Unassessed Waters Initiative ( )

Transcription

1 Unassessed Waters Initiative ( ) Robert Weber Fisheries Biologist PA Fish and Boat Commission Division of Fisheries Management Aiden Simpson Fisheries Biologist Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

2 Unassessed Waters Initiative Introduce the Issue Share the Approach Progress so far

3 Pennsylvania s Flowing Water Resource PA estimated to contain 83,000 miles of flowing water. (62,725 streams) Approximately 30,500 miles have been sampled. (8,210 streams) To date, 13,630 miles designated as wild trout waters. (3,998 sections) Division of Fisheries Management

4 Defining the Issue To date, approximately 53,000 waters in Pennsylvania have not been surveyed Most are small first and second order streams Proper classification through biological surveys is necessary to adequately protect these streams from accelerations in development Human development, coal extraction and Marcellus Shale drilling activities are primary threats Division of Fisheries Management

5 Access Road Construction Division of Fisheries Management

6 Pipeline Construction Division of Fisheries Management

7 Primary Impact Erosion & Sedimentation Control Division of Fisheries Management

8 Water Withdrawals Division of Fisheries Management

9 Strategic Trout Plan Priority Issue #1 The PFBC has not assessed all of the streams throughout the Commonwealth. As a result, the total number of streams that support wild trout populations in Pennsylvania is unknown, which leads to inadequate protection for these streams. The PFBC does not currently have the ability to assess the most at-risk streams at a rate that would outpace the rate of degradation.

10 Unassessed Waters Initiative Goal: Proactively identify and properly classify the most at-risk streams which support naturally reproducing trout populations in order to protect, conserve and enhance those waters as wild trout streams.

11 Qualification to be Listed as a Wild Trout Water: Three (3) Wild Trout captured of one species All Young-of Year (< 150 mm; 6 inches) or Representative of two age classes

12

13 Wild Trout Designations - Process Surveys/Data Collection Wild Trout Criteria met? If Yes? Listed on website as being considered for Wild Trout Designation (6 months) Narrative written. Reviewed internally by CWU Leader FM Division Chief - Bureau of Fisheries Chief BOF Chief Signature

14 Agenda item written. Posted in the Pennsylvania Bulletin for Public Comment. Listed on website as being Officially proposed for Wild Trout Designation + Proposed Wild Trout Designations voted on by Commission 60 Days List of PA Stream Sections that Support Natural Reproduction of Trout Division of Fisheries Management

15

16 Wild Trout List - Benefits Increased knowledge about wild trout distribution Supports a minimum PA-DEP designation of Cold Water Fishes. Many qualify for Special Protection. Wetlands associated with the floodplain are classified as Exceptional Value Division of Fisheries Management

17 Strategies: Develop a means to involve interested partners in identifying wild trout populations in unassessed waters. Develop prioritized lists of unassessed streams. Use GIS technology to identify potential wild trout streams (watersheds) most at risk. Division of Fisheries Management

18 2010 to present Developed and implemented pilot program with two colleges. Expanded to nine partners in 2011, fifteen in Varies between partners annually Send sampling crews to high priority watersheds and on waters determined to be most at risk 3. Develop Scientific Collectors/Unassessed Waters database and data entry procedures.

19

20

21 Pennsylvania s Flowing Water Resources Surveyed Sections Unassessed Sections

22 Pennsylvania s Flowing Water Resources Surveyed Sections Unassessed Sections

23 Questions? Division of Fisheries Management