The San Rafael River restoration project: A multiple phase partnership effort to arrest declines of native desert fishes in Utah

Authors: Kathryn Boyer, Kenneth Breidinger, Karen Fullen, Justin Jimenez, John C. Schmidt

Year: 2008 (xl)

Abstract

Historically, the San Rafael River (SRR) supported five species of native desert fishes. Two of these, Razorback Sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) and Colorado Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), are currently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1972. The other native species of interest, known collectively as the three species, are the Roundtail Chub (Gila robusta), Bluehead Sucker (Catostomus discobolus) and Flannelmouth Sucker (Catostomus latipinnis). These species are currently managed under a multi-state, multi-agency conservation agreement, and considered priority species for conservation actions under the Desert Fish Habitat Partnership. The Roundtail Chub has been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act in the Lower Colorado Basin. Populations of all species of interest have declined dramatically within the San Rafael River, likely due to multiple stressors including surface water extraction, competition with non-native species, fragmentation of habitats, floodplain accretion, and degradation of water quality (including temperature, suspended solids, and salinity). Preliminary investigations of the presence and movement of these imperiled species and non-native species will be presented during this conference by Bottcher et al. This presentation reports on progress in meeting the objectives of the SRR Restoration Plan, developed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. This includes (1) formation of a Steering Committee to guide restoration, conservation, and assessment actions, (2) procurement of funds for project implementation (Phase 1) and evaluation ($600,000+), and (3) initiation of Phase 1 actions: removal and control of saltcedar (Tamrix ramosisima) on the Hatt Ranch (approximately 242 hectares) and selection of metrics to quantify the effects of tamarisk removal on channel and floodplain habitat restoration for fish species of concern. Salt cedar beetles were released on the property in 2005, and mechanical removal of stems and live trees is currently in progress. Progress reporting of the multi-year efforts will continue at the DFC meeting in Moab, UT, in 2009.