Misconceptions on the use of rotenone in Arizona: it is still a feasible fish removal tool

Authors: Julie Meka* Carter

Year: 2015 (xlvii)

Abstract

The ability to use piscicides in Arizona has gone through a laborious and complicated process to modify the planning and application approach. State legislation was introduced during three legislative sessions that would have limited the use of piscicides, particularly rotenone, in fisheries management. When the first bills were introduced in 2011, a subsequent moratorium on piscicide applications was issued. A Blue Ribbon Panel evaluated the potential impacts of rotenone to human health, the environment, and livestock, and a report was developed with multiple recommendations on the future of rotenone applications in Arizona. The recommendations were accepted, a rotenone policy was adopted, and a new process for treatments was developed. Still, similar legislation was again introduced in 2012 and 2013 and the bill was signed into law (A.R.S. 17 Á‚§ 481). Three rotenone projects with multiple applications have been successfully implemented since 2012, and multiple mechanical removal efforts are underway with successful results thus far. The new planning and approval processes, in addition to compliance with state and federal Environmental Protection Agency and project label regulations, has made the implementation of rotenone projects seem cumbersome at times, particularly to partners. However, the new process has increased the transparency, diligence, oversight, and the amount of public outreach per project, as well as the scrutiny of each project concept and the associated political environment to ensure successful treatments. Collectively, the ability to use multiple fish removal tools within Arizona maintains our ability to be creative and flexible, yet effective when eliminating or reducing the abundance of a target fish species.