STANDARDS 



OVERVIEW 



Standards to rate each criterion were based on a point system. Weights 

 or points were first assigned to each criteria (e.g. to wetlands, bald 

 eagles, or elk) based on each criterion's association with riparian zones and 

 its relative importance or rarity. For example, more weight was given to 

 white-tailed deer because of their association with riparian habitat than to 

 mountain goat. In addition, more weight was assigned to river otter because 

 of its relative rarity than to beaver. These weighted values were then 

 multiplied by a value factor assigned by the biologists. Weight factors 

 multiplied by the values were summed for the category to yield a total number 

 of points scored for each category. 



HABITAT VALUE 



Specialized Land Designations 



Weights for each specialized land designation were based on the 

 protection afforded by a designation from hydroelectric development and the 

 reasons for the land designation. Lands designated primarily for their 

 wildlife or riparian attributes were given the highest points (Table 1). 

 These included Wild & Scenic Rivers, National Wildlife Refuges, Waterfowl 

 Protection Areas, and state wildlife management areas. Nature Conservancy 

 Preserves were also assigned a significant weighting because they are 

 purchased and managed to preserve biological communities. Fewer points were 

 awarded USFS and BLM Research Natural Areas, National Fish Hatcheries and 

 conservation easements. 



References used to locate specially designated lands include a MDFWP 

 publication on Department lands (MDFWP 1986), contacts with wildlife refuge 

 managers and Nature Conservancy personnel, and contacts with state and 

 federal biologists during the data collection phase. 



Table 1. Weights assigned specially designated lands. 



Land Use Assigned Weight 



■ Wild and Scenic Rivers 25 

 • National Wildlife Refuge 10 



■ National Fish Hatchery 5 



■ Wildlife Management Areas 10 

 ' Waterfowl Production Areas 10 



■ Nature Conservancy Preserves 15 



■ Conservation Easements 5 



■ Research Natural Areas 5 



■ Other (variable) 5 



For each one of these designated lands, biologists assigned a either a 

 value of (absent) or 1 (present). 



