UDWR Role in the Right Hand Fork Logan River Project Paul Burnett Aquatic Biologist Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Outline Discuss BCT conservationDiscuss BCT conservation Detail the importance of the Logan RiverDetail the importance of the Logan River Strategies appliedStrategies applied

Bonneville Cutthroat Trout Considered a Tier 1 Subspecies under the Utah Wildlife Action PlanConsidered a Tier 1 Subspecies under the Utah Wildlife Action Plan Protected by a conservation agreement in the State of Utah; a multi-agency rangewide conservation agreement and strategyProtected by a conservation agreement in the State of Utah; a multi-agency rangewide conservation agreement and strategy –1997 –2008

Bonneville Cutthroat Trout Was petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species in 1998Was petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species in 1998 –A positive 90 day finding, resulted in the initiation of a 12 month finding –The 12 month finding concluded that it was not warranted for listing –The USFWS has been sued several times on decision Listing not warranted because of Conservation AgreementListing not warranted because of Conservation Agreement

Habitat DegradationHabitat Degradation Isolation - FragmentationIsolation - Fragmentation BCT Threats Identified in Conservation Agreement

Hybridization and IntrogressionHybridization and Introgression Competition from Nonnative SpeciesCompetition from Nonnative Species

Why the RHF? Logan River is a BCT strongholdLogan River is a BCT stronghold Organized/motivated partnersOrganized/motivated partners

Why the RHF? RHF supports a core BNT populationRHF supports a core BNT population –Ideal conditions for recruitment –Highest densities in Northern Utah –May provide the bulk of BNT to Logan River Brown TroutBrown Trout –Predation on cutthroat rare –Well documented competition

Strategies Barrier ConstructionBarrier Construction –BNT removal from Logan River is unlikely Brown Trout RemovalBrown Trout Removal –Mechanical –Chemical Reintroduce BCTReintroduce BCT

Potential Barrier Sites

Barrier Construction Not ObtrusiveNot Obtrusive Minimize Impact to Stream and VegetationMinimize Impact to Stream and Vegetation 5+ ft5+ ft Enhance ExistingEnhance Existing Sept 2010Sept 2010

Brown Trout Removal Continued mechanical removalContinued mechanical removal –Summer 2011 Currently fulfilling NEPA obligationsCurrently fulfilling NEPA obligations Rotenone treatmentRotenone treatment –Fall 2011/2012 –Stream miles

BCT Egg Collection Logan River infected with Whirling DiseaseLogan River infected with Whirling Disease –Illegal to translocate live fish Anticipated fall chemical treatmentAnticipated fall chemical treatment First egg collection Spring 2010First egg collection Spring 2010

BCT Egg Collection Cooperative effort UDWR/Cache AnglersCooperative effort UDWR/Cache Anglers

Conclusion Collaborative effort will lead to positive solutionsCollaborative effort will lead to positive solutions Engage the public in native species conservationEngage the public in native species conservation Improve a native fisheryImprove a native fishery Learn by continued researchLearn by continued research

Acknowledgments Cache AnglersCache Anglers USFSUSFS UDWR Northern Region Office StaffUDWR Northern Region Office Staff Matthew McKellMatthew McKell