Celebrating Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge: 25 years along the road to recovery

Authors: Cristi R. Baldino, Sharon D. McKelvey, Darrick S. Weissenfluh, Kathie A. Taylor

Year: 2009 (xli)

Abstract

After decades of anthropogenic landscape alteration and exploitation of the resources, Ash Meadows became the birthplace of the movement to save desert fishes. In 1976, the Supreme Court made a precedent-setting decision in Cappaert v. United States, which recognized Federal reserved water rights and protected the habitat of the Devils Hole pupfish, Cyprinodon diabolis. However, it was another eight years before Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge was established. Often overshadowed by its most famous resident, the Refuge protects at least 26 other endemic species, 12 of which are Federally-listed. Ash Meadows also provides habitat for over 100 species of plants and animals that are sensitive, state protected, or priority species. The Recovery Plan for Endangered and Threatened Species of Ash Meadows (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 1990) lists habitat alteration and exotic species as the major threats to the listed species. The primary objective of the Refuge is to recover the listed species and their habitats through an ecosystem-based approach focusing on habitat restoration and the removal of threats. But the road to recovery has not been smooth. Confronting the challenges of more than 80 nonnative species, altered hydrology, and the loss of vital wetland ecosystem functions has been complicated by the lack of staff and funding, land ownership, and jurisdictional issues. In addtion, the multitude of listed species, designated critical habitat, and archeological sites require necessary but time-consuming consultation. Restoration of springs and historic stream flows, identified as a key element in the recovery of Ash Meadows species, began just over 10 years ago. Thanks to proactive management and recent access to additional funding sources, major advances toward ecosystem recovery have been made in the last few years. Although the permanent, base-funded Refuge staff still consists of only three positions, successful funding proposals have resulted in millions of dollars for projects and several term positions. In the last two years, Ash Meadows has contracted for 30 different baseline inventories and studies which will provide the information needed for planning and measuring the success of restoration efforts. Several restoration projects have already been completed or are in the initial stages of progress. The Refuge is moving forward on two major projects: the restoration of Carson Slough beginning with Fairbanks and Soda spring outflows, and restoration planning for the Crystal Spring hydro-basin. Unfortunately, our largest funding source for restoration is diminishing at a time when the need for healthy wetlands, which are more resilient to the effects of climate change, is more critical than ever. We will report on some of our recent successess and on the latest developments regarding land status, private property within the Refuge, visitor improvements, and the future of Crystal Reservoir.