National Park Service Approves Project for Native Fish Preservation
By Moosetrack Megan

Posted: June 14, 2019

West Glacier, MT – The National Park Service (NPS) Intermountain Region has approved Glacier National Park’s proposal for preservation of westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout in the Upper Camas Drainage.

On June 10, 2019, the NPS Intermountain Regional Director signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the park’s Westslope Cutthroat Trout and Bull Trout Preservation in the Upper Camas Drainage Environmental Assessment (EA). The FONSI is the final decision document for the project.

Under the selected action, Glacier National Park will use rotenone, a fish toxicant, to remove non-native Yellowstone cutthroat trout from Lake Evangeline, Camas Lake, and Camas Creek upstream of Arrow Lake in the park’s upper Camas drainage. Following the removal of the Yellowstone cutthroat trout, native westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout will be translocated into the lakes. The project is necessary to protect native westslope cutthroat trout against hybridization with non-native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, and to protect westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout against habitat degradation occurring because of a changing climate.

The project is anticipated to begin late this summer in cooperation with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

The EA evaluated impacts to native fish and aquatic species, recommended wilderness and natural soundscapes, common loons and other water birds, grizzly bears, and visitor use and experience. No potential for significant adverse impacts was identified. The EA was available for a 20-day public comment period beginning March 29, 2019, and public comments were considered.

The EA and FONSI are available on the National Park Service Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website.

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