Consultation and collaboration: Balancing water resource management with conservation of the endangered Moapa dace, Moapa coriacea

Authors: David J. Syzdek

Year: 2008 (xl)

Abstract

The Moapa Warm Springs in southern Nevada, a regional spring complex that is the headwaters of the Muddy River, is primarily fed by the White River carbonate flow system. These springs and the associated streams are habitat for an endemic suite of thermophilic aquatic species that includes the federally endangered Moapa dace, Moapa coriacea. Currently, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) and stakeholders are undertaking recovery actions for the Moapa dace. These include construction of fish barriers, removal of invasive species, riparian habitat restoration, and development of an ecological model for the Moapa dace. To facilitate recovery of the dace and other species, SNWA purchased the 1,218 acre Warm Springs Ranch in September 2007 and designated it the Warm Springs Natural Area. Evaluation of carbonate groundwater pumping in Coyote Spring Valley will be completed to determine the relationship to discharge rates in the Moapa Warm Springs area. The Nevada State Engineer required an aquifer test to evaluate the relationship between carbonate pumping in Coyote Spring Valley and the Moapa Warm Springs. SNWA applied for rights-of-way (ROW) with the Bureau of Land Management to construct water facilities and to conduct an aquifer test of the SNWA’s existing water rights in Coyote Spring Valley. The pipeline will transport water to the Moapa Valley Water District’s (MVWD) system. The ROW application triggered a Section 7 Consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Through this consultation, a memorandum of agreement between the Authority, USFWS, Coyote Spring Investment, MVWD and the Moapa Band of Paiutes was developed, and a monitoring and mitigation plan was agreed upon. This plan provides for continuous hydrological and biological monitoring, and aggressive conservation actions toward recovery of the Moapa dace. However, over the last year, Moapa dace numbers have declined to their lowest levels ever recorded. Working with the USFWS, Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), and the US Geological Survey, SNWA is conducting stream restoration work and intensive habitat improvements to reverse the decline of fish numbers. Furthermore, the SNWA has developed a system to quantify current ecological conditions and to measure habitat restoration for the Moapa dace.