Budget overview

The Blue Ribbon Fishery Advisory Council has reviewed numerous project proposals that have been presented by the Division of Wildlife Resources and proposed by members of the Council. Of the initial $300,000 allocated as seed money for this program, the Council has identified $350,000 in projects. Most of these proposed expenditures have matching funds available that will reduce the overall costs of the project to the Council and bring the Council budget into balance.

The BRFAC has recommended that the following projects be funded for this year:

$50,000 — Lake Canyon Lake: Acquisition of a 35-plus-acre lake that will become a brood stock lake for Colorado River Cutthroat trout and provide a quality and unique angling experience. This water can be defined as new water, since it was under private ownership.

West Fork of the Duchesne River

$50,000 — West Fork of the Duchesne River: Provide fencing and off-stream livestock watering to protect the sensitive riparian and spawning habitats of Colorado River Cutthroat trout. This is a unique fishery that consistently produces large fish in a pristine and aesthetically pleasing environment. Access to 8 miles of this stream was acquired as mitigation for the Central Utah Project.

$20,000 — Kolob Reservoir: This reservoir produces large cutthroat trout, but has limited natural reproduction due to restricted access to spawning areas. These funds would be used to remove barriers to upstream spawning areas and protect critical spawning habitat.

$50,000 — Duchesne River, junction of U-208 and U35 upstream to the town of Stockmore: Angler access was acquired as mitigation under the Utah Reclamation, Mitigation and Conservation Commission (URMCC); however, protection of the riparian zone from overgrazing was not considered. These funds will be used to fence the riparian zone and provide off-stream watering for livestock.

$50,000 — Weber River/Coalville: These funds are to be used for stream bank stabilization and riparian fencing to protect areas where angler access has been acquired. Under the new 2002 angling regulations this section of the Weber River was identified as artificial flies and lures only with a reduced limit to 2 trout — a major first for Blue Ribbon Fisheries.

$50,000 — East Fork of the Sevier: Angler access has been acquired along this pristine river in recent years. However, stream bank erosion and overgrazing continues to be a problem. This money will be used to provide off-stream watering for livestock and fencing of the riparian zone.

$10,000 — BRF Promotion: In order to promote Utah's Blue Ribbon Fisheries, the Council has recommended that a pamphlet be developed identifying where these quality fisheries are located. The pamphlet will include local lodging, restaurants, and services provided by local communities. Also, some of these funds will be used to develop signs identifying these waters as Blue Ribbon Fisheries.

Duck Fork Reservoir

$10,000 — Siltation study: Recent events on the Logan, Blacksmith Fork, Beaver, and other top quality fisheries have resulted in numerous fish kills, aquatic and riparian habitat destruction, and loss of the macroinvertebrate forage base for the fish in these waters. Utah State University has proposed a two-year, $141,000 study to develop a program to reduce these impacts. The Council recommended funding a portion of this study.

$40,000 — Scofield Reservoir: Although angler access has been acquired along a portion of this high quality fishery, parking is a major problem. In order to protect the shore from damage due to uncontrolled parking, the council recommended funding a portion of the proposed parking area.

$20,000 — Duck Fork Reservoir: Funds will be used to treat the reservoir for invasive species and improve the spawning habitat of its tributaries. This water will be used as a source of brood stock for Colorado River Cutthroat trout.

In looking to the future the Council has identified a list of proposed projects that it feels will significantly improve the habitats of our current Blue Ribbon Fisheries and provide "new" waters for anglers to enjoy. Projected expenditures through the year 2010 totals over $9.9 million. These expenditures include over $6.4-million in proposed angler access agreements/acquisitions and the rest for habitat enhancement, stream restoration, and native species reintroduction.