Most recently, this Ethnographic Overview and Assessment was used to help identify those American Indian communities that would have interest in a climbing management plan being prepared by Monument staff. The study will be used further to help direct the Monument's effort to incorporate American Indian perspectives in its public education program. Most importantly, the study is one factor that has led to a productive working relationship between a number of tribal governments and the Monument.

This report identifies opportunities that exist for private citizens, corporations, government agencies, and others to work together to slow the rate of wetland loss and to improve the quality of remaining wetlands. To work together effectively, these groups must reach an understanding of what comprises a wetland (a commonly understood definition and the criteria by which the definition is interpreted) and to understand the many mechanisms available for governmental and private protection of wetlands. To this end, the report attempts to provide the necessary information to help in understanding wetlands, existing programs and policies, protective mechanisms and options, and provide status and specific information on Idaho wetlands for consideration in the water planning process.