YCT Multi-state Assessment February 10, 2003 



unaltered YCT increases to over 2,234 miles (30% of currently occupied habitats and 13% of 

 historical range). We suspect that from 17 to 30% of habitats currently occupied by YCT have 

 not experienced genetic introgression. All of the agencies and tribes responsible for managing 

 YCT throughout their range recognize the importance of conserving populations that have no 

 detectable introgression, illustrated by the inclusion of almost all genetically tested and unaltered 

 YCT populations within designated conservation populations. 



A component of the current YCT conservation effort that was not specifically addressed in this 

 status update was associated with the coordinated conservation effort that has been initiated. In 

 2000, the five states (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada and Utah with YCT along with the 

 USDA Forest Service, Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park entered into a 

 MOU for the conservation and management of YCT. Parties to the MOU identified a common 

 conservation goal and seven objectives that would collectively and individually guide future 

 conservation efforts. The goal included the intent (paraphrased as) to ensure the persistence of 

 YCT within the historic range and to preserve genetic integrity and provide adequate numbers 

 and populations to provide for the protection and maintenance of intrinsic and recreational values 

 of YCT. The objectives included: efforts to identify all existing populations; securing and 

 enhancing conservation populations; restoration of populations; public outreach; data sharing; 

 improved coordination; and, a stated intent of implement actions and activities necessary to meet 

 the stated goal and objectives. At present Montana has developed a state level conservation plan 

 that is consistent with the MOU. Wyoming likewise has a state level plan in place. Idaho is in 

 the process of finalizing a similar plan and Idaho, Utah and Nevada provide for YCT 

 conservation as part of the resident trout management plans that are in place. The Forest Service 

 and other Federal governmental agencies are implementing conservation actions on an annual 

 basis. Tribes with management responsibility for YCT are implementing their own management 

 and conservation actions. Completion of this status update was viewed as a priority coordination 

 action necessary to provide both a qualitafive and quantitative basis for future conservation 

 action. Through the coordinated conservation effort state. Federal and tribal managers will 

 employ recreational fishery management sufficient to regulate sport fisheries on YCT 

 populafions to ensure that both harvest and incidental hooking mortality do not cause these 

 populations to decline in a deterministic fashion. Angler-caused mortality should be low enough 

 to ensure that each YCT population has adequate resiliency to recover rapidly from stochastic 

 environmental events that could severely reduce that population. Agency fish managers should 

 confinue their efforts to reduce the potenfial for genefic introgression resulting from fish stocking 

 practices, and aggressively manage to reduce threats from nonnative species that may hybridize 

 or compete with YCT. Land management agencies need to conserve aquatic habitats at a habitat 

 quality level that ensures that remaining YCT populations persist and, preferably, flourish. In 

 particular, we recommend that existing road-less areas, parks, and wilderness areas continue to 

 be managed so that aquatic habitats are maintained at or near their potenfial in these areas. Since 

 so much of the remaining habitat occupied by YCT is located within federally managed lands, 

 good stewardship of these lands is critical for maintaining YCT. 



This assessment will serve as a baseline for measuring fumre conservation progress. In addition, 

 this informadon will be used for prioritizing YCT conservation efforts and assist in conservation 

 planning by the states, tribes, and others with fish management responsibility. Updating this 

 database with data from a well-designed field-monitoring program could serve as a barometer to 

 monitor the status of YCT over time. 



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