The Virgin Spinedace Conservation Agreement & Strategy: Twenty-seven years of conservation success

Authors: Rick Fridell, Martin Schijf, Christian Edwards

Year: 2022

Abstract

The Virgin Spinedace, Lepidomeda mollispinis, is a minnow endemic to the Virgin River Basin. By 1994, threats to the species reduced Virgin Spinedace populations to approximately 60% of their historic distribution. As a result of these threats, the Virgin Spinedace was proposed for listing in 1994 as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Virgin Spinedace Conservation Agreement and Strategy (VSCAS) was developed in 1995 in accordance with the ESA to improve conditions resulting in the decline of Virgin Spinedace, enhance habitat, and re-establish locally extirpated populations throughout the Virgin River Basin. When implemented, management actions outlined in the VSCAS would alleviate factors warranting listing under the ESA. The primary goal of the VSCAS is to increase the range of the species from 60% to at least 80% of its historically occupied habitat. Conservation measures by local, state, and federal partners have restored flows and spinedace habitat to the Santa Clara River, Beaver Dam Wash, Quail Creek and other tributaries in the Virgin River Basin. Conservation actions implemented over the last twenty-seven years to successfully restore the Virgin Spinedace throughout their range include restoring stream flow and connectivity, removing in-stream barriers, re-establishing fish populations, purchasing flood plain and aquatic habitat, and managing non-native species. Cooperative partnerships under the VSCAS have restored Spinedace to over 90% of their historic range.