CHArriiR 2: .\FFE<.:tl!:i> ENVIRONMINT 



or to attract trade must have a permit from FWP. Montana statutes (87-1-231) and administrative rules 

 require the permanent tattooing of any wolf held in captivity, where "wolf means a member of the 

 species Canis lupus, including any canine hybrid, which is > 50% wolf Owners are also responsible for 

 compensation and damages to personal property caused by any wolf that is held in captivity or that 

 escapes from captivity. 



Cultural, Archaeological, and Historical Resources 



Evidence of about 12,000 years of human occupation of the Montana landscape is divided into prehistoric 

 archaeological sites (such as stone circles, lithic scatters, or bison kill sites) and historical sites (such as 

 homesteads or railroad depots). Although documentation suggests preferred areas of use and occupation, 

 no environmental/topographic zone can be ignored as having potential for containing cultural resources. 

 The value of cultural resources lies in its potential to provide infonnation about societies past. The gray 

 wolf attained a cultural significance to many Native American tribes. The wolf recovery areas contain 

 lands that the tribes used traditionally and continue to do so today. 



FWP's Parks Division is responsible for preserving and managing important historical and cultural 

 resources that are incorporated within the state parks system. Examples are Ulm Pishkun, Bannock, Chief 

 Plenty Coups, and Traveller's Rest. 



Physical Environment 

 Air 



Air provides for the exchange of gases basic to life, whether plant or animal. 

 Soil 



Soil is a basic natural resource essential for plant growth and animal survival. Rich, healthy soil supplies 

 nutrients for vegetation upon which wildlife depend for food and cover. Montana has a diverse landscape 

 of soils, varying with geological parent material, climate, vegetation, rates of weathering, and human 

 manipulation such as logging, mining, and agriculture. Human manipulation affects soils through 

 compaction, erosion, and changes in chemical composition including accumulation of toxic chemicals. 



Aquatics / Water Quality / Fisheries 



Montana is dissected by 178,896 miles of streams and contains more than 10,000 lakes, reservoirs, and 

 ponds for a total of 979,433 acres of water surface. Groundwater is important for agriculture, commercial 

 industries, municipal and rural residential purposes. Surface water is valuable for wildlife and recreation. 

 Wetlands are areas where water saturation is the dominant factor influencing soil, plants, and animal 

 communities (Cowardin et al. 1979). Wetlands are important riparian ecosystems in the regulation and 

 maintenance of rivers, lakes and groundwater systems. They also maintain water quality and improve 

 degraded water by assimilating nutrients, reducing sediment load, and processing some chemical and 

 organic waste. Wetlands and riparian areas are the most biologically productive ecosystems, and are 

 particularly critical to maintain a diversity of wildlife. Waterfowl, wading birds, and shore birds use 

 wetlands for feeding, nesting, migration, and wintering. 



Over 1 1 ,000 individual waters support 90 species of fish. Of these, 56 are native to Montana, two others 

 are possible natives, and the rest were introduced. Thirty-one species are classified as game fish under 

 Montana statutes. Eighteen species are listed as "species of special concern", two are listed as federally 

 endangered, and one is federally threatened. Several other species are candidate species for listing under 

 ESA. Fishing is a popular pastime. About 34% of all residents purchase fishing licenses annually. 



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