EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 



Sensitive plant surveys were conducted in the scattered units 

 making up the Sioux Ranger District of Custer National Forest, 

 resulting in the discovery and documentation of 26 new populations 

 of 8 Montana plant species of special concern and 11 new 

 populations of 5 South Dakota plant species of special concern. 

 This report compiles site-specific and status information on these 

 thirteen species, and background information on the 5 species which 

 were not relocated. Of the 18 species: 



- One species currently has U.S. Forest Service Region 1 

 sensitive status; now known from the Sioux District 



- Four are recommended for consideration as sensitive 



- Five are recommended for consideration as watch for purpose 

 of further assessment by Custer National Forest 



Three are recommended to be dropped from further 

 consideration by the U.S. Forest Service, and 



- Three others are recommended to be dropped from further 

 consideration by both the U.S. Forest Service and the 

 respective states 



The opportunity to conduct a study near the intersection of three 

 state boundaries signifies an unique opportunity to integrate 

 disparate study area information and state species lists to provide 

 a more cohesive picture of key regional botanical resources. The 

 isolated escarpments making up the Sioux District units represent 

 significant biogeographic features on the high plains. Their 

 location presents a challenge to the Regional U.S. Forest Service 

 in setting meaningful standards for sensitive species designation. 



