81 



conducted east of Highway 15 where there are large blocks of contiguous BLM lands. Lands west of 

 Highway 15 were not included apart from initial efforts to relocate Phacelia scopiiUna. Because the 

 intact condition or particular type of outcrop habitat was not found, we did not locate sensitive species in 

 wetlands or on limestone outcrops. Nevertheless, when conducting project reviews, these habitats 

 should still be recognized as potentially harboring sensitive species. Access was not obtained to survey 

 McCartney Mountain, which would have been appropriate to include since its stratigraphy and forest 

 and meadow habitats differ from the remainder of the study area. 



The Grasshopper Study Area has the largest known populations for several globally rare plants in the 

 state, \nc\nd\ng Astragalus scaphoides, LesquerellapiilcheUa, Lomatium attenuatum, and Oryzopsis 

 contracta. It is also central among Penstemon lemhiensis occurrences in Montana; these occurrences 

 had been addressed in a management strategy (Elzinga 1995). A wide range of upland habitats support 

 sensitive species across this Study Area, though the greatest number are on limestone outcrops. The 

 Bannack locale harbors a noteworthy concentration of rare species that potentially affords both special 

 conservation and public education opportunities. The 



Upper Madison Area has the largest knowTi populations for two rare state plants. Astragalus terminalis 

 and Stephanomeria spinosa. They are in relatively extensive valley bottom habitat, but little of this 

 habitat is on public land. Several diverse, largely-intact, spring-fed wetlands were documented, 

 representing significant contributions to species and landscape diversity in the arid valley bottom setting; 

 nevertheless, no rare species were discovered in the late-season wetland setting surveys. 



Greatest immediate management concerns in all tliree of the study areas are recent incursions of noxious 

 weeds, particularly spotted knapweed (Centawea maculosa), and less frequently, leafy spurge 

 (Euphorbia esula). Special effort should be taken to aggressively control weed management and to keep 

 watch on activities that potentially foster the spread of noxious weeds (road maintenance, off-road 

 travel, and other forms of recreation, mining, or range development activities). 



Special management attention should be given to globally rare species that are now restricted to only 

 fractions of their potential habitat, on which they had previously been widespread: Astragalus 

 scaphoides and A. terminalis. The localized abundance of these species in the study areas is interpreted 

 to represent excellent range condition and non-conflicting livestock management to date. Existing 

 allotment management practices do not provide a guarantee for survival; the case for status quo 

 management and impacts to these species are therefore appropriate to address in all future reviews of 

 allotment management plans, particularly critical at the largest of their populations. 



