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Species of Conservation Concern
The Regional Forester identifies species of conservation concern (SCC) for land management plans developed under the 2012 planning rule. SCC are species for which the Regional Forester has substantial concern regarding their long-term persistence in the plan area. All SCC must be native and known to occur in the plan area. Additional information about how SCC are defined and identified is provided through links below that describe the SCC identification process.
Land management plans approved under the 2012 planning rule must provide the ecological conditions necessary for long-term persistence of SCC, within the authority of the Forest Service and the inherent capability of the land. An SCC list may be updated at any point during the planning process. Currently, SCC have been identified for the Helena – Lewis and Clark, Custer Gallatin, Flathead, and Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.
How You Can Engage
It's important we leverage expertise of the public, including local, State, Tribal, and other Federal natural resource agencies, when identifying species of conservation concern. Opportunities for public and governmental agencies to participate are offered with each Forest's revision efforts, beginning with assessment and continuing through final decision. Please visit the forests' websites for additional information.
This FAQ (updated May 2020) provides information and answers to common questions and comments we've received regarding SCC identification during all the revision efforts.
Lolo National Forest
Updated June 9, 2023
The Lolo National Forest Potential SCC Lists are available for public review and comment from Friday, June 9, 2023 until Saturday, July 8, 2023. Visit the Lolo Planning Hub collaboration page for instructions on commenting.
- Potential SCC List and Rationale Executive Summary [PDF, 1.6 MB]
- Animals Potential SCC List and Rationale [PDF, 1.2 MB]
- Plants Potential SCC List and Rationale [PDF, 1.3 MP]
Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forest
Updated February 19, 2021
- Regional Forester’s letter identifying SCC for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (HLC) final plan.
- Process used to identify animal and plant SCC for the HLC final plan.
- Rationale (species evaluations) used to identify animal and plant SCC for the HLC final plan.
- The Reviewing Officer completed review of objections to the SCC list on February 19, 2021. As instructed by the Reviewing Officer, the Regional Forester added additional information to the rationale documents above.
- Information on the objection process and additional planning documentation can be found on the Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forest website.
Custer Gallatin National Forest
Updated April 22, 2021
- Regional Forester's letter identifying SCC for the Custer Gallatin National Forest (CGNF) final plan.
- Processes used to identify animal and plant SCC for CGNF final plan.
- Rationale (species evaluations) used to identify animal and plant species as SCC for CGNF final plan.
- The Reviewing Officer completed review of objections to the SCC list on March 4, 2021. As instructed by the Reviewing Officer, the Regional Forester added additional information to the rationale documents above and re-evaluated several species.
- Information on the objection process and additional planning documents can be found on the Custer Gallatin National Forest website.
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
Updated December 20, 2019
- Regional Forester's letter identifying SCC for Nez Perce-Clearwater (NPC) National Forest draft plan and draft environmental impact statement
- Process used to identify SCC for NPC draft plan and draft environmental impact statement
- Rationale (species evaluations) used to select animal and plant species as SCC for NPC draft plan and draft environmental impact statement
- How to comment on SCC developed for the NPC draft plan and draft environmental impact statement
Flathead National Forest
Updated April 22, 2021
- Regional Forester’s letter identifying SCC for the Flathead National Forest final plan.
- Regional Forester's letter regarding evaluation of wolverine for the Flathead National Forest final plan.
- Process used to identify animal and plant SCC for the Flathead National Forest final plan.
- Rationale (species evaluations) used to identify terrestrial animal, aquatic animal, and botanical SCC for the Flathead National Forest final plan.
- The Reviewing Officer completed the review of the objections to the SCC list on July 12, 2018. As instructed by the reviewing official, the Regional Forester has added additional information to the rationale documents above.
- Information on the objection process and additional planning documentation can be found on the Flathead National Forest website.
Archive
We continue to reevaluate SCC information throughout the planning process. Previous documentation provided at earlier stages in each forest's revision effort can be found here.
