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 Custer Gallatin, Flathead, Helena–Lewis and Clark, Lolo, 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 October 2023) provides information and answers to frequent questions and comments we've received regarding SCC identification during all the revision efforts.

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Updated January 8, 2025

Regional Forester's letter [PDF, 0.3 MB] identifying SCC for the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests (NCF) revised plan and final environmental impact statement
Process [PDF, 0.2 MB] used to identify SCC for NPC revised plan and final environmental impact statement
Rationale (species evaluations) used to select animal [XLSX, 0.1 MB] and plant [XLSX, 0.1 MB] species as SCC for the NCF revised plan and final environmental impact statement
The Reviewing Officer completed review of objections to the SCC list on September 26, 2024. Updates to the rationale, species lists, or both may occur after completing the instructions and will be posted here at that time.
Information on the objection process and additional planning documentation can be found on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests’ website.

Lolo National Forest

Updated October 30, 2023

Regional Forester’s letter identifying SCC for development of the Lolo National Forest’s revised land management plan. [PDF, 0.2 MB]
Process for identifying Lolo National Forest’s SCC [PDF, 0.3 MB]
SCC List and Rationale - Executive Summary [PDF, 0.5 MB]
Animals SCC List and Rationale [PDF, 1.5 MB]
Plants SCC List and Rationale [PDF, 1.4 MB]
Comments on the SCC and related plan components can be submitted during public comment periods associated with the Lolo National Forest planning process. Visit the Lolo Planning Hub Collaboration page for more information.

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.

Flathead National Forest