ARM 12.9.1601. DEFINITIONS

In addition to the definitions provided in 87-5-802, MCA, the following definitions apply to this subchapter: (1) “Conservation gain” means the anticipated improvement in population, trend, or distribution for a species of conservation need. (2) “Habitat uplift” means restoring habitats from a degraded or less optimal condition to a more desirable condition, especially a condition with greater ecological function. (3) “Measurable objective” means a specific, quantifiable, and time-bound standard used to evaluate the effectiveness of a project to restore, rehabilitate, enhance, improve, or manage land or waters as wildlife habitat, or to generate conservation gain for species of conservation need. (4) "Priority habitat" means ecological settings or ecosystems that provide unique, high-value habitat that is important to one or more species of conservation need. (5) "Project area" means the land or water comprising the proposed habitat improvement, enhancement, restoration, or conservation project and where the anticipated benefits are located, such as a watershed, ecological unit, or other defined area. (6) "Project sponsor" means a state, federal, tribal, or government agency; a municipal or county agency, including conservation districts, weed control districts, irrigation districts, and grazing associations; a non-profit organization or other organization, or an individual, either public or private, administering a project. (7) “Public access” means that the public has the opportunity to participate in hunting, fishing, or other wildlife-related recreational activities on lands included in the project area. (8) “Species of conservation need” means a species that is considered at-risk due to declining population trends, threats to their habitats, restricted distribution, or other factors; or other species that are recognized by the state of Montana for their ecological, economic, or recreational values.