Preface 



The development of the Montana Rivers Information System (MRIS) is an 

 interagency effort coordinated by the Montana Department of Fish, WildHfe 

 and Parks (MDFWP). The MRIS is Montana's input to a Northwest data base 

 project (with Washington, Oregon and Idaho) initiated in 1984 to identify and 

 evaluate significant river related natural values. The project is funded by the 

 Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). 



The Natural Resource Information System at the Montana State Library 

 manages the MRIS on behalf of the MDFWP. 



Acknowledgments 



The preparation of this MRIS User's Manual was a joint effort between the 

 Montana State Library and the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and 

 Parks. Several staff at both agencies were involved in its production: At 

 MDFWP, Janet Decker-Hess, MRIS Project Manager, and Gael Bissell, Wildlife 

 Biologist. At the Montana State Library, Jim Stimson, Data Manager, Jim 

 Senkler, Programmer/Analyst, and Pam Smith, Administrative Assistant. 



These authors wish to thank all others who contributed time in final reviews 

 and editing. The authors offer a special thanks to the staff of the Idaho 

 Rivers Information System -- the IRIS User's Manual, in many ways, formed 

 the basis for the development of the MRIS User's Manual. 



Support Documents 



In using the MRIS, you may find the following documents helpful in 

 understanding more about the assessment process and the system: 



Pacific Northwest Rivers Study, Assessment Guidelines: Montana, 1986 

 Pacific Northwest Rivers Study, Final Report: Montana, 1988 



Disclaimer 



The Montana Rivers Information System is not designed to be an exhaustive 

 data base on Montana's rivers and their related resources. Please be advised 

 that any data retrieval from the Montana Rivers Information System is not 

 intended as a final statement on river related resources and should not be used 

 as a substitute for on-site field surveys needed for resource evaluations. 



