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22350-2009-089 - NFHAP: Gila Trout Restoration in the Pinaleno Mountain Streams: Ash, Frye, and Marijilda Creeks
- Arizona
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Watershed
- Genetic diversity
- Gila Trout
- San Francisco Ck. - Gila river
Proposed Accomplishment Summary
Three streams on Mt. Graham were identified by the Gila Trout Recovery Team as potential recovery streams for Gila trout: Ash Creek, Frye Creek, and Marijilda Creek. Each flows into the Gila River drainage, offers suitable habitat for the species, and 2 currently contain self-sustaining populations of hybrid Apache trout (the 3rd is fishless). This proposed project would establish Gila trout into over 23 miles of streams.
The importance to the Resource
This project will establish threatened Gila trout into 3 streams within historical habitat, providing over 23 miles of stream in the San Francisco-Gila River mixed lineage population region identified in the Gila Trout Recovery Plan. All 3 streams provide excellent trout habitat and are protected from non-native trout because of natural barriers.
The problem
To date, there are no Gila trout streams in Arizona that count towards recovering the San Francisco-Gila River mixed lineage population region. The establishment of Gila trout in these streams would bring Gila trout closer to recovery and meet almost 1/3 of the criteria for delisting identified in the recovery plan.
The method
Ash Creek will be chemically renovated with a piscicide in fall 2009 and subsequently stocked with Gila trout. Marijilda will be chemically renovated with a piscicide in fall 2010 and subsequently stocked with Gila trout. Frye Creek has been surveyed and confirmed fishless; Gila trout will be stocked in fall 2009.
Further description
The NEPAESA compliance for this project is currently under contract and will be completed spring 2009; thus, no funds will be sought for environmental compliance. This project satisfies the NFHI and WNTI Joint Venture's goal of building, funding, and implementing collaborative conservation efforts. This is consistent with the Service's Fisheries Program Vision for the Future and the NFHI.
- Ash, Frye, and Marilida creeks will provide 23 miles of excellent trout habitat for mixed lineages of Gila trout by removal of hybrid trout and stocking Gila trout. Each stream has a low possibility of impacts or loss from high severity fire due to recent fire history.
- Arizona Game and Fish Department - Matching $0 - In Kind $25,000
- Federation of Fly Fishers - Matching $0 - In Kind $0
- New Mexico Department of Game and Fish - Matching $0 - In Kind $10,000
- Old Pueblo Trout Unlimited - Matching $0 - In Kind $10,000
- Trout Unlimited - Matching $50,000 - In Kind $0
- U.S. Forest Service - Matching $0 - In Kind $25,000
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
- Number of habitat assessments completed (not acres) - 6.0
- Total number of miles of in-stream/shoreline habitat assessed - 46.0
- Total number of in-stream/shoreline miles restored - 23.0
- Number of all tasks implemented, as prescribed in Fishery Management Plans (Fisheries PART) - 12.0
- Number of all tasks implemented, as prescribed in Fishery Management Plans (FWMA) - 12.0
- Number of all tasks implemented, as prescribed in Recovery Plans (Fisheries PART) - 12.0
- Number of all tasks implemented, as prescribed in Recovery Plans (FWMA) - 12.0
- Number of instream miles restored - 23.0
- Number of instream/shoreline miles restored for populations of management concern - 23.0
- Number of miles of in-stream habitat assessed - 46.0
- Number of miles of in-stream/shoreline habitat assessed to benefit populations of management concern - 46.0
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
| Attachment | Size |
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| 22350-2009-089 Gila trout restoration in Pinaleno Mts.pdf | 32.21 KB |
