Funding opportunity number: L23AS00153FUNDING opportunity goals text: elevation science institute proposes to partner with the national conservation lands and the bureau of land management to…

Funding opportunity number: L23AS00153FUNDING opportunity goals text: elevation science institute proposes to partner with the national conservation lands and the bureau of land management to conduct paleontological resource assessment of two important wilderness study areas (wsas) located within the missouri breaks national monument in north-central montana. The antelope creek and woodhawk wsas are covered by late cretaceous ( 75 million years old) rocks of the judith river formation, as well as several marine shale formations. These units have potential fossil yield classifications (pfyc) of 5 and 3, respectively. Pfyc 5 units are highly fossiliferous, consistently produce significant fossil resources, are highly susceptible to adverse impacts from surface disturbance, and are frequent targets of illegal collecting activities. Significant fossil resources have been identified in these wsas, but almost exclusively along the banks of the missouri river.