Western Native Trout Initiative

Twelve western state fisheries agencies and four federal agencies came together in 2005 and began to collectively address protecting and restoring native western trout. Working in conjunction with the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, this group formed a partnership called the Western Native Trout Initiative (WNTI), This new initiative hopes to incorporate the best aspects of other partnerships that are successfully restoring waterfowl, sage-grouse, and Eastern brook trout. The WNTI is one of several pilot partnerships developed concurrently with the National Fish Habitat Initiative (NFHI) and the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP). One of the requirements of being recognized as a NFHAP Partnership is that the Partnership requires a Strategic Plan that outlines achievable and measurable Goals and Objectives. This issue of the WNTI Newsletter discusses the background and process that will be used to develop the WNTI Strategic Plan. Future newsletters will be part of the WNTI communication and outreach effort to keep individuals and potential WNTI partners informed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the basis and purpose of the WNTI Strategic Plan?

The Multi-state Conservation Grant (MSG) creating the Western Native Trout Initiative contains language that specifies what is hoped to be accomplished in WNTI: “The fundamental goal of this WNTI is to speed the implementation of conservation strategies for western native trout. We propose to accomplish that by building and implementing collaborative conservation efforts for native trout (including bull trout) across the western states

• Integrate individual species management strategies into a west-wide Strategic Plan
• Implement actions to delist western native trout and prevent future listings
• Develop and enhance recreational fishing opportunities for western native trout
• Develop and improve partnerships through a collaborative conservation (joint venture) strategy
• Develop cost share programs for implementation of WNTI priorities.

The WNTI MSG further specifies how the Strategic Plan is to be developed:

“We propose to develop this WNTI through three key components, each with an objective and specific actions……… The second component is Initiative Development where the Initiative framework will be constructed”.

Q. What are the specifics of Component 2 that lead to a Strategic Plan?

From the Multi-state Grant -

“The purpose of this component is to further develop the WNTI using information gathered in Component 1.

The basic structure of this WNTI will be determined and a key element will be development of a Strategic Plan. The Plan will serve to communicate the need for resources to Congress, and how those funds would be utilized for conservation and management of western native trout.

Component 2 Objective(s): Define, develop, and refine the scope of the WNTI; Bring together the stakeholders that will participate; and develop a Strategic Plan.

Q. What process is WNTI using, and who will be involved in developing the Strategic Plan?

During the WNTI Species Assessment development, the WAFWA WNTI oversight committee reviewed the notes from the 2005 formation meeting and developed a list of invitees for the Strategic Planning Process. In late 2006, letters requesting participation in the development of the WNTI Strategic Plan were sent out to all of the partners who had originally been invited to help develop the Western native Trout Initiative concept.

Based on responses from invitees, a Strategic Planning Team roster was developed. DJ Case and Associates were contracted to facilitate the strategic planning process. Planning meetings were scheduled for March, July, and October 2007 to complete development of a draft Plan.

The Strategic Planning Work Group consists of about 30 individuals from state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, Tribal interests, and the fishing industry. The group has met twice, and sub-group has been assigned the task of drafting a Strategic Plan document for consideration by the larger group.

The development of a final draft WNTI Strategic Plan will take place at the scheduled October 2007 strategic planning meeting in Bozeman. MT.

If you would like to receive future newsletters and other information on WNTI, please contact The WNTI Coordinator, or one of the members of the WNTI Management Committee listed below. You will be placed on an e-mail address list to receive the WNTI information as it becomes available.

Q. What is the status of the WNTI Species Assessment Report?

The species summary working group has prepared a draft report -Western Native Trout - Status, Concerns and Opportunities (Unpublished, 2007).

The draft report is currently being reviewed, and should be completed by late October, 2007. The findings in the report will provides a basis for the WNTI Strategic Plan.

The summary report describes the current information on the individual species that are the focus of the initiative, identifies current issues critical to the species, and identifies the important potential actions that should be accomplished in the next 5-10 years to insure survival of each taxon.