For Private Industry:
- A consulting firm preparing an assessment for a major power
company requested information on all sensitive species within one mile
of the mainstem of a Montana river. MTNHP provided summary information
accompanied by a map showing general species locations within the river
corridor.
- A rural electric cooperative asked us to review upcoming
projects in order to address the issue of Threatened and Endangered
species, as required by the USDA Rural Electrification Administration.
MTNHP provided the cooperative with information on the presence (or
absence) of any sensitive species in the vicinity of 19 project areas--within
5 working days.
- A mining company requested information on sensitive species
or habitats occurring in the vicinity of a potential mine site. Information
on a fish species of special concern occurring in a nearby creek was
forwarded to the company.
For State Government:
- A section of highway was being upgraded that passed through
an area with a high density of sensitive plant species. MTNHP provided
detailed maps of population locations, along with reports and references
detailing the species' biology, distribution and phenology.
- A state agency preparing a large-scale land-use analysis
needed data on all vertebrate species, both common and rare, occurring
in specific Montana counties. Within 10 days, MTNHP provided information
on over 600 species in a format compatible with the agency's statistical
analysis program.
- An innovative technique for diverting irrigation water
was being tested, and the bureau in charge contacted us for information
on sensitive species susceptible to disturbance by construction equipment
during the installation of the diversion mechanisms. MTNHP provided
data on sensitive species populations occurring within 200 meters of
major streams in eight drainages.
- In 1997, MTNHP reviewed over 300 individual projects or
permit applications submitted by various state agencies and provided
information on sensitive species occurring in the project vicinities.
For County/Local Government:
- MTNHP responded to dozens of requests placed by county
and local weed boards, helping them to fulfill their requirement of
addressing Threatened and Endangered species as part of their noxious
weed control planning process.
- MTNHP also responded to requests placed by various county
commissions planning local improvements using Inter-modal Surface Transportation
Efficiency Act (ISTEA) funds. Our responses helped these local governments
address the issue of Threatened and Endangered species as required by
the Act.
- Numerous requests were also placed by county planning boards
and surveying offices across Montana, seeking information relating to
subdivision review, local restoration projects, and county master plans.
For Federal Government:
- U.S. Forest Service staff throughout Region 1 placed an
average of 50 data requests per month via an off-site data installation
of Heritage data in Missoula. This state-wide database has given forest
planners the opportunity to easily access information on species throughout
their range in Montana.
- Forest Service biologists preparing environmental assessments
for timber sales requested information on the life-history of several
sensitive species. Consultation with MTNHP staff provided them with
information to better plan the extent and timing of timber harvest.
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has periodically
requested information on sensitive species considered for listing under
the Endangered Species Act. In almost two dozen cases, MTNHP has provided
information that allowed the USFWS to determine that the species was
not threatened or endangered, and did not need to be listed under the
Endangered Species Act.
For Private Individuals/Businesses:
- Numerous consulting firms regularly contacted MTNHP for
information regarding sensitive species related to environmental documentation
that they were preparing for Montana projects.
- A landowner called with questions about a plant species
that he had recently noticed growing near his irrigation ditches. MTNHP
identified the plant as a non-noxious native species.
- A high-school biology teacher wanted to know which species
of frogs were native to her county and whether any were considered rare.
MTNHP provided a summary printout with information on each species.
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