west sides of the Moose Town area have been clearcut. All of 

 these disturbances have had and, in some cases, continue to have 

 a negative impact on wildlife, populations of sensitive plants 

 and the integrity of native communities. 



Biological values in the Moose Town area could be protected 

 by diminishing and mitigating human-caused disturbances: (1) 

 limiting motorized vehicle traffic to main roads, (2) managing 

 livestock to protect fragile wetland and riparian areas and 

 prevent overgrazing of adjacent uplands, (3) reclamation of mine 

 sites, and (4) limiting timber harvest to protect watershed 

 values and wildlife. Approximately 1,800 acres of the Moose Town 

 area is in private ownership; the rest is public land managed by 

 the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. A 

 cooperative management plan for the area that addresses these 

 issues is essential for maintaining the ecological integrity and 

 biological diversity of the area. 



The Fish Creek/Limekiln Hill area harbors populations of 

 Arabis fecunda and Carex idahoa, both of which are on the U.S. 

 Forest Service Region One sensitive species list. In addition, 

 there are populations of three MNHP species of special concern in 

 the area (Fig. 3) . This area is similar to the Moose Town area 

 in its history of mining and livestock grazing, and there is an 

 active mine along Fish Creek at this time. The topography is 

 steeper, so there are fewer opportunities for off-road vehicle 

 abuse. Although I do not believe that this area has the 

 biological significance of the Moose Town area, developments and 

 livestock management should be regulated to protect populations 

 of rare and sensitive species. 



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