<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 />
|