COMPONENT 6. MONTANA RIPARIAN ASSOCIATION: CLASSIRCATIOn AND 

 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION, THAJNINQ, AND WORKSHOPS 



The Montana Riparian Association (MRA). an Interagency Cooperative, was formally 

 establla^ed in 1 968 to develop: l ) a nparian-wetland dominance type ciaaaiflcation, 2) a 

 riparian-wetland vegetation-based ecological site dasaiflcation (e.g., haPrtat typee), 3) an 

 interagency data base for ripanan-wotland areas, 4) a proce«a for infonnatlon exchange on 

 managing riparian-wetland sites, and 5) a training and continuing education program in 

 identification, function, and proper management of riparian-wetland ecosystems. 



The following seven formal goals were recently established for the second five years (1992- 

 1 996) of the Montana Riparian Assocjatlon: 



1) Complete the statewide riparian-wetland habitat type dasaiflcation (I.e., a vegetatlon- 

 baeed ecdogical site dassification). 



2) Refine and expand management information for nparian-wetland areas. 



3) Provide training and continuing education in identification, function, and management ef 

 riparian-wetland ecosystems. 



4) Refine and expand our l<nowiedge on succsssional relationships and pathways (i.e., 

 community types) and vegetation-physical site relationships for riparian-wetland habitat 

 types. The wori< will assist resource managers by providing the following information: A) 

 geographic tppographlc, edaphic, functional, and flonstic features of rtpanan-wetiand 

 ecosystems, B) succesatonai infomialion and prediction of vegetative potential on 

 di8turt»d riparian-wetland sites, and C) curent information on a wide variety of resource 

 values (resource value ratings) and management opportunities. 



5) Continue deveicpment of a coordinated riparian- wetiand data base. 



6) Develop a better understanding of the cumulative effects of land use management 

 actlvitiee (at the watershed level) on riparian-wetiand ecosystems. 



7) Inform private landowners of the benefits of properiy functioning riparian-wetiand areas, 

 - and scurcea of finandal and technical assistance available to aid them. 



