WNTI Habitat AssessmentWNTI Habitat Assessment

Robin Knox – WNTI CoordinatorRobin Knox – WNTI Coordinator

WNTI HABITATWNTI HABITAT ASSESSMENTSASSESSMENTS

Approach 1 - Intermountain Cutthroat Approach 1 - Intermountain Cutthroat Assessment protocolAssessment protocol

Approach 2 - WNTI individual species Approach 2 - WNTI individual species status assessmentstatus assessment

WNTI HABITATWNTI HABITAT ASSESSMENTSASSESSMENTS The range-wide assessment for BVCT will The range-wide assessment for BVCT will

include:include: estimating range that was historically estimating range that was historically

occupied;occupied; determining current distribution and identifying determining current distribution and identifying

specific attributes associated with current specific attributes associated with current distribution;distribution;

identifying the various conservation identifying the various conservation populations and assessing relative population populations and assessing relative population healthhealth

WNTI HABITATWNTI HABITAT ASSESSMENTSASSESSMENTS

evaluating the potential for further evaluating the potential for further expansion and restoration of conservation expansion and restoration of conservation populations.populations.

WNTI HABITATWNTI HABITAT ASSESSMENTSASSESSMENTS

Habitat Components:Habitat Components:1.1. Use National Hydrography Dataset Use National Hydrography Dataset

(NHD) as the base for the effort(NHD) as the base for the effort 2.2. Use the 1:24,000 scale of NHD as Use the 1:24,000 scale of NHD as

available. Some watershed areas will available. Some watershed areas will require using the 1:100,000 scale and require using the 1:100,000 scale and an effort will be made to correct the an effort will be made to correct the information to the 1:24,000 scale as it information to the 1:24,000 scale as it becomes available.becomes available.

WNTI HABITATWNTI HABITAT ASSESSMENTSASSESSMENTS 3.3. Relative quality of occupied habitat Relative quality of occupied habitat

a. Excellent habitat quality (e.g., ample pool a. Excellent habitat quality (e.g., ample pool environment, low sediment levels, optimal environment, low sediment levels, optimal temperatures, quality riparian habitat, etc.)temperatures, quality riparian habitat, etc.)b. Good habitat quality (may have some habitat b. Good habitat quality (may have some habitat attributes that are slightly less than ideal)attributes that are slightly less than ideal)

c. Fair habitat quality (has a greater number of c. Fair habitat quality (has a greater number of attributes that are less than ideal)attributes that are less than ideal)

d. Poor habitat quality (most habitat attributes d. Poor habitat quality (most habitat attributes reflect inferior conditions)reflect inferior conditions)

e. Unknowne. Unknown

WNTI HABITATWNTI HABITAT ASSESSMENTSASSESSMENTS Other Factors considered:Other Factors considered:

Connectedness/barriersConnectedness/barriers Presence/absence of non-nativesPresence/absence of non-natives StockingStocking Ability to improve habitatAbility to improve habitat Life History attributesLife History attributes Capability for conservation actionsCapability for conservation actions Population sizePopulation size GeneticsGenetics

WNTI HABITATWNTI HABITAT ASSESSMENTSASSESSMENTS

Development of potential restoration areas:Development of potential restoration areas:

“ “A generalized restoration opportunity A generalized restoration opportunity assessment for each potential restoration assessment for each potential restoration stream segment will be done by rating the stream segment will be done by rating the information.” information.”

WNTI HABITATWNTI HABITAT ASSESSMENTSASSESSMENTS Completed for:Completed for:

Bonneville CTBonneville CT Colorado River CTColorado River CT Greenback CTGreenback CT Rio Grande CTRio Grande CT Yellowstone CTYellowstone CT Westslope CT (old, new 2008-2009)Westslope CT (old, new 2008-2009) Lahontan CTLahontan CT

Suggested for:Suggested for: Coastal CTCoastal CT Redband TroutRedband Trout

Other systems:Other systems: Bull troutBull trout Apache troutApache trout Gila TroutGila Trout Paiute CutthroatPaiute Cutthroat

WNTI HABITATWNTI HABITAT ASSESSMENTSASSESSMENTS