Ecological

• Aquatic Monitoring, Powder and Tongue River Basins
  Partner(s): BLM
  Objective: Monitor effects of discharge water from Coalbed Methane Gas extraction on aquatic species and water quality.
  
• Assessing the Natural Range of Variability in Rocky Mountain Wetlands
  Partner(s): EPA, CNHP, WYNDD
  Completed: June 2012
  Objective: Using field-based assessments, document the natural range of variability in fens, marshes, wet meadows and riparian shrublands across mountainous regions of the Rocky Mountain west, and establish a network of sentinel sites for long-term monitoring
  
• Developing a Statewide Rotating Basin Assessment and Monitoring Strategy for Montana
  Partner(s): USEPA
  Objective: Complete the second phase of a statewide rotating-basin assessment and monitoring program. This will include Level 1 (GIS-based), Level 2 (rapid field-based), and Level 3 (intensive field-based) methods. This phase of the project also involves completion of digital wetland and riparian mapping in southeastern Montana in preparation for the third phase of basin-wide assessments. This portion of the project will be completed in collaboration with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.
  
• Ecological Site Description Development
  Partner(s): NRCS and BLM
  Objective: Collect vegetation data for the development of Ecological Site Descriptions (ESDs) in two Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA): 52X and 60B. Data collected include plant species composition, cover, structure, and production; soil stability and other properties; and ground cover.
  
• Groundwater-dependent Ecosystems
  Partner(s): EPA
  Objective: Develop a clear and consistent strategy for the identification, classification and protection of groundwater-dependent wetlands, focusing on fens. The project will improve mapping of fens while decribing the natural range of variability found in Montana.
  
• Headwater Wetlands
  Partner(s): EPA
  Objective: Develop a clear and consistent strategy for describing the extent, distribution, characteristics and functions of headwater wetlands in the upper Missouri subbasin using GIS and field studies.
  
• Hydrologic Needs of Prairie Pothole Region wetlands
  Partner(s): Cadmus Group, EPA, DEQ, TNC
  Objective: Compile and review hydrological and ecological literature, reports, studies and data using a causal criteria analysis approach to summarize knowledge of wetland-dependent biota in the glaciated pothole region.
  
• Northern Cheyenne Wetland Program
  Partner(s): Northern Cheyenne
  Objective: Continue to assist the Northern Cheyenne Tribe’s Wetlands Program with program development through the completion of wetland and riparian mapping, onsite field trainings in wetland assessment methods and plant identification, compilation of relevant GIS data, and input and review of wetland project planning documents
  
• Northern Montana Wetland and Riparian Mapping
  Partner(s): BLM
  Objective: Complete new digital wetland and riparian mapping for watersheds containing BLM managed lands in the northern portion of Montana.
  
• Restoration Guidelines for Prairie Pothole Wetlands
  Partner(s): EPA
  Completed: December 2012
  Objective: Develop a handbook of guidelines and best practices for the restoration of wetlands in the glaciated plains of Northeastern Montana
  
• Statewide Wetland and Riparian Evaluations in Montana
  Partner(s): BLM
  Objective: Identify the most appropriate reference standard (minimally disturbed condition, least disturbed condition, best attainable condition) to be used for evaluating the ambient condition of wetlands and riparian areas on BLM-managed lands or areas adjacent to BLM lands. A related goal is identifying those land use activities within the control of BLM managers that negatively affect wetland and riparian condition, and determine the distance at which these negative effects become negligible.
  
• Wetland condition in the Blackfoot and Swan River Watersheds
  Partner(s): EPA
  Objective: Intensify wetland condition assessments in the ecologically significant Blackfoot and Swan River watersheds to support local decision making and voluntary restoration; 2) complete digital wetland mapping in the Blackfoot River watershed to support assessment and management; 3) provide trainings and information session to various partners within these watersheds to ensure effective use of assessment data.