Defending the Darter

• Description: Defending the Darter
• State: CO
• Title: Defending the Darter
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

creeks. Based on these surveys over the last 15 years,
biologists believe darter populations are not wide-
spread but show signs of stability in limited locations.
What Are We Doing About Darters?
The Division of Wildlife has begun implementing a
recovery plan to protect existing Arkansas darter popu-
lations and increase their abundance within their his-
toric range. By so doing, the DOW hopes to prevent the
species from being listed federally. Biologists launched
a two -year research project with Colorado State
University to study darter spawning and habitat needs
to learn more about water quality and quantity, as well
as vegetation, that the species need to survive. The
habitat surveys are expected to be completed in 1997.
The Wildlife Commission also adopted new regula-
tions in 1996 that prohibit seining and collecting any
fish in natural streams and springs. This regulation is
aimed at protecting sensitive fish species, such as the
darter, from being collected for commercial bait.
The DOW also has conducted several transplants of
Arkansas darters to Fort Carson, the Pueblo Army
Depot and Fountain Creek Nature Center. An aggressive
program of transplants is underway. The recovery plan
also calls for rearing darters at a proposed aquatic native
species hatchery with these fish used for future stocking.
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How You Can Held
Habitat protection is e key to ensuring the long-
term preservation of Arkansas darters in Colorado. So
far, the DOW has transplanted darters in streams along
public lands. However, those public streams eventually
will be exhausted as potential transplant sites since the
majority of darter habitat actually lies within private
lands in eastern Colorado.
This is where private landowners can play an impor-
tant role in working cooperatively with the DOW to
recover Arkansas darters. It's in no one's best interest to
see the species decline to such a degree that the darter
becomes listed as a federally endangered species. Once
that happens, federal restrictions could restrict domes-
tic and agricultural uses of water in the Arkansas River
drainage.
The DOW is asking landowners and water users to
join together in preserving and increasing the popula-
tions of Arkansas darters. With sound land and water
management practices, this habitat can be protected
from overgrazing, development and drying up.
If landowners want to know if they have potential
darter habitat on their property or want information
about protecting that habitat, the DOW can offer
assistance. Just call your local DOW district wildlife
manager or the SE Regional Service Center at (719)
473 -2945.
DEFENDING
97
Published for free distribution by the
Colorado Division of Wildlife
Department of Natural Resources
6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216
Telephone: [phone]