Aquatic species populations in utah face a wide variety of threats to their shortandlongterm conservation.threats affecting many species identified in the 2015 utah wildlife action plan WAP include…

This $587,692.31 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service under the State Wildlife Grants (CFDA 15.634) program supports the State of Utah, Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) in implementing priority actions to reduce threats to aquatic species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) in Utah. The funding will enable UDWR to inventory, monitor, and manage SGCN aquatic species such as native fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mollusks, as well as develop habitat management guidelines. Key objectives include preventing the need for future endangered species listings, improving statewide sensitive species information, and filling data gaps identified in Utah's Wildlife Action Plan. UDWR, which operates as a state government agency, will collaborate with partners to achieve these conservation goals from July 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025.

Aquatic species populations in utah face a wide variety of threats to their shortandlongterm conservation.threats affecting many species identified in the 2015 utah wildlife action plan WAP include urban developmentwater use fire and invasive species. Other threats may affect only a single species yet need remediation toensure the species persistence. We need basic information on the ecology of species and status of populationsto address any threats. Additionally we need dedicated biologists with knowledge of both the species and thehabitats on which they depend. Regional native aquatic species biologists are core personnel in theimplementation of the WAP. They are species experts respected voices on planning teams and have invaluable onthe ground knowledge of the landscapes and aquatic habitats of utah. They identify threats and formulate actions.with that expertise we can successfully identify opportunities and work with willing partners to achieve ourconservation goals. This project funds these staff so they can conduct important work to reduce threats toaquatic species at risk in utah. The goal of this project is to ensure the future of native fish amphibiansreptiles and mollusks in utah by reducing threats to the species and their habitats thereby preventing the needfor future species listings under the endangered species act. This project will improve statewide sensitivespecies information and fill data gaps identified in the utah WAP. These goals will be achieved through thefollowing objectives:1. Implement priority actions identified in the WAP or other management plans to reduce threats to species andtheir HABITATS2. Inventory monitor and manage sgcn SPECIES3. Implement available conservation plans as they pertain to sgcn SPECIES4. Enhance and maintain populations of regional sgcn species.5. Develop habitat management guidelines as needed for key species based on existing literature ongoing udwrstudies and project monitoring results.6. Maintain enhance and use regional sensitive species databases