The Virgin River Resource Management & Recovery Program: 20 years of Conservation & Recovery

Authors: Josh Rasmussen

Year: 2022

Abstract

The Virgin River Resource Management and Recovery Program (Program) was established by agreement of federal, state, and local agencies in 2002. The goals of the program are to 1) recover, conserve, protect, and enhance native species in the upper Virgin River Basin (i.e., the Virgin River drainage within Utah), and 2) enhance the ability to provide adequate water supplies for sustaining human needs in the same area. To accomplish these goals, the Program relies on recovery documents for the Virgin River Chub, Gila seminuda, the Woundfin, Plagopterus argentissimus, the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii extimus, and the Virgin Spinedace, Lepidomeda mollispinis, Conservation Agreement and Strategy. Similarly, the Program adheres to the Virgin River Management Plan, so long as the actions are in line with the Program’s stated goals. In the past 20 years of continuous operation, Program partners have successfully supported conservation of the Virgin Spinedace such that protection of the species under the federal Endangered Species Act was found not warranted twice. The occupied habitat of the species has increased from 60 to 90 percent. Also, the invasive Red Shiner, Cyprinella lutrensis, has been eradicated from the Program Area, i.e., the Virgin River drainage within Utah, over 65 miles of river habitat. The Program substantively supports propagation for the listed fish species and diverse restoration, research, and management efforts throughout the basin. The Program successfully utilizes partnerships to advance the recovery of listed species.