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<br />will require the use of this assessment by line officers, and managers, to completely evaluate all <br />programs so as not to jeopardize the continued existence of sub-basin specific BCT populations. <br />Information herein will also be useful in biological evaluations (BE's) and biological assessments <br />(BA's) to assess both habitat conditions and population status for activities and uses proposed on <br />NFS lands that may impact and/or jeopardize, or restore BCT populations. Management policy <br />governing resolution of conflicts occurring between conflicting land use activities should be empha- <br />sized to give preferential consideration to stream riparian dependent resources. Emphasis of protec- <br />tion and improvement of soil, water, and vegetation associated with BCT populations and recovery <br />areas should be given so as to prevent further demise of existing BCT populations and habitats, or <br />their eventual listing under the Endangered Species Act. <br /> <br />Management strategies, both internal and interagency, for amendment and revision to the Forest <br />Plan process should immediately use this BCT assessment information to provide future coordinated <br />management. This will accelerate recovery and the restoration of populations and the expansion of <br />habitat on NFS lands and adjacent lands. Maintaining and enhancing BCT populations on NFS lands <br />is key to restoration of the BCT within the Bonneville Basin, since range expansion will draw on these <br />populations as brood sources for transplants into similar geographical habitats on other federal, <br />state, etc. lands. Protecting and maintaining occupied NF habitat and expanding populations and <br />habitat is the best strategy to preserve the ecological functions and natural processes characteristic <br />of historic BCT populations. This is the agencys' best strategy to avoid extirpation of the BCT or any <br />of its distinct population segments within the Bonneville Basin. <br /> <br />ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS <br /> <br />Many individuals contributed valuable information on the status, distribution, and management <br />implications of the Bonneville cutthroat trout from associated States, National Forests, and conserva- <br />tion groups that have knowledge of the BCT. Others provided critical manuscript review, historical <br />and site specific information. The author served as primary facilitator and analyst for this information. <br />The following individuals are acknowledged for their role in this assessment: Dr. Robert Behnke, <br />Colorado State University; Dr. Dennis Shiozawa. Brigham Young University; Dale Hepworth, Leo <br />Lentsch, Jane Perkins, Randy Radant, Charlie Thompson, Bryce Nielson, and Jerry Weichman, Utah <br />Division of Wildlife Resources; Ron Remmick, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish; Dick Scully, <br />Idaho Department of Fish and Game; Richard Haskins and Leroy McLelland, Nevada Department of <br />Wildlife; Jim Bellamy and Vidal Davila, Jr., Great Basin National Park; Richard Fike, BLM Richfield <br />District, Utah. From the Forest Service: Seona Brown, Intermountain Region; Rick Jones and Steve <br />Phillips, Ashley NF, Kurt Nelson, Bridger-Teton NF; Lee Leffert, Caribou NF; Jim Whelan, Humboldt <br />NF; Paul Cowley, Wasatch-Cache NF; Paul Burns, Manti-LaSal NF; Steve Robertson, Dixie NF; Dave <br />Fogle, Uinta NF; Sheri Unn Ramsay, Fishlake NF; Jeff Kershner FHR Unit, Logan; Mike Young, Rocky <br />Mountain Station, Laramie; from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bob Williams, Janet Mizzi, and Buzz <br />Cobell, Utah, and Pat Coffin, Nevada. GIS support was provided by Robert Baskins U.S. Geological <br />Survey (USGS), and David Vaughn, Utah Automated Geographic Reference Center; mapping and <br />cartography support from Ron Broderius and Dan White, Intermountain Region Engineering Staff and <br />Gary Nebeker, USGS; computer BCT database compilation and programming by Leslie Wort; typing <br />and report format by Sharon Williams and Diane Harley, Wasatch-Cache NF. From conservation <br />groups: Trout Unlimited (TU) National, Joe McGurrin and Dave Nolte; Utah Council TU, Bill Partner <br />and Paul Dremann; Utah Wilderness Association, George Nickas; Native Utah Cutthroat Association, <br />Mike and Mark Matheson; Cecil Garland and George Douglass, Juab County, Utah. <br /> <br />57 <br />