in steep, eroding banks, which continue to introduce high levels of sediment. Livestock are also 

 impacting streambanks and riparian condition. 



The genetic status of this population has not been adequately determined. Preliminary analysis of 

 cutthroat collected in 1995 indicated this population was genetically pure. Subsequent fish collected 

 in 1997 and analyzed in 1998 suggest that the population is either slightly hybridized or carries a rare 

 WCT allele that is electrophoretically indistinguishable from that characteristic in Yellowstone 

 cutthroats or rainbow frout. 



Fisheries inventories have not been conducted on Crows Nest Creek, Taylor Creek, Swamp or Indian 

 Creeks, thus their status as fisheries is not known. 



Status of Westsiope Cutthroat Trout in Montana 



In June, 1997, the Fish and Wildlife Service receive a formal petition to list WCT as threatened 

 throughout its range. In January, 1998 the Service received an amended petition, from the 

 copetitioners, which contained a substantial amount of new information to support their requested 

 action. The Fish and Wildlife Service will likely make a decision on WCT listing by July, 1999. 



Genetically pure populations of WCT presently occupy 2.9% of their historic distribution. A 

 viability assessment on 144 populations (90 - 100% genetically pure) in the Upper Missouri River 

 drainage was completed in 1996. Results indicated most populations are at a high risk of going 

 extinct. Based largely on the results of this assessment and recommendations from the WCT 

 Technical Committee, the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are giving sfream 

 habitats with slightly hybridized WCT populations (90 - 99% pure) the same emphasis as those 

 supporting entirely pure populations. Similarly, the WCT Conservation Plan (in draft form, but likely 

 finalized within a couple of months) stipulates that 90 - 99% pure populations must be managed as 

 pure until a watershed plan is formalized, defining conservation objectives. If that population or 

 sfream is not part of the specified objectives, management will revert back to sport fisheries status 

 and emphasis will become similar to other sfreams with comparable recreational value. 



It is unknown how hybridized populations will be viewed under the Endangered Species Act, if WCT 

 becomes listed. Management direction defined by the WCT Conservation Plan or the Endangered 

 Species Act has implications for Robb and Rock Creeks on the WMA. 



NON GAMF/PRFDATORS/FIJRBEARERS 



At present, there is no formal inventory of nongame, predators or fiirbearers for the WMA. Dennis 

 Flath, statewide non-game coordinator, conducted an inventory of ferruginous hawks and prairie 

 falcons beginning in the late 1970's and continued periodically since that time. The most recent 

 information indicates that there are an estimated 5-10 pairs of ferruginous hawks and a few pairs of 

 prairie falcons that occupy the WMA. Beaver are found in the major drainages. 



