Protection As a Priority to Mitigation or Restoration: Habitat Protection Strategies and Actions throughout the Historical Range of Eastern Brook Trout

Habitat restoration projects receive much notoriety as on-the-ground work is very visible, “makes for good press,” and engenders good will among project participants.  Although limited funding is available for restoration efforts, most such projects are costly and evaluation of the mitigation effort can only be accomplished once, and if, system functions are restored.  The hierarchy of habitat protection/ restoration: “Avoid, Minimize, Mitigate” prioritizes the protection of unaltered natural habitats over restoration of impacted habitats. Aquatic habitats in a natural state have higher intrinsic value and system function and protection of these habitats makes good economic sense. Agencies and partners are developing and implementing practices that protect aquatic habitats with certain habitat types receiving higher levels of protection or higher priority for protective actions.  Throughout its historic range in the eastern United States, brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) represent quality coldwater habitats and serve as an indicator of well-functioning coldwater communities. In a recent assessment, less than 10% of the watersheds throughout the brook trout’s historic range were deemed “intact.” Protection of habitats that support self-sustaining brook trout populations is a priority of the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV) as a primary EBTJV goal is to protect the “best of the best.”  While acquisition of waters and surrounding watersheds is often viewed as the foremost habitat protection action, many other programs are being developed, refined, and implemented that effectively protect aquatic habitats.  Many States have regulatory programs that protect habitats via implementation of a variety of standards such as: maintenance of minimum in-stream flows, specification of timing and magnitude of water releases, establishment of windows for allowable in-stream and stream bank work, and specification of stream crossing such that structures are hydraulically and geomorphically transparent.  In addition to land purchase, conservation easements and cooperative agreements help protect aquatic and riparian habitats – sometimes in perpetuity. In conjunction with conservation partners, agencies are developing and implementing best management practices for landowners to avoid or minimize impacts to brook trout habitat.  This presentation will illustrate the types of habitat protection efforts used by EBTJV partners to help ensure the long-term sustainability of eastern brook trout populations.