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biologists to update literature and research, and provide a state of the science for each (USDA FS 1995). ASSESSMENT METHODS The assessment provided for a primary contact person for each of the five subspecies addressed. This was a Forest Service fisheries biologist with expertise in the subspecies, since the HCA would focus on these cutthroat trout within historic range with specific focus on State and Forest Service local and regional administrative jurisdictions. A questionnaire was developed to ascertain historic, if known, and current information on population status and distribution, as well as their well being and habitat conditions (See Appendix A). Factors affecting their condition, as well as activities occurring on National Forests were also documented. Questionnaires were sent to biologists from State Wildlife Agencies and various National Forests within the subspecies historic and current occupied ranges. In addition, other federal agencies, i.e. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and some partner groups were also asked to contribute information. Initially, the HCA was intended to address the subspecies, such as Trout Unlimited and others, over their entire range irrespective of administrative land ownership boundaries, i.e. such as on the BLM and State lands, but this was subsequently deleted due to the different agency constraints in time schedules, manpower, and budget differences. The HCA information was collected on a watershed or sub-basin level with the boundaries determined by the management biologists, state and federal. For some subspecies, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) national hydrologic sub-basin boundary was used to reflect subspecies range. Sub-basins could contain one or more drainages or reaches. For each of these sub-basins, or assessment areas, a questionnaire was completed with all relevant information on populations and habitat conditions. Information was varied due to the wide variation in available data by geographic area, and by agency files and personal professional knowledge. It should be noted that the quality and precision of the information collected represent, to a large degree, the best professional knowledge of the biologists based upon their specific experience with the subspecies and waters being inventoried. Where available, interagency databases were used to supplement the needed information, such as the Montana Interagency Aquatic Database. A number and variety of meeting were held by the lead biologists within their subspecific areas to obtain the needed information. The questionnaires were completed and sent to the lead biologist who tabulated the information, and in most instances helped revise and update subspecies databases, including the use of geographic information system (GIS) mapping support. In addition to the information derived from the questionnaires, some attempts were made to secure and validate historical information which made reference to the occurrence and distribution of the cutthroat subspecies. Each chapter within this HCA assessment represents the individual knowledge of the federal and state biologists gathering the subspecies data And while a uniform format for data presentation and summary was planned, it was not always possible to follow this since the data varied by subspecies, and in some instances, was just not available in total for each subspecies. However, each chapter represents, as much as possible, a consistent format, and is presented by the author(s) in the most representative display to synthesize available information for the reader and decisionmak- ers' understanding and use. In many instances, to facilitate reporting and discussion of status information, findings are presented either by State, by sub-basin, and by National Forest, or by combinations of each depending on the data available. The data in this HCA will form a baseline from which future monitoring of each subspecies will proceed, and from which management vii