Roaring Fork Watershed Measures of Conservation Success

he Roaring Fork Watershed is an important T tributary to the Colorado River. It supports large areas of intact riparian forests and wetlands, as well as sensitive aquatic species such as the boreal toads and Colorado River cutthroat trout. An area in need of habitat protection and restor- ation, the Roaring Fork Watershed has been identified by The Nature Conservancy and its partners as a priority landscape for conservation efforts. This document describes the work that these conservation partners are doing to conserve this important area.

Our Conservation Vision The Roaring Fork Watershed is a spectacular landscape and outstanding biological jewel. In the future, it will continue to sustain healthy rivers and streams along with the natural processes that support them. The watershed’s rivers and streams will continue to support populations of globally significant native plants and animals, including Colorado River cutthroat trout, boreal toad, black swift, and willow hawthorn. Roaring Fork residents, decision-makers, land managers, and visitors will take pride in and be inspired to work together to protect and, where needed, restore the rivers, streams, riparian communities, and associated species, thereby maintaining the many ecological services that the watershed provides. Roaring Fork Watershed Science guides our work in the information, when available, Project Area Roaring Fork Watershed. This docu- empowers people from all walks of ment highlights several key features life to discuss, interact, and consider of the riparian and aquatic biodiver- alternative ways of acting on behalf sity in the Roaring Fork Watershed, of nature. Nothing could be more the challenges to their successful fundamental to fostering a high conservation, and means of meas- standard of sustainable living and uring the progress toward effective successful conservation than having conservation. The project planning objective status information to process used to generate this report inform individual and group was developed by The Nature decisions. The Nature Conservancy Conservancy based on 50-years offers this informative report in the Map experience in conservation. To fulfill hope that it will inspire you to take To Come our long-term vision and achieve our a strong interest in the ecological goals, the Conservancy employs an health of the roaring Fork integrated conservation process Watershed. Good decisions about called Conservation by Design. This the future will depend on it. living process identifies the key Conservation Planning places where conservation needs to occur (or will be most successful), The Conservancy uses conservation develops strategies, involves taking plans to develop site-specific action, and measures success of conservation strategies and prepare efforts and outcomes. This process is for taking action and measuring adaptable over time and uses the success. These plans follow what measures of success to stimulate we call the 5-S Framework: continued thinking and actions for N SYSTEMS. The conservation Ecoregions conservation. planning team, which included Southern Rocky Mountains Conservation by Design experts from local, state, and n federal agencies and private Utah High Plateau Through Conservation by Design, a conservation organizations, n common vision is created to ensure Colorado Plateau identifies the species and natural the long-term survival of native n communities that will be the species and natural communities. focus of conservation for the This process focuses attention on area. To do so, biodiversity lists key issues including the biodiversity developed during the ecoregional status, degree of threats and progress assessment are modified to toward conservation success. Such include site-specific priorities.

Roaring Fork River

Photo © TBD CO060712_D053.jpg

2 N STRESSES. The team determines N SITUATION. An understanding of Key Conservation Targets how ecological systems are compro- the cultural, political and economic mised; by habitat reduction or situation behind the threats is RARE ANIMALS fragmentation, or by changes in the essential for developing sound N Colorado River cutthroat trout

number or type of species, or by strategies. This human context is N Boreal toad

alteration of ecological processes often referred to as the sixth “S”. N Black swift such as fire and hydrology. Bald eagle winter roosts Site Description N SOURCES. The team will then iden- Brown-capped rosy finch N The Roaring Fork Watershed is a large, N tify and rank the causes, or sources, relatively intact landscape, located in (in alpine) of stress for each ecological system western Colorado. The Roaring Fork N Canada lynx habitat or key species. The analysis of River is one of the largest tributaries stresses and sources together make RARE PLANTS of the Colorado River. Much of the up the threat assessment. Willow hawthorn headwaters is managed by the US N N Canyon bog orchid N STRATEGIES. An important step in Forest Service and supports several the process is finding practical populations of rare aquatic species N Hanging garden sullivantia

cooperative ways to mitigate or including boreal toads and Colorado N Altai cottongrass eliminate the identified threats and River cutthroat trout. Extensive RARE PLANT COMMUNITIES enhance biodiversity. relatively intact riparian forests, shrub- lands and wetlands can be found along (Unique combinations of forbs, SUCCESS. Each plan outlines meth- N the rivers and streams within the grasses, shrubs, and trees) ods for assessing our effectiveness Roaring Fork Watershed. The Colorado Montane riparian forests in reducing threats and improving N Natural Heritage Program and local biodiversity—usually by monitoring N Willow carrs biologists have identified numerous progress toward established biolog- N Kettle ponds occurrences of rare plants, animals, ical and programmatic goals. and combinations of plants that occur ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

in rare plant communities within this N Riparian system Defining watershed. Historically, much of the the Project N Aquatic system area was in large private ranches. Recently, many private land areas are

Using Results Conservation Developing being rapidly developed, while others to Adapt Action Strategies and and Improve Planning Measures are being protected by local and national organizations.

Implementing Strategies and Measures

The high ranking sources of stress, or “critical threats,” are 1. Inbasin water diversions for 4. Twin Lakes and Fry-Ark agriculture and development trans-mountain water diversions 2. Nonnative fish and whirling 5. Existing roads disease impact cutthroat trout 6. Chytrid fungus–disease of 3. Invasive plant species boreal toads 7. New sub-development 3 Water diversions, both in-basin and Long Term Ecological Goals Critical Threats trans-mountain, pose a serious threat The conservation targets found in the Effectively conserve all existing to downstream biodiversity by altering N Roaring Fork watershed are threatened conservation populations of the hydrologic regime. The native fish by multiple stresses, which can act community and Colorado River cut- Colorado River cutthroat trout and together to effect the viability or throat trout are adversely affected by establish or improve additional integrity of each ecological system. whirling disease and the management populations such that a total of 15 Based on surveys, interviews with land of nonnative fish. self-sustaining populations exist. managers, ecoregional assessment information and personal observations, Some invasive plant species affect N Conserve healthy aquatic communi- riparian areas in the Roaring Fork ties as indicated by the presence of we ranked the main sources of stress for each conservation target (see chart Watershed including Canada thistle, self-sustaining non-game native fish of “Threats to Conservation Systems” absinth wormwood, Dalmatian toad- populations, such as flannelmouth on page 9). flax, oxeye daisy, and tamarisk. These and bluehead sucker. invasive species may have detrimental

N Conserve and, where possible, The high ranking sources of stress, effects on native communities by improve/restore at least five viable or “critical threats,” are increasing competition and changing community structure. boreal toad populations. 1. Inbasin water diversions for N Ensure the persistence of all exam- agriculture and development In addition, some threats are localized in scope or only affect one species or ples of rare and imperiled riparian 2. Nonnative fish and whirling group of species. Boreal toads are plant and animal species, such as disease impact cutthroat trout seriously impacted by a single disease, willow hawthorn and black swift 3. Invasive plant species chytrid fungus. The operation of the (see Key Conservation Target list). dam along the Frying Pan River also 4. Twin Lakes and Fry-Ark N Conserve and where warranted, impacts the hydrologic regime down- trans-mountain water diversions improve all occurrences of rare and stream on the Frying Pan and Roaring imperiled riparian plant communi- 5. Existing roads Fork Rivers. ties, including rare willow carrs. 6. Chytrid fungus–disease of Conservation Objectives Protect and, where needed, restore boreal toads N The conservation goals for the Roaring functional riparian connectivity by 7. New sub-development Fork Watershed are to enhance the maintaining or restoring key areas These threats have direct and indirect viability or integrity of the riparian and of willows, cottonwoods, and other impacts on the integrity of riparian aquatic species and systems and abate native riparian shrubs. and aquatic ecological systems within the threats. the Roaring Fork Watershed. If not Objective 1: Through 2016, maintain abated, the critical threats will result or increase population size, extent, and in fragmenting of habitat and loss of purity of all existing cutthroat trout native species. populations.

Naturalist Workshop

Photo © TBD CO060831_D013.jpg Conservation Planning Participants:

N The Nature Conservancy

N Roaring Fork Conservancy

N US Forest Service

N Colorado Natural Heritage Program

4 Objective 2: By 2016, at least maintain Conservation Strategies Strategic Action 3 existing boreal toad populations and, To achieve the aforementioned MAINTAIN AND RESTORE AQUATIC where possible, restore or expand popu- objectives, The Nature Conservancy AND RIPARIAN HABITAT lations. and its partners will undertake the Develop and implement the Roaring Objective 3: Through 2016, maintain N following strategic actions. Fork Watershed Plan. and/or improve native fish communities. Strategic Action 1 Ensure that all key ditches have ditch Objective 4: By 2016, eliminate or N PROTECT KEY AREAS OF BMP’s in place and drought manage- eradicate woody invasives from Roaring PRIVATE LANDS ment plans. Fork riparian areas; keep all List A weed species and NZ mudsnail from estab- N Place conservation easements or N Ensure ecological flows in the Upper lishing in the watershed; prevent the other permanent protection with Frying Pan and Upper Roaring Fork expansion of the extent and eliminate effective conservation management Rivers through partnerships and pos- from some sub-watersheds key list B on high quality rare riparian commu- sibly instream flow designations. weed species; and prevent the expan- nities and species, focusing on Lower Strategic Action 4 sion of list C species. Frying Pan and Lower Crystal Rivers. LAND MANAGEMENT AND Objective 5: By 2016, identify and pro- Opportunistically protect “common” N RESTORATION: PUBLIC AND tect most of the high quality rare ripari- high quality riparian communities. PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS an communities and areas with Strategic Action 2 hawthorn, and 50% of “common” high N Support and build upon county and quality riparian communities on private RESTORATION OF KEY municipal weed control efforts, focus- lands in the watershed, and restore high AQUATIC SPECIES ing attention on a coordinated weed effort that targets riparian areas as a priority areas of riparian zone such that N Create and implement cutthroat trout the riparian zone and aquatic system are restoration and improvement plan for high priority for the control or elimi- functionally connected. Roaring Fork Watershed that is nation of invasive species. Objective 6: By 2016, identify and integrated with the watershed plan N Minimize the impacts of existing provide adequate water flows to support Colorado River cutthroat trout multi- roads, by decreasing density, and targeted species and natural communi- state and federal agency conservation employ best management practices ties that depend on aquatic and riparian agreement 2001. for the use of road chemicals and habitats in key places. maintenance. N Create and implement boreal toad Objective 7: Through 2016, identify recovery plan for Roaring Fork N Establish adequate riparian setbacks and minimize impacts from land man- Watershed, consistent with boreal which will buffer impacts to riparian agement activities, such as road and trail toad multi-state and federal agency and aquatic systems, especially in the impacts, in riparian and uplands in high conservation agreement 2001. lower portion of the watershed. priority areas. N Through further research and inven- Objective 8: By 2016, ensure that water tory, identify high priority reaches for quality throughout the watershed meets “protection” and restoration of native state standards for aquatic life. fish communities.

Mule Deer

Photo © Bob Gress The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.

5 Measuring our Success Two fundamental questions facing any conservation project team are: “How is the biodiversity doing?” and “Are the conservation actions we are taking having the intended impact?” To answer these questions, we evaluate a number of indicators that gauge the status of biodiversity and critical threats. Tracking progress toward our goals and evaluating the effectiveness of our actions provides feedback we need to adjust our priorities and strategies. Measuring results closes the loop of our conservation approach.

Overview of Priority Measures — Framework for the Roaring Fork Watershed Conservation Area

INDICATORS

THREAT MONITORING

1. Water Quality N Amount of degrading land uses N Amount of impervious surface N Amount of sediment in river N Number of reaches not meeting state standards 2. Invasive Species N Presence of invasive plants that significantly impact riparian areas N Presence of native and nonnative fish N Presence of whirling disease in potential cutthroat trout areas 3. Residential Development in Riparian N Proportion of riparian areas secured against development 4. Water Flow Regime N Fragmentation of system by dams and diversions N Number of stream reaches not meeting minimum instream flow N Timing and magnitude of flow regime compared to “natural”

PROGRESS MONITORING

5. Policies that protect riparian areas N County policies that eliminate development in riparian areas 6. Watershed plan N Presence of a watershed plan and implementation structure

VIABILITY MONITORING

7. Rare riparian plants, animals N Presence and condition of rare plant, animal and plant and plant communities community occurrences N Proportion of reaches with willow hawthorn 8. Colorado River cutthroat trout N Occupied stream miles N Purity of cutthroat trout populations 9. Boreal Toad N Recruitment and multiple age classes of toads within each population 10. Riparian condition and connectivity N Proportion of appropriate habitat with beaver N Percent of stream miles with greater than one mile of contiguous riparian habitat on both stream banks

Colorado River cutthroat trout

Photo © TBD BLM Utah Website

6 Biodiversity Viability or Minimum area needed to ensure sur- Threat Ranking Guidelines vival or re-establishment after natural Integrity Ranking System Threats are composed of stresses and disturbance is another aspect of size. The viability or integrity of the sources of stress (or “sources”). A selected conservation elements were CONDITION. This is an integrated stress is defined as a process or event assigned a rank using a four-level scale. measure of the composition, structure, with direct negative consequences on The viability or integrity ranking and biotic interactions that character- the biodiversity (e.g., alteration of system uses simple categorical ranks, ize the occurrence. This includes water flow into a marsh). The source of as follows: factors such as reproduction, age stress is the action or entity that pro- structure, biological composition duces a stress (e.g., channel building). VERY GOOD. The factor is functioning at its ecologically desirable status and (e.g., presence of native versus non- The planning team must identify and requires little human intervention. native species, presence of characteris- rank the stresses and sources for each tic patch types for ecological systems), of the species and ecological systems. GOOD. The factor is functioning structure (e.g., canopy, understory, and Guidelines for selection and ranking within its range of acceptable variation. groundcover in a forested community), of stresses and sources are below. However, it may require some human and biotic interactions (e.g., levels of The stress ranks and source ranks: 1) intervention to maintain this status. competition, predation, and disease). help elucidate the factors influencing FAIR. The factor lies outside of its LANDSCAPE CONTEXT. This is an that species and ecological systems and range of acceptable variation and integrated measure of two factors: subsequently, the necessary conserva- requires human intervention. If connectivity and the dominant envi- tion strategies, and 2) contribute to the unchecked, the target will be vulnera- ronmental regimes and processes that analysis of threats for the conservation ble to serious degradation. establish and maintain the occur- area. The stress and source rankings

POOR. Allowing the factor to remain rence. Dominant environmental are analyzed together via computer to in this condition for an extended peri- regimes and processes include her- provide threat ranks for the element. bivory, hydrologic and water chem- od will make restoration or preventing Stresses are ranked based on the sever- istry regimes (surface and groundwa- extirpation practically impossible. ity and scope of damage expected ter), geomorphic processes, climactic within 10 years under the current Integrity/Viability Criteria regimes (temperature and precipita- circumstances. Sources of stress are tion), fire regimes and other kinds of The assessment of viability or ranked based on the expected contri- natural disturbance. Connectivity integrity is based on three criteria: bution of the sources and the includes such factors as species having SIZE. This is a measure of the area or irreversibility of the impact. access to habitats and resources need- abundance of the conservation target ed for life cycle completion, fragmen- All these aspects are combined into or element’s occurrence. For ecological tation of ecological systems, and the an overall threat rank for a particular systems and communities, size is ability to respond to environmental source (i.e., operation of dams) to all simply a measure of the occurrence change through dispersal, migration, ecological systems. geographic coverage. For species, size or re-colonization. takes into account the area of occu- pancy and number of individuals.

7 Integrity Background Viability or Integrity Summary

Assessing the current condition LANDSCAPE VIABILITY/INTEGRITY CONTEXT CONDITION SIZE RANK of the biodiversity is critical in Upper Frying Pan River & the development of conservation FAIR GOOD GOOD GOOD Rocky Fork Creek strategies. Where viability and Upper/Middle Crystal River integrity are high, the strategy is GOOD GOOD VERY GOOD GOOD & Thompson Creek to prevent degradation. On the Middle Roaring Fork River Tribs other hand, if the integrity is GOOD FAIR GOOD GOOD (Snowmass Creek) poor, then restoration, reintro- Upper Roaring Fork River duction, or reclamation might be POOR GOOD GOOD FAIR above Aspen & tribs important actions to elevate the Roaring Fork River condition. FAIR FAIR FAIR FAIR Cattle Creek/4 mile/3 mile FAIR GOOD GOOD GOOD Integrity ratings are made using Lower Frying Pan River FAIR GOOD GOOD GOOD the best science available and often with vigorous discussion. Lower Crystal River FAIR FAIR GOOD FAIR The planning team develops Site Biodiversity Rank GOOD categories that define the relative condition in terms of size, ecolog- VERY GOOD Functioning at its ecologically desirable status. Requires little human intervention. ical condition, and the landscape GOOD Functioning within its range of acceptable variation. context. The team determines May require human intervention to maintain this status. which category best reflects the FAIR Outside its range of acceptable variation. current state at the project area. Requires human intervention. Vulnerable to serious degradation if left unchecked

Clearly, in deciding how to allo- POOR If condition remains for extended period, restoration or prevention of extirpation cate scarce conservation dollars, will be practically impossible. we should, where it is possible, focus conservation actions on the populations with the highest integrity or otherwise stated as the most likely to persist.

Collecting conservation data Peregrine falcon

Photo © J. Dale Swenarton Photo © Janet Haas

8 Threats to Conservation Targets UPPER/MIDDLE MIDDLE UPPER UPPER FRYING CRYSTAL ROARING FORK ROARING FORK CATTLE PAN RIVER RIVER AND RIVER TRIBS RIVER ROARING CREEK LOWER LOWER OVERALL & ROCKY THOMPSON (SNOWMASS ABOVE ASPEN FORK 4 MILE/ FRYING PAN CRYSTAL THREAT FORK CREEK CREEK CREEK) & TRIBS RIVER 3 MILE RIVER RIVER RANK

Inbasin diversions/development HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH

Nonnative fish HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH

Whirling Disease HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH

Inbasin diversions/agriculture HIGH HIGH HIGH MEDIUM HIGH HIGH

Invasive plants MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH HIGH HIGH MEDIUM HIGH

New Subdevelopment MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH HIGH MEDIUM HIGH HIGH

Existing Roads MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH HIGH Twin Lakes and Fry-Ark HIGH HIGH MEDIUM HIGH HIGH Transmountain Diversion

Chytrid Fungus HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH

Grazing Practices LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM

Operation of dam MEDIUM HIGH MEDIUM

Ski area expansion MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM

Potential logging LOW MEDIUM LOW

Oil and Gas Development MEDIUM LOW

Recreational vehicles LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW

Mining LOW LOW

Overall Threat Status HIGH HIGH VERY HIGH HIGH HIGH VERYVERY HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH VERY HIGH

LOW Threat is likely to slightly impair the ecological system over a portion of the area.

MEDIUM Threat is likely to moderately degrade the ecological system over some portion of the area.

HIGH Threat is likely to seriously degrade the ecological system over much of the area.

VERY HIGH Threat is likely to destroy the ecological system over much of the area.

Boreal toad

Photo © Geoff Hammerson(need permission)

9 Situation Analysis Process A good situation analysis diagram provides a team with a clear and common understanding of the context in which the project occurs. The model will show assumptions and potential obstacles as well as data gaps. The situation diagram process has proven useful and has lead to innovative and different strategies. The diagram seeks to demonstrate the complexity and interrelatedness of factors affecting biodiversity within the project area. Ecological systems, along with high priority dependent species—nested targets—are linked to ecological processes, and factors that directly impact the biodiversity and processes, resulting challenges, and key strategies.

How the System Works: Roaring Fork Watershed The situation diagram illustrates the interactions among the species and systems within a sub-watershed, threats, and the underlying causes and factors that influence the biodiversity of the Roaring Fork Watershed. The sub-watersheds of the Roaring Fork contain riparian and aquatic ecological systems. The hydrologic regimes that maintain these areas are also important aspects of this landscape. This biodiversity is impacted by many factors including water diversion for agriculture and home development, invasive plant and animal species, and operation of dams. The following are examples of how to read this diagram. Aquatic and riparian biodiversity in the Lower Crystal River are impacted by in-basin diversions for municipal and agricultural uses. A key strategy, restoration of key aspects of the hydrologic regime, will address the impacts of the in-basin diversions. The Lower Crystal River riparian areas are also degraded by invasive species and incompatible livestock grazing. Two key strategies, restoration of priority riparian areas and protecting priority areas, will address these issues.

Snowmass Creek

Photo © John Fielder

10 Conclusion The Nature Conservancy is proud to be working with public and private partners to achieve a common vision: to preserve the biodiversity of the Roaring Fork Watershed by protecting key parcels, creating incentives for compatible land management, and restoring ecological systems. This vision is achievable by leveraging our strengths to achieve tangible and lasting results. We believe that good science will be the cornerstone of our future success.

Olive-sided flycatcher

Photo © Jim Bailey (need permission)

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