Western Watersheds Project Wins Court Order Requiring the US Fish & Wildlife Service to Consider Endangered Species Act Protections for Big Lost River Whitefish

For immediate release - April 1, 2009

Contact: Jon Marvel (208) 788-2290

 Western Watersheds Project Wins Court Order Requiring the US Fish & Wildlife Service to Consider Endangered Species Act Protections for Big Lost River Whitefish

On Tuesday March 31 Idaho Federal District Court Judge Edward Lodge ruled in favor of fisheries advocates when he ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to complete a full status review of the Big Lost River Whitefish.  The Federal Court Order resulted from litigation brought by Western Watersheds Project (WWP), a regional conservation group based in Clayton, Idaho, in response to the USFWS’s previous refusal to consider Endangered Species Act protection for the fish.

The Big Lost River is an isolated sinks watershed with no surface connection to any other river. Isolated for over 10,000 years from other populations of Mountain Whitefish, the Big Lost River Whitefish evolved unique traits and characteristics that distinguish it as a different subspecies, or even a different species entirely.

Big Lost River Whitefish have been reduced to 2% of their historic numbers and 20% of their historic habitat. Dewatering of streams for agricultural irrigation, non-native fish introduction, habitat degradation associated with livestock grazing, and disease are the primary threats to Big Lost River Whitefish.

“This legal victory is another step toward long-overdue protection for this very special native fish.,” said Jon Marvel, Executive Director of WWP.

Western Watersheds Project Is A West Regional Conservation Organization Working To Protect And Restore Western Watersheds And Wildlife

####

Judge Lodge’s Order
Big Lost River Whitefish ESA Listing Petition
Big Lost River Whitefish Status Report