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PROCEEDINGS OF THE DESERT FISHES COUNCIL, 1994 SYMPOSIUM warranted but precluded finding in June of 1994. This finding means that the Bull trout is warranted for listing, but higher priority listing actions preclude preparation of a proposed rule. This also requires that the Service review the status of the species on a yearly basis. It also resulted in the elevation of the Bull trout from C2 to C1 candidate status. The listing of the Willamette River's endemic Oregon Chub, Oregonichthys crameri, was finalized in mid-October of 1993. Last year's Region 1 report to the Desert Fishes Council erroneously stated that a decision on the listing package for the Oregon Lakes tui chub, Gila bicolor oregonensis, was expected from the Washington, D.C., office. The Oregon Lakes tui chub has not, in fact, been petitioned for listing and remains a category 2 candidate species. The Service regrets any confusion caused by mixing up these two similarly named species. Critical habitat for the Oregon chub has not yet been proposed. Consultation - The Oregon State Office completed a total of 16 formal consultations on listed fishes, 15 of which were non-Jeopardy biological opinions. These consultations included 2 consultations on 2 grazing allotments impacting Lahontan cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi, 5 consultations on a total of 36 grazing allotments impacting Warner sucker, 4 consultations covering 11 grazing allotments impacting shortnose sucker, Chasmistes brevirostris, and 2 consultations covering 2 timber sales impacting the shortnose sucker. The one Jeopardy biological opinion was a reinitiation of the July 22, 1992, biological opinion on Long Term Operations of the Bureau of Reclamation's Klamath Project that focused on modifications of the Bureau's actions at Clear Lake Reservoir. The Klamath Basin Ecosystem Restoration Office (ERO) The Klamath Basin Ecosystem Office (ERO) opened September 1993. The Office was established to provide interagency coordination, holistic planning, restoration, and outreach. ERO has had support and staff from the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management. ERO will conduct $1.5 million in restoration projects for FY 94, $1.5 million in fiscal year 1995 and $2.0 million in fiscal year 19 96. Initial holistic planning has centered on development of seamless Geographic Information System (GIS) data for the basin and making data layers available to all management entities. Basin wide scoping meetings have been hold to identify citizen concerns. ERO is unique in that it is the first national attempt to holistically plan and manage an ecosystem. Other national efforts center on coordination of current activities. ERO's emphasis is on long range ecosystem planning that will restore form and function and prevent future listings. ERO's presence in the Basin has sparked other conservation efforts and promoted more cooperation between all entities. VOLUME XXVI - published 1995 NEVADA STATE OFFICE - Recovery plans for endangered White River spinedace (Lepidomeda albivallis), threatened Big Spring spinedace (Lepidomeda mollispinis pratensis), and threatened desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) were approved in 1994. Copies of these recovery plans are available by contacting the Nevada State Office in Reno. Final recovery plans for endangered Moapa dace (Moapa coriacea) and threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout (LCT) (Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi) have been submitted for approval. The public comment period for the draft Railroad Valley springfish recovery plan closed in August 1994. Comments will be incorporated and the final document prepared for approval by March 1995. Draft recovery plans for endangered Steamboat buckwheat (Eriogonum ovalifolium williamsiae), threatened desert dace (Eremichthys acros), and three endangered fishes in Pahranagat Valley, including Pahranagat roundtail chub (Gila robusta jordani), White River springfish (Crenichthys baileyi baileyi), and Hiko White River springfish (Crenichthys baileyi grandis, will be available for public comment by late 1994. In June 1994 a fire devastated the Moapa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), severely impacting the endangered Moapa dace and other endemic aquatic species resident in the springs and their outflow streams. Immediate efforts were made to clean fire debris from the streams and restore habitat structure and shading to encourage recolonization by native species. Subsequent surveys revealed that at least 500 Moapa dace were killed during the fire. The entire population numbers approximately 3,800 individuals, but the refuge provided the majority of the spawning habitat for this species. The status of this fish will be closely monitored over the next few years. The National Biological Survey has been contracted to investigate the status and distribution of endemic aquatic biota of the Muddy River ecosystem, which includes one endangered fish, three candidate fish, and four candidate invertebrates. During 1994, approximately 100 wild horses were removed to prevent destruction of the unique aquatic and terrestrial habitats within the Ash Meadows NWR. A fence will be constructed around the perimeter of the refuge to prevent future movement of horses from other areas into Ash Meadows. Approximately 200 acres of tamarisk were treated with herbicide in the Carson Slough and south of Point-of-Rocks Spring in Ash Meadows NWR. Conditions were ideal for the aerial application of the herbicide, and refuge staff are optimistic of a significant kill, although results will not be readily apparent until spring 1995. A habitat management plan for the threatened Ash Meadows naucorid (Ambrysus amargosus) is being developed for the Fish and Wildlife Service under contract. Ash Meadows NWR staff are continuing to remove all interior fences and 7