After a thorough review of all available scientific information, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that the westslope cutthroat
trout does not warrant listing as a threatened species under the
Endangered Species Act because abundant, stable, and reproducing
populations remain well distributed throughout its historic range.
The Service based its finding on information contained in a 1999 status
review as well as a 2003 status update report prepared by the fish and
game departments of the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington,
and the U.S. Forest Service. That report confirms that westslope cutthroat
trout populations currently occupy 33,500 of its historic stream miles (59
percent) in the United States and genetically pure populations inhabit
approximately 3,500 stream miles (57 percent of tested stream miles; 10
percent of occupied miles) and may inhabit as many as 12,600 miles of
stream in which no potentially hybridizing fishes occur. Many of these
genetically-pure populations of the fish are found in habitats protected
by natural barriers preventing interbreeding with other trout subspecies.
While the Service acknowledges that only a small portion (about 18%) of
existing westslope cutthroat trout populations have been genetically
tested, the Service concluded that the sampling that has been accomplished
clearly indicates that numerous, genetically pure westslope cutthroat
trout remain today.
On April 14, 2000, the Service published a finding that the westslope
cutthroat trout was not likely to become either a threatened or endangered
species in the foreseeable future. Subsequently, American Wildlands and
four other environmental groups filed a lawsuit arguing that the Service
acknowledged hybridization as a threat to the species but included hybrids
in the overall westslope cutthroat trout population without providing a
justification.
The Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and ordered the Service to
reconsider whether to list the westslope cutthroat as a threatened
subspecies and to more thoroughly take into account the hybridization
issue when making that decision. In addition, the Court directed the
Service to present its scientifically-based conclusion about the extent to
which it is appropriate to include "hybrid" westslope cutthroat
trout and fish of unknown genetic characteristics in the group of fish
that we considered for listing.
"The new genetics-based, comprehensive status update report
prepared by our fellow conservation agencies provides the Service with the
best available scientific information regarding the range-wide status of
the westslope cutthroat trout and confirms our initial
determination," said Ralph Morgenweck, the Service’s Director of
the Mountain-Prairie Region. "It also provides definitive new
information regarding the prevalence of hybridization in westslope
cutthroat trout populations."
The Service used the new status update report, as well as a position
paper outlining conservation and management plans for cutthroat trout
prepared by the fish and game departments for the States of Colorado,
Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, to develop criteria
for including hybrid westslope cutthroat trout stock in establishing
population size.
Using these criteria, a westslope cutthroat trout is defined as having
at least 80% westslope cutthroat trout genes (the level at which a fish
would conform to the scientifically-defined physical characteristics of
that cutthroat trout subspecies). That percent of hybrid westslope
cutthroat trout is not considered a threat to the continued existence of
the subspecies, and will be considered as westslope cutthroat trout in
assessing its status for potential listing under the ESA.
The status review also notes that 70 percent of the habitat occupied by
westslope cutthroat trout lies on lands managed by Federal agencies.
Moreover, many of the strongholds for westslope cutthroat trout occur
within roadless or wilderness areas or national parks, all of which afford
considerable protection to the fish. The U.S Forest Service and the Bureau
of Land Management have adopted an inland native fish strategy that
includes standards and guidelines to protect watersheds.
As stated in the 1999 status review, the U.S. Forest Service, the
National Park Service, and State game and fish departments reported more
than 700 ongoing projects directed toward the protection and restoration
of westslope cutthroat trout and their habitats. Recent information
indicates that these important conservation efforts are ongoing and
increasing.
"While not factored into our decision, the Service acknowledges
the many conservation efforts conducted by our Federal and State partners
on behalf of westslope cutthroat trout," said Morgenweck. "These
conservation projects contribute to the certainty that westslope cutthroat
trout can be conserved and preserved."
The westslope cutthroat trout is bright yellow, orange, and red. It is
generally distinguishable from other inland subspecies of cutthroat trout
by the particular pattern of black spots that appear on the body.
Westslope cutthroat trout were found historically in streams and lakes in
the upper Columbia River basin of western Montana, northern and central
Idaho, and southern British Columbia and Alberta; the upper Missouri River
basin of Montana and northwest Wyoming; the upper South Saskatchewan River
basin of Montana and Alberta; the Methow River and Lake Chelan drainages
in Washington; and the John Day River drainage in Oregon.
For more information concerning the westslope cutthroat trout including
Q&As, a fact sheet, and chronology, please visit our web site at:
