Final Call for Paiute...?
I'm not sure of the actual status of certification of the EIR/EIS and the official go-ahead for the project, but it seems that they are taking public comments on the Final document. So, if you care about the Paiute and ever want to fish for it on its home field, send a letter supporting the project. Details below from Gary Marston:
There is an open public comment period to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed restoration of Paiute cutthroat into Silver King Creek below Llewellyn Falls until May 10th 2010.
For more information: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-7952.htm
To see the EIS: EIS
You can address your comments to:
Robert D. Williams, State Supervisor, by
U.S. mail at Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office, 1340 Financial Boulevard,
Suite 234, Reno, NV 89502; by telephone at (775) 861-6300 or by fax at
(775) 861-6301.
My Letter:
Robert D. Williams
State Supervisor
Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office
1340 Financial Boulevard, Suite 234
Reno, NV 89502
RE: Paiute Cutthroat Trout Restoration Project, Alpine County, California
Mr. Williams,
I am writing to express my support for the proposed implementation of the first and second recovery actions in the Paiute Cutthroat Trout Revised Recovery Plan. I have been fortunate enough to fish and camp along Silver King Creek three times (prior to its closure) and also fortunate enough to have caught three Paiute Cutthroat Trout that had come down Llewellyn Falls. Catching these fish was, in fact, the reason for my visit to the area. On these trips, each of which occurred over a weekend in late summer, I did not see another person on any part of Silver King Creek.
I am also aware of numerous other fisherman that have hiked into Llewellyn falls just for the rare opportunity to attempt to catch a Paiute Cutthroat Trout. As you may also be aware, there is a growing contingency of fisherman that share a desire to catch native trout in their native drainage as evidenced by the rapidly growing participation in programs like the California Heritage Trout Challenge and the Wyoming CuttSlam.
Implementing the Paiute Cutthroat Trout Restoration Project will create a unique opportunity for fisherman to enjoy catching this rare and remarkable fish. It will also result in increased public enjoyment of the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness area as well as increased tourism to Alpine County. Most importantly, however, implementing this recovery plan will protect this unique and endangered fish for future generations.
Sincerely,
Dave B
Hi Dave:
ReplyDeleteNew reader here to your blog, thanks for your work. I've been getting more interested in native fishing (I'm planning on attempting the Heritage Challenge), I'm all for saving the Paiute (and I hope to catch one someday), but I have to be honest that chemically treating the stream makes me a bit weary. Do you know if treating with rotenone has been successful in other places? Does it affect the ecosystem of the stream in negative ways? Will the strain of Paiute that will be reintroduced have the same characteristics of the Paiute in there today? Sincerely, Bryan
Bryan, great questions. They cut to the heart of the matter.
ReplyDeleteHas rotenone been successful other places? Yes. It has been used with great success in restoration efforts in connection with the Greenback, the Westslope, the Apache, the Gila, the Lahontan and more. My guess is that it has been the single most important tool in re-establishing native species and moving them off the endangered species list and opening up angling opportunities.
Does rotenone affect the ecosystem of the stream in negative ways? Rotenone inhibits cellular respiration by blocking the electron transport chain. Thus, cells are unable to produce ATP and any organism with a sufficient concentration in its cells will die. However, owing to rotenone’s chemical structure, it is not absorbed through skin. It does however get absorbed very efficiently through gills. So when it is introduced into a creek it will kill all gill breathing organisms. It can also be rendered inactive with potassium permanganate,. This allows the DFG to neutralize it at selected downstream sites keeping the treated area contained to the target area. Simply put then, the rotenone will kill all the gill breathing organisms between the point in the drainage it is introduced and the point where it is neutralized. To me, this means fish and insects. The fish will be replaced by pure strain fish from within the drainage once they confirm the fish removal was effective. The insects will come back quickly for two reasons; the first being that some will be outside the stream during the treatment window, and the second being that because they fly they can quickly repopulate the treated area coming from either Silver King below the treatment area or from other untreated streams in the vicinity.
These are my opinions only, though I believe they are informed.
Dave B
Excellent info, thanks Dave. As you can tell, I don't know a whole lot about the issue, but would like to learn more. I'm hoping to someday (hopefully next fall) make a documentary film about invasive species, that would also cover native species. In the meantime I'll keep my eye on your blog and others to keep current with the issues. Thanks for your work. Bryan
ReplyDelete