Bull Trout Recovery & Watershed Restoration in the Clark Fork River Basin

Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus

How to Identify Bull Trout

Juvenile Bull Trout

Bull Trout Life History Forms Fluvial- grow large in a river & migrate to spawn in small stream Adfluvial- grow large in a lake or reservoir & migrate to spawn in small stream Resident- spend entire life in one stream Anadromous- grow large in saltwater & migrate to spawn in freshwater stream

Bull Trout Life Cycle

The Five Cs of Bull Trout Habitat Cold Clean Complex Connected Comprehensive

Cold Water Bull Trout require colder water than other native fish Ideal stream temperature is < 58 degrees F. and 48 degrees F. or lower for spawning and rearing habitats

Clean Water Bull Trout Require Water Free of Excessive Fine Sediment Loads Fine sediments < 6.35 mm should not be more than 20% of the streambed material in spawning areas Higher sediment levels severely reduce fry emergence and reproductive success

Complex Habitat Bull Trout stream habitat includes: Deep pools Riffles Undercut banks & overhanging vegetation Large woody debris & rocks in the stream

Connected Bull Trout require habitat connectivity in order to maintain the migratory life history form and genetic variation Blockages to historic migrations must be addressed including dams, water diversions, thermal barriers & road culverts

Comprehensive Recovery of Bull Trout will require a comprehensive approach addressing multiple major watersheds in the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest Restoring Bull Trout to some areas of historically occupied habitat is necessary

Indicator Species Because of their unique habitat needs and wide range, Bull Trout are known as an “indicator species” Bull Trout are monitored to track the health of watersheds and water quality A species with a wide range & special habitat needs are also called “umbrella species.” By protecting them, hundreds of other species with lesser needs can also be protected under the habitat “umbrella.”

END PART I

Current Status & Distribution of Bull Trout Bull Trout were listed as a Threatened Species under the federal Endangered Species Act in 1998 Bull Trout distribution is now less than 50% of its historic range and a fraction of its former numbers Few genetically viable populations (> 1,000 adults) remain

Historic & Current Bull Trout Distribution Area

Bull Trout Distribution & Core Watersheds in Montana

Status of Bull Trout Populations According to a survey of 102 Bull Trout populations in the Columbia River Basin (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2003)- 13.7% were found to be extirpated 22.5% were declining 23.5% had an unknown trend but half are from populations described as “rare” or “uncommon” 33.3% stable, but most are very small populations 5.9% were increasing

Annual Redd Counts are Used to Track Bull Trout Populations Bull Trout females excavate a nesting area with their tails which is called a redd. Biologists count these redds each Fall to track population trends and spawning success.

Bull Trout Viability A viable population is one that is large enough to maintain the population’s genetic variation indefinitely Two leading experts, Dr. Bruce Rieman with the U.S. Forest Service and Dr. Fred Allendorf with the University of Montana, report a minimum of 1,000 adult Bull Trout (approximately 500 redds) each year are necessary to ensure viability A viable population could be one population >1,000 adults, or 10 sub-populations of 100 adults that are connected as a “meta-population” or any combination that adds up to 1,000, so long as they are connected

Major Threats to Bull Trout Survival & Recovery Dams Improper Mining Practices Improper Logging Practices Improper Grazing Practices Roads & Inadequate Culverts Exotic Fish Species Climate Change

Dams Block historic migrations Fragment bull trout populations into genetically non-viable units

Improper Mining Improper mining practices can damage water quality by introducing heavy metals into the streams Inadequate cleanup can result in continuous degradation of water quality

Improper Logging Practices Increases fine sediment loads in streams Removes shade and damages riparian areas

Improper Grazing Practices Damages water quality by- Trampling banks Removing riparian vegetation Widening streams and reducing the depth Leads to increases in water temperatures Can divert water so that native fish do not have adequate water flows

Roads & Inadequate Culverts

Non-Native Fish Can directly predate on bull trout and other native fish Can out-compete bull trout for habitat and food Non-native brook trout can interbreed with bull trout, creating sterile offspring

Homesite Development

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Bull Trout Recovery Recovery is defined under the Endangered Species Act as “the use of all methods and procedures which are necessary to bring any endangered species or threatened species to the point at which the measures provided under this Act are no longer necessary.“

Watershed Restoration: The 3 Rs Remediation Restoration Redevelopment

Recovery & Restoration Actions Identify Important Habitat Identify Specific Problems Prioritize Recovery Actions Implement Recovery Actions

Critical Habitat The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has proposed designation of critical habitat for Bull Trout Critical habitat is defined as “ the specific area within the geographical area occupied by a species… on which are found those biological features (I) essential to the conservation of the species and (II) which may require special management considerations or protection: and (ii) specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by a species…upon a determination that such areas are essential for the conservation of the species.

Cleanup of Mining Wastes

Historic Project to Remove Milltown Dam

Blackfoot River Clark Fork River Remove Milltown Dam Build a temporary bypass channel for the Clark Fork River Remove contaminated sediments Construct a new, natural channel for the river

REMEDIATION Roads Flood Berm Bypass Channel Sediment Stockpiling & Removal Diversion Dike Spillway removal Powerhouse removal

Fish Passage Fish passage allows Bull trout and other native fish to migrate to natal spawning grounds Re-connects genetically isolated subpopulations Can be accomplished through complete dam removal or by constructing a passage facility

Restoring Riparian Areas Planting Native Vegetation Fencing Cattle Out of Riparian Areas

Before & After Culvert Repair

Fish Screens Save Native Fish

Negotiate In-Stream Flows For Native Trout

Creating Pool Habitat by Putting Large Woody Debris in the Stream

Education is the Key to Watershed Restoration

Clean Water Supports Many Uses and Native Plants & Wildlife

Important Links to Websites on Bull Trout & Watershed Restoration

Special Thanks to the Agencies & Individuals Who Provided Graphic Images Ladd Knotek, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks Montana Dept. of Justice, Natural Resource Damage Program U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Forest Service Clark Fork Watershed Education Program Joseph Tomelleri Mark Alan Wilson Peter Metcalf

This Program Was Designed & Produced for the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program by: Bader Consulting, Missoula, Montana ; © 2007 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Do Not Duplicate Without Permission