MDT Montana Wetland Field Evaluation Form and Instructions July 1, 1996 



The following functions and values are evaluated by this method: 



o Habitat for federally listed, proposed, or candidate threatened or endangered plants or animals 



o Habitat for plants or animals rated S 1 , S2, or S3 by the Montana Natural Heritage Program 



o General wildlife habitat 



o General fish habitat 



o Flood attenuation and storage 



o Dynamic surface water storage 



o Sediment/nutrient/toxicant retention and removal 



o Sediment/shoreline stabilization 



o Production export/food chain support 



o Groundwater discharge/recharge 



o Uniqueness 



o Recreation/education potential 



The form assesses and assigns each of the 12 fimctions and values ratings of "low", "moderate", or 

 "high", and scores each on a scale of .1 (lowest) to 1 (highest) "ftinctional points". The scoring scale for 

 each fiinction and value is similar to that of HGM, although HGM does not generally consider values and 

 not all of the variables considered by HGM with respect to a given fiinction were included in this 

 method. 



Functional points are summed on the form and expressed as a percentage of the possible total; functions 

 that do not apply to a given wetland are assigned a rank of NA and are not included in point totals. This 

 percentage is then used in conjunction with other criteria to provide an overall wetland ranking into one 

 of four categories. Category I is the highest overall ranking a wetland can receive, followed by Category 

 II, Category III, and Category FV. Functional points are also multiplied by the total acreage in the 

 assessment area (AA) to determine the total "ftinctional units" for a given site. Wetland categories and 

 ftinctional units are ftirther discussed in the latter portion of this section. 



When completing fields 15. a through 15.1 (the ftmctions and values assessment portion of the form), if it 

 is the evaluator's best professional opinion that a rating for a particular function is inadequately 

 represented on the form due to specific site conditions, it is appropriate to override the calculated value 

 and note the justification in the comment space provided. It is important to note, however, that this 

 should be treated as the exception rather than the rule. 



1. Project Name: Enter the appropriate project name. 



2. Project # and Control #: Enter the appropriate project and control numbers, if applicable. 



3. Evaluation Date: Enter the date(s) that the field evaluation was conducted. 



4. Evaluate r(s): Enter the names and/or affiliation of the personnel conducting the evaluation. 



5. Wetland/Site #(s): Enter the wetland identification number and name (e.g.. Fish Creek), if applicable. 



