Watershed-Wide Actions

2019

  • Incorporated data on the impacts of acid mine drainage, unconventional oil and gas development, and other habitat stressors into brook trout decision-support tools.
  • Incorporated data on brook trout population genetics into brook trout decision-support tools.
  • Streamlined the process through which Chesapeake Bay Program partners report on their progress toward restoring brook trout habitat.
  • Reviewed and refined the documents that guide our work with new knowledge about brook trout conservation.

2018

  • Informed state and local decision-makers of priority areas for brook trout conservation.
  • Worked with Chesapeake Bay Program communications experts to develop strategies and products to answer state and local decision-maker requests for information.
  • Used workshops and webinars to ensure brook trout decision-support tools inform state and local conservation plans.
  • Explored whether eDNA can be used as a cost-saving measure in brook trout monitoring.

2017

  • Identified 10 “Priority Level 1” areas for brook trout conservation. There are two areas in each of the five watershed states that are home to native brook trout.

Actions in Maryland

  • Track the work of the Department of Natural Resources to conduct a state-wide brook trout occupation census and genetics survey and analysis in the Upper Savage River watershed and Big Pipe Creek.

Actions in Pennsylvania

  • Track the work of the Fish and Boat Commission to monitor brook trout reintroduced to Limestone Run.

Actions in Virginia

  • Track the work of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to monitor brook trout populations in Little Stony Creek, the North River, the St. Mary’s River and other waterways; monitor stream temperatures in several wild brook trout streams; and determine the genetic composition and health of recently established brook trout populations.