Finding of No Significant Impact Providing Grant Funds for Arizona Game and Fish Department's Sport Fish Stocking Program
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Finding of No Significant Impact
Providing Grant Funds
for
Arizona Game and Fish Department’s
Sport Fish Stocking Program
This notice documents the decision concerning the proposed continued Sport Fish
Restoration Act (SFRA) funding of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Sport Fish
Stocking Program (SFSP) and finding of no significant impact.
Purpose and Need for Action
The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program administers the grant program
established under the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (SFRA) of August 9, 1950, as
amended (U.S. Code Title 16). The SFRA grant program provides federal aid to states for “fish
restoration and management projects designed for the restoration and management of all species
of fish that have material value in connection with sport or recreation in the marine and/or fresh
waters of the United States.” Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 50, Part 80.5(b)(1) directs
the use of SFRA funds in “Restoring, conserving, managing, and enhancing sport fish, and
providing for public use and benefit from these resources.” U.S. Code Title 16 also states “The
Secretary of the Interior is authorized and directed to cooperate with the States through their
respective state fish and game departments in fish restoration and management projects.” The
purpose of this Proposed Action is to fulfill the SFRA legislative mandate, by providing SFRA
grant funding for the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) SFSP.
The AZGFD is the principal state agency responsible for the management and protection of
wildlife resources and their habitats in Arizona (outside of tribal lands), including fisheries.
Authority to manage and regulate wildlife, including fish, in Arizona is provided under Arizona
Revised Statute (ARS) Title 17. Pertinent to the AZGFD SFSP, ARS Title 17 outlines AZGFD
and Arizona Game and Fish Commission (Commission) roles and responsibilities related to
funding, taking, handling, and management of wildlife (including regulations and licenses), and
fish culture. For many years, the AZGFD and other federal and tribal agencies have
supplemented recreational angling opportunities by stocking state waters with sport fish species
and operating and maintaining fish hatcheries. While state funding such as license sales and
Wildlife Conservation Fund contribute to the stocking program, a significant portion of
AZGFD’s stocking and hatchery operations programs is funded through the SFRA grant. The
AZGFD, the applicant, proposes to continue its SFSP for a 10-year period (September 1, 2021 to
August 31, 2031) by continuing to operate AZGFD hatcheries and stock sport fish in selected
rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and livestock watering tanks in the state. The SFSP
includes operations of five AZGFD fish hatcheries. These hatcheries rear and supply the majority
of the fish used in the stocking program, support the acquisition of additional fish from outside
sources, and stock those fish into waters of the state of Arizona.
1The mission of the AZGFD is to “conserve, enhance, and restore Arizona’s diverse wildlife
resources and habitats, and to provide wildlife resources and safe watercraft and off-highway
vehicle recreation for the enjoyment, appreciation, and use by present and future generations.”
Achieving this mission requires the AZGFD to balance the needs of native species that are not
pursued for sport with the public need for recreational opportunities. The AZGFD also
recognizes that the ability to continue to provide sport fishing opportunities is closely tied to the
need for continued conservation of native aquatic species. To balance these needs, the AZGFD
has implemented (and continues to implement) wildlife conservation actions for ESA Species
and other Special Status species. Actions include, statewide species monitoring, implementation
of recovery and conservation projects, and assistance to other organizations and individuals in
wildlife conservation.
Sport fish conservation aims to support biodiversity and the conservation of sport fish and their
habitats in Arizona. This includes a variety of active management activities, such as population
surveys, population augmentations and translocations, and management actions that seek to
promote sustainable sport fish populations statewide. Annually, more than 400,000 anglers spend
over 6 million days angling on Arizona waters. Therefore, it is essential to conserve, manage, and
enhance the quality, and availability, of sport fishery resources to provide sport fishing
opportunities, and to disseminate information about Arizona's sport fish resources and sport
fishing opportunities. The goal is to achieve an 80% satisfaction rate among the angling public.
Working towards this goal, AZGFD intends to expand the locations and species available to the
angling public by highlighting native species as a unique angling experience. The objectives of
the AZGFD SFSP are to (1) maintain, enhance, and expand statewide sport fishing resources (2)
conserve and recover native aquatic species to expand public interest and opportunity to increase
interest in using native species as a statewide component of the AZGFD’s Cold and Warm Water
Sport Fish plans and (3) manage against undesirable and invasive wildlife species. The AZGFD
SFSP plays an integral role in the ability of the AZGFD to meet Sport Fish Program goals and
objectives.
In Arizona, hundreds of thousands of residents and non-residents take advantage of recreational
fishing opportunities each year. In 2013, there were 6,009,716 angler use days (AUDs—one
angler use day consists of one angler fishing one day, regardless of the length of time spent that
day) of fishing in Arizona, with a total annual economic impact of $1.47 billion (Duda 2014;
Fedler 2014). The AZGFD sold 379,541 fishing licenses of multiple types (e.g. resident, non-
resident, combination hunt/fish, etc.) in calendar year 2017, the most recent year data are
available (AZGFD 2018). Demand for angling opportunities in Arizona is anticipated to further
increase given current trends and projected models of population growth, especially in close
proximity to urban areas.
The Proposed Action will meet the current and future need and demand for angling opportunities
through the continued use of SFRA funds to rear sport fish at AZGFD hatcheries, acquire sport
fish from outside sources, and stock sport fish into selected waters of Arizona, thereby fulfilling
the SFRA legislative mandate and continuing to support the AZGFD Mission.
This Final Environmental Assessment (EA) was developed in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), following the implementing regulations
2developed by the President’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) in Title 40, Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 1500 to 1508 and Department of the Interior regulations
implementing NEPA in 43 CFR Part 46. The USFWS, WSFR, is the responsible federal agency
and AZGFD is the applicant.
Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative
Two alternatives were analyzed the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative.
Proposed Action
The Proposed Action would provide angling opportunities and socioeconomic benefits to
the residents of the State of Arizona by stocking sport fish statewide and by providing for
operations at five state fish hatcheries.
The Proposed Action will continue the rearing of fish, mostly trout, at five AGFD
hatcheries. Fish for stocking would be supplied primarily from the existing AGFD
hatcheries (90% on average) and commercial vendors, with some fish supplied by
federal or other state (outside Arizona) hatcheries.
The Proposed Action incorporates Conservation Measures as part of the action analyzed in
the EA. The Conservation Actions offsets or reduces the effects of stocking action to the
level that is not significant to the human environment and ultimately contributes towards
conservation and recovery of native species. The Conservation Actions were a coordinated
effort between WSFR, Arizona Ecological Services Office (AESO), and AZGFD. The
Proposed Action best meets the purpose and need of maximizing recreational angling
opportunity, while minimizing potential impacts to native species.
The Proposed Action also has an annual economic value of $1.47 billion (Duda 2014; Fedler
2014), compared with no economic value added from stocking under the No Action
Alternative.
Conservation Measures Incorporated into the Proposed Action
The AZGFD incorporated the following Conservation Measures into the Proposed Action to
reduce potential impacts of the SFSP on Species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
(species consulted on through the Section 7 consultation process) and Special Status Species
(species that are not listed under ESA but Special Status under other Federal or State policy or
regulations) and to fill in knowledge gaps that will better inform the connectivity between
reservoirs and habitats downstream associated with the Proposed Action. The following
Conservation Measures will benefit and reduce impacts to both ESA Species and Special Status
Species: non-reproductive Triploid Rainbow Trout Production, Hazard Analysis Critical Point
Practices and Fish Health Guidelines and Inspections. Species Specific Conservation Measures
are species and site specific and will reduce identified impacts to the targeted ESA Species from
the Proposed Action during the Section 7 consultation process for the 2021 Biological Opinion
for the Arizona Statewide Sport Fish Stocking Program (BO).
3Many of the species-specific conservation measures involve monitoring upstream or downstream
from waters proposed for stocking. This measure accomplishes two primary objectives that
furthers the conservation of endangered, threatened, and special status native aquatic species. The
first is to collect additional data on the potential for stocked fish escapement or movement from
the stocked water body into areas where their presence is not desired, leading to improved
assessment of effects in the future. The second objective involves the removal of any
stocked species found during monitoring. This removal results in the elimination of the stocked
fish from the habitats where they may have adverse effects to native species. Removal of stocked
fish eliminates their potential competition or predatory impacts to native species.
Triploid Rainbow Trout Production
The AZGFD converted to triploid Rainbow Trout production for the open water stocking
locations by 2013. The process used to produce triploid Rainbow Trout is not absolute, however,
the conversion to triploid fish reduces the opportunity for stocked Rainbow Trout to contribute to
the maintenance of any wild population of Rainbow Trout. During this consultation, the AZGFD
will continue using triploid Rainbow Trout for hatchery stockings in open water locations. The
AZGFD will conduct triploid testing randomly at every fish hatchery receiving Rainbow Trout
from out of state vendors on an annual basis.
Hazard Analysis Critical Point (HACCP) Practices
HACCP processes have been designed specifically for numerous natural resource applications,
such as hatchery operations. HACCP planning is a management tool that provides a structured
method to identify risks of transporting unplanned species by applying detailed focus on
procedures. More specifically, HACCP planning involves a comprehensive review of operational
actions that in turn can provide a systematic method to identify threats of contamination by non-
target organisms (NTOs). The planning process strategically highlights critical control points
where specific actions should be used to eliminate or significantly reduce the risk of NTO’s
contamination. The AZGFD adheres to HACCP practices at its hatcheries in order to control the
unintentional movement of NTOs.
HACCP plans also provide an important reference source allowing procedures and processes to
improve and evolve through time. HACCP planning is a concept that identifies where to
concentrate research, development, or other efforts to control or prevent the spread of NTO’s
through an aquaculture pathway. A critical control point is the best point, step, or procedure at
which significant hazards can be prevented or reduced to a minimum risk. All HACCPs utilize a
common approach to nuisance, invasive, or non-target organisms in that they cover a broad range
of organisms (i.e., vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, and other biota or pathogens) rather than
listing species-specific threats.
Assuming hatchery water is reasonably secure from bio-contamination, then for most hatchery
operations, there are three operational areas warranting the practice of HACCP procedures:
products such as fish or eggs coming into a hatchery, products (e.g., fish) leaving a hatchery, and
the transfer of equipment between facilities. As such, the AZGFD maintains current HACCP
plans for the culture, transport, and stocking of fish at each of their six hatcheries to prevent the
transport or spread of NTOs. The AZGFD provides training to hatchery staff and field resource
managers with the specific goal to develop and maintain HACCP plans for essential hatchery
4activities. For more information on how HACCP is implemented by AZGFD, see the 2011
Biological Assessment (USFWS 2011a [Chapter 1]).
Fish Health Guidelines and Inspections
The hatcheries do not currently maintain brood stock for egg sources for trout, so all trout species
produced originate from other sources. The current egg sources include commercial, state, and
federal producers. Egg and fish suppliers must be able to demonstrate annually and historically
that originating facilities have had annual fish health inspections, following protocols established
by the American Fisheries Society Fish Health Section as being free of restricted fish diseases
and their causative agents as identified in R12-4-410. Additionally, all AZGFD hatcheries are
inspected annually following the aforementioned protocols prior to the distribution season and
the goal is to inspect every lot of fish at least once prior to stocking. The AZGFD operates a fish
health laboratory staffed with a Fish Health Specialist whose primary responsibility is to provide
fish health inspection and diagnostic services for hatchery operations and wild fisheries.
Species Specific Conservation Measures
Bonytail (Gila elegans)
1. La Paz County Park Lagoon: A barrier net shall be installed at the La Paz County Park
Lagoon immediately prior to the stocking event and remain in place for seven days after the
stocking event. Existing signage at the lagoon describing Bonytail to anglers and informing
them of what to do should they catch one shall be maintained prior to each stocking event.
The AZGFD shall coordinate with the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation
Program prior to stocking events so that Bonytail stockings do not coincide with sport fish
stockings at the lagoon.
Purpose: This conservation measure is designed to minimize the likelihood that sport fish
species stocked into the Lagoon for fishing clinics and post-clinic angling will be able to
leave the Lagoon to interact with Bonytail Chub in the Colorado River, and prevent Bonytail
Chub in the Colorado River from entering the Lagoon. Additionally, coordination with the
LCRMSCP will ensure that stocking efforts for Bonytail will not overlap those of sport fish
stocking in order to further minimize the likelihood of interactions between Bonytail chub
and sport fish.
Chiricahua Leopard Frog (Lithobates chiricahuensis)
1. Canyon Creek: AZGFD reduced the stocking frequency of Brown Trout from every year to
no more than two times in 10 years to minimize impacts on Chiricahua leopard frog. AZGFD
proposes to survey for Chiricahua leopard frogs within suitable habitat along the Canyon
Creek stocking reach the year after fish are stocked (up to two times in 10 years). Surveys
will follow the General Visual Encounter Survey Protocol outlined in Appendix E of the
Chiricahua Leopard Frog Recovery Plan (USFWS 2007). These surveys will help inform the
extent of suitable habitat present, the presence or absence of Chiricahua leopard frogs along
the stocking reach, and if present, help determine if the frogs have established a breeding
population. This population data is critical in order to inform management decisions and
potential future conservation actions that could be implemented to avoid and/or minimize
effects to Chiricahua leopard frogs.
5Purpose: Stocking of brown trout two times in 10 years reduces the total number of fish
being stocked in Canyon Creek, thereby decreasing the likelihood of competition with and
predation on Chiricahua leopard frogs. Additionally, there is limited information on
Chiricahua leopard frogs within this drainage. Surveys completed under this conservation
measure will help inform management efforts for Chiricahua leopard frogs by improving base
knowledge for this species.
2. Peña Blanca Lake: In order to limit potential exposure between Rainbow Trout and
Chiricahua leopard frog, Rainbow Trout stocking at Peña Blanca Lake has been reduced from
stocking in any season and will be limited to the months of November through March.
Purpose: As stated in the measure, the purpose of this conservation measure is to reduce
competition with and predation by rainbow trout stocked in Peña Blanca Lake. While some
competition and predation may occur, this measure reduces the number of months over which
rainbow trout are present.
3. Arivaca Lake: AZGFD will conduct bullfrog suppression at Arivaca Lake during each year
that sport fish are stocked (up to two times in 10 years) to offset potential predation by
stocked fish on Chiricahua leopard frogs that may be present in the lake.
Purpose: The conservation measure will relieve overall predation pressures on Chiricahua
leopard frogs, by reducing one of the predators (bullfrogs) present at the lake to offset the
stocking of other predators (Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, and Largemouth Bass).
Gila Chub (Gila intermedia)
1. Rose Canyon Lake: AZGFD will monitor Bear Canyon after spills or every three years,
whichever is more frequent, to evaluate if stocked fish escape Rose Canyon Lake and persist
in that section of the river. Post-spill monitoring will be conducted within two months
following a spill event or when conditions are safe for surveys. If stocked fish are
encountered, they will be documented and removed at that time.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to develop additional information for
managers to use in making decisions on management of stocked and listed species at Rose
Canyon Lake, and to track movement of stocked sport fish. Removal of stocked sport fish
will also ensure they do not persist in or move through the Agua Fria, thereby reducing the
likelihood of competition and predation on Gila Chub.
2. Wet Beaver Creek: Reduce the stocking window for Rainbow Trout from any time of year to
only September through May.
Purpose: This conservation measure will reduce the amount of time that rainbow trout and
Gila Chub may interact in Wet Beaver Creek, thereby reducing the likelihood of competition
and predation.
3. Granite Basin Lake: AZGFD will monitor the perennial water in lower Mint Wash after spills
or every three years, whichever is more frequent, to evaluate if stocked fish escape Granite
6Basin Lake and persist in that section of the wash. Spill monitoring will be conducted within
two months following a spill event or when conditions are safe for surveys. If stocked fish are
encountered, they will be removed at that time.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to develop additional information for
managers to use in making decisions on management of stocked and listed species in the Big
Chino Wash Complex, and to track movement of stocked sport fish. Removal of stocked
sport fish will also minimize the likelihood that they become established in Mint Wash and
move downstream into occupied Williamson Valley Wash, thereby reducing competition
with and predation on Gila Chub.
Gila Topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis)
1. Parker Canyon Lake: The AZGFD will survey below Parker Canyon Lake after the lake spills
or every three years, whichever is more frequent, to evaluate if stocked fish escape the lake.
The AZGFD will also sample the area occupied by topminnow after spills. Post-spill
monitoring will be conducted within two months following a spill event. If stocked fish are
encountered, they will be documented and removed at that time.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to develop additional information for
managers to use in making decisions on management of stocked and listed species at Parker
Canyon Lake, and to track movement of stocked sport fish. Additionally, removal of stocked
sport fish will also reduce the likelihood that persist in or move through the Parker Canyon,
thereby reducing competition with and predation on Gila topminnow.
2. Patagonia Lake: The AZGFD will survey below Patagonia Lake after the lake spills or every
three years, whichever is more frequent, to evaluate if stocked fish escape the lake. Post-spill
monitoring will be conducted within two months following a spill event or when conditions
are safe for surveys. AZGFD will also survey upstream of the lake on State Park Lands or at
the closest point to the reservoir that access is allowed during the same sampling trip to
document the presence or absence of stocked fish. If stocked fish are encountered, they will
be removed at that time.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to develop additional information for
managers to use in management of stocked and listed species at Patagonia Lake, and to track
movement of stocked sport fish. Additionally, removal of stocked sport fish downstream and
upstream of Patagonia Lake will reduce the likelihood that they persist in Sonoita Creek,
thereby reducing the potential for competition with and predation on Gila topminnow.
3. Peña Blanca Lake: The AZGFD will survey the first mile below Peña Blanca Lake after the
lake spills or every three years, whichever is more frequent, to evaluate if stocked fish escape
the lake. Post-spill monitoring will be conducted within two months following a spill event or
when conditions are safe for surveys. If stocked fish are encountered, they will be
documented and removed at that time.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to develop additional information for
managers to use in management of stocked and listed species at Peña Blanca Lake, and to
7track movement of stocked sport fish. Additionally, removal of stocked sport fish
downstream of Peña Blanca Lake will reduce the likelihood that they persist in Peña Blanca
Canyon, thereby reducing the potential for competition with and predation on Gila
topminnow.
4. Rose Canyon Lake: AZGFD will monitor Bear Canyon where Gila Topminnow occur after
spills or every three years, whichever is more frequent, to evaluate if stocked fish escape
Rose Canyon Lake and persist in that section of the stream. Post-spill monitoring will be
conducted within two months following a spill event or when conditions are safe for surveys.
If stocked fish are encountered, they will be documented and removed at that time.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to develop additional information for
managers to use in making decisions on management of stocked and listed species at Rose
Canyon Lake, and to track movement of stocked sport fish. Removal of stocked sport fish
will also ensure they do not persist in or move through the Agua Fria, thereby reducing the
likelihood of competition and predation on Gila topminnow.
5. Wet Beaver Creek: Reduce the stocking window for Rainbow Trout from any time of year to
only September through May.
Purpose: This conservation measure will reduce the amount of time that rainbow trout and
Gila Chub may interact in Wet Beaver Creek, thereby reducing the likelihood of competition
and predation.
Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae)
1. San Francisco River and Luna Lake: The AZGFD will monitor the stocked reach of the San
Francisco River after Luna Lake spills, or every three years, whichever is more frequent, to
evaluate if stocked trout other than Gila Trout escape Luna Lake and persist in that section of
the river. Post-spill monitoring will be conducted within two months following a spill event
or when conditions are safe for surveys.
Purpose: This conservation measure will determine the number of Gila trout that move
downstream, where they would be subjected to higher than normal temperatures, and
subsequently mortality, during warmer periods of the year. The data will be used to assess
the number of trout removed through angling, versus that lost to other causes.
Little Colorado Spinedace (Lepidomeda vittata)
1. C.C. Cragin Reservoir and Knoll Lake: AZGFD will monitor locations where interactions
between Little Colorado Spinedace and stocked Rainbow Trout may occur when there is a
hydrologic connection between the stocking locations and known populations of Little
Colorado Spinedace. Specifically, monitoring will be conducted downstream of Knoll Lake
at Dines Tank in Leonard Canyon and in West Leonard Canyon; and upstream of C.C. Cragin
Reservoir at Bear Canyon and Miller Canyon. If stocked trout are detected at any of these
sites, the AZGFD will examine any captured Rainbow Trout for evidence or origin (stocked
versus wild reproduction) and consumption of native fish and remove them from the system.
8Purpose: This conservation measure will help to track movement of stocked rainbow trout
and to remove any stocked rainbow trout that move into areas with Little Colorado spinedace.
Annual removal of rainbow trout will minimize the effects of any competition with or
predation on Little Colorado spinedace.
Loach Minnow (Rhinichthys cobitis)
1. Blue River: Reduce the stocking window for Gila Trout from any time of year to only
September through November.
Purpose: This conservation measure will reduce the overall time period during which Gila
trout may compete with or prey on loach minnow and will likely eliminate the possibility for
Gila trout to prey on loach minnow eggs by stocking only outside of the breeding season.
2. Blue River: The AZGFD will monitor one site upstream of the Upper Blue Campground and
one site downstream of the Blue Crossing Campground annually beginning in 2026 until the
end of the consultation period. During monitoring for Gila Trout, any Brown Trout captured
will be removed at that time.
Purpose: This conservation measure will track the movement of Gila trout in the Blue River
and gain new information on movement and persistence of Gila trout, which have not
previously been stocked in the Blue River. This information will be used to inform managers
regarding management of both listed and stocked species in the Blue River. Additionally,
this information will be used to determine if take is exceeded.
3. East Fork Black River: In the event that numbers of hatchery Apache trout available to the
Department are insufficient to meet annual recreational stocking demands in all approved
waters, the East Fork Black River shall have second priority to receive recreational Apache
trout behind approved stocking sites associated with a recovery population (i.e. West Fork
Black River, West Fork Little Colorado River at Sheep's Crossing, and Lee Valley Lake).
Purpose: The conservation value of stocking of Apache trout versus rainbow trout is that
Apache trout, as a native species, do not affect PCE 5 of designated critical habitat.
4. East Fork Black River: The AZGFD shall continue to implement the standard survey
schedule and procedures to evaluate fish community with emphasis on stocked trout presence
in the Loach Minnow occupied areas of the East Fork Black River drainage. Surveys will be
conducted every three years.
Purpose: The conservation value of stocking of Apache trout versus rainbow trout is that
Apache trout, as a native species, do not affect PCE 5 of designated critical habitat.
5. Big Lake; Crescent Lake: If a spill from Big Lake or Crescent Lake is anticipated, the
AZGFD shall install a fish weir to capture fish and prevent downstream movement. If the
weir is not installed prior to a spill, a survey for nonnative trout species in the occupied
habitat of the Loach Minnow shall be completed within that spring/summer season. If stocked
fish are encountered, they will be documented and removed at that time.
9Purpose: This conservation measure will be used to minimize the likelihood of Apache,
rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout from moving downstream into the North Fork East Fork
Black River and preying on or competing with loach minnow. Should the weir not be
installed prior to a spill, AGFD will perform monitoring and remove any individuals of the
stocked species from the system to minimize predation on or competition with loach minnow.
New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus)
1. West Fork Black River; East Fork Black River: AZGFD will coordinate with the Apache-
Sitgreaves National Forest, and other landowners as appropriate, to post signs at
campgrounds and other stocked areas along the East and West Fork of the Black River. These
signs will notify anglers and other recreationists of the ecological sensitivity of the area and
will request that recreationists remain on existing trails in order to minimize degradation of
New Mexico meadow jumping mouse habitats.
Purpose: This measure will provide some conservation value to the New Mexico meadow
jumping mouse by helping to minimize overland travel that results in damage to vegetation
and harm to jumping mice.
2. West Fork Black River: AZGFD will monitor and maintain fencing along the boundary of the
Arizona Game and Fish Commission-owned and managed property along the West Fork of
the Black River, PS Ranch.
Purpose: Limiting trespass activity will help to minimize impacts to New Mexico meadow
jumping mouse habitat by unauthorized livestock and illegal recreationists.
3. LCR Greer; Sheep’s Crossing: The AZGFD will implement a habitat enhancement project on
the Sipe Wildlife Area at Rudd Creek in 2024-2025 to benefit New Mexico meadow jumping
mouse. The improvements outlined in the 12-acre design within Rudd Creek and the
associated wetland and riparian corridor are expected to increase the quantity and quality of
wetland, riparian, and upland habitat for active and hibernating New Mexico meadow
jumping mice. Establishing a corridor of tall, native riparian grasses and stabilization of the
active stream channel for more soil-saturated, emergent wetland conditions will have a
beneficial, long-term impact for active and hibernating mice, providing more forage, cover,
and nesting opportunities. All native plantings will be native vegetation and a combination of
broadcast-hydro seeding, riparian pole plantings, plug planting, and deep pot plantings. The
project area will have 2 acres of marsh plantings, 11 acres of riparian plantings, and 5.5 acres
of seeded terrace. The majority of plantings will be protected in “pods” with temporary small
fencing exclosures that may remain intact for 2-10 years. As a conservation measure,
AZGFD will conduct regular assessments and maintenance of the Rudd Creek habitat
enhancement project are not included in this conservation measure. The AZGFD shall ensure
that the revegetation is established and protected. AGFD shall develop a maintenance plan for
the Rudd Creek habitat enhancement project with the project engineer by 2025. As part of the
maintenance plan, the revegetated habitat will be assessed annually and the temporary
fencing exclosures will be inspected and repaired or replaced as necessary. Maintenance and
enhancement of the vegetation and fencing will be conducted if and when necessary to ensure
10habitat is suitable for active and hibernating mice, and will continue through the consultation
period.
Purpose: This conservation measure will develop and protect New Mexico meadow jumping
mice habitat within the Little Colorado River drainage by planting and managing vegetation
until suitable habitat is developed.
Razorback Sucker (Xyrauchen texanus)
1. Middle Verde River: Reduce the stocking window for Rainbow Trout from any time of year
to only October through April.
Purpose: This conservation measure will reduce the overall time period during which
rainbow trout may compete with or prey on some life stages of razorback sucker in the
Middle Verde River and downstream.
2. Wet Beaver Creek and West Clear Creek: Reduce the stocking window for Rainbow Trout
from any time of year to only September through May annually.
Purpose: This conservation measure will reduce the overall time period during which
rainbow trout which may access the mainstem Verde River may compete with or prey on
some life stages of razorback sucker.
3. Middle Verde River: Sampling from Child’s to the inflow to Horseshoe Reservoir to evaluate
native and nonnative fish populations. Targeted sampling for Razorback Sucker will occur in
suitable habitat in addition to sampling the rest of the fish community. Monitoring will occur
every three years.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to develop additional information for
managers to use in making decisions on management of stocked and listed species in the
Middle Verde River. Data regarding the presence and distribution of razorback sucker in the
Verde River is limited at this time.
4. La Paz County Park Lagoon: A barrier net shall be installed at the La Paz County Park
Lagoon immediately prior to the stocking event and remain in place for seven days after the
stocking event.
Purpose: This conservation measure is designed to minimize the likelihood that sport fish
species stocked into the Lagoon for fishing clinics and post-clinic angling will be able to
leave the Lagoon to interact with razorback suckers in the Colorado River, and prevent
razorback suckers in the Colorado River from entering the Lagoon.
5. Watson Lake: The AZGFD will monitor the perennial pool in lower Granite Creek,
approximately 4.5 miles upstream of the confluence with the Verde River, after spills or
every three years, whichever is more frequent, to evaluate if stocked fish escape Watson Lake
and persist in that section of the stream. Post-spill monitoring will be conducted within two
11months following a spill event or when conditions are safe for surveys. If stocked fish are
encountered, they will be documented and removed.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to develop additional information for
managers to use in management of stocked and listed species in the Granite Creek Complex,
and to track movement of stocked sport fish. Additionally, removal of stocked sport fish
downstream of Goldwater and Watson lakes and Willow Creek Reservoir will reduce the
likelihood that they reach and/or persist in the Verde River, thereby reducing the potential for
competition with and predation on Gila topminnow.
Spikedace (Meda fulgida)
1. Luna Lake and the San Francisco River: The AZGFD will monitor the stocked reach of the
San Francisco River after spills from Luna Lake, or every three years, whichever is more
frequent, to evaluate if stocked trout escape Luna Lake and persist in that section of the river.
Post-spill monitoring will be conducted within two months following a spill event or when
conditions are safe for surveys.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to develop additional information for
managers to use in management of stocked and listed species in the Granite Creek Complex,
and to track movement of stocked sport fish. Additionally, removal of stocked sport fish
downstream of Goldwater and Watson lakes and Willow Creek Reservoir will reduce the
likelihood that they reach and/or persist in the Verde River, thereby reducing the potential for
competition with and predation on Gila topminnow.
2. Blue River: Reduce the stocking window for Gila Trout from any time of year to only
September through November.
Purpose: This conservation measure will reduce the overall time period during which Gila
trout may compete with or prey on loach minnow and will likely eliminate the possibility for
Gila trout to prey on loach minnow eggs by stocking only outside of the breeding season.
3. Blue River: The AZGFD will monitor one site upstream of the Upper Blue Campground and
two sites downstream of the Blue Crossing Campground annually beginning in 2026 until the
end of the consultation period. During monitoring for Gila trout, any brown trout captured
will be removed at that time.
Purpose: This conservation measure will track the movement of Gila trout in the Blue River
and gain new information on movement and persistence of Gila trout, which have not
previously been stocked in the Blue River. This information will be used to inform managers
regarding management of both listed and stocked species in the Blue River. Additionally,
this information will be used to determine if take is exceeded.
4. Middle Verde River: Reduce the stocking window for Rainbow Trout from any time of year
to only October through April.
12Purpose: This conservation measure will reduce the overall time period during which
rainbow trout may compete with or prey on some life stages of spikedace in the Middle
Verde River and downstream.
5. Granite Basin Lake, Goldwater Lake, Watson Lake, and Willow Creek Reservoir: The
AZGFD will continue to monitor the upper Verde River to evaluate the native and nonnative
fish community. Monitoring will occur every three years.
Purpose: This conservation measure will continue to track the composition of the fish
community in the upper Verde River to provide additional information for managers to use in
management of stocked and listed species there.
6. Watson Lake: The AZGFD will monitor the perennial pool in lower Granite Creek,
approximately 4.5 miles upstream of the confluence with the Verde River, after spills or
every three years, whichever is more frequent, to evaluate if stocked fish escape Watson Lake
and persist in that section of the stream. Post-spill monitoring will be conducted within two
months following a spill event or when conditions are safe for surveys. If stocked fish are
encountered, they will be documented and removed at that time.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to develop additional information for
managers to use in management of stocked and listed species in the Granite Creek Complex,
and to track movement of stocked sport fish. Additionally, removal of stocked sport fish
downstream of Goldwater and Watson lakes and Willow Creek Reservoir will reduce the
likelihood that they reach and/or persist in the Verde River, thereby reducing the potential for
competition with and predation on spikedace and effects to its critical habitat.
Narrow-headed Gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus)
1. Watson Lake: The AZGFD will monitor the perennial pool in lower Granite Creek,
approximately 4.5 miles upstream of the confluence with the Verde River, after spills or
every three years, whichever is more frequent, to evaluate if stocked fish escape Watson Lake
and persist in that section of the stream. Post-spill monitoring will be conducted within two
months following a spill event or when conditions are safe for surveys. If stocked fish are
encountered, they will be documented and removed at that time.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to develop additional information for
managers to use in management of stocked and listed species in the Granite Creek Complex,
and to track movement of stocked sport fish. Additionally, removal of stocked sport fish
downstream of Goldwater and Watson lakes and Willow Creek Reservoir will reduce the
likelihood that they reach and/or persist in the Verde River, thereby reducing the potential for
competition with and predation on narrow-headed gartersnakes and their proposed critical
habitat downstream.
2. Granite Basin Lake, Goldwater Lake, Watson Lake, and Willow Creek Reservoir: The
AZGFD will continue to monitor the upper Verde River to evaluate the native and nonnative
fish community. Monitoring will occur every three years.
13Purpose: This conservation measure will continue to track the composition of the fish
community in the upper Verde River to provide additional information for managers to use in
management of stocked and listed species there.
3. Canyon Creek: AZGFD reduced the stocking frequency of Brown Trout from as many times
as needed over 10 years to no more than two times in 10 years to minimize impacts on
narrow-headed gartersnakes. If fish are stocked, AZGFD will additionally monitor the
narrow-headed gartersnake population annually in Canyon Creek beginning the year after
fish are stocked to determine presence and persistence using commonly employed scientific
methodology (such as Nowak and Emmons, 2013).
Purpose: Stocking of brown trout two times in 10 years reduces the total number of fish
being stocked in Canyon Creek, thereby decreasing the likelihood of competition with and
predation on Chiricahua leopard frogs. Additionally, there is limited information on
Chiricahua leopard frogs within this drainage. Surveys completed under this conservation
measure will help inform manage efforts for Chiricahua leopard frogs by improving base
knowledge for this species.
Northern Mexican Gartersnake (Thamnophis eques megalops)
1. Watson Lake: The AZGFD will monitor the perennial pool in lower Granite Creek,
approximately 4.5 miles upstream of the confluence with the Verde River, after spills or
every three years, whichever is more frequent, to evaluate if stocked fish escape Watson Lake
and persist in that section of the stream. Post-spill monitoring will be conducted within two
months following a spill event or when conditions are safe for surveys. If stocked fish are
encountered, they will be documented and removed at that time.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to develop additional information for
managers to use in management of stocked and listed species in the Granite Creek Complex,
and to track movement of stocked sport fish. Additionally, removal of stocked sport fish
downstream of Goldwater and Watson lakes and Willow Creek Reservoir will reduce the
likelihood that they reach and/or persist in the Verde River, thereby reducing the potential for
competition with and predation on northern Mexican gartersnakes and their critical habitat
downstream.
2. Granite Basin Lake, Goldwater Lake, Watson Lake, and Willow Creek Reservoir: The
AZGFD will continue to monitor the upper Verde River to evaluate the native and nonnative
fish community. Monitoring will occur every three years.
Purpose: This conservation measure will continue to track the composition of the fish
community in the upper Verde River to provide additional information for managers to use in
management of stocked and listed species there.
3. Parker Canyon Lake: The AZGFD will survey below Parker Canyon Lake after the lake spills
or every three years, whichever is more frequent, to evaluate if stocked fish escape the lake.
The AZGFD will also sample the area occupied by Northern Mexican gartersnake after spills.
Post-spill monitoring will be conducted within two months following a spill event or when
14conditions are safe for surveys. If stocked fish are encountered, they will be documented and
removed at that time.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to develop additional information for
managers to use in making decisions on management of stocked and listed species at Parker
Canyon Lake, and to track movement of stocked sport fish. Additionally, removal of stocked
sport fish will also ensure they do not persist in or move through the Parker Canyon, thereby
reducing competition and predation.
4. All stock tanks in the Bill Williams watershed will be surveyed to determine fish assemblage
prior to them being stocked initially during the consultation period.
5. Burro Creek Drainage: Once sport fish are stocked, AGFD will monitor the three pools in
Burro Creek between its confluence with Francis Creek and the road crossing south of
Francis Creek three times in the 10-year period to evaluate if stocked fish escape Swale,
Carter, Antelope, Harmon Tank #2, and Bar 37, or Little Antelope Tank and persist in that
section of the river. The monitoring will occur after exceedance flow event(s) at the Burro
Creek or Big Sandy Gages (18,000 and 27,000 cfs, respectively) or after high flow events
(e.g., monsoon flows, if exceedance flow events do not occur), when flows have receded
enough to make monitoring safe for crews. If a fourth exceedance occurs in the 10-year
period, AZGFD will conduct a fourth monitoring event. All monitoring events will occur
within 6 months of the exceedance or high flow event. If stocked fish are detected at the
monitoring site, AZGFD will coordinate with USFWS to determine whether alternate
monitoring sites may be selected to assist in identifying which tributary may serve as a
conduit/source of stocked fish. If stocked fish are encountered, they will be documented and
removed at that time.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to develop additional information for
managers to use in making decisions on management of stocked and listed species in the
Burro Creek Complex, and to track movement of stocked sport fish. Additionally, removal
of stocked sport fish will also ensure they do not persist in or move through the Burro Creek
drainage, thereby reducing competition and predation with northern Mexican gartersnake.
6. Santa Maria River: Once sport fish are stocked, AZGFD will monitor the pools in the Santa
Maria River on the BLM property known as Palmerita Ranch three times in the 10-year
period to evaluate if stocked fish escape Bass, Blue, Granite Mountain #1, or Granite
Mountain #2 Tank and persist in that section of the river. The monitoring will occur after
exceedance flow event(s) at the Santa Maria Gage (1,200 cfs) or after high flow events (e.g.,
monsoon flows, if exceedance flow events do not occur), when flows have receded enough to
make monitoring safe for crews. If a fourth exceedance occurs in the 10-year period, AZGFD
will conduct a fourth monitoring event. All monitoring events will occur within 6 months of
the exceedance or high flow event. If stocked fish are detected at the monitoring site, AZGFD
will coordinate with USFWS to determine whether alternate monitoring sites may be selected
to assist in identifying which tributary may serve as a conduit/source of stocked fish. If
stocked fish are encountered, they will be documented and removed at that time.
15Purpose: This conservation measure will help to develop additional information for
managers to use in making decisions on management of stocked and listed species in the
Santa Maria Complex, and to track movement of stocked sport fish. Additionally, removal of
stocked sport fish will also ensure they do not persist in or move through the Santa Maria
drainage, thereby reducing competition and predation with northern Mexican gartersnake.
7. Roosevelt Lake: Once fish are stocked, AZGFD will remove all predatory nonnatives
annually in two of the larger pools in Tonto Creek between Roosevelt Lake and Gisela,
following coordination with SRP to benefit Northern Mexican gartersnake.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to relieve overall competition and predation
pressures on northern Mexican gartersnakes by reducing sport fish in areas occupied by
northern Mexican gartersnakes in the vicinity of the Roosevelt Lake stocking site.
8. Dead Horse Ranch State Park: AZGFD will conduct a nonnative fish suppression effort three
times in 10 years at Tavasci Marsh, removing all sizes of centrarchids captured.
Purpose: This conservation measure will help to relieve overall competition and predation
pressures on northern Mexican gartersnakes by reducing sport fish in areas occupied by
northern Mexican gartersnakes in the vicinity of the Dead Horse Ranch State Park stocking
site.
No-Action Alternative
Under the No Action alternative, the WSFR would not approve use of SFRA funding by the
AZGFD for stocking of sport fish and hatchery operations. As a result, this alternative
assumes that the AZGFD would not engage in the stocking of sport fish, including Apache
and Gila trout stocked for recreation, in Arizona. The federal funding would be used
elsewhere by the AZGFD. Under this alternative, the existing fish hatcheries used for the
sport fish stocking program could be idled or decommissioned (i.e., operations terminated,
fish removed, and equipment relocated), used for other federal aid-eligible projects, or sold
to reimburse SFRA funds.
The No Action Alternative would not meet the purpose and need to meet the current and
future need and demand for recreational angling opportunities.
Public Involvement
The Notice of Availability of the Draft EA was sent to media contacts as an AZGFD press
release, posted on agency websites and social media pages, and distributed electronically to
multiple email addresses, LISTSERVs, and electronic newsletters. An electronic copy of the
Draft EA was posted on the AGFD websites for public review. The Draft EA was initially made
available for a 30-calendar-day public review period. However, a request was made by one of the
Tribes for a time extension due to staff shortages. The USFWS extended the public review period
to 45 days.
16Two Facebook Live outreach events were held by the AZGFD on June 1 (covering northern part
of the state) and June 2 (covering the southern part of the state). Each event was hosted by the
AZGFD Sportfish Management Program Supervisor with participation by the respective
Regional Aquatic Wildlife Program Managers from those parts of the state. Approximately 8 and
20 members of the public tuned in for each event, respectively. There was general discussion
held about fisheries management in the state, and water and recreation issues were raised. Several
questions were asked about fish stocking in the state, but nothing substantive was raised, and no
changes were made to the EA as a result of the feedback from these two events. Both events were
recorded and links to the two videos can be found on the AZGFD website at
AZGFD.com/Fisheries/Fisheries Management. Direct links to the recorded Facebook live videos
are:
• June 1 Facebook Live - covered northern regions (Pinetop-1, Flagstaff-2, and Kingman-3)
• June 2 Facebook Live - covered southern regions (Yuma-4, Tucson-5, and Mesa-6)
Comment letters and emails were received on the Draft EA from 89 persons, some representing
agencies, organizations, or clubs. Appendix M provides a Comment Log, which lists the names
and affiliations of the individual commenters, the date those comments were received, and a
tracking number was assigned to each commenter to ease use of review. A summary of the
pertinent comments received on the Draft EA during the public comment period and responses to
these comments prepared by the USFWS and the AZGFD is also provided in Appendix M of this
document.
A notification of availability of the Draft EA was emailed to selected individuals that were found
in a distribution list of AZGFD stakeholders including people from federal and state agencies
such as the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, all
Arizona national forests, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality; state and municipal land management agencies; Tribes; non-
governmental organizations; and industry representatives.
In addition, a Notice of Availability and the offer of Government-to-Government Consultation
were emailed and mailed to the 24 Native American tribes. There were no requests for
Government-to-Government Consultation. Three of the Tribes provided comments that were
either supportive of the project or advised that they had no concerns.
After review of public and agency comments received on the Draft EA, WSFR and AZGFD
revised the Conservation Measures to provide additional detail and clarification. The Final
EA reflects these modifications, provides corrections to the document where warranted, and
adds clarification as requested in public and agency comments. The changes are summarized
on page "i" in the Final EA.
Significance of Effects on Human Environment
The Council on Environmental Quality regulations state that we must look at the context and
intensity of an action to determine significance. Context means that the significance
of an action must be analyzed in several contexts such as society as a whole (human,
national), the affected region, the affected interests, and the locality. Significance
varies with the setting of the proposed action. Both short and long-term effects are
17relevant. The Proposed action to stock sport fish at 186 individual sites encompasses
the geographic extent of the state of Arizona in a variety of water bodies, including
streams, rivers, natural ponds and lakes, and impoundments, including urban lakes.
includes the rearing and stocking of sport fish. It will both maximize recreational
angling opportunity, while minimizing potential impacts to native species. The context of
this project does not rise to the national level, however, sport fish stocking under the
Selected Alternative will have effects at State and local levels.
Intensity refers to the severity of impact. Pursuant to 40 C.F.R.1508.27 the following are
considered in evaluating intensity:
1. Impacts that may be both beneficial and adverse.
• The resources that will be affected by sport fish stocking are biological resources
(native aquatic and semi-aquatic species), recreation and socioeconomics. Please see
the section below for more detail.
2. The degree to which the proposed action affects public health or safety.
• The Proposed Action will not affect public health or safety by the action of stocking
sport fish. Air quality impacts of the action alternatives are limited to vehicle
emissions associated with stocking truck operation, and indirectly from anglers'
vehicles traveling to and from stocking sites. These effects are below de minimis
levels and do not differ substantially among the alternatives. Potential water quality
effects from the action alternatives, which includes hatchery operations, are minimal
and are addressed through the issuance of Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System permits administered by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
3. Unique characteristics of the geographic area such as proximity to historic or cultural
resources, park lands, prime farmlands, wetlands, wild and scenic rivers, or ecologically
critical areas.
• Historic or cultural resources: The Proposed Action is considered to be an
undertaking under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act but would
have no potential to affect cultural resources in accordance with the Programmatic
Agreement Regarding Compliance With Section 106 Of The National Historic
Preservation Act For Grants Funded by The Wildlife And Sport Fish Restoration
Program On State And Private Lands In Arizona Among the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service,
Interior Region 8, The Arizona State Historic Preservation Officer, and The Arizona
Game and Fish Commission.
• Park lands: The possibility of impacts to the Grand Canyon National Park was
analyzed in the BA, the BO, and EA, and determined that potential escape of stocked
fish to National Park lands is low based on movement potential of stocked fish,
thermal barriers, long distances from the stocking sites to the park and hydrology
(including major waterfalls ranging from 50 to 196 feet in height). Therefore, this
would not have an effect counter to the Grand Canyon Protection Act.
18• Prime Farmland: The Proposed Action will not affect farmlands, as stocking would
not occur on farmland, or modify it in any way.
• Wetlands: The Proposed Action will not result in the placement of dredged or fill
material in wetlands. Indirect effects of stocking include trampling by anglers and
disturbance/soil compaction by vehicles but would be expected to be limited in extent
and would not represent a change from current conditions.
• Designated Wild and Scenic Rivers in the state are limited to 16.8 miles of Fossil
Creek from the confluence of Sand Rock and Calf Pen canyons to its confluence with
the Verde River (not proposed for stocking in this Proposed Action) and 40.5 miles
of the Verde River from near Beasley Flat to the confluence of Red Creek (not
proposed for stocking by this Proposed Action). Recreational opportunities created by
stocking generally do not conflict with management directives for Wild and Scenic
Rivers. While some of the Eligible and Suitable sites will be stocked with Rainbow
Trout (as well as Apache or Gila Trout), this is consistent with existing conditions
(i.e. current stocking actions); therefore, the proposed action would not alter the
current condition of these waters. All new stocking sites that have been identified in
U.S. Forest Service and management plans as Eligible and Suitable waters will be
stocked with species that are compatible with historic assemblages.
• Ecologically Critical Areas: Impacts of stocking in critical habitat was analyzed by
AESO in the draft BO and found to have no adverse modification to any critical
habitat. Indirect effects of stocking include trampling by anglers in stream and
wetland habitats, and disturbance/soil compaction by vehicles but would be expected
to be limited in extent and would not represent a change from current conditions.
4. The degree to which the effects on the quality of the human environment are likely to be
highly controversial.
• Primarily, two viewpoints were provided in comments from the public. The first is a
concern over how the Conservation Measures will reduce/mitigate effects on threatened or
endangered species. The second is made by the angling public supporting the Proposed
Action, and in some cases, requesting increased stocking. This action has been
occurring on the landscape since the 1870’s and the resultant effects are not
controversial. We believe these concerns are alleviated by providing a “purpose”
for each Conservation Measure in the Final EA. Also, the full analysis of effects is in
the BO, being provided as Appendix M.
5. The degree to which the possible effects on the human environment are highly uncertain or
involve unique or unknown risks.
• Effects to the human environment by stocking sport fish to species were analyzed in
the BA, BO, and the EA. The analysis of effects from the Proposed Action on native
species was conducted at one or more of three spatial scales of resolution: individual
stocking site, subcatchment, and regional scale. These represent a range of
geographic scales at which direct effects generally have the most potential to occur
(stocking site) to those where potential effects are progressively more separated in
time and space (i.e., indirect effects) from proposed stocking activities (subcatchment
and regional). The risks of exposure and interactions between species were evaluated
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