USE CONSIDERATIONS 



The potential uses of the wildlife river assessment database are limited 

 only by the wildlife biologists, resource planners, and wildlife and land 

 managers who could benefit from the system. Their use of the system as a 

 planning tool and their involvement in updating and expanding the database 

 will determine its future use. Although the data base and the final resource 

 values can be used in the planning process, it should not be considered 

 suitable for the siting of facilities or solely determine major changes in 

 land use. It can, however, serve as a valuable tool for assessing overall 

 quality of species diversity and densities and overall habitat considerations 

 on a relative scale. 



For example, the database could be used to provide information on 

 wildlife values by watershed for planning species management and timber 

 harvest or other activities within that drainage. The database could also aid 

 in determining habitat protection and land acquisition needs. Units with 

 habitat ratings of Class I could be included in a potential list of lands 

 needing formal land protection. 



Wildlife resource values can now be compared across the state. Locations 

 of potential habitat for threatened and endangered species and species of 

 special concern, relative species densities, and critical habitats for 

 particular species can be accessed through the database. With the wildlife 

 data base, collected data will now endure personnel changes and file 

 rearrangement. 



The use of the data base will continue to expand and become more reliable 

 as more quantitative data are entered, unit size between regions becomes more 

 consistent and habitat variability within a single unit is reduced. 



PARTICIPANTS 



Two levels of participation occurred in the wildlife river assessment 

 project. The Wildlife Task Group Force consisted of cooperating wildlife 

 experts from federal and state agencies to oversee assessment activities and 

 provide their input to the senior resource expert and staff. Specifically, 

 these individuals reviewed the Rivers Study Manual and proposed value 

 classes, criteria, and standards; were invited to participate in all progress 

 meetings; and provided input into the determination of the final 

 classification system. Participants on the Wildlife River Assessment Task 

 Force were listed on the first page of these guidelines. 



The other level of participation occurred by the biologists from MDFWP, 

 US Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management involved in providing the 

 data for the wildlife assessment. These individuals were sent the 

 preliminary final resource values for each unit in their area with the 

 opportunity for review. Participants are listed by their agency affiliation 

 and meeting locations are in parentheses. 



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