THE YAZOO DARTER :DISCUSSIONS AND STRATEGIES FOR HEALTHY POPULATIONS STREAM ECOLOGY LAB, OXFORD, MS., SEPTEMBER 11-12, 2012

Daniel J. DrennenMississippi Field Office

WELCOME!

Little conservation measures exists for the protection and enhancement of the Yazoo Darter within the species range.

There is basic natural history information available but little is applied to the field for management besides typical BMP’s.

Some successful projects regarding soil conservation in the watershed have occurred such as erosion control.

Efforts of agencies and stakeholders working as a unified coalition are essential in preventing conservation issues and problems in the future.

JUSTIFICATION OF ACTION

THE USFWS IS PROPOSING :

- To identify landowners and partners within the range of the Yazoo Darter

- The formation of a Yazoo Darter Enhancement Group that begins dialogs that includes stakeholders, landowners, agencies, governments, academia and interested individuals, to share information, conservation practices, landowner enhancements and other factors to promote and encourage the conservation of the Yazoo Darter and its’ habitat along with landowner priorities. By the following initial steps:

1) agencies meetings (Federal, State, NGO, Academia, others)

2) identification of stakeholders/ landowners;

3) landowner meeting/field days and outreach in the watersheds

4) identification and implementation of a model short term project(s) and research needs

5) public outreach, networking and publicity of projects

6) long term partners projects and other projects to insure the recovery/stability of the species and the utilization of the watershed for economic processes by the landowners along with outreach

7) continuing monitoring and evaluating the watersheds along with the recovery/stability of the species by acquiring funding sources, new partners, sustaining current partners and monitoring results

Tentative Time Frame

1) Spring/Fall 2013; agency meetings;

2) Fall 2013-Winter 2014; identification of landowners,

stakeholders, academia and projects;

3) Winter 2014; Landowner meeting and watershed field day;

4) Spring 2013/Winter 2015; Proposal for funding of projects

(ongoing)

5) Spring/Summer 2015; implementation of project(s) and initiation

of other projects. Evaluation.

6) Fall 2015- onward; continuation of projects, project proposals,

evaluation, etc.

IMPERILLED FRESHWATER FISH

PROJECTS MAY INCLUDEMAKING SURE THE HABITAT IS CONNECTED:CONTINUED MAPPING AND EVALUATION OF ROAD CROSSINGS

POSSIBLY FISH PASSAGE PROJECTS FOR THE YAZOO DARTER AND OTHER SPECIES

Not a Yazoo Darter!!

BASIC BMP’S FOR EROSION CONTROL!!

PARTNERS PROJECTS WITH LANDOWNERS AND OTHERS

Borrowed from: STREAM TEMPERATURE RELATIONSHIPS TO FISH AND CRAYFISH DISTRIBUTIONS IN NORTH MISSISSIPPI: Adams and Warren, http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/cbhr/research/studies/srs-4155-3511/srs-4155-3511.php

Natural History Information about the Yazoo Darter and Habitat (Little Tallahatchie River watershed)

WE WOULD LIKE TO PREVENT THIS!ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT: FIVE FACTORS

Sec. 4.(a) General- …determine if any species is endangered or threatened because of:

A) The present or threatened destruction, modification or curtailment of its habitat or range;

B) Over utilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes;

C) Disease or predation;

D) The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms;

E) Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence.