6043 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

58 10. Status of Gambusia affinis at Scotty's Castle. A three-agency attempt (NPS,FWS, and Cal.Fish and Game) to eradicate this exotic population with Antimycin was made on June 30, 1977. However, a few Gambusia remain, and a second effort will be made as soon as the necessary clearances are received by the Park Service. 11. Environmental assessment record-proposed potassium leasing on a playa near Death Valley Junction (north of Eagle Mountain). Jeff Aardahl of BLM, Ridgecrest reported as follows: The resources staff of the Ridgecrest Area Office, BIM, is preparing an Environmental Assessment Record for proposed potassium prospecting on a playa in the Amargosa River drainage near Death Valley Junction. The playa is immediately north of Eagle Mountain. The prospecting and mineral production proposals will basically involve drilling on the playa surface, pumping the brine solution to the surface and evaporating the solution in large ponds to obtain various salts to be refined. Our office is in the initial stages of data collection. We believe the Desert Fishes Council will be interested in commenting on the draft and final Environment, Assessment Records. The purpose of this environmental study is to determine wheth or not the proposed prospecting and development is environmentally acceptable. We hope to work closely with the Council in development of this Environmental Assessment Record. One of our concerns is the possible impact of the proposed development on various fishes in the Death Valley System from Ash Meadows to Tecopa. 12. Mono Basin water diversion. The diversion of most of the surface water from the Mono Basin into the Los Angeles Aqueduct is causing an accelerated desiccation of Mono Lake and is almost certain to damage the Mono Lake ecosystem. Fishes (post-Pleistocene) are not indigenous to the Mono Basin. However, the Council is concerned with the integrity of all Great Basin aquatic ecosystems. On this basis, a letter is being drafted by Louis Courtois encouraging Assistant Interior Secretary Herbst to utilize funds earmarked for National Heritage preservation for use in reducing water export from Mono Basin. 13. Status reports on the Death Valley System fishes follow: a. Pahrump killifish, Empetrichthys latos. Gail Kobetich reported that the Corn Creek population is in good shape in the main spring pond and is building up in the middle pond. However, it may have to be stocked in the lower pond. Doug Selby's observations at Shoshone Ponds (near Ely, Nevada) in early February revealed a good population there. The recovery plan needs typing and submission. Manse Spring will go dry annually, and it will therefore be necessary to hold the species elsewhere.