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Show Page 8 The Ogden Valley News Volume XXIX Issue VIII August 1, 2022 Tips To Minimize Impacts to Fish DWR Habitat Council Allocates $4M From When Fishing During a Drought Hunting, Fishing License Sales to 2022 With extreme drought conditions state that won’t have low water levels. still impacting much of the state, many “We try, whenever possible, to continue to Habitat Restoration, failed Wildlife Projects Utahns are making changes to reduce provide a good fishing experience for anglers, Roughly $4 million was allocated twice in recent years. their water use. If you are planning some fishing trips to any lakes or reservoirs this summer, here are a few changes you can make to help the fish, as well. How drought impacts fish species Drought impacts fish by reducing the amount of water available in lakes, reservoirs, and streams throughout the state. These are primary habitats for Utah’s fish, and having less water affects fish in multiple ways. “This smaller amount of water heats more quickly and warms to higher temperatures than when there isn’t a drought,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Sportfish Coordinator Randy Oplinger said. “Warmer water also holds less oxygen than colder water. The combination of high temperatures and low oxygen can stress fish, causing poor growth and disease. Fish can also die when temperatures are too warm or when oxygen levels get too low.” Trout in low-elevation waterbodies have the greatest likelihood of being impacted by the drought this year, but low water levels and highwater temperatures can affect all fish species. How fishing could possibly be impacted this summer - If you enjoy fishing from a boat, you should try to visit your favorite lakes and reservoirs as soon—and as often—as you possibly can. Similar to last year, water levels at some reservoirs and lakes could be so low by July that boat ramps may not be functional. Before you plan a boating trip, be sure to check for updates on each waterbody to see if the ramps are open, especially later in the summer. Similar to last year, the DWR is again strategically determining where fish will be stocked this year, in order to either reduce or eliminate fish from being stocked into waterbodies where biologists think that summer fish kills are possible due to low water. The fish that were scheduled to be stocked into droughtimpacted lakes and reservoirs will be relocated and stocked into other waterbodies around the NORDIC VALLEY cont. from page 1 Also, while the goal of the general plan is to take density and urban sprawl off the valley floor and cluster it in village centers, in this case, the higher density area of Nordic Valley, being a resort area that allows for mixeduse, as such, most of the proposed higher density will most likely be for resort density to accommodate short-term rentals and other tourist-associated business; thus, it will eat up and crowd out owner-occupied housing units that would, otherwise, be made available to long-term invested Valley residents. This shift up until we think that water levels will be insufficient,” Oplinger said. “Then, we want to reduce the number of fish in that waterbody by decreasing the number of fish that are stocked there. We are hopeful that anglers will catch and harvest most, if not all, of these stocked fish by the time water levels become so low that fish survival is impacted.” How to help fish during a hot, drought year - If you are fishing in a lake or reservoir and want to give the fish you catch and release a better chance of survival during the drought, you should consider fishing in the mornings or evenings when temperatures are cooler. Another way to help fish is to pick a fishing spot that has deeper, cooler water, so you can release any caught fish into an area where they are more likely to survive. “Basically, try not to fish near little coves that have shallow, stagnant warm water,” Oplinger said. “Instead, pick a spot where you can release your fish into better quality water to increase their survival rates during this hot, drought year.” Tips for handling fish to decrease stress • Use single hooks on lures and bend down the barbs for easy release. • Minimize the time you spend “fighting” the fish and any hands-on handling. • Use rubber or coated nylon nets to protect a fish’s slime layer and fins. • Quickly remove the hook with forceps or needle-nosed pliers. • Minimize the amount of time the fish is exposed to the air, especially when the weather is warm. And keep your hands wet when handling the fish. • If the fish is deeply hooked, don’t pull on the line. Instead, cut the line as close as possible to where it is hooked and leave the hook. • Allow the fish to recover in the net before you release it. • If the fish doesn’t stay upright when you release it, gently move it back and forth. to selected habitat restoration projects at the recent annual Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Habitat Council funding meeting. The DWR Habitat Council was created in 1995 by the Utah Legislature as a way to provide funds for the enhancement, preservation, management, acquisition and protection of fish and wildlife habitat, and for improving hunting and fishing access. These funds are a portion of the revenue from license, permit, stamp, and certificate of registration fees related to hunting and fishing. The Habitat Council consists of eight individuals who act as an advisory board. They provide recommendations regarding the use of the funds received annually each year from the sales of hunting and fishing licenses. Members include four public representatives and four DWR or Department of Natural Resources employees. “We are very appreciative of the hunters and anglers who are the backbone of wildlife conservation,” DWR Habitat Conservation Coordinator Daniel Eddington said. “Anyone who buys a hunting and fishing license helps fund many of the crucial habitat restoration projects that help to maintain fish and wildlife populations for future generations to enjoy.” This year’s license sales funding available to the Habitat Council totaled a little over $4 million and will help fund 91 projects over the next fiscal year. Several high-priority fish and wildlife projects will be funded, including: • Monroe Mountain Aspen Ecosystems Restoration project: This project will help to improve aspen ecosystems on Monroe Mountain by thinning conifer trees and seeding more aspen trees. • Cinnamon Creek Wildlife Management Area Improvement project: This project will involve several improvements to the recently purchased Cinnamon Creek WMA, including installing signs, improving roads and parking areas, installing fencing and gates, and helping to restore springs on the property. Additional projects that received funds include the maintenance of wildlife and waterfowl management areas, habitat treatments on summer and winter ranges for big game, and improvements and restoration to streams and lakes across Utah. “We are extremely grateful for other partners who help fund these projects as well, which are so critical for fish and wildlife,” Eddington said. “We wouldn’t be able to complete as many of these conservation projects without these important partnerships.” Between 2006 to 2021, the Habitat Council program has: • Allocated $37.6 million to complete 1,323 wildlife habitat projects across Utah • Improved over 282,558 acres of terrestrial habitat • Restored 1,833 miles of streams and rivers • Acquired 28,358 acres of land and waterways now managed by the state or placed under permanent conservation easements • The Blacksmith Fork River Fish Passage and Habitat Restoration project: This project will include the rebuilding of two irrigation The recent Habitat Council funds are in diversions to help remove barriers for fish addition to the $4.2 million in conservation and to reconnect fish passage on 25 miles of permit funds that were allocated to wildlife the Blacksmith Fork River and tributaries to research and additional habitat projects in the Logan River. April. However, both funding programs use • Navajo Lake Spillway Reconstruction and Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative, a Utah Embankment Maintenance project: This Department of Natural Resources partnershipproject will rebuild and improve the spillway based program that serves as a centralized from single-family residential to resort density at Navajo Lake and complete maintenance portal for funding and tracking the completion would further acerbating the affordable houswork along the embankment after the dam of these habitat-related projects. ing stock in the Valley, and further drive-up prices and taxes on single family homes. In other words, the only “affordable housing” August 4: Valley Elementary will hold new student regbeing earmarked in this planned development would be set aside for outside resort employistration from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more info, visit ees. valley.wsd.net. The three-member county commission— Scott Jenkins, Jim Harvey, and Gage Froerer— August 22: Back to school night. Come meet the teachers. voted to table a decision on the form-Based Village zoning ordinance proposal, deferring a August 23: First day of school. final decision on the proposal. |