Conservation Agreements and Strategies: Utah's Proactive Approach to Conserving Native Aquatic Species

In Utah Conservation Agreements and Strategies (Strategies) have been an important conservation tool for the past 20 years.  The primary goal of the Strategies is to proactively address the needs of species before they become imperiled and to expedite implementation of conservation measures as a collaborative and cooperative effort among resource agencies, Tribes, and NGO's to reduce and eliminate threats and prevent listing under ESA.  Each Strategy is comprised of the same basic elements: determine historical distribution, document current distribution, assess threats to the species and/or their habitats, identify conservation actions to reduce or eliminate threats, implement conservation actions, review and assess the effectiveness of the conservation actions. Strategies are in place for Virgin Spinedace, Northern Leatherside Chub, Southern Leatherside Chub, Bonneville Cutthroat Trout, Colorado River Cutthroat Trout, Columbia spotted frog, Least Chub, and the Three Fish Species (Roundtail, Flannelmouth and Bluehead sucker).  Six of the Strategy species have been petitioned to list under the Endangered Species Act and all were found "not warranted" due to conservation actions and threat abatement identified and implemented through the Strategy processes.