10 



METHODS 



Prior to fieldwork, the Biological Conser\'ation Database (BCD) maintained by the Montana 

 Natural Heritage Program was queried for records of BLM sensitive species and of other state 

 Species of Special Concern known from the study area or from immediately adjoining areas. 

 This search resulted in a list of 16 species and information about them (Appendix A); numerous 

 other species were found at higher elevations. We refer in this report to "sensitive species;" this 

 is a general term used to encompass all proposed sensitive species and Montana Natural Heritage 

 Program Species of Special Concern that may represent, or previously represented species 

 considered for BLM designation. Primary focus was placed on those species in or around the 

 study area which have been proposed for designation as sensitive by the BLM in its draft list for 

 the 1995 Montana Rare Plant Conference: Arabis fecimda, Astragalus scaphoides, Astragalus 

 terminalis, C ar ex parry ana ss^. idahoa, Lomatium attemmtum, Penstemon lemhiemis, 

 Taraxacum eriophorum, and Thelypodium paniculatum (Bureau of Land Management 1995). 

 Secondary consideration was given to those species known from the area which had not been 

 addressed in previous studies and which had unresolved status questions (e.g., Stephauomeria 

 spinosa). Specimens were reviewed in select cases in order to develop the search images. All 

 sensitive species targets and their phenology are summarized in Appendix A. 



The phenology of most of the sensitive species targeted for fieldwork was conducive to their 

 location and identification; most fieldwork was conducted in June, early in the growing season, 

 when plants were flowering or in early fruit. Although already past flowering at this time, 

 Lomatium attenuatum and Townsendia nuttaUii were still identifiable. Wetland plants were 

 surv'eyed after mid-July, along with the remainder of the late-fiowering species. Sur\'eys were 

 conducted in the three areas over the 1995 growing season as follows: 



Table 1. FIELDWORK SCHEDULE 



The field routes surveyed are mapped in Appendix B. 



