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<br />includes six sub-basins all of which flow into the Great Salt Lake. All sub-basins historically contained
<br />populations of BCT referenced herein as, northern bonneville (NB) populations to segregate them
<br />geographically and genetically from other BCT populations. (Table 2). All four known NB populations
<br />occupy habitat in two sub-basins on the Wasatch-Cache National Forest (NF). No NB populations
<br />are known to occur in four sub-basins on three NF's (Uinta, Manti-LaSaI, Wasatch-Cache) and are
<br />thought to be extinct on NFS lands in these sub-basins. The NB has been extirpated in 67% of the
<br />six sub-basins in which they occurred historically (Table 4,5). Only 6% of BCT populations on NFS
<br />lands in the Basin are NB populations. The NB populations account for only 5% of total BCT
<br />populations occurring on all lands in the Bonneville Basin.
<br />
<br />The historical occurrence of the NB populations has been documented extensively. Mention of its
<br />distribution, abundance, and size is common in early records, dating back to 1776 (Auerbach 1943,
<br />Stansbury 1860, Simpson 1876, Thwaits 1907, Hickman 1977,1978, Behnke 1992). Some examples
<br />of historical occurrence is provided from the literature to show BCT distribution in this sub-basin.
<br />
<br />In 1776, the Escalante-Domingez Expedition, from Santa Fe penetrated the region. They noted Indian
<br />tribes camped on the shores of Utah Lake (Lake Timpanogos) drying hundreds of salmon-like fish
<br />taken from the lake and streams (USDA FS 1984). Numerous emigrant guides and government and
<br />scientific explorations reports mention the occurrence and abundance of trout and salmon-trout like
<br />fish in Bonneville Basin streams (Hastings 1845, Madsen 1910, Auerbach 1843, Pratt 1970, Suckley
<br />1874, Yarrow 1874, Sigler and Sigler 1987). Emigrant journals from wagon trains bound for Oregon
<br />and California passing through Echo Canyon-Weber River drainage mention trout abundance, many
<br />in the 3 to 5 pound size. Brigham Young's Mormons established a .commercial fishery" in 1849 to
<br />utilize the native cutthroat trout of Utah Lake and its tributary streams to "harvest. fish (in sizes up to
<br />40 pounds) for sustenance and survival (USDA FS 1984, Cleland and Brooks 1983).
<br />
<br />However, despite the BCT historic distribution and abundance, human activities, through settlement,
<br />began its immediate and rapid decline in the northern bonneville area. This decline has been noted
<br />by many others (Cleland and Brooks 1983, Pratt 1970, Cottam 1947, Hickman 1978, May et al 1978,
<br />Duff 1988, Behnke 1992, Kershner 1995). Widespread changes in channel morphology through
<br />overharvest, irrigation diversion (beginning in 1847), increased competition and hybridization with
<br />exotic fish introduction of disease, destruction of riparian stream bank and instream habitat through
<br />livestock grazing, were the primary causal agents leading to the demise of NB populations (Cottam
<br />1947; Behnke 1992; Popov and Low 1950).
<br />
<br />Introductions of exotic fishes into watersheds of the Utah Lake - Great Salt Lake drainage began in
<br />1871 and include species such as shad; rainbow trout; salmon; carp; brook, brown and other trouts;
<br />char; and a variety of warm water fish. These species also contributed to the major decline and
<br />elimination of NB populations (Popov and Low 1950; Deseret News 1883). Brigham Young was
<br />quoted as speaking pathetically of the destruction of City Creek waters (in Salt Lake City), willows,
<br />and wild roses growing thickly on its two branches which were destroyed because the .channels must
<br />be changed. for agricultural purposes (Cottum 1947). Channel changes and water diversions were
<br />primary causes for elimination of BCT populations in the City Creek drainage. As Governor for the
<br />newly formed State of Deseret, Utah Territory, Brigham Young's first law, enacted in 1853, authorized
<br />counties jurisdiction in fisheries to provide regulations to "successfully prevent the needless destruc-
<br />tion of fish", since the native trout (BCT) were a key food staple for the Mormon pioneers survival in
<br />their early settlement years. Yet, despite this concern, and the "law., man's activities continued to
<br />further the demise of the native trout fisheries, leading to their eventual extirpation in the Jordan River
<br />sub-basin (Rawley 1985).
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