MDT Montana Wetland Assessment Method May 25, 1999 



The Major Montana Watershed Basin Map is based on a modification of the 1974 United States Geological Survey Hydrologic Unit 

 Map for Montana, and is used by the MDT Interagency Wetlands Group to determine the suitability of mitigation project locations 

 relative to impact locations. 



12. General Condition: 



i. Regarding Disturbance. Disturbance at the AA is defmed based on land use both at the AA and in the surrounding area. Land use 

 in surroundmg areas can provide a measure of disturbance within AAs and negatively influence their habitat quality' e\en though the 

 AAs themseKes may be relatively undisturbed. Use the matrw on the form to arrive at an overall determination of "low"", "moderate", 

 or "high" disturbance at the AA. Fill in comments as desired. 



ii. Prominent Weedy, Alien, and Introduced Species. List prominent weedy, alien, and introduced vegetation species within the 

 AA. ' 



iii. Descriptrve Summary. Provide a brief (1 to 2 sentence) descriptive surtunary of the AA and surrounding area. The description 

 may kiclude dominant species, adjacent land use, proximit}' to other wetlands, etc. 



13. Structural Diversity: Using the table provided on the form, determine the structural diversity rating for the AA. Count only those 

 classes listed imder #10 that are vegetated; do not include unvegetaled (e.g., rock bottom, unconsolidated shore, etc.) classes. Rate the 

 structural diversity based on the "best case'' for a given wetland. For example, if non-persistent floating-leaved vegetation is absent 

 during the evaluation, but the reviewer knows or strongly suspects that such vegetation is present during some portion of the year, then 

 this class should be counted in addition to other vegetated classes. 



14A. Habitat for Federally Listed or Proposed Threatened or Endangered Plants or Animals: A "red flag" attribute, this field 

 assesses habitat for species recei\ing protection under pro\isions of the Endangered Species Act: that is, listed or proposed threatened 

 or endangered species. Potential effects to threatened and endangered species are examined by the COE during 404 permit application 

 reviews. According to the COE general conditions for Nationwide 404 permits, "no activity is authorized which is likeh' to jeopardize 

 the contiuued existence of a threatened or endangered species or a species proposed for such designation, as identified under the federal 

 Endangered Species Act or which is likely to destroy or adverseh' modify- the critical habitat of such species.". A 1999 USFWS list of 

 threatened and endangered species and species proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act in Montana is presented in 

 .Appendix D. 



i. Circle D or S to indicate whether habitat for listed or proposed T&E species is documented or suspected within the AA at the 

 ascertained level using the definitions provided below. It may be appropriate to indicate more than one use level for multiple species. 

 For example, an AA may contain secondar.' habitat for bald eagles and incidental habitat for peregrine falcons. List the species that 

 correspond to each habitat level determined to applv to the AA. 



Primary Habitat: Habitat essential to the short or long-term viabihtv' 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 critical habitat or core areas in the AA indicates primary habitat as does any occurrence of a 

 T&E plant. 



Secondary Habitat: Habitat that is occasionally or semi-regularly used by a given species, but that is not necessarih' essential to 



the short or long-term viabilil}' 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 vicinity (e.g., within the project area, section, drainage, watershed, etc.), but not m the AA. 



Incidental Habitat: Habitat that receives chance, inconsequential use by a given species or habitat conditions or the known 



distribution of the species would indicate this level of use. This term implies that, while it may be 

 concervable that a given species may occur at an AA at a given point in time, the chance is remote and the 

 use is not likely to be repeated. 



iL Rating. Use the highest level habitat (e.g., the level that corresponds to the highest fimctional point value) determined under i to 

 detenrune the functional point value for the AA. If T&E species habitat is documented at the AA, indicate the source of the 

 documentation. 



