Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MTFWP) has been involved with developing a crucial areas statewide Decision Support System (DSS) since 2008 in parallel with activities from the Western Governors Association (WGA). In April, 2010, the Crucial Areas Planning System (CAPS) was released. Also in 2010, the WGA provided funding to the 18 western states to begin developing DSSs for crucial areas among and between the 18 western states. MTFWP will be piloting a transboundary DSS for fish, wildlife, and habitats along the Idaho-Montana Divide, beginning in July 2010. MTFWP will also participating in a dual role of advisory and collaboration with the Washington, Oregon and Idaho Columbia Plateau pilot project.
This project would fully develop climate change assessments and management recommendations for Montanas fish and wildlife and associated habitats at risk from climate change. These results will be integrated into the FWP CAPS, the 2011 CFWCS revision, and be available for integration into the BLM Rapid Ecological Assessments (REAs), and the USFWS Great Northern and Prarie Potholes LCCs, and a host of other planning processes underway throughout Montana.
