S Scow* Kenneth Lee

581*524 Appendix C.»

M26acva vegetation/
1988 agricultural.

resources of the
Beal Project area

APPENDIX C. VEGETATION/AGRICULTURAL
RESOURCES OF THE BEAL PROJECT AREA

STATE DOCUMHirrs COLLECT;:;,

'393

MONTANA STATE LIBRARY

1515 E. 6th AVE.
HELENA, MONTANA 59520

WESTECH

Western Technology and Engineering Inc.

ft/

4 » &03

10V 2 4 ?m

OV ° 8 2006

MONTANA STATE LIBRARY

S 581.524 M26acva 1988 c.1 Scow
Appendix C. vegetaton/agnculnira I res

3 0864 00082347 9

W1 ® w

APPENDIX C. VEGETATION/AGRICULTURAL
RESOURCES OF THE BEAL PROJECT AREA

Prepared for:

Beal Mountain Mining, Inc.

P.O. Box 176^

Jefferson City, Montana 59636

Prepared by:
Ken L. Scow
L. Dean Culwell

Western Technology and Enaineering, Inc.
P.O. Box 6045
Helena, Montana 59604
406-442-0950

January, 1988

m%

CONTENTS

Page-

INTRODUCTION 1

METHODS 1

OEA RESEARCH SURVEY 1

SAWYER SURVEY 3

WESTECH SURVEY 4

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 6

PERMIT AREA 6

Habitat/Community Type Descriptions 6

Idaho Fescue/Eluebunch Wheatgrass Habitat Type ... 6

Idaho Fescue/Bearded Wheatgrass Habitat Type 13

Rough Fescue/Eluebunch Wheatgrass Habitat Type ... 14

Rough Fescue/ 1 da ho Fescue Habitat Type IS

Tufted Heirgrass/Sedge Habitat Type If"

Shrubby Cinquefoil/Rough Fescue Habitat Type IV

Sitka Alder Community Type 18

Quaking Aspen Community Type 19

Douglas-f ir/Pinegrass Habitat Type 19

Douglas-f ir/Twinf lower Habitat Type 20

Subalpine Fir/Elk Sedge Habitat Type 23

Subalpine Fi r/Pinegrass Habitat Type 23

Subalpine Fir/Grouse Whortleberry Habitat Type ... 24

Subalpine Fir/Beargrass Habitat Type 25

Subalpine Fir/Sitka Alder Habitat Type 26

Subalpine Fir/Twinf lower Habitat Type 26

Subalpine Fir/Rusty Menziesia Habitat Type 27

Subalpine Fi r/Bluejoint Reedgrass Habitat Type ... 28

Disturbed Upland Community Type 30

Disturbed Riparian Community Type 32

Grazing/Agricultural Uses 33

Timber Resources 34

Noxious Weeds 36

£a££

ACCESS ROAD OPTIONS 39

Habitat/Community Type Descriptions 39

Bluebunch Wheatgrass/Native Bluegrass

Habitat Type 41

Idaho Fescue/Bluebunch Wheatgrass

Habitat Type 41

Rough Fescue/Bluebunch Wheatgrass

Habitat Type ~. 4 2

Rough Fescue/Idaho Fescue Habitat Type 42

Tufted Hairgrass/Sedge Habitat Type 42

Antelope Bitterbrush/Bluebunch Wheatgrass

Hab itat Type 43

Antelope Bitterb rush/Rough Fescue

Habitat Type \ 43

Willow Community Type 43

Quaking Aspen Community Type 44

Douglas-Fi r/Idaho Fescue Habitat Type 4^

Douglas-Fi r/Rough Fescue Habitat Type 44

Douglas-Fi r/Pinegrass Habitat Type 45

Douglas-F i r/Common Snoy.be rry Habitat Type 4 5

Douglas-Fi r/Twinf lower Habitat Type 46

Dcuclas-Fi r/Mal low Ninebark Habitat Type 46

Engelmann Spruce/Twinf lower Habitat Type 46

Subalpine Fi r/Twinf lower Habitat Type 47

Subalpine Fi r/Bluejoint Reedgrass Habitat Type ... 47

Disturbed Riparian Community Type 4/

Grazing/Agricultural Uses 47

Timber Resources 48

Noxious Weeds 4 9

SPECIES LIST/RARE PLANTS 50

LITERATURE CITED 56

l l

LIST OF TABLES

IabJLf. E££e_

1 Site parameters and relative abundance of
vegetation habitat/community types in the Beal

Project permit area, Silver Bow County, Montane 7

2 Mean percent canopy cover/frequency of important
vascular plant species by transect for five
grassland and shrublend nab itat types, Beal Project

study area (data source: OEA Research, 1981) 9

3 Production values for grassland and shrubland

habitat types on the Beal Project permit area 12

4 Mean percent canopy cover/frequency of vascular plant
species by transect for five forest habitat types,
Beal Project study area (data source: OEA Research,

1981) 21

5 Vascular plant species identified on disturbed

sites in the Eeal Project permit area 31

6 Tree density (stems/acre) by species, dbh class

and hab itat type 35

7 Mean basal area and 50-year site indexes by

habitat type 37

8 Height, diameter and age of selected trees by

habitat type and species 38

9 Site parameters and relative abundance of vegetation
habitat/community types in the Beal Project access
options, Silver Bow County, Montana 40

EXHIBIT
C-l Vegetation map, Beal Project permit area map pocket

i 1 1

INTRODUCTION

Vegetation of the Beal Project area was quantitatively sampled by OEA
Research (1961) during July, 1961. A subsequent change in the permit
area resulted in the collection of additional data and extension of
habitat type mapping by Sawyer (1984) during October, 1984. The
project has more recently been reevaluated, resulting in a change in
the permit boundary and requiring reeval uation of vegetation. A
veoetation reconne issance was conducted during October and November,
1967 to evaluate vegetation of the new permit area and several access
road options.

Rather than submitting three separate reports for the project, the

results of all three investigations are included in this report. OEA

Research (1961) and Sawyer (1964) have previously been submitted to
MDSL should their review by the agencies be necessary.

METHODS

OEA RESEARCH SURVEY (Extracted From OEA Research, 1981)
During July 1961, 20 vegetation transects were established in the
original study area. Ten transects were placed in forest stands end
ten in grassland and shrubland stands. In forest stands, two types of
sampling procedures were employed: 1) a circular, 375-square-meter
macroplot to estimate overstory canopy cover; 2) twenty 2x5 dm

rectangular microplots placed along the contour and central axis of the
circular macroplot to estimate understory cover. In each macroplot,
total overstory canopy coverage was estimated for all trees as well as
for each tree species. All trees in the macroplot were counted and
recorded by size class. A vigorous, relatively open-growing tree of
each species within the macroplot was selected and analyzed for growth
information. This involved measuring tree height, diameter at breast
height (dbh) and removing a core with an increment borer to determine
aqe. Tree height was determined using a tape and a Suunto Clinometer
for angle measurement.

Canopy coverage of ell understory species occurring in each microplot
was recorded by coverage class, adapted from the method developed by
Daubenmire (1959).

Data for shrubland and grassland stands were gathered using techniques
similar to those employed for the understory component of forest
stands. In these types, the 20 microplots were spaced at two-meter
intervals along a tape stretched along the contour.

All stands sampled were placed in homogeneous vegetation to avoid
ecotones between community types; heavily disturbed stands vere
avoided. A general reconnaissance of the study area was used to add
rare or uncommon species to the list. In sampled stands, species
occurring in the stand but not in the microplots were recorded for

inclusion in the species list. Site parameters (slope, aspect.
elevation, topographic position and slope configuration) were recorded
for each transect.

A habitat type map (1" = 2000') was prepared of the OEA Research study
area.

SAWYER SURVEY (Extracted From Sawyer, 1984)

Habitat type mapping was extended to an area south of German Gulch.
Additional information was obtained in forested stands using two
methods, Bitterlich's Variable Radius Method and the Point-Centered
Quarter Method, as outlined by Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg (1974).
The Point-Centered Quarter Method was used to calculate tree density
and basal area values for five sites (twenty points per site). The
Bitterlich method was usee to calculate a second value for basal area
with an average cf 22.4 sample points per site (ranging frorri 13 to 30
sample points per site). A Cruise Angle gauge (basal area factor of
20) was used in sampling the sites. Timber volumes were obtained as
estimates from personal communication with Davis (1983). Stand data
based on the point-centered quarter method were generated for trees
with dbh greater than four inches.

Sawyer (1984) also summarized information on grazing for his study
area .

WESTECH SURVEY

A field reconnaissance of the new permit area and access road options

was conducted by foot and vehicle traverse during October and November

1987 to accomplish the following tasks:

c Extend habitat type mapping to cover the new permit area and

modify previous mapping to ensure consistency of

interpretation. The permit area was mapped on a topographic
base at a scale of 1"=500' using July, 1983 color aerial
photographs at a scale of 1"=1000'. Mapping units were based
on potential plant associations following habitat type
classifications of Ffister et al. (1977) for forested habitat
types and Kueggler and Stewart (1980) for grassland and
shrubland habitat types. Community type mapping units were
based on existing species coverage. All identifiable mapping
units over two acres in size were delineated.

Habitat/community types were mapped for all access options on
1"=1000' black-and-white aerial photographs, using the same
procedures. Abundance of permit area types was determined by
planimetering the vegetation map. Relative abundance of
access option types was determined using a 1/4 x 1/4-inch
dot-qrid overlay on access option mapping.

#

Provide qualitative descriptions of habitat types identified
by Sawyer but not described by either OEA Research or Sawyer,

and describe any new types encountered, including those in
the access options.

« Describe species composition on historic mining disturbances
in the area.

« Add to the species list prepared by OEA Research, keying on
areas not covered by that survey particularly the access
options. Species net readily identified in the field were
verified in the laboratory with a stereozoom dissection
microscope. Advanced phenology at the time of reconnaissance
prohibited positive identification of some taxa.

« Evaluate the presence of noxious weeds in the proposed permit
tret and along access road options.

f Search for potential rare plants listed by Lesica et al .

(1984), and review files of the Montana Natural Heritage

Program for existing data on rare plant occurrence in the
area.

t Evaluate agricultural or grazing uses of areas not covered by
previous surveys.

RESULTS AIJD DISCUSSION

PERMIT AREA

Hahitat/Cpmnvn-ity Type; Descriptions

Vegetation types identified in the Beal Project permit area are listed
in Table 1, with site parameters and relative abundance. Five
grassland habitat types end one shrublend habitat type were identified,
following the classification of Mueggler and Stewart (1980). Two
deciduous woodland community types were identified, serai to various
forest habitat types. Ten forest habitat types were identified
following the classification of Pf ister et al . (1977), two in the
Douglas-fir series and eight in the subalpine fir series. Disturbed
types were also assessed, divided between upland and riparian sites.
Quantitative data included in the following type descriptions are taken
from OEA Research (1981). Vegetation/soils associations are also given
in Appendix D. SOILS. A habitat/community type map of the permit area
is included as Exhibit C-l.

Idaho Fescue/Eluebunch Wheatprass (Fes id a/ Apt spi ) Habitat Type. The
Fes ida/Agr spi type occupies moderate to steep slopes on warmer,
usually southerly, aspects. Soils are less developed than those on
which the more mesic grassland habitat types occur. Fes ida/Agr spi
was generally found at elevations of 6650 to 7500 feet, ranging up to
7850 feet on the south slope of Beals Hill.

Cj bs

rig

a- <:

M <\ l£) O. rH ^

W f\j

r\ m c

in fM

r-j •— < *r o in »-i n-, r-

o. o. o

o o

o o o

r- o

u*i fri rm, ^ h ri ^j

i <-i m

b

B

2
C

I

Lu

13

•— ' LU

E

EL" LU

uj £

L

L.

a

o <

i E

C r
-. ^

C -

<c >-

, t

LU

LU ._

.'

H

O

«c

rig

i_ _

Qtt

5£

« ri

£r m

O CG IX, IvD iX}

U) »-h —i

t^^'Mx; ^h

° O O O o

cd r- cuj LT, r-

r-~ r- r-- F-- r-

■ i l i i

o o o o o

' O LT, LT, n-'

Bo

n

n-,

r-

VO r-

r-

r^

r

s

c

+J

VI

0

c

CX

+j

+j

to

IV

r

o o

e

■H -H

c

C

a. ^

■H

*

■£ -^

? ro

a'

C

c

>- i-

«4

■♦-j

c

c

c

£' 1'

G

b,

c

U

CO LU C,
CO LU CO

l/i u H^ v
l_ L- l. w L,

m ro i" rj li

"O X) 0 U C>

**- ■*- tO IT , (J

!■'' 10 in tr, m

a1 c & id m

Ci_ Lk. Lu. Lu. O

B'Z $>

X TO XT Q:

<-> U O O)

3 a> 3 qi

"■> xi ti jj o m

a D in
>>r- C

^ Xj Jj

Xj ♦-.

<U 3 D 3 D L

«-* U (J CJ o -"

"^ w m in ^ (p

J3 fl" C Hi t £

TO C- »^ S_ ■«_

TD XI .c CT; D- +-*
C TO TO 3 3 *♦-
TO "D XJ O C 3

r-MMd^L.

T O. LT,

rn rsj o

go
° cm

I l

<=> o

r- o

coo C(D(\^mMoc

r- ~* tH kD ^ cd ^ (^ Oi o'
c> fvi e n o> it. ^ h m in

o i

O O o o o o

o o

- 1 ' Ln o fv lti r- w n-i !

^ ! r- r- r- r- ^. r- r-- r-

I j i

o oooo0ooc-.,

"<J -O o G„ (Ni C* 0 C 0- Co

U-, SrH^EOf. ill. m

u^ <-r~ioiOr-vo«Joo

CD CM in

tn cm m

«-< CU

a

CO

a-

&«!

m E o o '

>■ c >> tr, in >, C7

l- ci Q L t_ C

-- ci > u t > m

^ - c T o o ~ "

G C +j C ^_, ^j (__, C> 0i ^j

t^ C +" +J "^ h_

t. 3 +^ C -H ^ f O c -H

o —

c

e

r j

Oi Oi

>. *o

"i ro

^^i'

t*

c k'

CO

+" c

O o

co

■ Z 2 co co lu ;_• lu
•• I to i/> • » ^ * —

Lul » * *< ill * - ^ K

*-0 I ULu2n22^2

JD C. >. X) O C c

c c

8,6.

a. a)

C re

L

3

u

t-

-^

c

c

r

c

□

u

m

■H

Cl

X3

V

L

l_

r-

u

l_

c

c

C

,_

t-r

fO

rc

re

0)

r—

t-

j:

I-

»

.

'

o

L

>

X

«t

—

t

^

Cl

■v.

*^

■s.

"^

^

■^

■^

V

D

U)

irt

m

t'J

c»

to

ir.

in

-■

L.

li

TO

rw

<■

TO

•'.'

TO

re

/c

+ -

•4-)

i.

t. ,

tn

XI

a".

X.

X)

Xj

Xj

X)

<:

■C.

<c

«c

<

<

«i

<:

C

a

o

in

X-

TO 0>

D

C

in o

■*->

CL> Cj

L.

C- -r- u

O

Qy L N

c tan

I'l XJ c> C +J

1- G: Ifi *.

TO TO O £ "^

Wi C T5 TO

i"

m S Cj l. o

»- «— o

in

1
t

to o m o» m

QJ

Cu C

0;C- jjf C O

TO 4-> ^ CT 3

O C r- -r- L.

O^ > 3r-

4-1 X3 -^

L

C *^- L C-. C* XI f i +J L. ji,

C U

c

"- * sss

V. ^ \ ^ s

TT

c

Cl

Cl +J L- l_ L.

C L. L. i. L.

■H »— C

C

CJ

>.^ \ ^- -^ ^_

•i- Cu •»-

TO L-

O-

-H

L- C s_ i*. ^

C- l— l^- 4*_ u_

C 3 l_

f— Qj

1/

3

O r-

TO

+J

c- •+- cc a)

O C C' c> o

TO

1 1 c c c

tl G C C C

p a> oj

O TO

en

-»-

LT, tl "^ -^ ^~

C X) x>

c

■*-

ip <P Q r. p

Ci. O. Cl CL C

U L. L.

-'■.

O 3

in ^

Jf

f

D< Oj to to to

TO TO TO TO TO

"O ^-> 4-»

3 +-■
c -^

IB

X

3 3Xl£i£)££)£i£,£

C- in </>

I-1

O O 3 Z3 3

D D 3 D D

yi t- ■■-

O CO
■o

O

O O CO CO t/> co to CO CO CO

L. o O

Graminoid cover averaged 66 percent for four transects sampled in the
type (Table 2) dominated by Idaho fescue (Festuca i da hoe n sis. 22
percent)* bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum, 17), sedge species
(8), bluegrass species (5), prairie junegrass (Koeleria cristate. 5),
native bluegrass (Poa sandbergi i , 4) and threadleaf sedge (Car ex
f il if ol ia, 3). One transect was in the more me sic Columbia needlegrass
(Slip_a occidental is var. minor) phase of the Fes ida/Agr spi habitat
type, averaging A percent cover of that species in the stand sampled.
Forb cover averaged 63 percent, dominated by eleven species which
averaged two to seven percent cover each. These included, in

decreasing order of cover, field chickweed (Cerestium arvense), silky
lupine (Lupinus sericeus), leafy musineon (Musineon di var i cat urn) , pale
agoseris (Agoseris cleuce) > fernleaf fleabane (Er igeron corroositus) .
common yarrow (Achil lee mil lef cl ium) , diverse-leaved cinquefoil
(Potent ilia diversifol ia), sticky geranium (Gf ranium viscosissimum) ■
cushion buckwheat (Er ioconum oval if ol i'uei) > bullhead sandwort (Arenar ia
conpesta) and orange arnica (Arnica fuloens). Creeping Oregon-grape
(Berber is repens), a subshrub, averaged 3 percent cover, primarily on
one transect.

Production for the Fes ida/Agr spi habitat type is highly variable,

with investigators in western Montana reportina total production values

2
ranging from 53.4 to 179.0 grams/meter (Table 3). Mueggler and

Stewart (1980) speculated that differences in site potential and yearly

weather fluctuations were responsible for extremes in production in

(J LT»

:3

3

O O LA | I

rn ^-* CO

~^ *V. S

r- c o

CM O r-

O I I O I I

1 la la la

O LA

O

1 1

O LA

LA

1 LA O |

1 LA O

r- s cm

•— i rn

CO

s s

la cm

r-t CM

-IN

S CO S
CO . LA

S *-v

*N.

la r--

•^. s

s

S "s.

C* cr>

If ■

• •

<?■ o

u .

r- •*

• o •

*-> m

O CM

O rj

a

r-

vd cm

T

.-< vd

r-t — 1

r

<

rr

( -

<

^

f

c

h-

V

i '

c

Li!

c.

1

o

LA

cr

m

LA

m

CS

0

fNI

*?

m

T

D

r*-

LA LA O u-, O

la "« ° m rA

s s ~* s s

^3- cr "^ r- o

• • rA • •

ID — • • ^ O
O'
m

la O o O O

^ n c n^

LA CC

> . I

o ~ i

CM C

■ m O

O CD LA LA LA

cm •-< o *•■* *-^

•^ S ^. CC' INI

one
• • • c o

— O CC

rA la
s ,-1

r- "^

• \D

o •

CNJ

fMr^om^mfn© i in co cm i

cnj«— 'rsjrv"^-r^co«c \ •— < S s

^ss'-vvd^s"^ cm s id r-

ccla*3vO • r^ cm r-~ • la •

. . . . o • • • o • o

I O | i i O t I

•— • LA

S S

C LA

o r-

o o

•-* CM

I O I O I

I o o o

1DSO

I LA LA O

CO ""- VD

^ ^ >

co r- "=

cr> cc cc

>~i cm

P^ CM CO I

S S S S ^

t~~ cc.' co m vo

O — i t-> \D CM

I— I N f-J

1 LA LA I I I

I O m I

m co en i

Whs

I CO LA O O | --,

VD «^. ,_| CA f "j

s ^r s s \

-3 . la m pa

• CD • • .

CO t— « .-« «w

9 I O I I LA I

1 1

LA LA

s s

CC' LA

rsj la

S S

CM — '

O rsj

•

I LA | LA

O LA O LA

la N rn n

c

LC

VI
O

I O O | l i O i l

vd o

c

f .'

v.

a

J-

c»

fA CO

1 vo <rj

LA I LA LA LT1

rA rn la n

s ^ ^ s

cm -r vo •— <

O LA LA

r~~ t: r-i

I LA LA O O

la •— ' rn rM
"^ v. ^ -
t~~- la r^ ^C'

CO O \f - o

- c

£3

i- a.

Q

£ r-;

-

U'

*-

1^

1

<

L

•—

r.

■— ■

u.

n

■n

<

(

..

1 '

>

O

u

<■

i

>

-

fc

-

-d m o.

la O O

V l -

O CO o

■^ ^ .-I

cm r- v.

C Ci

* • *7

"-*!

*-< r-

LA | O I I I

c r in vr tt wr

o la r- c c> •— i

c ^- v. s \ ^

;_. cm cc o ■«? \c

'■

va co r-i *r C

LT, O O O i

r- c C' la ■

s s ^-i "^

•— ' la *^ t*. i

LA O O LA I
la rn O •— '

in iti s h

* • LT •

O —i • — ■

LA C

C* N.

I LA I I CO I C

O LA I I

C "^- s *^

^ CM CM r-

LC, . . .

• c c- *r
lt r-

LA

■<- i ■— I re co 1 I

^r p-i C-j s s. *^.

^- \ SON CO

vo TO ■ • •

. . r- O LTl

•? rn la CT

I r i O I O I l la l

I o o o

CO ^-* -?

s s s

co o r j

f-t CM ^

LA O I I

LA LA
LA CM S

s \ K

Cm \C

^cccovOin^OcoMir)^ i cm cc

T+rs'MM.MfMrsj'srjM.n cm "^

s s fvj D. «T' s n \c s •; s \^r

CC' CM' • * • LO *^3 ■ fM • i— I LO ■

• 'OOO • 'CM . O • » O

rA *s cm c>j *-> r~- o

1 I I I 1 I I LA O I

r- LA VA

i-i o m

i o m in m

.-■ r- ^v s

S S CM CM

rn cm • •

• • o o
o c

1 I LA I I

-

HI

<

1

CO

r*

tn

■

■

i '

:■

-

'l

(N

m

— i

;■

'■-

t-

HinscO'

• • UD -

\D LA * CO i

CM LA CM —i LO

lOI I I I ILAIOIALAI IOI I I

I LA I LA I O I LA I

p-. vd rn
vd ^s o

LA O LA LA

N VO fSJ Oi

Osss

• O 1 t?

a ^ *J n
r- O — —

n, c i _j ;

c -- L. i— t—

U LI U > ^

Cl ■*-' *C A3 -- CL

JD CP O- C X) U L.

o Cl in — •*- n "

y #o l^ i^i o

n O

E C

r- i-

t- E

L.

i- a

"-UL.OOUL.L.t-C(/>Lr)C,»— fOfO-^
EpnLLciSfljiciCC V O^CO-*->
'J<.<QL0UOUUDlLLy[LllC.l')

^TU O>Ci~L0O'~>'0L,cu

E cnu£-o<_>»*- E > D. rd to a. r— .o

JD U CJ)

m c c-pinin t- t- *— •— r—
u'-'"-I-L-^-L.^.n(L>(T:c, — OOO

<<<<:<<:<;<c:oooooo

C 1 1 in."

1 al

"1

I LPl | I I Iftlfl I I 1 I

LP. LPl

I 1 i-n I

00 *3

(N i |CDooir^iou-)Oirs(|0|

o

r^j i o ld <->

l in | rg o m

t— < m p~i ^
*-«. s, n -1 tC-
rn LTi T

, • o o

>■** rsj i 1 r-

I mN(D I 1

*^ (NJ ^ -v_ ^_

*-< ^ LP, UD .-I

• co • • •

o • o o o

m r-

O LTl LTl | in | LP)

m — ' ■— ' •— < rg

V. ^ *V *^ ^

ec cm ro r- r^

"«J (NJ O ^ .—

I in 1 i in l

in i LD i

I tn i tn

f j m

^ \

CM —<

I tn u-i t i u-t

I LP) I LTi I

I LP) I O J

t LP1 | O I O | lull IOI ILOI

\D LP)

o m

IPI CH LTi

i la o i i

I LP) I O LT) 1 I I I I I O I LP) I I I

^. C ■ — ' — ' ^ v-

rsi ^ \ ^ f^ -■

\C> LP) (—

O • • O — '

CO O

I I I I I

I Liin i i o i

I LP) I O I LP) I I C

I LD CO C O LP)

h \ mm \

*v eg \ -^ r^

r~i • O rr( •

• O ■ • C

c -cm

i c co *? x

.— < -v. ■**.

^ o r-

r- • ■

m

■ pj co co
l v. rr, -v.

i i « \or

I inOOm i I LP) I

co (nj r^

o o ^r

I C LP) LP) | 1 IOI I LT. | IOI I LP) LP) O I

lp \ •— i .— < \ rn •— ' r^1 LPi

*■•* C > ^ ^» C -v. v. *v. "-s.

O • CO ro • •— ' r*~) \& *— i

• f— i > ,—i > • . •

co tv m p-, o m lp,

rsj rsj

i tn i i in i i LD i

i tn in i

"^ v.
r- O

i i i i o o r

<^> .— i
"^ \
— i m

d d

o co

m co

iStsr

LTl t

cc
C

I X I I I

llll

LO I I I I I O I C I I I

i Ln i o i i

i x J I I

I O | LP) I

IX i o o x I

*C 11 — -~ l.

r — l- c »r

f > 4J D Cl

C C t_ =3 — 3

=• ^ — — *- — >+> re ..

i-» o i- a. u l l. u u l c c <r c- c c

3 DDUJLJlulijUJu.U.COUCII

CM- tj-^ CV.L.,— >j-j o tnt— cn> (j c**-
>« T r> I- O. C ^D— •— t-*^- C'L.-^ C cs **-

a a l +) (.-. ii o -o c an ^: *c*c> r^XJ O

C— — OOZ-O^CO OOOOTC'T
J-J-J_J_J_l^rD_CL£LO.D.CLQ CO(—

3 O

10

en

c

u

•c

*»~

o

X

(J

5

in

0"'

c

r.

o

u

sg = f

<

O Q. &

E 3 l_

Ul r- —

]]

a

i

t

V

.— r~

H

*-^ CO

'

*-^ /— -

U>

„

o

CD

c> -* *--
in w tm

t- CO

^

^

O lO

co a>

"-*

.— 1 w O

CO CO

*"*

CO *~.

CS

£

C

v.

o> -H

L.

a. c: a,

c

o t"^

c o.

o-

o

O L

£

c

t

L

-H CO

Cj f— 1
JO-

r-l

* <C 4-» Oi

r- rei

*—

+j o

re

+-> TO -H

(0

i

+-> •—-

ID -I-1

—

— 1 1_ t— <

o> __ i

L. ^

_j

L. -J u

— i

L.

_J 1-

t-

c o >

TO +J o

c

c

5 S

C

Sr5
O c: c

c

c.

a. *-

IU

r3

■■■*

• TO

C ~

-H E

<—

r.

■M TO *->

r_

■*-> »-

fU •*->

--

n ,

C-,

o-i c

r-

tO tO

i^ c

to

tAj

TO *

o

to O

— 1

■D

8

,_

T3 O "D

£

£

re

TD

CO

-O \T>

C' C t)

> — >

c -o

C

cue

o.

*.

C "O

(J C

Ci

C CO

r- TO

ai to

fsi
CO

■o

ID C

w'

*

TO to to

£

»

to IV

TO o

D U

L

c

c *-

L.

2

1- •» L.

3

L.

» L

U w-

o o •-

Oj

*- i —

— 1

to c

2 I

CT, "

C

O

c «— C

-

o

r—

c c

r- a>

X

C

- en c

cnx. 'ci

c
c

i— c

c

,,

c c o

Ed

fc

C

'ai o

o

o. u

i 8'*

E'£-*

Oj r-,

O ez

,r

izl\

I—

CO

.»
0

»

&' ro

* g

\—

PS;

5l D_

O 3 3

w 2: o

Z3

TO ZJ

a u

IT!

O 3

3 t-
1. a

-

u
to

3 13 3

z: o ^

£

u
to

o

3 x:

3 rs

^

E
to

g

J.

S

i ;

gt

s

E

l> r~

— IX

f S O (%■

^,

rsi \o o »^>

('

— ' CM

tn ^

B

r- ° c^

fN ^ o

r~ .— < f. lo

c

K-

c: rr> cl

kD P-. vO

o r- c

o.

ui ir> uj rsj

(Nj

^-. O \Z

i/i

•-. (NJ fs.

(sj <-• r^i

r-

"" '

t~i

^ — v>

■" '

t 1 I

c

i i i i

c
c .

l

1 1

r".

i i i

i

«j o tn

r"

t i i

l

^J

r>.

Psl

(N ro ^r co

VT

VO ^j

V.

^ u: o

U",

o ■— ^~.

c

cn «-• r>j

(N:

CO

r .

o> Ln ^ <— i

1

U",

o or-

•~l

o r- a

C

p— i ■— ' ^>

fr,

o •— • a

rr,

r .

w

C-

n"i o *" • r-j

"""'

V

r* w

r" '

o> <i m

o

r-t (M ^h

•~

CC *£j CO

T~~

TnJ

•-•

<-* ^-t ■-• i-H

<-* ^-t ■-• i-H CsJ C>

c

I

f.
L

43

— < ■«?

ii m

lx a

o-

• r«j o

rr» . c •

(N *^> • CT.

»-i --• ^7 r-

cn m o- '

«-» r- r^ i

n-j m cc

^H (NJ "

"o •— • m C

. c> u-, • ^
to a", c: c. r\

•— > CO •£> ^-i CO

co vo o r* co

in o o f nj o
co r- r- co ^3

i i i i

mCNmHOin

r— <— » o \o co vr^ o

\£> CO CNJ i-Ti .-I f>J p-,

CN ^H ,_, ^H „ ,-( ^,

^? r-<

(SJ ^ ^H

3

O I-

•^ X f~ V-

12

this type. Hann (1982) sampled 14 successional communities within the

Fes ida/Agr spi habitat type in western Montana, and reported

2
production values ranging from 53.4 to 116.2 grams/meter . His Fes

2
ida/Agr spi community totalled 98.4 grams/meter , which is comparable

to results of other investigators.

The Fes ida/Agr spi habitat type occurred on the Ac and Ad gravelly
silty loam soils, 15-50 percent slope and greater than 50 percent
slope.

Idaho Fescue/Bearded Wheatprass (Fes ida/Anr can) Habitat Type. The

Fes ida/Agr can type is found on concave, moderate slopes of relatively
warm aspect. It occurs at elevations of 7000 to 7700 feet in the
permit area. Graminoid cover averaged 77 percent for one transect
sampled in the type (Table 2). Dominant graminoids (and percent cover)
were bluegrasses (primarily Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis, 57),
bearded wheatgrass (Aoropyron can in urn, 10), California brome (Broims.
£9 n rictus,, 6), prairie junegrass (2) and alpine timothy (Phleum
fl pi num., 1). These sites apparently represent degraded seres of the
Fes ida/Agr can habitat type, where mid-grasses such as Idaho fescue,
timber oatgrass and Columbia needlegrass have been largely replaced by
Kentucky bluegrass due to historic grazing pressure. However, the
indicator species bearded wheatgrass and California brome were
conspicuous. Forb cover, which averaged 40 percent, is often lower in
this type than other habitat types in the Idaho fescue and rough fescue

1?

series. Dominant forbs also reflected historic grazing influence,
including small-flowered willow-herb (Epilobium minutum, 9 percent),
common yarrow (6), common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale* 5), lomatium
species (3), diverse-leaved cinquefoil (2), Kellogg's knotweed
(Polygonum kel loppii, 2) dwarf lewis i a (Lewisia pygmaea, 2),
small flower woodlandstar (Lithophrapma parv if lor urn, 1), orange arnica
(1) and field chickweed (1).

Mueggler and Stewart (1980) reported production values of 133.9 to

2
187.4 grams/meter for the Fes ida/Agr can habitat type, with graminoid

production ranging from 30 to 60 percent of total production. Branson

and Lommasscn (1958) and Mueggler (1957) reported higher total

production than did Mueggler and Stewart (1980) (Table 3). Within the

permit area, it was apparent that this type was considerably more

productive than was the Fes ida/Agr spi habitat type.

The Fes ida/Agr can habitat type occurred on the Ac gravelly silty loam
soil, 15-50 percent slope.

Rough Fescue/Eluebunch Wheatgrass (Fes sea/Apr spi) Habitat Type. The
Fes sca/Agr spi type occupies sites transitional between the Fes
ida/Agr spi and Fes sea/Fes ida habitat types. Slopes are moderate to
steep on variable aspects, with soil development general ly intermediate
between these two types. It was found at elevations betveen 7350 and
7680 feet in the permit area.

14

Graminoid cover averaged 67 percent for one transect sampled in the
type, including Idaho fescue (20 percent), rough fescue (Festuca
scabrel 1a> 18), bluebunch wheatgrass (14), bluegrass species (7) and
sedge species (5). Forb cover averaged 72 percent, dominated by silky
lupine (29), prairiesmoke (Geum triflorum, 10), ballhead sandwort (9),
cushion buckwheat (8), weedy milkvetch (Astragalus miser., 7), common
yarrow (3), pale agoseris (1), nodding onion (Al 1 ium cernuum, 1) and
fernleaf fleabane (1).

Annual production for the Fes sca/Aor spi habitat type is highly

2
variable ranoino from 68.5 to 155.0 qrams/rreter (Table 3). Average

2
production, however, is in the range of 90 to 120 grams/meter .

Muecgler and Stewart (1980) stated that variability in production was

likely due to annual weather fluctuations.

The Fes sca/Agr spi habitat type occurred on the Ac gravelly silty loam
soil, 15-50 percent slope.

Rough Fescue/Idaho Fescue (Fes sea/Fes id a) Habitat Type. This type
is the most mesic in the rough fescue series in Montana. In the permit
area, it occupies gentle to moderate slopes of variable aspect. Soils
are well developed. The type is found at elevations of 7350 to 7580
feet in the permit area.

15

Graminoid cover averaged 82 percent for three transects sampled in the
type. Dominants were rough fescue (34 percent cover), Idaho fescue
(17), sedge species (7), prairie junegrass (5), threadleaf sedge (5),
Kentucky bluegrass (4), Liddon sedge (Car ex petasata, 3), bluebunch
wheatgrass (3) and blunt sedge ( Car ex obtusata, 2). Forb cover
averaged 70 percent, including common yarrow (13), silky lupine (12),
ballheed sandwort (6), prairiesmoke (6), diverse-leaved cinquefoil (4),
field chickweed (4), common dandelion (4) and Rocky Mountain douglasia
(Dou^lasip montane, 3). Other forbs averaging more than one percent
cover included pale agoseris, weedy milkvetch, kittentail (fresseye
wvomingensis) , giant frasera ( F r a se r a speciose) , nineleaf lomatium
(Lorrictium triternetur,) and oblongleaf bluebell (Mertensia

oblongifolia).

Reported production values for the Fes sea/Fes ida habitat type range

2
from 120.2 to 267.3 grams/meter , with most values everaginq 135 to 165

2
arams/meter (Table 3).

The Fes sea/Fes ida habitat type occurred on the Ac gravelly silty loam
soil, 15-50 percent slope.

Tufted Hairgrass/Sedge (Pes ces/Carex) Habitat Type. This is the most
mesic grassland habitat type recognized for Montana (Mueggler and
Stewart, 1980). It was found at only one location in the permit area,
a gently sloping head of drainage, and appeared to be flooded for the

16

majority of the growing season. Elevation was 7730 to 7760 feet. The
type is dominated by tufted hairgrass (Deschampsi a cespitosa) > sedge
species, alpine timothy, bentgrasses (Agrostis) and rushes (Juncus) .
With heavy grazing pressure, tufted hairgrass decreases and is replaced
by sedges, rushes, Kentucky bluegrass and forbs such as common yarrow,
bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) , diverse-leaved cinquefoil and common
dandel ion.

Production data for the Des ces/Carex habitat type are limited in

western Montana. Mueggler and Stewart (1980) sampled only one stand

2
with a total production of 290.9 grams/meter . This type is

potentially the most productive grassland in western Montana. Pierce

(1986) sampled several sedge-dominated community types in west-central

Montana, which are probably more indicative of production expected in

the wet phase of the Des ces/Carex type within the permit area.

Shrubby Cinquefoil /Rough Fescue (Pot fru/Fes sea) Habitat Type. This

was the only shrubland habitat type identified in the permit area and
covered only about two acres. It occupies gentle slopes of straight

configuration on warm aspects at elevations of 7410 to 7530 feet.

Graminoid cover averaged 74 percent for one stand sampled, similar to
adjacent mesic grassland types, and reflected historic grazing in that
rough fescue had been replaced by aggressive increaser species.
Dominant graminoids were sedge species (30 percent cover), bluegrass

17

species (primarily Kentucky bluegrass, 28), Columbia brome (Prcmus
Vlil peris, 6), elpine timothy (3) and Idaho fescue (2). Forb cover was
very high on these mesic sites, averaging 99 percent (stratified
cover). Dominant forbs were diverse-leaved cinquefoil (24 percent
cover), common dandelion (20), bistort (15), Virginia strawberry
(pragaria vi roiniena, 7), common yarrov (7), orange arnica (6), rose
pussytoes (Antennaria microphvlle, 4) and little buttercup (Ranunculus
uncinatus, 3). Seven other forbs averaged one to two percent cover
(Table 2). Shrubby cinquefoil (Fotentil la f ruticos?) averaged 13
percent cover end 25 percent frequency of occurrence.

Annuel production dete for the Pot fru/Fes sea habitat type are limited

in western Montana (Table 3). Mueggler and Stewart (1980) reported a

2
production ranee of 103.1 to 198.8 grams/rreter , of which less than 10

percent is normally shrub production.

The Pot fru/Fes sea habitat type occurred on the Ac gravelly silty loam
soil, 15-50 percent slope.

Si tie Alder (Aln sin) Community Type. The Aln sin comrrunity is

apparently serai to mesic, cool subalpine fir types where the conifer
overstory is absent. These sites include small portions of the Abi
las/Aln sin, Abi las/Lin bor end Abi las/Men fer habitat types. The
Aln sin community is mapped as minor inclusions in these habitat types

18

on Exhibit C-l, occupying well under one percent of the permit area.
Site parameters and floristic composition parallel those of the three
subalpine fir habitat types listed above, with Sitka alder (Alnus
sipueta.) domipant in the overstory, apd subalpipe fir (Abies
lasiocarpc.) end Engelmann spruce (Pice a engelmanni i) seedlings the most
successfully reproducing conifers ip the understory.

The sitka alder community type occurred on the V loam soil, 0-25
percent slope.

Quakipg Aspen (Pop tre) Conmjnity Type. The Pop tre community is
a very minor type in the permit area, found at only one location. The
site was relatively mesic and occurred en a moderately steep, southerly
aspect at about 7100 feet elevation. Aspen stands share floristic
similarities with the more open growth of adjacent forest habitat types
such as Pse men/Cal rub.

The quaking aspen community type occurred on the X loam soil, 0-25
percept slope.

pouglas-f ir/Pjpegrass (Pse men/Cal rub) Habitat Type. This is the
driest forest habitat type presept in the permit area, approaching
upper elevatiopal limits for the type. It was found at elevations of

1°

6540 to 7450 feet on moderate to steep slopes on relatively warm
aspects, mostly southerly.

Graminoid cover averaged 31 percent for three transects sampled in the
type (Table 4), including pinegrass (C&1 ^macrp ?t is rubescens. 24), elk
sedae (Ce_re£. £e_ye_r_L, 4) and bluegrass species (3). Forb cover averaged
35 percent, dominated by heartlecf arnica (Arnica _cordifo1 ia. 20),
weedy milkvetch (4), Virginia strawberry (3), western meadowrue
(Thalictrum occidentale, 3) and glacier-lily (Ervthronium orandi f lornm.
2). Shrub cover averaged 5 percent, primarily grouse whortleberry
(Vaccinium scx>JALLl!JE> • Tree cover was 56 percent, chiefly Douglas-fir
(37) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorte, 13). The presence of
subalpine fir on a cool, moist microsite on one transect (Table 4)
indicates upper elevetional limits for the Pse men/Cal rub habitat type
in the area.

The Pse men/Cal rub habitat type occurred on the Zc and Zd gravelly,
cobbly silty loam soils, 15-50 percent slope and greater than 50
percent slope.

pnjiglr.s-f ir/Twinf lower (Pse men/Lin bor) Hub it ct Type . Small pockets

of this type in the permit area ere transitional between the drier,
warmer Pse men/Cal rub habitat type and moister, cooler subalpine fir
types such as Abi las/L1n bor and Abi las/Cal can. It was mapped as
inclusions in these types (Exhibit 1), since it occupies well under one

20

a:

r

1 1

..

i-

~

:■

n

V>

<

.

Ll

—

a

X

<r

*.

i .

CO

c

UJ

ii

1 1

( ■

!

(:

L '

-

_J I-

or ^

5<

> >-

o

L_ —
t_ (-

LJ u.'

c o

in d

t c_>

a>'

1 I

o o o

.-*

o rn ui

r-l "v. **-

o

D

d

I — *

o cm co

*a

•v.

o ^ "-

X*

CM

,-» — • vc

C

^J o ^

•l

u

-::

n

"sq

I inOin
^ o "^

CO .-I CM

o co o
in

I I O U~i o

O I LD

.— ( CO

O I in

O *^

.-i co

o ^ —
. vO in

I LTi o o |

*r» i — • i i i

^ — ■ ^.

cc' *^ r-

0 • — '
o

"C CO I CO I I

«c -, ^

-^ CO CO ,-H

^ ■ •

. o ^ •-•

CO rH

LT. O I O I I

\^ m cm v-

. . • CO

co m m •-'

1 I I O I t

o I » I I I

O i i i I I

in I I O in I
r- rn ""v. ^^

O | I LT, I I

I I I hh HDUJ I I I iO ^ _i ^ ^ ^ , | (^ | .

v ^ X\ >. > *-H r* — < •-• so —»

m cm
c t

I X ^ *n |

V. *<

LTl •

• O

*=> m a; CM D
O CM •— ' i— * *3

I i x cm i i r i i i

i in in i i i o in i i i luii i

i I i i i x m o

i I I I

in <?>

o o

I I X I I l l i tn

I Ifl H \0 H

H N. «\ S '

O in in

CM "^ \

^ f- Cn(

' m i o x

t I i I in i i i

" i m i I i C | i | | >. | , , | , , , !

i i I x in i

tn | O | ui

I m o in

m m '-4

*V ^ ^v

in o o

\n Tni O

• I i I in

i t I i i i

i i I I I

cm c

. . i
o o

p

L.

£

<

[ )

h

<■

-

1-

UI

r

b

<-

LI

1-

to

...

i. '

»—

L.1

c.

rsi lt. o rvj m

v. m o **"» •— •

I- \ ^ ^ ^

M \ n-( CO

. o • •

■^ * rn o

c i i rs; tn i

o

i

c

O

in o

—

(nV

r

o

VD ^-i

r

N

— 1

■^-. "^

<->

\G

"^

c« m

*^l

c

c
C

^

f"l

r^ o

'-

cc

6

li

H

in

in

c

o m

0_

-^

r-"

o

m r \j

CSJ

-v.

■^ *^

U"

"^

.-» o

c

^

in

(NJ

0

CM CM

rW

1

1

o

I in

o

■"v.

,— 1

CM

^*

If

o

i in i

■^ *^

CM ^H

o m

o i i i i I

cr i i ui o i

n-. i lti rj in r~* m rn

*v. Vj "^ fM *v. cm ir

r-* V Ti M N N, M

I in x m i o o

ic i—i .—i r—

■^ ^ "^ \

LTl r-4 O lO

O I o o O u~i

rn vC- CM ^ CM

"^ -v, S M \

c co vo m co

cm — i o in o

o in x

cr -v.

--- o:
^^

(N o

I i r>j rsi n-i in i i i r j

I cm m o la m

^ -■* 1-< -V. \

"v, m s r^j ^h

i I in i i

I I m i in t m i |

i • i t i in tn o

V. P-t ^-(

CO \ M

• iTi m

o • .

o o

c

CM

rsi

■ LTI I 1 I I I I I O O

d 1 c:

m o

I I 1 I I

vj

en

'•

l-k

0) .¥

J3

1- u

>7 O

<-■

cu a.

+J O in

-.. x

c

C O >< CI T

O *C CD 10 O

*0 •—
id r ic o f

(_> O U 0. 4J

l- V L C 11 CD

i_ in c

OU>U— DU .
0 l *d n ^

ra

_o— Cl---*<-CJ_
V L U U E C C > > d U

l" ^ 4J C +J +J — >^T tf E E T3 +* L. U y^ L

xi t— c i- i'i n ci l u c> -^ i/i vi c1 o >* x it e +J

i-<«t<<<UJlLlL.UEOOD.D.CLCH''t')W

i o +^ r> x) c

i -c u c*

'X> 1/1 T O 4-1

1 •- •- o o u

. TO T *r- -^ C"

' > > > > X

2]

m cj

I Id

d

r-1 I I (O I

I I I I I

1111

3

in

1

I LTi I

J E

L. C

Si

C w-

o

o

c: — .—

.— CT-h

I 1 I I I

1111X1

«- 11

rv r^i tn to I
*^ -^ -^ ,__, v,

m m •— • \ n-

■ r~-
o o c

in

iiiii

m r— r- m t— <

— C» V

C — i-

i_ a. u

-M >> x

C7> «

in in O x

**v **v .—I

CO CO X. i

1 I 1 I I

(,■> r-^

I I I LO I

£ SJ

— W C

I LT> t 1

1 I I 1 I

■■- o »o »—

11,

: c c tn u i—

3 3 o O c t)

- «-o _j cr >• -m

W en -O

0> .D -- — - f
C> <- CL Q_ G_ CL

C D. Q» r- t— t-

G1 ■*-

2T

percent of the area. Site parameters and florlstlc features are
similar to the Abi las/Lin bor type, except that subalpine fir and
Engelmann spruce are absent.

The Pse men/Lin bor habitat type occurred on the Zc gravelly, cobbly
silty loam soil, 15-50 percent slope.

Subalpine Fir/Elk Sedge (Abi las/Car gey) Habitat Type. This is the

driest, warmest habitat type in the subalpine fir series present in the
permit area, occupying moderate to steep slopes at elevations of 7100
to 7750 feet.

Graminoid cover averaged 37 percent for one stand sampled in the type
(Table 4), including elk sedge (3?) and pinegrass (3). Forb cover was
11 percent, primarily glacier-lily (10) and Virginia strawberry (1).
Tree cover averaged about 66 percent, mostly serai lodgepole pine (60),
with subalpine fir end whitebark pine (Pinus elbicaul is) seedlings in
the understory.

The Abi las/Car gey habitat type occurred on the Zc gravelly, cobbly
silty loam soil, 15-50 percent slope.

Subalpine Fi r/Pinegrass (Abi las/Cal rub) Habitat Type- This type

adjoins Pse men/Cal rub and Abi las/Car gey on slightly moister sites.
It is found at elevations of 6680 to 7700 feet in the permit area.

23

Graminoid cover averaged 28 percent for one stand sampled in the type
(Table A), Including pinegrass (20) and elk sedge (7). Forb cover was
17 percent, dominated by glacier-lily (6), heartleaf arnica (4), sitka
valerian (Valeriana sitchensis, 3) and Virginia strawberry (2). Tree
cover averaged about 70 percent, entirely serai Dougles-fir, with one
percent cover of subalpine fir seedlings in the understory.

The Abi las/Cal rub habitat type occurred on the Zc and Zd gravelly,
cobbly silty loam soils, 15-50 percent slope and greater than 50
percent slope.

Subalpine Fir/Grouse Whortleherry (Abi las/Vac sco) Habitat Type. The
Abi las/Vac sco habitat type is the most common forest type in the
area, found at elevations of 6620 to 7870 feet in the permit area. It
is found on well-drained, gentle to moderate slopes and ridges of
variable aspect, bordered on drier sites by Fes sea/Fes ida, Abi
las/Cal rub and Abi las/Car gey, and on moister sites by Abi las/Xer
ten and other moist subalpine fir habitat types.

Graminoid cover averaged 11 percent for four transects sampled in the
type, primarily pinegrass (8) and elk sedge (2). Forb cover averaged
only 5 percent, dominated by heartleaf arnica (2) end sitka valerian
(1). Other conspicuous forbs were glacier-lily, roundleaf violet
(Viola orbiculata) and Virginia strawberry. Shrub cover averaged 43
percent, almost entirely grouse whortleberry. Tree cover averaged

24

about 50 percent, chiefly serai lodgepole pine (35) which indicates
fire history. Subalpine fir averaged 14 percent cover, with minor
cover of whitebark pine (1 percent). At higher elevations in the
permit area, small inclusions of the similar subalpine fir - whitebark
pine/grouse whortleberry habitat type are associated with the Abi
las/Vac sco type. On these sites, "whitebark pine is a long-lived,
serai dominant approaching a 'persistent' status on disturbed, dry
sites" (Pfister et al . , 1977).

The Abi las/Vac sco habitat type occurred on the Zc and Zd gravelly,
cobbly silty loam soils, 15-50 percent slope and greater than 50
percent slope. Less common associations were with the B loam soil, 0-
10 percent slope and W very gravelly loam soil, 25-50 percent slope.

Subalpine Fi r/Bearcrass (Abi las/Xer ten) Habitat Type. This type is

approaching its eastern limits in Montana at this location, represented
by the grouse whortleberry phase. In the permit area it occupies sites
transitional between drier Abi las/Car gey and Abi las/Vac sco types,
and cooler, moister fir types such as Abi las/Cal can. It is found at
elevations of 7000 to 7650 feet in the permit area. Floristics were
very similar to the Abi las/Vac sco type, except that beargrass
(Xerophyl lum tenax) was dominant or codominant with grouse whortleberry
in the understory.

25

The Abi las/Xer ten habitat type occurred on the Zc and Zd gravelly,
cobbly silty loam soils, 15-50 percent slope and greater than 50
percent slope. A less common association was with the X loam soil, 0-
25 percent slope.

Subalpine Fir/Sitka Alder (Ahi las/Aln sin) Habitat Type. This type

was present in the permit area as inclusions in the Abi las/Men fer and
Abi las/Lin bor habitat types, representing intermediate site
parameters and floristics. Since the stands of Pfister et a! . (1977)
were all 200 years old or less, "retention of Ainu? at the theoretical
climax is uncertain; in west-central Montana, Abi las/Aln sin sometimes
forms a transitional zone between Abi las/Men fer and Abi las/Xer ten -
Vac sco phase ... Abi las/Aln sin is often bordered below on warmer,
similarly moist sites by Abi las/Lin bor stands in which Alnus sinuate
is well represented; Abi las/Vac sco is often adjacent on drier sites".
This pattern was indicated for limited inclusions of Abi las/Aln sin in
the permit area on convex, generally steep, north slopes.

The Abi las/Aln sin habitat type occurred on the Zc and Zd gravelly,
cobbly silty loam soils, 15-50 percent slope and greater than 50
percent slope.

Subalpine Fi r/Twinf lower (Abi las/Lin bor) Habitat Type. This type

occurs at elevations of 6600 to 7320 feet in the permit area. It is
found on moderate to very steep, cool slopes intermediate between Abi

76

las/Ken fer and Abi las/Cal can (Exhibit C-l). In common with most
stands in the moister subalpine fir habitat types in the permit area,
the overstory was dominated by serai lodgepole pine and/or Engelmann
spruce. Subalpine fir was reproducing successfully in the depauperate
understory. Understory herb and shrub composition shares elements of
Abi las/Men fer and Abi les/Vac sco; grouse whortleberry usually
averages substantially higher canopy cover than does twinf lower in area
stands.

The Abi las/Lin bor habitat type occurred on the Zc gravelly, cobbly
silty loam soil, 15-50 percent slope.

Subalpine Fir/Rusty Menziesia (Abi las/Men fer) Habitat Type. The Abi
las/Men fer type is found on lower to middle, moderate to very steep
slopes on north aspects in the permit area. It is bordered above by
Abi las/Xer ten and Abi las/Vac sco on drier sites, and is bordered
below by Abi las/Lin bor on gentler, slightly warmer slopes and by Abi
las/Cal can on wetter sites. Elevation ranged from 6650 to 7430 feet.
The overstory is primarily sapling to pole-size subalpine fir and
lodgepole pine, with relatively dense subalpine fir seedlings in the
understory. Rusty menziesia ( Me n z i e s i a fer rug inea ) and grouse

whortleberry dominated the understory. Other character ist ic species in
the depauperate understory included raceme pussytoes (Antenna r ia

27

racemose ) » sidebells pyrola (Pyrola secunde), roundleaf violet and
sitka alder.

The Abi las/Ken fer habitat type occurred on the 1c and Zd gravelly*
cobbly silty loam soils, 15-50 percent slope and greater than 50
percent slope.

Subalpine Fi r/Elueioint Reednrass (Abi las/Cal can) Habitat Type. This
is the wettest forest habitat type in the permit area. It is

restricted to drainage bottoms end swales at drainage headwaters, most
of which are cold air drainages in the area. Elevation ranged from
6580 to 7770 feet.

The overstory of most Abi las/Cal can stands in the area is dominated
by mature Engelmann spruce, with good regeneration of subalpine fir and
spruce in the understory. Most understory herbs characteristic of Abi
las/Cal can are absent from or occur only very sporadically in
adjacent, moist subalpine fir habitat types. Graminoid cover averaged
2 percent for one transect sampled in the type (Table 4), comprised of
pinegrass end yellow bog sedge (Carex dioica) . Characteristic

graminoids usually present on these sites included bluejoint
reedgrass (Calamagrosti s canadensi s) , drooping woodreed (Cirt.na.
latifol ia) and small flowered woodrush (Luzula parviflora). Forb cover
averaged 30 percent, dominated by western meadowrue (14), heartleaf
arnica (6), brook saxifrage (Saxifrage argute, 2), feather solomon's-

28

seal (Smilacina racemosa, 2) and clasping leaf twisted-stalk
(Streptopus amplexifol ius, 1). Other characteristic forbs variously
present in Abi las/Cal can stands included common horsetail (Equisetum
arvense) , sweet-scented bedstraw (Gal ium trif lorum) > alpine mitrewort
(Kitella pentandra)i woodnymph (Pyrola uni flora )» arrowleaf groundsel
(Sepeclp, triangularis) and green false hellebore (Verejtrum viride) .
The presence of sweet-scented bedstraw indicated the Gal tri phase of
Abi las/Cel can on warmer drainage sites at lower elevations. This
phase was transitional to the spruce/twinf lower habitat type at
slightly lower elevations in drainage bottoms in the German Gulch
access corridor. The more extensive, typical Cal can phase occupied
colder drainages throughout the permit area.

Shrub cover averaged less than one percent for the stand sampled,
although the diagnostic species smooth Labrador-tea (Ledtn glandulosur.)
was well-represented in some Abi las/Cal can stands. Other

characteristic shrubs included bearberry honeysuckle (Lonicera
involucreta) and swamp gooseberry ( R i be s 1 acustre) . Tree cover

averaged 50 percent for the stand sampled, comprised of Engelmann
spruce (40), subalpine fir (5) and lodgepole pine (5).

The Abi las/Cal can habitat type occurred on the V and X loam soils, 0-
25 percent slopes.

29

Disturbed Upland Community Type. Historic mining disturbance sites
were inventoried to determine the success of natural recolonization by
vascular plant species. In the permit area* these included the pit*
waste dump and heap leach test site. Species identified at these sites
are listed in Table 5. The pit was sparsely vegetated, with best
revegetation on the slopes. Woody plants were more diverse than
herbaceous species. Two noxious weeds were present, spotted knapweed
(Centaurea maculosa ) and Canada thistle (Ci rsiurn aryense) . Noxious
weeds are addressed in a separate section of this report.

The waste dump was also sparsely vegetated, with steep, unstable
slopes.. There were ample fines, and angular coarse fragments ranged in
size from gravels to boulders. Herbaceous species were more diverse
than woody plants. Spotted knapweed was present.

The heap leach test site was very rocky with sandy fines, and generally
barren with best revegetation on the periphery. Plant cover was
greater on 3-inch minus gravel than on 0.5-inch minus gravel. Plants
were generally healthy, with slight chlorosis evident. Trees were
reproducing most successfully on west slope gravels near the periphery.
Spotted knapweed and Canada thistle were present.

The disturbed upland vegetation type was correlated with portions of
the D soils mapping unit (refer to Appendix D. SOILS).

30

Table 5. Vascular plant species identified on disturbed sites in the
Beal Project permit area, 19E7.

Disturbed Upland

Waste

Dump

Heap
Leach

X

>;

X

X

>

X

X

X

>

y

X

X
X

>:

X

>:

Disturbed
i££cle_£. Eli. Dump Leach EipajLLSiL

Graminoids
Ag r c r i
Agr can
Agr int
Agr alb
Agr sea
Bro tec

Car gey X X

Carex spp. X

Des ces
Hor jub
J uncus spp.
Phi pra
Po6 com

Poa pra X X X

Poa spp. X

Sti occ

Forbs

Ach mil X

Ana mar X

Ant mic X

Arab is spp. X X

Artemisia spp. X X

Aster spp. X

Cen mac X X X

Cir arv X X X

Cir vul X

Epi min X X X

Ecu arv X

E r i umb X

Fra vir X X

Ger vis X

Goo obi X

Her Ian X

Lup ser X

Pha has X X

Pyr sec

Rum sal X

Senecio spp. X

Tar off X X

Trif ol ium spp X X

Urt dio X

Ver tha X X

31

Table 5. (continued)

Disturbed Upland

Species,

Shrubs

Jun com

Rib lac

Rub ida
Tall Shrubs and Trees

Ab i las

Aln sin

Pic eng

Fin alb

Pin con

Pop tre

Pop tri

Pse men

Sal exi

Sal ix spp.

Waste

Heap

D'

isturbed

PJ±

Pimp

Leach

R-

i pari an

X

>:
>:

>

X

X

X

>;

X
X

>:

X

>

>:

>.

X

X

>:

>:

>

X

X

X

>

X

X

>

Disturbed Rip? pen Co-.munity Type. Historic placer mining has
resulted in serai riparian community domination of the majority of the
German Gulch bottom (6E20 to 6980 feet elevation). Gold was discovered
there in 1865 and hydraulic mining initiated in the early 1870's. The
peak of mining activity continued through the 1890's, then occurred
sporadically until about 1907.

The placered substrate consists of irregular stacks of gravels, cobbles
and boulders, with few fines near the surface. The channel bottom is
mostly dominated by willow (primarily Drummond willow, Sal ix
drummcnrija,p?) and/or aspen, with scattered conifers. Channel banks and

32

toeslopes were dominated by various mixtures of lodgepole pine,

Douglas-fir, willow and aspen, with slower regeneration of Engelmann

spruce and scattered subalpine fir and whitebark pine. Understories

throughout were very sparse, but numerous non-weedy species were
present (Table 5). Canada thistle was present. Moss cover was very

high on these sites, as it was in less disturbed, adjacent subalpine
f i r habitat types.

The disturbed riparian vegetation type was correlated with portions of
the D soils mapping unit and the G very gravelly, cobbly sandy loam
soil, 0-25 percent slope (refer to Appendix D. SOILS).

Grazing/Agricultural Uses

The permit area is unsuitable for cultivation, being more suited to
livestock crazing. The Beal Pasture is part of an approximately
12,000-acre U.S. Forest Service grazing allotment leased to Maynard
Smith of Glen, Montana and managed by Meg Smith. The allotment is
designed as a six-pasture rotation grazing system and is grazed from
mid-June to mid-October by about 220 animal units (cow-calf pairs),
resulting in a total of 880 AUM's. Rated carrying capacity is 1,077
AUM's (Sawyer, 1984). The Beal Pasture was grazed during July and
August, 1987 (Meg Smith, pers. comm. ) .

Sawyer (1984) stated that the range is rated in good to excellent
condition, with all of it considered to be improving (based on

33

discussions with U.S. Forest Service personnel). He also indicated
that much of the range receives high cattle use. Observations during
October 1987 showed high cattle use on the south side of Beel Hill,
with moderate to light use in other areas. A review of OEA Research
(1981) date indicates a wider range of condition on the permit area,
from fair to excellent.

The south half of the permit area receives very little livestock use as
it is primarily forested, with low production of palatable understory.

Primary range sites include silty and shallow, 15 to 19-inch
precipitation zone. These range sites are dominated by habitat types
in the rough fescue and Idaho fescue series.

Timber Resource

The permit area north of German Gulch is primarily grassland, with open
stands of Douglas-fir forest on steeper, drier aspects and lodgepole
pine and subalpine fir at higher elevations or on cooler, moister
sites. South of German Gulch (primarily north aspects), the permit
area is dominated by extensive serai stands of lodgepole pine.
Subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce generally occur in these stands,
with spruce more abundant in drainage bottoms end on concave sites.

Tree density varies by habitat type (Table 6). Drier habitat types
(Pse men/Cel rub, Abi les/Cer gey end Abi las/Cel rub) have lower

34

Table 6. Tree density (stems/ecre) by species, dbh class and
habitat type (data frorr, OEA Research, 1981).

Pse men/

Abi las/

.bit at tvpe

Abi las/

Abi las/

Abi/las

SDecies/rihh rlf^.

£al rut>.

Car gey

£al rub

Vac sco

CqI can

Pse

men

< 1"

dbh

234

108

1-6"

dbh

68

97

> 6"

dbh

173

205

Tota

1

475

410

Pin

con

< 1"

dbh

140

11

ti

1-6"

dbh

16

86

64

> 6"

dbh

76

238

246

Tota

1

234

335

376

Picea

< 1"

dbh

248

1-6"

dbh

173

> 6"

dbh

151
572

Tota'

1

Abi

las

< 1"

dbh

C

281

421

86

1-6"

dbh

C

65

127

163

> 6"

dbh

14

65

36

356

Total

14

411

586

625

cin

elb

< 1"

dbh

::

38

1-6"

dbh

0

22

> 6"

dbh

0

3 2

Total

22

92

Tota1 723 768 410 1,054

1,197

35

densities ranging from 410 to 768 stems/acre. More mesic types (Abi
las/Vac sco and Abi las/Cal can) are overstocked with densities of
1,054 to 1,197 stems/acre. Densities of merchantable trees (six-inch
dbh or greater) ranged from 205 to 316 stems/acre, except in the Abi
las/Cal can habitat type (507 stems/acre). Sawyer (1984) found
densities of trees over four-inch dbh to be 363 to 426 stems/acre in
the proposed waste dump area. This site was dominated by lodgepole
pine end subalpine fir, with fewer spruce.

Table 7 presents mean basal area and 50-year site indexes (Pfister et
al., 1977) for forested habitat types occurring on the permit area.
Mean basal area is fairly consistent, ranging from 175 square feet/acre
for the Abi las/Vac sco type to 247 square feet/acre for the Abi
las/Cal can type. Sawyer (1984) calculated basal areas of 121 to 195
square feet/acre for several sites within and adjacent to the permit
area. OEA Research (1981) measured height, diameter and age of trees
on forested transects in the permit area (Table 8).

Commercial volume was estimated at 5,000-6,000 board feet/acre in the
more dense forest stands end 2,000-3,000 board feet/acre in more open
stands (Davis, pers. comm.).

Noxious Weeds

Two weed species listed by the state as noxious in Montana were
identified in the permit area. Canada Thistle (Ci rsium ervense) and
spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) were recorded on areas disturbed

36

Table 7. Mean basal area and 50-year site indexes by habitat type
(from Pf ister et al . , 1977).

Habitc

Basal area Site Index by Species

(sq. ft/acre) pjjn. csn Es£ mejx Ein. qqh Eice a Abi l&s.

Pse men/Cel rub

206+19

45+?

38+3

45+4

Abi las/Car gey

Abi las/Ccl rub 222+85

Abi las/Vac sco 175±20

Abi les/Xer ten 226+39

Abi las/Aln sin

Abi las/Lin bor 191+20

Abi las/Men fer 195+41

Abi las/Ccl can 247+56

40+10

43+9

4 0±5
43±?

46+11

50+13

40+12
57+? 50+12
45+7 40+5

50+?
44+5
50+?
45+4

46+?

43+11

52±?

43+5

Note: Means are shown where n=3 cr more; confidence limits
(95 percent) for estimating the mean are given where
n=5 or more.

37

Table 8. Height, diameter and age of selected trees by habitat type
and species (data from OEA Research, 1981).

Transect Habitat Type

4 Abi las/Vac sco

6 Abi las/Vac sco

9 Abi las/ Vac sco

11 Abi las/Car gey

12 Abi las/Cal rub

13 Pse men/Cal rub

16 Abi las/Vac sco

17 Pse men/Cal rub

18 Abi las/Cal can
20 Pse men/Cal rub

Age

Heiaht

DBH

(breast

Species

.(feetl

ijnches)

height)

Pin con

69

10

-

Abi las

59

£

~ 125

Pin con

61

10

~ 116

Abi las

52

t

82

Pin alb

45

10

76

Pin con

54

10

6S

Pin con

57

13

90

Pse men

t.r

12

98

Pse men

44

8

65

Abi las

48

6

81

Pin con

7 0

11

102

Pin con

59

10

112

Pse men

49

10

77

Ab i las

50

7

77

Picea

43

7

65

Abi las

86

23

115

Fin con

c:

12

72

Pse men

53

c

43

38

by previous mining activity. Both species were uncommon in 1967 and
were not recorded during the 1981 vegetation survey (OEA Research,
1981), implying fairly recent migration into upper German Gulch. Both
species are more prevalent down-drainage.

The USDA Forest Service has sprayed knapweed within the permit area
during the past few years (P. Grinde, pers. comm.)

Additional non-noxious, weedy species encountered on disturbed areas
in the permit area are listed in Table 5.

ACCESS ROAD OPTIONS

Ha,b-itct/Cpmmiupit.V Type Description:?

Vegetation types identified on the Beal Project access options are
listed in Table 9, with site parameters and relative abundance. Five
grassland habitat types and two shrubland habitat types were
identified, following the classification of Mueggler and Stewart
(I960). Two deciduous woodland community types were identified,
associated with stream bottoms and moist toeslopes. Nine forest
habitat types were identified following the classification of Pfister
et al. (1977), six in the Douglas-fir series, one in the Engelmann
spruce series and two in the subalpine fir series. Disturbed types
were also assessed, including the disturbed riparian community in
German Gulch and aoricultural land.

39

I n"i rsj r>j i lo Ln r- <- i i i i i i *-• lt,

" b

J

L, '

C- I ^ ■— I I I

>:■ »d f\ fi m o i p- 01 h •"-■ i

51

fsj _ _ ,_< r^NlOfri |

is. e* n,

co vc m \Q (Dm ia i

v, -b -d +j

^ tec

w +j b.

O C

D ^j O ^ o CO *-r' O v;
O ,_-, sJ p-, _, C •— v-, v

J «£) to i

Cj o c OoCOoO

fs o ° * o C- *? r- *°

1 LO ITl U"i U.

,£. Iuh"

frS-e-e-S

re "7

- . - c [

»- L.

*- .,_, *-» +J r
L'l If, V </• *

£-fc

O

O o C O £

i S

4-» +j -H -H

D

D C

o o

C o

o O O O

■w o f- c_,

r-t ^ r-4 cm

LO L/| L . p,

*c c c ;•

k fc b.Z

h fc

• *e -c C "CJ c c c

£ £ E £ fc, E S fc. g,

H- !

s t-.

r*. n\ ID
> > > t

r- O

< < u_ C

■n u u c

LwLs.ii.O

C ID £ £ L i- L. L C

-CJU_3f-0'sOO*C

t- Ul L. «D Xj £ X> X O

4->
u

X

u

"»U. *— £ C >> C C r-

C1 i_ 13 >■ -— X — — 10

l. u. u t-'' _i a. _i_jo

*,s.',-s.*ts.-s1.-s."s,-^-^.*^

CcCCCCCTU-i/.

CC L. C, C' L C ft *C

££££££c-<-

LO

*_.
o

L.

C C, C t C C U -~ —

i.'> U* L'i t,-, m l/i — X X

LtLLLa.i*.L.<<:

I- O >s

C L. C *- i C

CO— —

C_ C. 3 3 *D t/i

>, +3 ,_ _ ^ ^

♦-• «C IT* X, X- •— <C

t 1.1 ^s. \ V. I_

*-> -C *C C L C Ci

TO > t_ 3 Z. 3 L.

-•-' O L O U —

*- J- Of f. (/i 1*1 to

X) U D t t C j_

"C C C 3

4->

-■

4->

Xi

t—

1/1

tc

■o

(O

j .

C

k.

c

o

a. x

a

r.

D

£.

o

*

o

*

J

C

0

T>

c

s.

i

C

.-

4-J

D

«

K

c

C

C'

3

'"

«c

«L

3

*

a

x c- c

D< C E

f t <D 3 t. t ■*- r- U 4-1 X
CTDO-- 0> *D 3 -s. ^
C---L.C..U4JEL.L.I-
>.V X S "s. -s. V Cl — --

»^ v- S- •-- C C Q

IB C7lOiO

X 3 Z) 3 _

DOCDGCC33

■^ O LJ O C- C* O LsJ LO L>

^- o ■*-

t— 3 C 3 O O

*C c c o > o

a cl a a

40

Elu.ebunch Kheatgrass/Native Bluegrass (Agr spi/Poa san) Habitat Type.
Agr spi/Poa san is found at lower elevations on the access corridors
(primarily 5100-5600 feet). It occurs on gentle slopes of variable
aspect and steep slopes of warm (southerly) aspect with often poor soil
development. Much of the type on gentler terrain has been disturbed*
with subsequent invasion of weedy species. These sites are generally
dominated by spotted knapweed* Kentucky bluegrass, Canada bluegrass
(Foe compressa ) , big bluegrass (Poa iuncifel ia) and rubber rabbitbrush
(Chrysothamnus nauseosus) . Less disturbed sites are typically
dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass, native bluegrass, prairie junegrass,
common yarrow, moss phlox (Phlox mjscoides) and other dry site forbs
and cushion plants, fringed sagewort and rubber rabbitbrush. Rocky
Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) is often conspicuous.
Including severely disturbed sites, the Acr spi/Poa san type occupies
about 36 percent of the Stauffer route, 15 percent of the Fairmont la
route, 8 percent of the Spangler route and 5 percent of the Miles
Crossing route.

.Idaho Fescue/Bluebunch V,'heatgrass (Fes ida/Acr spi ) Habitat Type. Fes
ida/Agr spi is found on rolling terrain and steep hillsides of variable
aspect at elevations of 5160-6600 feet. This type has been described
for the permit area. It occupies 36 percent of the Miles Crossing
route, 26 percent of the Fairmont la route, 10 percent of the German
Gulch corridor and 4-5 percent of the Spangler and Stauffer routes
(Table 9). About 70 percent of this type on the Fairmont route is

41

severely altered by invasion of spotted knapweed and other weedy
species.

Ranch Fescue/El uebunch Wheat/trass (Fes sca/Agr spi ) Habitat Type. Fes
sca/Agr spi is found on gentle to moderate slopes of variable aspect at
elevations of 5280-6300 feet. This type has been described for the
permit area. It occupies 22 percent of the Miles Crossing route, 16
percent of the Spangler route, 13 percent of the Fairmont la route and
7 percent of the Stauffer route. This type shows less severe-
disturbance than do the previous two grassland types.

Rpuoh Fescue/Idaho Fescue (Fes sea/Fes ida) Habitat Type. This type

occupies gentle to moderate slopes of variable aspect at elevations of
5500-6100 feet. It has been described for the permit area. li
occupies 11 percent of the Spangler route and one percent of the
Stauffer route. Portions of the type on the Spangler route near German
Gulch are degraded, dominated by Kentucky bluegrass, Richardson
needlegrass (Stipe richardsoni i) and various moist-site, increaser
forbs.

Tufted Hairnrass/Spdrip (T)p^ res/Carex) Habitat Type. This type is

found on level to gentle slopes at 5440-5060 feet elevation in three
percent of the Spangler route and one percent of the Stauffer route.
It has been described for the permit area. Dominant species were
tufted hairgrass, Nebraska sedge (Cerex nebraskensis) , Kentucky

42

bluegrass, common timothy (Phleum pratense) and meadow barley (Hordeum
brachyantherum).

Antelooe Bitterhriish/B1iiph|inrh Wheatgrass (Pur tri/Agr spi) Habitat Type ,
Pur tri/Agr spi is limited to less than one percent of the Stauffer
access route* found on very steep southerly slopes at about 5600-5800
feet elevation. It is similar to the Pur tri/Fes sea habitat type,
except that soils are less developed and less stable on generally
steeper slopes. Antelope bitterbrush (Purshic tri dentate ) dominates
over an understory which is f lor istical 1 y similar to Agr spi/Poa sen
grassland.

Antelope Bitterbrush/Rouoh Fescue (Pur tri/Fes sea) Habitat Type . Pur
tri/Fes see is found on moderate to steep, warm slopes at 5460-6240
feet elevation. Floristics are similar to Fes sca/Agr spi grassland,
with the addition of bitterbrush; many stands had substantial cover of
Kentucky bluegrass. The type occupies 13 percent of the Miles Crossing
route and 2-5 percent of the Spangler, Fairmont and Stauffer routes
(Table 9).

Willow (Salix) Community Type. The willow community is found on wet
drainage bottoms at 5110-5800 feet elevation. Common willows include
Salix. drummondiana and JL myrtil lifolia; understories are variously
dominated by tufted hairgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, timothy, bluejoint
reedgrass, sedges and wet-site forbs. The type occupies 6 percent of

43

the Spangler route and 1-3 percent of the German Gulch, Miles Crossing
and Stauffer routes.

Quaking Aspen (Pod tre) Community Type. The aspen community is found
on gentle to moderate slopes at 5440-6100 feet elevation. The type has
been described for the permit area; most access corridor stands have a
closed aspen canopy and many show past disturbance in the understory,
dominated by Kentucky bluegrass and mesic, often weedy forbs such as
common dandelion. Aspen stands occupy 6 percent of the Stauffer route,
5 percent of the Spangler route and 1 percent of the Fairmont la route.

Douolas-Fir/Idaho FescueCPse men/Fes ida) Habitat Type. Pse men/Fes

ida is found on moderate to steep slopes of variable aspect at 5320-
6000 feet elevation. Most stands have an open Douglas-fir canopy, with
understor ies f loristical "ly similar to Fes ida/Agr spi grassland but
averaging less herbaceous cover. Pse men/Fes ida occupies 5-6 percent
of the German Gulch and Miles Crossing routes and 1-3 percent of the
Fairmont end Stauffer routes (Table 9).

Doug! as-Fir/Rough Fescue(Pse men/Fes sea) Habitat Type. Pse men/Fes

sea is found on sites similar to Pse men/Fes ida, often immediately
upslope. Douglas-fir canopy is generally less open than in Pse men/Fes
ida stands but understory composition is rather similar, with the
addition of rough fescue. Antelope bitterbrush is a conspicuous
component of Pse men/Fes sea stands which adjoin stands of Pur tri/Fes

44

sea. Pse men/Fes see is the second most abundant Douglas-fir habitat
type in the access corridor options, occupying 16 percent of the
Fairmont la route, 12 percent of the Spangler route and 1-7 percent of
the other three routes (Table 9).

DouolcS-Fir/Pineprass (Pse men/Cal rub) Habitat Type. Pse men/Cal rub
is found on moderate to steep slopes of variable (often warmer) aspect
at elevations of 5500-6600 feet. The type has been described for the
permit area; many lower to mid-elevation stands are dominated by serai
lodgepole pine with depauperate understories dominated by Canada
buffaloberry ( Shepherd i a canadensis) and kinikinnick (Arctestaphylos
uva-ursi ) . Pinegrass, elk sedge, showy aster (Aster conspicuus) and
creeping Oregon-grape were usually present in these serai stands. More
mature stands were similar to permit area stands. Pse men/Cal rub is
the most abundant Douglas-fir type in the access corridor options,
occupying 23 percent of the German Gulch route, 19 percent of the
Spangler route, 18 percent of the Stauffer route and 2-3 percent of the
other two routes (Table 9).

Douglas-Fir/Common Snov.berry (Pse men/Sym alb) Habitat Type. Pse

men/Sym alb is found on relatively small, mesic swales and concavities
of generally warm aspect. It is f lor istical ly similar to adjacent Pse
men/Cal rub, with the addition of common snowberry and higher cover of
mesic forbs such as western meadowrue. It occupies only 3 percent of
the German Gulch corridor, at 5760-6560 feet elevation.

4 5

Doug! as-Mr/Twinf lower (Pse men/Lin bor) Habitat Type. Pse men/Lin

bor is found on gentle to moderate toeslopes and concavities on north
aspects at 5600-6160 feet elevation. Sites were transitional between
moister Pic eng/Lin bor stands, and drier Pse men/Cal rub stands. The
type has been described for the permit area. Douglas-fir is dominant
in the overstory, with relatively small amounts of serai lodgepole
pine. Conspicuous species in the understory include northwest sedge
(Carex concinnoides) , raceme pussytoes (Antennaria racemose ) ,
twinf lower, creeping Oregon-grape, Seoul er willow (Sel ix scoule riana ) ,
quaking aspen and occasionally grouse whortleberry. Pse men/Lin bor
occupies about 8 percent of the German Gulch access corridor.

Douglas-Fir/Mallow K'inebark (Pse men/Phv mal) Habitat Type. This is

the most mesic Douclas-fir habitat type found on the access options;
occupying about A percent of the Spangler route. It is found en
moderate slopes of north and east aspect at 5600-6080 feet elevation.
Floristic composition is rather similar to that of Pse men/Cal rub,
with the addition of mallow ninebark (Physocarpus malvaceus). Dominant
herbs are elk sedge, pinegrass and showy aster. Shrubs and subshrubs
are particularly conspicuous, including creeping Oregon-grape,
kinikinnick, ninebark, common snowberry, prickly rose (Ro.f.a acicularis)
and Canada buf f aloberry.

Enoelmann Spruce/Twinflower (Pic eng/Lin bor) Habitat Type . Pic

eng/Lin bor is found on gentle to moderate, northerly slopes and

AL,

bottoms 6t 5600-6150 feet elevation, occupying 9 percent of the German
Gulch corridor. Floristics are very similar to the Abi las/Lin bor
habitat type described for the permit area, with the absence of
subalpine fir. Most stands are dominated by serai Douglas-fir and
quaking aspen in the overstory, with spruce seedlings conspicuous in
the understory.

Subalpine Fi r/Twinf lower (Abi las/Lin bor) Habitat Type. Abi las/Lin
bor occupies sites similar to Pic eng/Lin bor, at higher elevations
(6170-6600 feet) covering 3 percent of the German Gulch corridor (Table
9). This type has been described for the permit area.

Subalpine Fi r/Bl ue joint Reedprass (Abi las/Cal can) Habitat Type. Ab i
las/Cal can is found on cold drainage bottoms at 6160-6440 feet
elevation, occupying about one percent of the German Gulch corridor.
This type has been described for the permit area.

Disturbed Riparian Community Type. The disturbed riparian community
is primarily found in the German Gulch corridor, occupying 31 percent
of this route along the entire drainage bottom. This type has been
described for the permit area.

Grazing/Agricultural Uses

All access road options primarily traverse grazing lands. The common

corridor along German Gulch is an exception, passing through forest and

47

areas disturbed historically by hydraulic mining. This area has
limited utility for grazing except for grassland openings and open
Douglas-fir stands on the south-facing slope above German Gulch.

Agricultural land (hay meadows and grain fields) is found along lower
stretches of the existing Fairmont end Stauffer roads. The Spangler
option will pass adjacent to a wheat field in Section 2, T3N, R10W.
Hay meadows are found adjacent to the Stauffer road along Little Gulch
in Sections 29 and 30, T3N, R9W.

Range condition on grazing land varies from poor to excellent. The
best range condition is found on the Mt. Haggin Wildlife Management
Area where weed control and grazing management plans have been
implemented. Range condition on the V''A is generally good to
excellent. Lower stretches of the access road options are in poor to
fair conditioni primarily due to invasion by spotted knapweed and other
exotic species.

Timber Resources

The majority of the access road options pass through non-forested areas

(Table 9). Exceptions include:

t the common corridor along German Gulch. Open stands of
Douglas-fir occur along the south-facing slope above the
Gulch. The Gulch bottom supports scattered spruce. Douglas-

48

fir and lodgepole pine in the rock piles left by hydraulic
mining. The north-facing slope has a dense canopy of
Douglas-fir, with fewer spruce and lodgepole pine.

« the Fairmont, Spangler and Stauffer options pass through

or near several stands of Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine,
some of which have been logged.

Very little commercial timber will be impacted by access roa:'
construction, regardless of the option selected.

Noxious ^{eeds

Unlike the permit area, where noxious weeds are relatively uncommon,
portions of the access road options have high populations of noxious
weeds. Canada thistle is restricted to mesic microsites, however,
spotted knapweed is abundant along lower reaches of the Fairmont and
Stauffer roads.

On the existing Fairmont road, knapweed is abundant from the Hot
Springs turnoff to the boundary of the Mt. Haggin Wildlife Management
Area. Knapweed decreases substantially on the WMA and occurs only as
scattered plants by the time the road crosses German Gulch.

49

On the Stauffer road, knapweed occurs occasionally from German Gulch tc
Little Gulch (NE1/4 Section 30). From Little Gulch east, knapweed
increases along the right-of-way.

The Miles Crossing option has low populations of noxious weeds in
native grassland and shrubland. Knapweed increases on lower slopes in
Sections 16 end 17 where the route approaches historic disturbances
from the railroad and activities at Miles Crossing.

The Spangler option (new construction only) has low populations of
knapweed in the Nl/2 Section 14 and Sl/2 Section 11, increasing
substantially to the north.

The Butte-Silver Bow Weed Control Board lists several weeds in addition
to those on the state list (Leo Mock, pers. comm.), however they were
not identified along the access road options. Several weedy species
not listed as noxious were identified including musk thistle (Carduus
nutans) , henbane (Hyosc.va.mus niger), butter-and-eggs (Lineria vulgaris)
and flannel mullein ( Verbascum thapsus).

SPECIES LIST/RARE PLANTS

A list of vascular plant species (Supplement A) was compiled for the
Beal Project permit area from the July 1981 quantitative inventory (OEA
Research, 1961) and the October- November 1987 WE ST EC H reconnaissance.
The list also includes taxa identified at lower elevations in the

50

access road options during the WE ST EC H reconnaissance as well as
species Identified by Richard Prodgers for the High Rye area (John Joy,
pers. comm. ) . A number of species which bloom in sprinq or early
summer are undoubtedly omitted from the list.

In the permit area, 195 vascular plant species have been identified,
including 37 graminoids, 123 forbs, 4 subshrubs, 20. low shrubs, and 11
tall shrubs and trees. Most of these species were also recorded in the
access road options. An additional 83 taxa were identified only in the
access options, primarily species which are more restricted to lower
elevations. These included 17 graminoids, 50 forbs, 3 subshrubs, 9 low
shrubs, end 4 tall shrubs and trees. An additional 12 graminoids and
27 forbs have been documented for the High Rye area.

The combined list of 317 taxa was comprised of 66 graminoids, 200
forbs, 7 subshrubs, 29 low shrubs, and 15 tall shrubs and trees.
Cordilleran flora dominate the list, with some Pacific maritime
influence. Lower intermontane valleys (lower elevations of access
options) exhibit moderate Great Plains influence.

The status of rare plants in the Beal Project permit area and access
options was ascertained by contact with the Montana Natural Heritage
Program (MTNh°) and review of the Montana rare plant monograph by
Lesica et al . (1984). A search of MTNhP files suggested seven taxa as
candidates for the study area, although there was a rather low

51

potential of occurrence for four of the-, (J. Stephen Shelly, pers.
comm. ) . The seven candidates are:

Care^ parryana spp. idahoa (" £«. idahoa") and Erigeron gracil is
have both been recorded in the vicinity of Humbug, Spires. The
former was considered for listing but rejected by Lesica et al .
(1984). Dorn (1984) gives distribution of Carey, parryana as
moist areas in the west and north-central floristic region of
Montana. Hitchcock and Cronquist (1573) give its distribution as
meadows and moist, low ground in the plains and foothills,
chiefly east of the Continental Divide. Erigeron gracil is is
listed by Lesica et al . (1984) as occurring in meadows and open
slopes at mid- to high elevations in the Absaroka Mountains in
Park County; it is a regional endemic. Dorn (1964) lists L.
gracil is for hills and slopes of southwestern and south-central
Montana. Neither species has been recorded for the Beal Project
area.

Castil lei a exil is, an annual paintbrush, is known from an old,
imprecise record in the general vicinity of Warm Springs. Dorn
(1964) has records for Silver Bow end Gallatin counties, and
describes habitat as "often alkaline or marly meadows end
marshes". Lesica et al . (1984) did not consider the species for
listing. Hitchcock and Cronquist (1973) describe CL. exil is as
occurring in saline marshes in the valleys; it is widespread in
the western U.S., east of the Cascades from southern Canada to

52

northern Arizona end New Mexico. Appropriate habitats are not
available in the Bee! Project area> and the species has not been
recorded there.

Clevtonl a lanceol eta ver. f "leva has not been recorded in the Eeal

Project area, but may potentially occur there since no botanical

survey has been conducted in the area during spring (the texon is

most readily identified during late April to late May). Lesica

et cl . (1984) recommended its status as threatened in Montana;

records were cited for moist meadows at mid-elevations in Deer

Lodge and Powell counties. "C. lanceolata var. f i e y a is thought

to be extinct at the type locality in Idaho and one of the two

other known stations in Montana. It may still occur in the

vicinity cf Anaconda where it was collected 70 years ago" (Lesica

et al . , 1984). More recent records U.S. Shelly, pers. comm. )

indicate that the taxon is extant at the type locality near Henrys

Lake in Idaho. There are two historical and three recent records

for the taxon in Montana. Of the two historical records cited by

Lesica et al . (1984), the Powell County record is likely a 1966

record from near Champion Pass in Deer Lodge County, which has not

been relocated despite recent field investigation by P. Lesica.

Recent Montana records include:

1) one plant in a subalpine forb meadow in the northern
East Pioneer Mountains in Beaverhead County (KESTECH,
1982);

E.?

2) a large population of perhaps 2,000 individuals near
Hebgen Lake in Gallatin County (Jan Nixon 1986 pers.
comm. to J. S. Shelly); C, lanceolate var. lanceol ate
was not present in this population;

3) a population of undetermined size near State Highway
274 about 10-15 miles south of Anaconda (P. Lesica
1987 pers. comm. to J. S. Shelly). There are four
additional recent records from northwestern Wyoming, in
all of which _C, lanceol ata var. lanceol ate was present.

Intensive field investigations of the status of Cj. lanceol ata vdr.
f 1 e v e in Montana will likely be implemented in spring - early summer,
1986 (J. S. Shelly, pers. comm.).

J u nc u s hall i i is accorded rare status for Montana as a peripheral
species by Lesica et al . (1984), occurring in moist to dry
meadows at mid- to high elevations in the mountains in Madison
end Powell Counties end reported for Silver Eow County. The
record for Silver Bow County is that of OEA Research (1981) for
the Beel Project permit area; the taxon averaged well under one
percent cover on one transect (#10) in the Idaho fescue/bearded
wheatgrass habitat type end on one transect (#3) in the rough
fescue/Idaho fescue habitat type. It averaged 1.5 percent cover
on one transect (?S) in the shrubby cinquefcil/rough fescue-
habitat type.

54

Penstemon lemhiensis, currently one cf the more sensitive vascular
plant species in Montana, is endemic to extreme southwestern
Montana and adjacent Idaho (J. S. Shelly, pers. comm.). In
Montana, its distribution is primarily low to m id-elevation sites
scattered along the south and east periphery of the Pioneer
Mountains. The locality nearest the Beal Project area is a recent
(1986) record from the northern East Pioneer Mountains, Beaverhead
County by 3. S. Shelly (pers. comm.). Lesica et al . (1984)
recommended the taxon for threatened status in Montana, since most
populations are small and threatened by crazing and roaj
maintenance. The distribution was described as sagebrush

grasslands at mid-elevations (6,000 - 7,000 feet) in Beaverhead
and Ravalli Counties. Historic records from Ravalli County have
not been relocated despite recent field investigation. A recent,
detailed report on the status of Pensteron lenhiensis in Montana
(Shelly* 1987) summarizes current knowledge of its distribution
end habitat requirements.

Agoseris sp. nov. has been recorded near the Bee! Project area at
the head cf Jerry Creek in HE/A Section 18 at 7760 feet
elevation. There is therefore potential for its occurrence in
subalpine meadows in the permit area. The taxon will be formally
named Agoseris 1 ecKschewitzi i (J.S. Shelly, pers. comm.).

55

A review of Lesica et al . (1984) revealed no additional taxa as likely
rare plant candidates for the Bee! Project area. In the eight years
preceding Lesica et al . (1984), 22 vascular plant taxa were considered
in Montane for federal status as threatened or endangered; these
included Carex parryana ssp. idahoa, Claytoni a lanceolate var. f lava
and Penstenon lemhiensis. Observations by John Joy in the area have
not indicated the presence of any sensitive plant species.

LITERATURE CITED

Branson, F. A. and T. Lommasson. 1956. Quantitative effects of
twenty-three years of controlled use on mountain range. J. Range
Management 11(2): 67-70.

Campbell, G. , J. Cornish and R. Portch. Eds. 1979. Preliminary
ecological studies for the MHO /CD IF test site, Butte Valley (FH
77/78 data summary). Tech. rept. prepared for U.S. Dept. of
Energy by Montana Energy and MHO Research end Development
Institute, Butte. 79 p. + append.

Chaffee, G. B. and M. S. Morris. 1982. Response of subalpine
needlegrass Stipe occidental is ver. minor (Vasey) C. L. Hitchcock
to orazinq and disturbance in western Montana, Proc. Mont. Acad.
Sci. 41:71-78. 7 p.

Culwell, L. D. and K. L. Scow. 1982. Vegetation inventory of the
Jardine project eree, Perk County, Montene. Unpub. tech. report
prepared for Home stake Mining Co. by WESTECH, Helena, MT. 138 p.

Culwell, L. D., K. L. Scow, P. Husby end F. Lesice. 1980. Cover and
production on a rough fescue/Idaho fescue habitat type.
Unpubl ished data.

Culwell, L. D., K. L. Scow and L. A. Larsen. 1984. Vegetation
inventory of the Montana Tunnels study area, Jefferson County,
Montana. Prepared for Centennial Minerals, Inc., Helena, MT. 87 p.

Daubenmire, R. 1959. A canopy-coverage method of vegetational
analysis. Northwest Science 33(l):43-64.

56

Davis, Merrill. 1988. District Ranger, Butte District, Deerlodge
National Forest, Butte, Montana. Personal communication,

February.

Dorn, R. D. 1984. Vascular plants of Montana. Mountain West Pub!.,
Cheyenne, WY. 176 p.

Grinde, Pete. 1988. Range scientist, Butte District, Deerlodge
National Forest, Butte, Montana. Personal communication, January.

Hann, W. J. 1982. A taxonomy for classification of serai vegetation
of selected habitat types in western Montana. Ph.D. thesis, Univ.
of Idaho, Moscow. 255 p.

Hitchcock, C. L. end A. Cronquist. 1975. Flora of the Pacific
Northwest. Univ. of Washington Press, Seattle. 750 p.

Hitchcock, C. L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey end J. V.'. Thompson. 1955-
1969. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest. Vol. 1-5. Univ.
of Washington Press, Seattle.

Joy, John. Forest Ecologist, Supervisor ' s Office, Deerlodge National
Forest, Butte, Montana. Personal communication, February.

Lesica, P., G. Moore, K. M. Peterson and J. H. Rumely. 1984. Vascular
plants of limited distribution in Montane. Montana Academy of
Sciences Monograph No. 2. 61 p.

Mueggler, W. F. 1957. Response of mountain grassland vegetation to
clipping in southwestern Montana. Ecology 4 6: 942-94 9.

Mueggler, W. F. 1972. Variation in plant development and herbage

yield on a mountain grassland in southwestern Montana. USDA

Forest Service Res. Pap. INT-124, Intermt. For. and Range Exp.
Stn. , Ogoen, UT. 20 p.

Mueggler, W. F. 1985. Variation in production and seasonal

development of mountain grasslands in western Montana. Res. Pap.
INT-316. USDA Forest Service, Intermt. For. and Range Exp. Stn.,
Ogden, UT.

Mueggler, W. F. and W. L. Stevert. 1983. Grassland and shrubland
habitat types of western Montana. USDA Forest Service, Ogden,
Utah. General tech. rept. INT-66. 154 p.

Mueggler, W. F. and W. L. Stewart. 1981. Forage production on
important rangeland habitat types in western Montana. J. Range
Management 34 (5) :S47-555.

11

"ler-Dc- D. ar File': 1974. Airs end methods cf

vegetatio- Uohr h'i i Sons, Inc., New York. 547 p.

OEA Research. 1981. Beal i • - Company German Gulch enviromental

studies* vegetation analysis. Unpub. tech. report prepared for

Hydrometrics, Inc. : ■ Helena, Monte p. +
appendices.

Ffisxer, R. D., E. L. Kovalchik, S. F. Arno, and R. C. Presby. 1:

Forest hat"".:", types of Monte- USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech.

. :■.--:--. ;-'- : .

nee, ." . r. 1986. Wetland comr nity types of west-central ' ".ana.
Unpublished draft report 1 Forest Service, Region One,

Missoula, MT. 57 p.

Sawyer i P. T. 1984. Vegetation report ir th< immediate area of the
hi Froject, Sil\ :• Montana. Jnpub. tech. report

: -Waring Asscci at

Butte, Montana. 12 p.

Scow, K. L., L. D. Culwell and L. :. Lersen. 198; . etetion

inventor} Df the Chartam Pi t cree, E -_ter County, Montana.

Unpu: . tech. report :~-;:erec 1 sten Energy Com| •. by

. STECH, He'enh. -tana. 41 paces - £:?encices.

J. 5. 1987. tenistj ntan« Nat ral ■ ritage Program.

F e rs c • i i cat mbe r .

lly, J. S. : :". Status re%'iev cf Fens--: IjsjJj^jLj ■

Forest Service ;•':-, 1, Beaverhead and Bitterroot National

Forests, I ntana. Unpub. tech. report prepare: for USD/ Forest

Service, Missoula : ntai t r hi Heritace Proc^c-. Hel
72 :.

S-ix1-, Meg. 1 7. Grazir : —-'tee, Beal Allotment. Glen, ' ntai
Persona" communication, mber.

1, .. :. anc E. ". /anDyne. 1966. Vegetation responses to crazing
mat ■ nt on a foothill :-eep ranae. J. Range Manage. 19(2):
65.

Western Techi and Engineering, Inc. (KESTECH). 19E2.

Reconnaissh' :-. Df /egetation resources of the Cannavin Gulch -
Black Lien study area, Beaverhead County, Montana. Unpub. tech.
. rt prepare • ESTECH, Helena, Montana. 53 p. - "dix.

Western Technoloc Engineering, Inc. (WESTECH). 1966. Valley i

Hills conservation easerent docunentation repcrt. Tech. re:
prepare: for The Nature Conservancy, Helena. 60 p.

: E

Supplement A. Vascular plant species by morphological class with life
habitat information, Seal Project study area, Silver Bow
County, Montana, 1987.

1

Binomial Code Common Name L ife Habit

GRASSES AND GRASS-LIKE PLANTS

Agropyron cristatum
Agropyron caninum
Agropyron intermedium
Agropyron smithii*
Agropyron spicatum
Agrostis alba
Agrostis scabra
Alopecurus alpinus**
Bromu s carinatus
Bromus tectorum
Bromus vulgaris
Calamagrostis canadensis
Calamagrostis montanensi s*
Calamagrostis rubescens
Carex concinnoides
Carex dioica
Carex f il ifol ia
Carex geyeri
Carex hood i i
Carex limnophila*
Carex mertensi i**
Carex microptera**
Carex nebraskensis*
Carex obtusata
Carex petasata
Carex raynoldsi!**
Carex species
Cinna latifolia*
Danthonia intermedia
Deschempsia cespitosa
Deschampsia elongata
Elymjs canadensis**
Elymus cine reus*
Elymjs glaucus*
Festuca idahoensis
Festuca scabrella
Hordeum brachyantherum*
Hordeum jubetum
Juncus balticus
Juncus bufonius*
Juncus ensifolius*
Juncus hal 1 i i

Agr

cr i

Crested wheatgrass

IF

Agr

can

Slender wheatgrass

NP

Acr

int

Intermediate wheatgrass

IP

Agr

smi*

Western wheatgrass

t::'

Agr

spi

Eluebunch wheatgrass

NP

Agr

alb

Redtop

IP

Acr

sea

Rough bentgrass

NP

Alo

alp

Alpine foxtail

NP

Ero

car

Cal i forni a brome

NP

Bro

tec

Cheatgrass

IA

Ero

vul

Columbia brome

NP

Cal

can

Eluejoint reedgrass

NP

Cal

mon*

Plains reedgrass

NF

Cal

rub

Pinegrass

NP

Car

con

Northwest sedge

K^

Car

dio

Yellow bog sedge

IF

Car

f il

Threadleaf sedge

NP

Car

gey

Elk sedge

NP

Car

hoo

Hood's sedge

IF

Car

1 i m*

Pond sedge

NP

Car

mer

Mertens' sedge

NP

Car

mic

Small-winged sedge

NP

Car

neb*

Nebraska sedge

NP

Car

obt

Blunt sedge

NP

Car

pet

Lid don sedge

NP

Car

ray

Reynold's sedge

NP

Car

spp.

Sedge species

NP

Cin

let*

Drooping woodreed

NP

Dan

int

Timber oatgrass

NF

Des

ces

Tufted hairgrass

NP

Des

elo

Slender hairgrass

1 P

Ely

can

Canada wildrye

NP

Ely

cin*

Basin wildrye

NP

Ely

cla*

Blue wildrye

ND

Fes

ida

Idaho fescue

IP

Fes

sea

Rough fescue

NP

Hor

bra*

Meadow barley

NP

Hor

jub

Foxtail barley

NP

Jun

bal

Wire rush

NP

Jun

buf*

Toad rush

NA

Jun

ens*

Dagger-leaf rush

NP

Jun

hal

Hall's rush

NP

A-l

Supplement A. (continued)

Binomial Code Common Name

GRASSES AND GRASS-LIKE PLANTS (continued)

Juncus parryi**

Juncus tenuis?*

Koeleria cristate

Luzula campestris**

Luzula hitchcocki i**

Luzula parviflora

Melica bulbose**

Mel ica spectabilis

Muhlenbergia richardsonis*

Oryzopsis exigua**

Phleum elpinum

Phleum pretense

Poa compressa

Foa juncifolia*

Poa nervosa**

Poa palustris*

Poa pratensis

Poa sandbergii

Poa species

Stipa comata*

Stipa occidental is var. minor

Stipa richardsoni i*

Stipa viridula*

Trisetum spicetum**

FORBS

Achillea millefolium
Aconitum Columbian urn
Agosen's glauca
Allium brevistylum?*
Al 1 ium cernuum
Anaphalis margan'tecea
Androsece septentrional is
Anemone multifide**
Angelica arguta*
Antennaria microphylla
Antennaria racemose
Antennaria umbrinelle
Apocynum endroseemifol ium*
Aquilegia flavescens**
Arabis diven'carpa
Arebis holboellii
Arabis nuttal 1 i i

Jun
Jun
Koe
Luz
Luz
Luz
Mel
Mel
Muh
Ory
Phi
Phi
Poa
Poa
Poa
Poa
Poa
Poa
Poa
Sti
Sti
Sti
Sti
Tri

per

ten*

cri

cam

hit

par

bul

spe

ric*

exi

al p

pre

com

jun*

ner

pel*

pre

sen

spp.

com*

occ

ric*

v i r*

spi

Ach

mil

Aco

col

Ago

gle

All

bre*

All

cer

Ane

mar

And

sep

Ane

mul

Ang

arg*

Ant

mic

Ant

rao

Ant

umb

Apo

and*

Aqu

fla

Ara

div

Are

hoi

Ara

nut

Parry's rush

Slender rush

Prairie ju near ass

Field wood rush

Smooth wood rush

Small flowered woodrush

Oniongrass

Showy oniongrass

Mat muhly

Little ricegrass

Alpine timothy

Common timothy

Canada bluegrass

Big bluegrass

Wheeler's bluegrass

Fowl bluegrass

Kentucky bluegrass

Native bluegrass

Bluegrass species

Needle-and-thread

Columbia need! egress

Richardson's needlegrass

Green needlegrass

Spike trisetum

Common ye r row
Columbian monkshood
Pale agosen's
Short-style onion
Nodding onion
Pearly-everlasting
Northern rockjasmine
Ball anemone
Sharptooth angelica
Rose pussytoes
Raceme pussytoes
Umber pussytoes
Spreading dogbane
Yellow columbine
Spread ing-pod rockcress
Holboell's rockcress
Nuttel 1 rockcress

NF
NF
NP
NP
hP
NP
N°
NP
NP
NP
\P
IP
NP
NP
NP
IP
IF
IP
J
NP
ND
NP
ND
NF

NP

»r

NP
N=>
NP
NA
NP
ND
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NB
NB
IP

A- 2

Supplement A. (continued)

gippjjii]

FORES (continued)

Arenaria congesta
Arnica cordifolia
Arnica fulgens
Artemisia ludoviciana*
Aster chilensis*
Aster conspicuus
Aster falcatus*

Aster fol iaceus
Aster species
Astragalus adsurgens*
Astragalus bisulcatus*
Astragalus canadensis*
Astragalus drummondi i*
Astragalus miser
Balsamorhiza sagittate
Berteroa incana**
Besseya wyomingensi s
Calochortus nuttallii**
Calochortus species
Calthe leptosepala**
Camel ina microcarpa*
Carduus nutans*
Castilleja cusickii
Castilleja 1 inari ifol ia**
Castilleja miniata**

Castilleja pallescens
Centaurea maculosa
Cerastium arvense
Cheenactis douglasii*
Cirsium arvense
Cirsium scariosum
Cirsium undulatum*
Cirsium vulgare
Clematis columbiana
Collinsia parviflora
Collomia linearis
Comandra umbellate
Corallorhiza maculata**
Corallorhiza trifida
Crepis etribarba**
Crepis intermedia**
Crepis species

Qofe.

Common, Name

Life Habit

Are

con

Arn

cor

Arn

ful

Art

lud*

Ast

chi*

Ast

con

Ast

fal*

Ast

fol

Ast

spp.

Ast

ads*

Ast

bis*

Ast

can*

Ast

dru*

Ast

mis

Bal

sag

E^er

inc

Bes

wyo

Cel

nut

Cal

spp.

Cel

lep

Cam

mic*;

Car

nut*

Cas

cus

Cas

lin

Cas

min

Cas

pal

Cen

mac

Cer

arv

Cha

dou*

Cir

arv

Cir

sea

Cir

und*

Cir

vul

Cle

col

Col

par

Col

lin

Com

umb

Cor

mac

Cor

tri

Cre

etr

Cre

int

Cre spp.

Ballhead sandwort NP

Heertleef arnica NP

Orange arnica UP

Cudweed sagewort NP

Creeping aster UP

Showy aster NP
Creeping white prairie

aster NP

Leafybract aster NP

Aster species U°

Pre i r i e milk vetch NP

Two-grooved milkvetch N°

Canada milkvetch ND

Drummond milkvetch NP

Weedy milkvetch NP

Arrowleaf balsamroot NP

Hoary false alyssum I A

Kittentail ND

Nutt all's sego lily NP

Mariposa species NP

Elkslip NP

Littlepod felseflax IA

Musk thistle IB

Cusick's paintbrush ND
Narrow- leaved paintbrush NP

Scarlet Indian ND

paintbrush

Pale Indian paintbrush NP

Spotted knapweed IP

Field chickweed NP

Douglas dusty maiden NB

Canada thistle IP

Elk thistle tP

Wavy leaf thistle NP

Bull thistle IB

Rock clematis NP

Blue-eyed Mary NA

Narrow-leaved collcmia NA

Pale bastard toadflax NP

Spotted coral-root NP

Early coral -r^oot NP

Slender hawksbeard NP

Gray hawksbeard NP

Hawksbeard species NP

A-3

Supplement A. (continued)

FORES (continued)

Cojie.

Delphinium bicolor
Descurainia pinnata*
Descurainia richardsonii
Descurainia sophia*
Dodecatheon conjugens
Douglasia montana
Draba stenoloba
Epilobium angustifol ium
Epilobium ciliatum*

(E. glandulosum)
Epilobium minutum

Epilobium pan icu latum*
Equisetum arvense
Erigeron compositus
Erigeron peregrinus**
Erigeron speciosus**
Eriogonum oval i folium
Eriogonum umbel latum
Eriophyl lum lanatum
Erysimum cheiranthoides**
Erysimum repandum
Erythronium grandiflorum
Fragaria virginiana
Frasera speciosa
Gaillardia aristata*
Gal ium bifol ium
Gal ium trif lorum
Gaura coccinea*
Gentiana affinis
Gentian a emarella
Geranium viscosissimum
Geum rriacrophyl 1 urn*
Geun triflorum
Goodyera oblongifolia
Grindelie squarros^*
Hackelia micrantha**
Haplopappus acaul is*
Haplopappus lanuginosus
Helianthella uniflora

Heracleum lanatum
Heterotheca villosa*
Heuchera cylindrica**

Del

bic

Des

pin*

Des

ric

Des

sop*

Dod

con

Dou

mon

Dra

ste

Epi

ang

Epi

cil*

Epi min

Epi

pan*

Equ

arv

Eri

com

Eri

per

Eri

spe

Eri

ova

Eri

umb

Eri

Ian

Ery

che

Ery

rep

Ery

gra

Fra

v i r

Fra

spe

Gai

a r i *

Gal

bif

Gal

tri

Gau

coc*

Gen

aff

Gen

ama

Ger

vis

Geu

mac*

Geu

tri

Goo

obi

Gri

squ*

Hac

mic

Hap

aca*

Hap

Ten

Hel

uni

Her

Ian

Het

vil*

Heu

cyl

Low larkspur N°

Pinnate tansyrrustard NA

Mountain tansymustard NA

Fl ixweed tansynustard 1A

Shooting star NP
Rocky Mountain douglasia NP

Slender draba NA

Fireweed NP

Glandular willow-herb NP

Smal 1-f lowered NA

wil low-herb

Autumn wil lew herb NA

Common horsetail hP

Fernleef fleabane Np

Wandering daisy NP

Showy fleabane NP

Cushion buckwheat NP

Sulfur buckwheat NP

Common eriophyl lum tP

Treacle mustard IA

Spreading wallflower NP

Glacier-lily NP

V i rg i n i a st r em be r ry NP

Giant frasera NP

Common gaillardia N°

Thinleef bedstraw NA

Sweet-scented bedstrav-.' N?

Scarlet gaura NP

Pleated gentian NP

Annual gentianella NA

Sticky geranium NP

Large leaf avens NP

Prairiesmoke NP

Rattlesnake plantain NP

Curl cup gumweed NB

Blue stickseed NP

Stemless goldenweed NP

Woolly goldenweed NP

Rocky Mountain N°

helianthel la

Cow parsnip NP

Hairy golden aster NP

Round leaved allumroot NP

A-4

Supplement A. (continued)

Binomial

FORES (continued)

Heuchera pervi folia
Hieracium cynoglossoides
Hieracium gracile**
Hyoscyamus niger*
Hypopitys monotropa**
Iris missouriensis*
Koch i a scope ri a*
Lepidium densiflorum*
Lepidium perfol iatum*
Lesquerella alpina
Lewisia pygmaea
Lewisia rediviva**
Linanthus septentrional is
Linaria vulgaris*
Linum perenne**
Listera boreal is
Lithophragma parviflorum
Lithospermum ruderele
Lonatium cusickii**
Lomatium triternatum
Lonatium species
Lupinus sericeus
Melilotus officinalis*
Mertensia ciliata
Mertensia oblongifolia
Microseris nutans
Mitella pentendra
Musineon divaricatum
Oenothera cespitosa*
Oenothera subacaulis

Osmorhiza chilensis
Osmorhiza occidental is
Oxytropis carpestris**
Oxytropis sericea
Pedicularis contorta
Pedicularis cystopteridifol ia
Pedicularis racemosa
Penstemon albertinus
Penstemon aridus*
Penstemon diphyllus*
Penstemon eriantherus*
Penstemcn procerus
Penstemon rydbergii**

1

Code

Heu par

Hie cyn
Hie gra
Hyo nig*
Hyp mon
Iri mis*
Koc sco*
Lep den*
Lep per*
Les alp
Lev; pyp
Lew red
Lin sep
Lin vul*
Lin per
Lis bor
Lit par
Lit ru d
Lorn cus
Lorn tri
Lorn spp.
Lup ser
Mel off*
Mer cil
Mer obi
Mic nut
Mit pen
Mus div
Oen ces*
Oen sub

Osm chi
Osm occ
Oxy cam
Oxy ser
Ped con
Ped cys
Ped rac
Pen alb
Pen ari*
Pen dip*
Pen eri*
Pen pro
Pen ryd

Common Name

Life Habit

Littleleaf allumroot
Houndtongue hawkweed
Slender hawkweed
Henbane

Fringed pinesap
Rocky Mountain iris
Summer cypress
Prairie pepperweed
Clasping pepperweed
Alpine bladderpoo
Dwarf lewisia
Bitter root
Northern linanthus
Butter-and-eggs
Blue flax

Northern twayblade
Smal 1 flower woodlandstar
Western gromwell
Cusick's lomatium
Nineleaf lomatium
Lomatium species
Silky lupine
Yellow sweetclover
Broadleaf bluebells
Oblongleaf bluebel 1
Nodding microseris
Alpine mitrevort
Leafy musineon
Rock- rose
Northern evening

primrose
Mountain sweetroot
Vi'estem sweetroot
Slender crszyweed
V/hite pointloco
Coiled pedicularis
Fern-leaved lousewort
Leafy lousewort
Alberta penstemon
Stiff leaf penstemon
Diphyllus penstemon
Fuzzytongue penstemon
Littleleaf penstemon
Rydberg's penstemon

NP
NP
NP
IB

NP
NP
IA
NA

I A
NP
NP

np

NA

IP

NP

NP

NP

NP

NP

NP

NP

NP

IE

NP

NP

NP

NP

NP

NP

NP

NP

IP

NF

NP

NF

N°

NP

IP

NP

NP

NP

NP

NP

A-5

Supplement A. (continued)

Binomial

FORBS (continued)

Perideridia gairdneri
Phacelia hastata
Phlox longifol ia**
Phlox muscoides*
Polemonium pule her rimum*
Polygonum aviculare*
Polygonum bistortoides
Polygonum kelloggii
Potentilla argute
Potentilla diversifolie

Potentilla glandulosa
Potentil la gracil is
Potentilla pensyl vanica*
Fyrola asan'fol ie*

Pyrola secunda
Pyrola uniflora
Ranunculus uncinatus
Rumex crisp us*
Rumex patiente*
Rumex paucifol ius
Rumex sal icifol ius*
Saxifrage argute
Saxifraga intecrifolie
Secun stenopetelum
Selaginella densa
Senecio canus*
Senecio hydrophilus**
Senecio integer rirrus
Senecio megacephalus*
Senecio pauperculus**
Senecio pseudeureus
Senecio triangularis
Sisymbrium altissimum*
Smilacina racemosa
Solidago missouriensis*
Sphaeralcea coccinea*
Stellaria longipes*
Streptopus amplexifol ius

Taraxacum officinale
Thai ictrum occidental e
Thlaspi arvense

life Habit

Per

ga i

Pha

has

Phi

Ion

Phi

mus*

Pol

pul*

Pol

avi*

Pol

bis

Pol

kel

Pot

arg

Pot

div

Pot

gla

Pot

gra

Pot

pen*

Pry

asa*

Pyr

sec

Pyr

uni

Ran

unc

Rum

cri*

Rum

pat*

Rum

pau

Rum

sel*

Sax

arg

Sax

int

Sed

ste

Sel

den

Sen

can*

Sen

hyd

Sen

int

Sen

meg*

Sen

pau

Sen

pse

Sen

tri

Sis

alt*

Smi

rac

Sol

mis*

Sph

coc*

Ste

Ion*

Str

amp

Ter

off

Tha

occ

Thl

arv

Yampe

NP

Silverleaf phacelia

\i:

Long leaf phlox

NP

Moss phlox

\l-

Showy polemonium

NF

Prostrate knotweed

NA

Bistort

NP

Kel logo's knotweed

NA

Tal 1 cinquefoil

NP

Diverse-leaved

NP

cinquefoil

Glandular cinquefoil

NF

Northwest cinquefoil

NP

Prairie cinquefoil

NF

Common pink

NF

wintergreen

Sidebel Is pyrola

NP

Wood nymph

N=

Little buttercup

NP

Curly dock

IF

Fetience dock

:r'

Mountain sorrel

NP

Wil 1 ov. leaved dock

NP

Brock saxifrage

NF

Swamp saxifrage

NF

Kormleef stonecrop

NP

Clubmoss

NP

Wool ly groundsel

NP

Alkali-marsh butterweed

NP

Western groundsel

NP

Large-headed butterweed

NP

Balsam groundsel

NP

Streambank butterweed

NP

Arrowleaf groundsel

N°

Tumblenusterd

J/.

Feather Solomon's seel

NP

Missouri goldenrod

NF

Scarlet globemallow

NP

Longstalk starwort

NP

Clasping leaf

NP

twisted-stalk

Common dandel ion

IP

We stern meadowrue

1,"

Fanweed

I A

A-6

Supplement A. (continued)

FORBS (continued)

CM?.

CoTron Neme

1

Life Hah it.

Tov/nsendia parryi
Tragopogon dubius
Trifol iurri longipes
Trol 1 ius laxus**
Urtica dioice
Valeriana dioica
Valeriana sitchensis
Veratrum viride
Verb a scum thapsus
Verbena bracteate*
Veronica americana
Viola adunca
Viola orbiculate
Xerophyllum tenax
Zigacenus elegans**
Zioadenus venenosus

Tow

par

Parry's townsendia

NF

Tra

dub

Common salsify

IE

Tri

Ion

Long-stalked clover

NF

Tro

lax

Globef lower

NP

Urt

dio

Stinging nettle

NP

Val

dio

Marsh Valeriana

NF

Val

sit

Sitka valerian

ND

Ver

vi r

Green false hellebore

NP

Ver

tha

Flannel mullein

IB

Ver

bra*

Bracted verbena

UP

Ver

a re-

American speedwell

IP

Vio

ad u

Western violet

NF

Vio

orb

Roundleaf violet

NF

Xer

ten

Beargrass

NP

zig

ele

Glaucous zigadenus

NP

Zio

ven

Meadow death camas

NP

SUBSHRUBS

Arctostephylos uva-ursi*
Artemisia frigida*
Berberis repens
Chimaphila umbel lata
Gutierrezia sarothrae*
Linnaea boreal is
Rubus parviflorus

LOW SHRUBS

Arc uva* Kinikinnick NP

Art fri* Fringed sagewort NP

Ber rep Creeping Oregon-grape \F

Chi umb Common pipsissewa Np

Gut sar* Broon snakeweed K,D

Lin bor Western twinf lower NP

Rub par Thirrbleberry IF

Amelanchier alnifolia
Chrysotharmus nauseosus*
Cornus stolonifera*
Ledum glendulosum
Juniperus communis
Juniperus scopulorum
Lonicera involucrata
Lonicera utahensis
Menziesia ferruginea
Physocarpus malvaceus*
Potent-ilia fruticosa
Purshia tridentata*
Prunus virginiena*
Ribes cereum*
Ribes lacustre

Ame

aln

Chr

nau*

Cor

sto*

Led

gla

Jun

com

Jun

SCO

Lon

inv

Lon

uta

Me n

fer

Phy

mal*

Pot

f ru

Pur

tri*

Pru

v i r*

Rib

cer*

Rib

lac

Western serviceberry
Rubber rabbitbrush
Red osier dogwood
Smooth Labrador-tea
Common juniper
Rocky Mountain juniper
Bearberry honeysuckle
Utah honeysuckle
Rusty menziesia
Mallow ninebark
Shrubby cinquefoil
Antelope bitterbrush
Chokecherry
Squaw currant
Swamp gooseberry

IP
NP
IP
NP
NP
NP
ND
NF
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP

A- 7

Supplement A. (continued)

Binomial

LOW SHRUBS (continued)

Cojie.

]

Common Name

Life Habit

Ribes setosum*
Ribes viscosissimum
Rosa aclculan's
Rosa wood si i*
Rose species
Rubus idaeus
Sambucus racemosa
Shepherdia canadensis
Symphoricarpos albus
Tetradymia canescens*
Vaccinium ceespitosum
Vaccinium globule re
Vaccinium myrtillus?
Vaccinium scoparium

TALL SHRUBS AND TREES

Abies lasiocarpa
Alnus sinueta
Betule occidental is
Picea engelmannii
Pinus albicaul is
Pinus contorta
Populus tremuloides
Populus tn'chocarpa
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Sal ix drummondiana*
Salix exigua
Sal ix f ragil is*
Salix myrtil lifol ia*1
Sel ix scouleriana*
Salix species

Rib set*' Redshoot gooseberry NP

Rib vis Sticky currant NP

Ros aci Prickly rose HP

Ros woo* Wood's rose UP

Ros spp. Rose species N°

Rub ida Red raspberry NP

Sam rac Black elderberry NP

She can Caneda buffaloberry NP

Sym alb Common snowberry NP

Tet can* Gray horsebrush NP

Vac cae Dwarf huckleberry Np

Vac glo Blue huckleberry NF

Vac myr Dwarf bilberry' ND

Vac sco Grouse whortleberry NP

Abi

las

Subalpine fir

N?

Aln

sin

Sitka alder

NP

Bet

occ

Water birch

ND

Pic

enq

Engelmann spruce

NP

Pin

alb

Whitebark pine

np

Pin

con

Lodgepole pine

Nl

Pop

tre

Quaking aspen

IP

Pop

tri

Black cottonwood

i:;"

Pse

men

Douglas-fir

hP

Sal

dru*

Drummond willow

NP

Sal

exi

Slender wil low

! !:-

Sal

fra*

Crack willow

IP

Sal

myr*

Blueberry willow

NP

Sal

SCO*

Scouler willow

NP

Sal

spp.

Wil low species

NP

1 N

I

Native

Introduced

F = Perennial
B = Biennial

Annual

Scientific nomenclature follows Hitchcock and Cronquist (1973) and
Hitchcock et al . (1955-1969). Common names vere mostly taken from
these sources.

A-8

Supplement A. (continued)

* taxe identified only for access corridor options; many of these taxa
can be expected to also occur in the permit area, hut heren't
documented there. Most taxa identified for the permit area (no *) were
also documented in the access options.

**taxa identified by Richard Prodcers for the High Rye area (John Joy>
pers. comm.) which were not included on the list for the Beal Mountain
Project permit area and access options.

A-9