STATE OF NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME & FISH

Transcription

1 GOVERNOR Susana Martinez DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSION James S. Lane, Jr. Daniel E. Brooks, Deputy Director STATE OF NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME & FISH One Wildlife Way Santa Fe, NM 8757 Post Office Box 252 Santa Fe, NM 8754 Phone: (55) Fax: (55) Visit our website at For information call: (888) To order free publications call: (8) STATE GAME COMMISSION JIM McCLINTIC Chairman Albuquerque, NM THOMAS DICK SALOPEK Vice-Chairman Las Cruces, NM DR. TOM ARVAS Albuquerque, NM SCOTT BIDEGAIN Tucumcari, NM ROBERT ESPINOZA, SR. Farmington, NM PAUL M. KIENZLE III Albuquerque, NM BILL MONTOYA Alto, NM March 8, 23 Cutthroat Trout Conservation Team Pam Sponholtz, USFWS Region 6 Susan Oetker, USFWS Region 2 Yvette Paroz, USFS Region 3 Barry Wiley, USFS Region 2 Sue Swift-Miller, BLM CO Greg Gustina, BLM NM Mike Sloane, NMGF John Alves, CDOW Mike Montoya, MAN Fred Bunch, NPS Delivered Via Dear Conservation Team, Attac to this letter are tables summarizing range-wide activities for cutthroat trout (RGCT) in a report format agreed upon by the range-wide conservation team. Our activities are divided into seven main categories identified in the range-wide agreement. Below is a brief summary of. Inventory In, 39 waters (49 individual surveys) were inventoried within the historic range of RGCT. The purpose of the inventories was to survey potentially occupied RGCT waters (6), monitor known populations (4), assess the genetic status of RGCT populations (7), and collect disease information (2). No habitat surveys within historic and/or potentially occupied habitat were reported. RGCT Activities

2 Maintenance In Colorado, two new RGCT populations were identified. To secure current populations, three fish migration barriers were constructed and three non-native fish removal efforts occurred. Expansion expansion activities were conducted in waters. A road culvert was replaced on one water in Colorado to expand fish passage opportunities. Allen Creek and Dominguez Creek were treated with rotenone and will be retreated in 23. The #2 Creek system was stocked with RGCT and is a new conservation population. Five waters were stocked with RGCT to augment existing populations. Over, individual cutthroat trout were stocked into several lakes and rivers to provide recreational angling opportunities. Protecting/Restoring Habitat Two waters were included in the habitat protection/restoration strategy. Activities included habitat monitoring to evaluate changes in grazing strategy and clearing encroaching conifers in a meadow habitat to prevent stream dewatering. Education Two educational events were attended by range-wide team members. RGCT life cycle presentations were given at the Rio Rancho and Albuquerque Festivals in New Mexico. Database Sharing The annual RGCT range-wide database workshop was well attended and included representatives from all signatory agencies. Coordination The annual range-wide meeting was well attended by all signatory agencies. Other coordination efforts included RGCT working group meetings in NM and coordination between Colorado Parks and Wildlife USFS for a potential restoration project. Federal, state, and tribal agencies worked together to develop a RGCT Strategic Plan. Tribes and Pueblos were updated on the development of the RGCT Strategic Plan. Miscellaneous Miscellaneous activities included continued broodstock development in both states and barrier maintenance and construction on private land. RGCT Activities 2

3 Thank you for your participation in developing this report. I look forward to continued participation in the comprehensive effort to ensure the long-term persistence of cutthroat trout in Colorado and New Mexico. Sincerely, Bryan D. Bakevich Fisheries Biologist RGCT Activities 3

4 RGCT Range-wide Report - Summary by Strategy, January to December 3, Strategy Subhead Title s/events Total Description Survey Inventory 6 6 Survey potential RGCT waters within historic range; maintain database Monitor Inventory 4 23 Taxonomy Inventory 7 8 Habitat Inventory Inventory Monitor RGCT populations to detect changes; maintain database Collect genetic information within historic range, maintain database Collect habitat information within historic range; maintain database Disease Inventory 2 2 Conduct fish health surveys including WD 2 Identify Maintenance Secure Maintenance Metapopulation Maintenance 3 Restore Expansion 2 4 Identify Core Conservation and Conservation populations Secure and enhance distribution and abundance of Core and Core Conservation populations Identify, maintain, and expand connectivity within metapopulations Increase RGCT populations by restoring RGCT habitat through chemical reclamation RGCT Activities 4

5 RGCT Range-wide Report - Summary by Strategy, January to December 3, Strategy Subhead Title s/events Total Description 3 Augment Expansion Connectivity Expansion 3 Stock RGCT Expansion Improve 4 Unoccupied Protect sustaining habitat and restore degraded habitat Protect sustaining habitat and restore degraded habitat 2 Augment pure populations within historic range by stocking or transplanting RGCT Promote and restore connectivity of populations to enhance metapopulation function Stock lakes and streams with RGCT for angler recreation (sum of lakes and streams stocked) Inventory, maintain, protect, and improve existing habitat; improve fluvial/ hydrological processes Identify unoccupied habitat for restoration with RGCT 5 Education Conservation Education and Interpretation Database Database Sharing 2 2 Subcommittee to develop education and interpretation program providing deliverables and a consistent message regarding RGCT conservation efforts Summarize distribution, population genetics and habitat data; centralize data into a database; allow range-wide integrated data analysis, summaries, and comparisons RGCT Activities 5

6 RGCT Range-wide Report - Summary by Strategy, January to December 3, Strategy Subhead Title s/events Total Description 7 Coordinate Planning/ Coordination 8 2 Share information; identify/ discuss/ solve common conservation problems; prioritize issues; A* Miscellaneous Other Activities/ Actions 3 3 hments that are not listed in the other titles or strategies B Habitat Private Land Protection or Restoration (stream miles) Landowner/ private land habitat protection or restoration RGCT Activities 6

7 Colorado Parks and Wildlife HUC Biologist Agency Strategy Subhead Activity p6 3c p2 p2 35c p7 35c p8 p6 p2 p7 p9 p2 Placer Creek Nehring CPW Disease Haypress Lake Nehring CPW Disease Whirling Disease Monitoring Fish Health Assessment Results were negative Certified Pathogen Free Alamosito Creek Nehring CPW Monitor Two Pass Removal 8 RGCT / Mile Lake Fork Conejos River Lake Fork Conejos River Nehring CPW Monitor Two Pass Removal 337 RGCT / Mile Nehring CPW Monitor Two Pass Removal 9 RGCT / Mile Cuates Creek Nehring CPW Monitor Two Pass Removal 99 RGCT / Mile Deep Canyon Nehring CPW Monitor Two Pass Removal 2 RGCT / Mile Jaroso Creek Nehring CPW Monitor Two Pass Removal 46 RGCT / Mile Torcido Creek Nehring CPW Monitor Two Pass Removal 343 RGCT / Mile Trinchera Creek Nehring CPW Monitor Single Pass El Perdido Creek Nehring CPW Survey Two Pass Removal No Fish Found - Possible beaver dam barrier at 4842, RGCT / Mile; This is potentially a new conservation population pending genetic results RGCT Activities 7

8 Lake Fork Conejos River HUC Biologist Agency Strategy Subhead Activity Nehring CPW Survey Two Pass Removal Bernardino Creek Nehring CPW Taxonomy 32c p 32c p 32c p 32c p2 p6 p6 p p6 p7 Costilla Creek West Fork Costilla Creek East Fork Nehring CPW Taxonomy Nehring CPW Taxonomy Costilla Creek 32 Nehring CPW Taxonomy Glacier Creek 32 Nehring CPW Taxonomy Placer Creek, Middle Fork Nehring CPW Taxonomy Placer Creek Nehring CPW Taxonomy Alamosito Creek Nehring CPW Taxonomy Cuates Creek Nehring CPW Taxonomy Jaroso Creek Nehring CPW Taxonomy 5 fin clips 5 fin clips 5 fin clips 3 fin clips 3 fin clips fin clips 2 fin clips 3 fin clips 3 fin clips 3 fin clips 7 RGCT / Mile; This section of stream was stocked with RGCT. Recruitment is not occurring The 5 samples in 2 were pure. These samples will bring total collection to 3 but have yet to be analyzed 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ RGCT Activities 8

9 p9 35c p8 HUC Biologist Agency Strategy Subhead Activity Torcido Creek Nehring CPW Taxonomy 3 fin clips Lake Fork 3 fin clips Nehring CPW Taxonomy Conejos River El Perdido Creek Nehring CPW Taxonomy 35c p7 Lake Fork Conejos River Nehring CPW Taxonomy El Perdido Creek Nehring CPW 2 Identify Bernardino Creek Nehring CPW 2 Identify p2 Alamosito Creek Nehring CPW 2 Secure Nehring CPW 3 Stock RGCT 3 fin clips 3 fin clips appears to be genetically pure appears to be genetically pure Mechanically removed brown trout while conducting survey Stocked,77 fish for angler recreation Nehring CPW 6 Database Database entry Nehring CPW 7 Coordinate Annual Range-wide meeting Nehring CPW 7 Coordinate Filled out this form 2/ 2/ 2/; Potential new conservation population pending genetic results 2/ appears to be genetically pure appears to be genetically pure Mechanically removed brown trout while conducting survey RGCT Activities 9

10 HUC Biologist Agency Strategy Subhead Activity Planning/Coordinati on with USFS and Roaring Fork Nehring CPW 7 Coordinate private land owner to discuss potential restoration project 3c p Haypress Lake Nehring CPW A* Miscellane ous Wild spawn take 9,8 eggs New Mexico Game and Fish 322c p Capulin Creek 322 Dominguez NMGF Survey Post-fire EF survey No fish detected in 9% of stream Frijoles Creek (Bandelier) 322 Dominguez NMGF Survey Post-fire EF survey No fish detected in 5 miles of stream 32c p4 Rio Molino 32 Dominguez NMGF Monitor Post-stocking survey 2 27 RGCT / mile 32c p7 Comanche Creek 32 Dominguez NMGGF Monitor Post-restoration survey RGCT / mile Holden Prong 33 Dominguez /Kruse NMGF Monitor Conducted 3 three pass population estimates 3 4 hybridized RGCT / mile RGCT Activities

11 3222c p 3222c p HUC Biologist Agency Strategy Subhead Activity Conducted 3 three Rio Cebolla 3222 Dominguez NMGF Monitor pass population estimates Rio Cebolla 3222 Dominguez NMGF Taxonomy AFLP analysis Captive Broodstock - Seven Spings Hatchery Dominguez NMGF Taxonomy AFLP analysis, two lineages Allen Creek 32 Kruse TEI 2 Secure Constructed barrier 3222c p Unnamed Tributary (aka Dominguez Creek) 32 Kruse TEI 2 Secure Constructed barrier Rio Cebolla 3222 Dominguez NMGD 2 Secure Allen Creek 32 Unnamed Tributary (aka Dominguez Creek) 32 Patten/Dom inguez Patten/Dom inguez NMGF 3 Restore NMGF 3 Restore Mechanically removed brown trout from 5 miles of habitat Rotenone reclamation Rotenone reclamation RGCT / mile, brown trout present >99% pure, but some CRCT in a few individuals Both lineages >99% pure RGCT Constructed dual culvert barrier Constructed culvert barrier 337 brown trout removed 3 2 Applied Rotenone to approx. 3.5 miles of stream habitat Applied Rotenone to approx..5 miles of stream habitat RGCT Activities

12 McClure Reservoir HUC Biologist Agency Strategy Subhead Activity 322 Green/Dom inguez NMGF 3 Augment Stock for potential brood Stocked 5 RGCT Nichols Reservoir 322 Green/Dom inguez NMGF 3 Augment Stock for potential brood Stocked 499 RGCT Casias Creek (aka #2 Creek) 32 Green/Dom inguez NMGF 3 Augment Post-restoration stocking - New Core Conservation Stocked 5,74 RGCT 32c p2 # Lake 32 Green/Dom inguez NMGF 3 Augment Post-restoration stocking Stocked 2,4 RGCT 32c p2 Upper Glacier Lake 32 Green/Dom inguez Jacobson NMGF 3 NMGF 3 Augment Patten NMGF 7 Coordinate Patten NMGF 7 Coordinate Stock RGCT Post-restoration stocking Stock lakes and streams with RGCT for angler recreation (sum of lakes and streams stocked) Annual Range-wide meeting NM RGCT working group meeting Stocked 7 RGCT Multiple locations stocked with excess RGCT for recreational purposes. 7, total fish stocked. RGCT Activities 2

13 HUC Biologist Agency Strategy Subhead Activity Patten NMGF 7 Coordinate Rio Las Animas Meeting Bakevich NMGF 7 Coordinate Filled out this form Powderhouse Creek Seven Springs Hatchery 32 Green/Dom inguez NMGF Jacobson NMGF A A Miscellane ous Miscellane ous Wild fish spawn Hatchery spawn No eggs - All females spent 42,227 eggs taken from 454 females United States Forest Service - Colorado 35c d7 34c p7 34c p7 Cascade Creek 447 Wiley USFS Monitor Middle Fork Carnero Creek Middle Fork Carnero Creek Wiley USFS 3 Connectivi ty Wiley USFS 4 Improve 2 pass removal at station Replaced culvert Habitat monitoring to document changes in condition since USFS changed grazing strategies Wiley USFS 7 Coordinate Filled out this form All RGN. 93 RGN/mile, 7 lbs/acre. Multiple year classes with many YOY. Replaced culvert on FSR 4G Lower 2 pastures have been rested for the past two years. Cattle went back in for a very short period of time with reduced numbers. RGCT Activities 3

14 HUC Biologist Agency Strategy Subhead Activity Participated in Wiley USFS 7 Coordinate annual range-wide meeting Planning/Coordinati on with CPW and Roaring Fork Wiley USFS 7 Coordinate private landowner for possible restoration project United States Forest Service - New Mexico 32c d39 32c d39 32c d c p3 Alamitos Creek Martinez USFS Monitor Alamitos Creek Radcliff USFS 2 Secure Frijoles Creek Martinez USFS 2 Secure Rio Cebolla 3224 King SFNF 5 Education Spot survey for brown trout. Completed NEPA and installed fish migration barrier. Brown trout removal on /4 mile of Frijoles creek. Conservation education No brown trout detected. All age classes of RGCT present. 8 brown trout removed, 35 RGCT released. RGCT lifecycle presentation at Rio Rancho festival, 277 people attending RGCT Activities 4

15 HUC Biologist Agency Strategy Subhead Activity RGCT lifecycle 3222c Conservation presentation at Alb. Rio Cebolla 3225 King SFNF 5 Education p3 education Festival - 3 people attending cleared encroaching conifer from 2.5 acres of historic meadows along Protect sustaining & the upper Rio Cebolla. 3222c Rio Cebolla 3224 Wargo SFNF 4 Improve restore degraded 2.5 acres Increases water p3 habitat availability, increases grasses and forbs and water filtration in the riparian area. 2 miles of trail rehab, 322c concentrated on water Polvadera 322 Bjorkland SFNF Improve trail rehab 2 p9 drainage & run-off control around Polvadera Creek Cook SFNF 7 Coordinate Annual Range-wide meeting Cook SFNF 7 Coordinate Filled out this form Cook SFNF 7 Coordinate NM RGCT working group meeting 322c p Capulin Creek (Dome) 322 Cook SFNF Inventory Post-fire survey Collect habitat information within historic range following the 2 Las Conchas Fire; wrote a report RGCT Activities 5

16 HUC Biologist Agency Strategy Subhead Activity Collect habitat information within historic range 322c Medio Dia Creek 322 Cook SFNF Inventory Post-fire survey following the 2 Las p2 Conchas Fire; wrote a report Collect habitat information within historic range Peralta Creek 322 Cook SFNF Inventory Post-fire survey following the 2 Las Conchas Fire; including spot electrofishing Collect habitat information Rio del Oso, Rito within historic range 322c de Abiquiu, Rito 322 Cook SFNF Inventory Post-fire survey following the 2 Las p del Oso Conchas Fire; wrote a report Collect genetic Chihuahuenos 322 Cook SFNF Taxonomy Genetic analysis information within historic Creek range, maintain database United States Fish and Wildlife Service Santa Clara Creek 32 Kitcheyan FWS 7 Planning 2 Meeting with Santa Clara Pueblo-Office of Environmental Affairs to discuss reintroduction of RGCT into the headwaters. RGCT Activities 6

17 HUC Biologist Agency Strategy Subhead Activity Rio Nambe 32 Kitcheyan FWS 7 Planning 2 Rio Nambe 32 Kitcheyan FWS Survey Post-fire fish survey Santa Clara Creek 32 Kitcheyan FWS 7 Planning 4 Pecos Rio Ruidoso 365 Kitcheyan FWS Survey Electrofishing surveys in North, Middle, and South Forks Kitcheyan FWS 7 Planning Kitcheyan FWS 7 Planning 2 Meeting with Nambe Pueblo to discuss potential RGCT project and set up sampling dates for postfire surveys. Fish surveys to asses the fish community after postfire flooding events due to Pacheco Fire. Meetings with Santa Clara Pueblo-Office of Environmental Affairs to discuss future rehabilation projects for the Santa Clara Creek Drainage due to Las Conchas Fire. Assisted New Mexico State University to assess fish community, habitat, and non-native trout movement in the Rio Ruidoso Drainage. Meeting with Pueblo of Tesuque to disucss potential RGCT projects. Meeting with Jicarilla Apache to discuss potential RGCT project in Willow Creek. RGCT Activities 7

18 HUC Biologist Agency Strategy Subhead Activity Kitcheyan FWS 6 Database Annual database entry Kitcheyan FWS 7 Coordinate Kitcheyan FWS 7 Coordinate RGCT Conservation Strategy Southwest Tribal Fisheries Commission Kitcheyan FWS 7 Coordinate NM RGCT Working Group meeting Kitcheyan FWS 7 Coordinate Annual Range-Wide Meeting Kitcheyan FWS 7 Coordinate Filled out this form 2 3 Federal, state, tribal agencies working together to develop a RGCT strategic plan. Inform and update participating Tribes/Pueblos on the development of the RGCT Strategic Plan. Bureau of Land Management - Colorado Bureau of Land Management-New Mexico RGCT Activities 8

19 HUC Biologist Agency Strategy Subhead Activity National Parks Service - Colorado National Parks Service - New Mexico RGCT Activities 9