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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Research Needs
TITLE: Survey, Management, and Restoration of Western
Cutthroat Trout
SUBMITTING BUREAU: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Originating Office: Ecological Services, Region 6
DATE SUBMITTED: May 03, 1995
BIN NUMBER: FWS10CR98
BRD REGION: Central
DESCRIPTION OF NEED: Many species of western cutthroat trout are exhibiting decline (Rio Grande, Colorado, Lahanton, Redband, West Slope, and Greenback) and need a thorough status inventory, as well as identification of management and restoration techniques evaluating causes (nonnatives, habitat change, diseases) that are affecting their decline in numbers and distribution. Management and restoration techniques which can be implemented by the Service, other land management agencies, and our State partners are needed to assist in restoration of populations to secure status.
MANAGEMENT PROBLEM WITH NEED: Some cutthroat species are presently listed under the ESA; others are high priority candidate species. Many States want to develop conservation agreements to avoid listing, and status and management information would help greatly in identifying current threats and priority as well as methods to return them to secure sport fishing status.
BUREAU CONTACT: Larry Shanks (303)-236-7398
BRD PRIMARY CENTER: CERC
BRD CENTER CONTACT: Susan Finger, Dan Woodward
RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION (FY99): Issues in this BIN relate to loss of critical habitat for these species and the need to understand management options that will result in population restoration. BRD is currently completing a multi-year study of the winter habitat utilization of Snake river cutthroat trout in the Upper Snake River, Wyoming, and will be able to provide a summary of these results within this fiscal year. Results are providing guidance for habitat improvement projects for this species; this project provides information directly addressing this BIN. In general, discussions with FWS indicate that this BIN covers a wide range of studies concerning health, restoration, and management of western trout species to help fill information gaps. In addition to the Snake River studies, ECRC scientists are evaluating the health and survival of trout in the Boulder River in Montana associated with the on-going Abandoned Mine Land Initiative. ECRC has also provided critical documentation of biological injury to trout in studies on the Clark Fork River, Montana and in the Coeur d'Alene basin, Idaho. Efforts are continually made through ECRC's Jackson Wyoming Research Station to identify funding opportunities to address issues critical to restoration of western cutthroat.
DATE SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE: December 18, 1998
PREPARED BY: Susan Finger/Dan Woodward (CERC)
RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION (FY98): Contact has been made and discussions to better understand the focus of this BIN were initiated. Issues in the BIN relate to loss of critical habitat for these species and the need to understand management options that will result in population restoration. BRD is currently studying the winter habitat utilization of Snake river cutthroat trout in the Upper Snake River, Wyoming, and will be able to provide a summary of these results within this fiscal year. Results will provide guidance for habitat improvement projects for this species which will provide information directly addressing this BIN. In addition, ECRC studies involving the effects of ultraviolet radiation on Lahontan cutthroat were highlighted. Contacts with FWS indicate that any studies conducted in the general area described by this BIN will provide useful information. Efforts will be made to submit specific proposals to address issues critical to restoration of western cutthroat through the UPO process.
DATE SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE: November 14, 1997
PREPARED BY: Susan Finger, Environmental and Contaminents Research Center, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, MO 65201, 573-875-5399-1850 and, Dan Woodward, Environmental and Contaminents Research Center, Field Research Station, Jackson, P.O. Box 1089, Jackson, WY 83001-1089, 307-733-2314
U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://biology.usgs.gov/cro/98fws-10.htm
Page Contact Information:
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