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OVERVIEW

Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) are native to the Rocky Mountain and coastal areas of the western US. The Rio Grande cutthroat trout (O. c. virginalis) is located the farthest south of the seven major and fourteen total subspecies of cutthroat trout and was historically the only trout found in the Rio Grande drainage of southern Colorado and New Mexico, as well as the upper Pecos and Canadian River drainages in New Mexico. These yellowish-gray fish have irregular dark spots concentrated near their tail and are readily recognized by their characteristic red throat slashes. During spring spawning, cutthroats may turn a bright reddish-orange. Rio Grande cutthroat trout occupy a variety of habitats across their range. Historically they could be found in most cold water environments from large rivers and alpine lakes to small streams and beaver dams. Unfortunately, their current distribution has been much reduced.

Throughout much of the 20^th century, public fish managers and private landowners stocked other, non-native species of trout (brook, brown, and rainbow) across the range of cutthroats in order to diversify trout populations and provide angling opportunity. Unfortunately these non-natives have out-competed and hybridized with native Rio Grande cutthroat trout in many cases. These interactions, coupled with habitat losses due to land management practices, development, and resource extraction, have resulted in the loss of Rio Grande cutthroat trout from approximately 90% of their historic range. In 2008 the US Fish and Wildlife Service determined that Endangered Species Act protections were warranted for the species and added the species to the candidate list. Colorado and New Mexico, as well as the US Forest Service, recognize the Rio Grande cutthroat trout as a species of concern and are working diligently to reverse the decline and provide the public expanded opportunity to enjoy this fish. Activities include implementing protective regulations, surveying watersheds to document and preserve native trout populations, improving habitat, genetic testing, removing non-native trout in selected areas, and restoring Rio Grande cutthroat trout populations across their historic range.

Two Turner properties, the Vermejo Park and Ladder ranches are located within the historic range of Rio Grande cutthroat trout. We believe the species is a key component of the native communities on these properties and have made it a priority to conserve and restore populations of Rio Grande cutthroat trout. We have partnered with state and federal agencies to manage existing populations and restore populations where they have been displaced. Significant, collaborative conservation efforts are underway at both the Vermejo Park and Ladder ranches.

Upper Costilla Creek Watershed: Vermejo Park Ranch - A multi-year effort to remove non-native trouts from and restore Rio Grande cutthroat trout to the upper Costilla watershed was initiated in 2002. An initial phase (I) of 30 stream km (Costilla Crk.) and 4 lakes (Glacier, #1) was chemically renovated in 2002 and again in 2008. Native cutthroat trout have been restocked and are doing well. The restoration area will be expanded in “phases”, using temporary fish movement barriers to prevent re-invasion of non-natives, until the entire Costilla basin above Costilla dam has been treated and restored to native cutthroat trout. Phase II, including 5 stream km (Santistevan Crk.) and 4 lakes (Casias) was completed in 2010; Phase III, including 9 stream km (Casias Crk.) was treated and restocked in 2011. This is a grand restoration vision and is one of the largest water-shed renovation projects ever undertaken, but if successful the Costilla basin should provide a home for New Mexico’s native trout well into the future. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and Colorado Parks and Wildlife have been very willing and capable partners on this effort, which also includes collaboration with Trout Unlimited and US Forest Service.	Costille Creek
Upper Vermejo River Watershed: Vermejo Park Ranch - The upper Vermejo River watershed, including Little Vermejo, Ricardo, and Leandro creeks, supports a slightly hybridized (with rainbow trout) Rio Grande cutthroat trout population that co-exists with brook trout. The hybridization is currently very slight (1-2%) and is the result of either historic rainbow stocking or escapement from fishing ponds on a neighboring ranch. Two small sections of the watershed support genetically pure Rio Grande cutthroat above fish migration barriers. Efforts are underway to eliminate sources of rainbow trout and remove brook trout and hybrid fish using electrofishing. In 2010-11 over 12,000 brook trout and several hybrids were removed from approximately 40 km of stream. The goal of this mechanical removal effort is to reduce levels of hybridization and competition allowing the native Rio Grande cutthroat trout to persist in the face of non-native competition. There are no immediate plans to use chemicals to remove non-native fish in the Vermejo River drainage, although chemical renovation remains a future conservation option. Although slightly hybridized, this population remains an important component in the overall conservation plan for Rio Grande cutthroat trout in New Mexico.	Fish migration barrier on Little Vermejo Creek
Las Animas Creek: Ladder Ranch - Las Animas Creek is perhaps the southernmost location that Rio Grande cutthroat trout ever existed historically and represents an important conservation opportunity for the Turner organization. Due to a forest fire, subsequent restocking with cutthroat trout of a different subspecies, and invasion by rainbow trout, the Las Animas Creek population is now a mongrel trout. An idea to restore the native fish community to Las Animas Creek was initially discussed in the late 1990's and initiated in earnest in 2002. The restoration plan includes chemically removing non-native longfin dace and hybrid trout from the watershed and repatriating the native community of Rio Grande cutthroat trout, chub, and sucker. The project was delayed in 2004 due to the presence of threatened Chiricahua leopard frogs and a general opposition regarding piscicide deployment by the NM Game Commission. In 2011 the project was given a green light by the Commission and we, along with our partners, hope to begin the restoration process in Las Animas Creek in 2013. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and US Forest Service are collaborative partners on this effort.	Petroglyph on Las Animas Creek - Perhaps the first depiction of a Rio Grande cutthroat trout