MDT Montana Wetland Assessment Method 



Men' 25. 1999 



Open water: 



Permanent/perennial: 

 Primary Habitat: 



Rare 



Regular use: 



Scrub-shrub class: 



Anv area of standing or flowing water without emergent (not including pioneer species), scrub- 

 shrub, or forested vegetation (e.g., in most cases, a flooded wet meadow would not be considered 

 to contain open water) . 



Surface water is present throughout the year except during years of extreme drought. 



Habitat essential to the short or long-tenn viability of individuals or populations. The presence of 

 traditional breeding, spawning, nesting, denning, or critical migratory habitat large seasonal 

 congregations (including communal roosts, staging habitat traditional foraging congregations, 

 etc.), or USFWS-designated criticaJ habitat or core areas in the AA indicates primary habitat as 

 does any occurrence of a T&E plant. 



An estimated < 10% of wetlands in the same Major Montana Watershed Basin are similar in 

 composition to the AA. 



AA is consistenth', normally used by a given species or habitat conditions and the known 

 distribution of the species would indicate this level of use. The presence of traditional breeding, 

 nesting, denning, foraging, or seasonal habitat in the AA constitutes regular use. as does any 

 occurrence of a T&E plant 



Vegetated wetland dominated by woody vegetation less than 6m (20 ft) tall. Sj)ecies include 

 shrubs, vouna trees, and stunted trees and shrubs. 



SeasonaL'intermittent: 



Surface water is present for extended periods, especially early in the growing season, or may 

 persist throughout the growing season, but may be absent at the end of the growing season; or 

 surface water does not flow continuously, as when water losses from evaporation or seepage 

 exceed the available streamflow. 



Secondary Habitat: 



Substantial use: 



Temporary/eph em eral: 



Habitat that is occasionally or semi-regularly used by a given species, but that is not necessarily 

 essential to the short or long-term viability of individuals or populations. Examples would include 

 non-specific migration areas and occasional forage or perch sites. Primary habitat as defined 

 above, may occur in the general yicinity (e.g., within the project area, section, drainage, 

 watershed, etc.). but not m the AA. 



AA is regularly used in significant numbers relative to local or transient populations; includes 

 regular seasonal use. such as migration stopovers and wintering. 



Surface water is present for brief penods during the growing season, but the water table is well 

 below the surface most of the year; or surface water flows briefly in direct response to 

 precipitation in the immediate vicinity and the channel is above the water table. 



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