed as Category 1 or 2 by USFWS (Federal Register, Hay 22, 1984), 

 or those proposed for endangered status by the t-iontana Rare Plant Project (Lesica et 

 al. 1984) (see Table 2). Proposed national natural landmarks with priority 1 status 

 are al so i ncl uded. 



2. Designation significant statewide. This category includes natural features 

 designated as state parks, monuments, recreation areas, or natural areas; known 

 stands of plant species proposed for threatened status by the l-lontana Rare Plant 

 Project; and Nature Conservancy natural area preserves and proposed national natural 

 landmarks of priority 2. 



3. Locally significant designation. Included in this category are natural 

 features designated as county or municipal monuments, parks, recreation areas, or 

 natural areas; known stands of rare plants I isted by the tontana Rare Plant Project; 

 and proposed national natural landmarks of priority 3. 



4. Not designated. This category includes only proposed national natural 

 landmarks of priority 4 or lower. 



U. Unknown designation. 



Criterion C. Public and Re creational Use. Sites were subjectively rated based 

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



1. National Attraction. Features of this type attract visitors nationwide, 

 have a very high use, and are shown on most state highway maps. 



2. Statewide Attraction. These features primarily attract visitors statewide 

 with a high overall use. 



3. I'lulti-county Attraction. This type of feature would attract visitors from a 

 multi-county regional area with moderate use. 



4. Local Attraction. Features with this rating primarily attract visitors 

 living within the county or a few adjacent counties. 



U. Unknown level of use. 



Criterion D. Scientific reference or educational value . Sites were rated on 

 the basis of their value for scientific reference or study or for educational 

 purposes, as follows: 



1. Exemplary scientific or educational value. This category includes 

 "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 flontana Rare Plant Project 

 (Table 2), type localities for geological formations or fossils. 



