case study yellowstone cutthroat trout north absaroka wilderness clarks fork of the yellowstone...
TRANSCRIPT
Case Study
Yellowstone Cutthroat TroutNorth Absaroka Wilderness
Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River
• Reduced to a fraction of their historic distribution range
• Widespread habitat degradation and fragmentation
• Increasing environmental pressures
1
Webinar #2: Making Decisions: Evaluating Impacts and Tradeoffs to Wilderness Character
Case Study
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
Goal of the North Absaroka Wilderness:“To restore YCT to a part of the Clarks Fork of the
Yellowstone River while maximizing, to the degree possible, all qualities of wilderness character.”
First Objective: Remove hybridized YCT and non-native species and reestablish the native population of YCT in the middle reach of the river.
2
Webinar #2: Making Decisions: Evaluating Impacts and Tradeoffs to Wilderness Character
3
Case Study
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
Management Action Alternatives:
• Remove undesirables mechanically; allow YCT to reestablish naturally
• Remove undesirables chemically; allow YCT to reestablish naturally
• Remove undesirables chemically; reestablish YCT by both natural means and stocking
4
Webinar #2: Making Decisions: Evaluating Impacts and Tradeoffs to Wilderness Character
Case Study
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
Chosen Management Action Alternative:
• Remove undesirable fish chemically in the middle reach of the river
• Reestablish YCT through natural downstream drift and stocking pure YCT to waters downstream of the wilderness area
5
Webinar #2: Making Decisions: Evaluating Impacts and Tradeoffs to Wilderness Character
6
Case StudyYellowstone Cutthroat Trout
Key Points:
• Significant short-term negative impacts to the Untrammeled and Natural qualities AND significant long-term improvements to the Natural quality
• Preserves the Undeveloped quality by not using motorized equipment or mechanical transportation
• Upholds the wilderness management principle: "Seek the least possible degradation of wilderness character"
7
Webinar #2: Making Decisions: Evaluating Impacts and Tradeoffs to Wilderness Character