Feds Propose Protections for Bull Trout
By SANDRA CHEREB, Associated Press Writer
RENO, Nev. - Populations of bull trout in four states would be declared critical habitat for the threatened fish under a federal proposal announced Wednesday.
The proposal is part of a settlement with environmental groups who sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after it failed to identify habitat areas when it listed the fish as a threatened species in 1999.
The agency's proposal targets 131 miles of the Jarbridge River and its tributaries in northeastern Nevada and southwestern Idaho, home to the southernmost surviving population of bull trout in North America.
In Washington, the proposal identifies 2,300 miles of streams, 52,500 acres of lakes and 985 miles of marine habitat along the coast. Habitat in Montana would encompass 88 miles of streams and 6,300 acres of lakes.
Mike Garritty, of the Montana-based Alliance for the Wild Rockies, said the designations will benefit the fish, the environment and local economies.
"Protecting this habitat also helps people, because you're protecting clean water," he said.
Critical habitat areas for other populations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana were proposed last year and are expected to be decided in September.
In Nevada, officials scrambled to gauge how Wednesday's announcement might affect a long-running dispute over rebuilding a road that conservation groups say threatens trout habitat.
South Canyon Road in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest was washed out by a flood in 1995, and litigation has stalled efforts to rebuild it ever since. The road parallels the Jarbridge River.
Bob Vaught, supervisor of the national forest, said designation of the Jarbridge as protected habitat likely wouldn't affect his agency's pending decision on whether the road can be rebuilt.
"We know bull trout are there and we've already considered that in our analysis," he said.
Local officials who want the road rebuilt weren't so sure.
"We think it may make things more difficult, but we'll see how it rolls out," said Kristin McQueary, chief civil deputy for the Elko County district attorney.
By SANDRA CHEREB, Associated Press Writer
RENO, Nev. - Populations of bull trout in four states would be declared critical habitat for the threatened fish under a federal proposal announced Wednesday.
The proposal is part of a settlement with environmental groups who sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after it failed to identify habitat areas when it listed the fish as a threatened species in 1999.
The agency's proposal targets 131 miles of the Jarbridge River and its tributaries in northeastern Nevada and southwestern Idaho, home to the southernmost surviving population of bull trout in North America.
In Washington, the proposal identifies 2,300 miles of streams, 52,500 acres of lakes and 985 miles of marine habitat along the coast. Habitat in Montana would encompass 88 miles of streams and 6,300 acres of lakes.
Mike Garritty, of the Montana-based Alliance for the Wild Rockies, said the designations will benefit the fish, the environment and local economies.
"Protecting this habitat also helps people, because you're protecting clean water," he said.
Critical habitat areas for other populations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana were proposed last year and are expected to be decided in September.
In Nevada, officials scrambled to gauge how Wednesday's announcement might affect a long-running dispute over rebuilding a road that conservation groups say threatens trout habitat.
South Canyon Road in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest was washed out by a flood in 1995, and litigation has stalled efforts to rebuild it ever since. The road parallels the Jarbridge River.
Bob Vaught, supervisor of the national forest, said designation of the Jarbridge as protected habitat likely wouldn't affect his agency's pending decision on whether the road can be rebuilt.
"We know bull trout are there and we've already considered that in our analysis," he said.
Local officials who want the road rebuilt weren't so sure.
"We think it may make things more difficult, but we'll see how it rolls out," said Kristin McQueary, chief civil deputy for the Elko County district attorney.
