d) Species designated as priority species in the Montana 

 Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks regional plan. 



This list did not address the abundance of nongame species 

 which utilized the habitats associated with the project area. Loss 

 of riparian areas, mountain shrublands and open conifer forests had 

 a detrimental impact on the diverse yearlong or seasonal popula- 

 tions of small mammals, raptors, and other avifauna inhabiting 

 these habitats. Mitigation efforts toward the target species are 

 likely to benefit many of these species. 



E. IMPACT ANALYSIS 



A detailed analysis was developed for each species or group of 

 species identified on the target species list. Impact analysis 

 was based :>n historical population estimates, species distribution 

 information and acres of disturbance. All available data was used 

 in the analysis and, where possible, quantitative and qualitative 

 loss estimates were developed. In many instances, adequate informa- 

 tics was unavailable and only qualitative loss estimates were 

 developed. Qualitative loss estimates of high, moderate, or low 

 were used to describe impacts of the hydroelectric project. The 

 following were considered during the development of the qualitative 

 loss estimates: 



a) Numbers of animals lost or displaced in relation to 

 the overall population of the species in the region; 



b) Seasonal or year-round importance of the habitat lost 

 for a particular species; 



c) Loss of sites important to the production and/or 

 survival of offspring, especially to rare species; 



d) Ability of the species to establish populations in 

 adjacent areas and the availability of these suitable 

 areas; and 



e) Effect on social or territorial mechanisms regulating 

 populations . 



F. PREVIOUS MITIGATION 



A detailed summary of all previous mitigation related to the 

 project was developed. This summary included mitigations funded by 

 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and completed by the Montana 

 Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the U.S. Forest Service. 

 The acres of habitat affected and the monies spent were summarized 

 in this section. 



