Native Fish Management Plan – Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Medley, Carl

The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Native Fish Management Plan (Plan) describes the goals, objectives, management strategies and major activities necessary for the long-term conservation of the native fish community, including the rare Rio Grande cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis, RGCT), Rio Grande chub (Gila pandora, RGC), and Rio Grande sucker (Catostomus plebeius, RGS), within Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (GRSA), Colorado, U.S.A. The Plan identifies strategies to remove undesirable non-native trout and restore the native fish community to the extent possible. In overview, the two major drainages on, and flowing from, the Preserve portion of GRSA, Medano and Sand Creeks, will be managed for RGCT, other members of the native fish assemblage (RGC and RGS) , and longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae, LND), and the provision of recreational fishing. The two major drainages originating within the Park portion of GRSA from the west side of the dune field, Big Spring Creek and Little Spring Creek, will be managed for the conservation of native fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas, FHM) and the possible introduction of native RGS if suitable habitat exists, with no fishing allowed. Other proposed management strategies identified in the Plan, include fish community monitoring, genetic management, stream restoration and visitor education and outreach about the importance of native fish conservation. Many of these activities are currently being conducted, or can easily be implemented in the near future as part of the routine resource management of GRSA. Any required project-specific regulatory compliance will be conducted as needed. The Plan is consistent with the conservation goals of GRSA, the Division of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), National Park Service (NPS) Management Policies (NPS MP 2006) and regulations, and the recently published Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretarial Order, SO 3356 (DOI SO 3356); Hunting, Fishing, Recreational Shooting, and Wildlife Conservation Opportunities and Coordination with States, Tribes, and Territories, that requires federal agencies to enhance conservation stewardship in collaboration with the States, improve the management of game species and their habitats, and increase opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Plan is also consistent with the RGCT Range-Wide Conservation Strategy and Agreement of which GRSA and CPW are both signatories. The implementation of the Plan will help secure the long-term conservation of native fish within GRSA and provide a unique opportunity to experience wildlife viewing and fishing for large, rare RGCT, in a truly magnificent setting.