New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866
Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027
tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPT. 13, 2019:
Native fish restoration activity planned for Whitewater Creek
SANTA FE – Native fish restoration efforts on Whitewater Creek are scheduled for Sept. 25 – Oct. 3, 2019.
As part of the Whitewater Creek Native Fish Restoration Project, the Department will remove non-native trout from Whitewater Creek to allow restoration of Gila trout and other native fish to their native range. This portion of the project starts at the intersection of the Gold Dust Trail (FS Trail #41) with Whitewater Creek and continues upstream to the headwaters. The closure does not affect the Catwalk National Recreation Area.
The Department will apply rotenone based products – CFT Legumine®, 5% rotenone and Prentox® Rotenone Fish Toxicant Powder™ – to the stream to remove non-native salmonids. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that rotenone is highly effective for removal of fish and that the resulting concentrations of ingredients do not pose unreasonable risk to human health or the environment. The pesticide will be neutralized with potassium permanganate and treated water will not leave the project area.
The Gila National Forest Supervisor Adam Mendonca will issue a temporary closure for Sept. 25 – Oct. 3, 2019. Signs will be posted at all trailheads that access closed areas. Visit the U.S. Forest Service website for more information on the Gila National Forest. Visit the Department website for more information on the native Gila trout.
When completed this project will contribute 23 miles of stream for Gila trout recovery and recreational angling purposes.
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