ACKNOVLEDOfENTS 



The final report for the Montana portion of the Pacific 

 Northwest Rivers Study (the Montana Rivers Study) has occurred as 

 the result of efforts from countless individuals, agencies and 

 organizations. These acknowledgments start with Larry Thompson, a 

 key member of the study team who coordinated the natural features 

 assessment and later became the Montana Rivers Study data base 

 manager. Larry was unable to write his portion of the final 

 report due to his death on February 5, 1988 following a nine month 

 battle against a malignant brain tumor. Larry brought to this 

 study the same dedication and enthusiasm he brought to every 

 natural resource project he was involved with and he will be 

 deeply missed. 



Pat Graham, along with other state coordinators and BPA and 

 Power Planning Council staff, initiated and organized the massive 

 effort to assess the natural resource values of the Pacific 

 Northwest rivers and streams in 1985. Drew Parkin played a key 

 role in coordinating the four states' assessment processes and 

 findings. The resource experts conducting the assessments 

 deserve a special thanks for providing high-quality and reliable 

 data to write the report from -- George Holton, Burwell Gooch and 

 Bob McFarland in the fisheries assessment; Gael Bissell, John 

 Mundinger and Brian Giddings for the wildlife assessment; Paul 

 Pacini, Stewart Allen and Jim Traub in the recreational 

 assessment; Tom Ring, Nancy Johnson, and Peter Lessica for the 

 natural features assessment; and Tom A. Foor in the cultural 

 assessment. Numerous cooperating resource experts from federal 

 agencies including Earl Reinsel, Don Bartschi, Ray Hoem, and Janet 

 Johnson, provided insight and suggestion to further the study 

 design and results. Biologists, resource managers and public 

 individuals provided the data to assess each resource area, 

 reviewed each drainage write-up and their continued support of 

 the project is greatly appreciated. 



Dennice Hamman and Frances Roe converted the original write- 

 ups, typed, and helped edit the report. Mark Gaub assisted in the 

 graphics. Larry Peterman, Pat Graham, Gael Bissell, Tom Pansky, 

 Drew Parkin, Tom Ring, Earl Reinsel and Ray Hoem reviewed the 

 draft report. The study was funded by the Bonneville Power 

 Administration and coordinated from their office by Tom Pansky. 



IV 



