A management plan for the Virgin River and its tributaries in Zion National Park has been completed. Kurt Repanshek photo.
Zion National Park has completed a plan to guide management actions and visitor use on the Virgin River and its tributaries.
The plan was necessary as sections of the river in 2009 were added to the National Wild and Scenic River System. The Wild and Scenic River designation includes segments of the Virgin River, La Verkin Creek, Taylor Creek, and North Creek (including some tributaries) in Zion National Park and adjacent Bureau of Land Management wilderness.
The completed plan will provide a framework to guide future resource management and visitor use.
The plan provides protection for 144 miles of designated wild and scenic rivers within Zion National Park. The management and monitoring strategies found in the plan are designed to protect and enhance the rivers' free-flowing condition, water quality, and other values that qualify these river segments for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System.
The management plan identifies:
* The kinds and amounts of visitor use that each river segment can accommodate while ensuring protection of river values;
* The types and levels of development allowed in each river corridor;
* Indicators that will be monitored to track changes caused by human activity;
* Adaptive management strategies to implement as changes occur;
* Actions to preserve the rivers free flowing condition; and
* Actions to protect and enhance water quality, ecological processes, scenic values, recreational opportunities, and fish and wildlife.
To read the details of the management plan, go to this page.
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Comments
Doesn't seem to have hurt the Yellowstone or Madison or the Lamar. Though I will concede the introduction of Lake Trout into Yellowstone lake has been quite negative. But then, that wasn't an authorized introduction.
Rainbows, Browns & Cutthroats have been successfully introduced in hundreds of rivers and streams, for the most part without material negative consequences. All I am saying here is that "because they exist" doesn't seem to be a good reason to favor the Spinedace over the Rainbow. If there are other reasons, I would love to hear them.
Gee Lee, I didn't realize a rational discussion of the relative merits of two fish reflected "Entitlement Mentality."
I think I would put demanding free Wi-Fi in your hotel more in that category.
How about doing some serious homework, ec, and learning all you can about reasons of all kinds? Why expect someone else to do all the work so you can then simply dodge, twist, misquote and attack no matter what they may provide?
I know virtually nothing about fish, but wonder if things like very warm water temperatures in the Virgin in summer might play a part in survival of trout?
Here's your chance to actually contribute something worthwhile to the Traveler. Do some research and then produce an objective, scientifically based article for all of us to read.
And do you really believe that wi-fi is free in any motel? Why pay extra? Should we pay extra for sheets on the bed?
Now, let's see what you can produce that will educate all of us about trout, spinedace, and the Virgin River.
Lee,
I have done a lot of research and have found no better explanation for protecting the Spinedace beyond that it exists. I am seeking others input that may shed further light. Sorry if that bugs you and that you think you are entitled to more.
By the way, warm water does not appear to be an issue as trout do in fact exist in the Virgin despite not being stocked.
So share your research with us. And if trout already exist in the Virgin, what's your beef?
I know nothing about the spindace minnow and am not a trout fisherman. But it seems this discussion has raised the issue of the value of preserving native species. Since it is a question of values it is not very susceptible to reason. Might as well discuss the value of islam versus christianity. Time to quit wasting everyones time and ignore EC's comments on this issue.
I did. From what I have researched, there is no reason to favor the Spinedace over the trout.
Who said I had a beef. I asked a question to further my research.
As to their existence, they do exist but are rare or uncommon(depending on species) as is the case in many unstocked waters. When stocked, however, many waters(including perhaps the Virgin) have the potential to be excellent fisheries.
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Stocking does occur in part of the Virgin without negative consequences. It is not allowed, however, in areas where it might threaten the Spinedace, including the Park.