Snake Creek in Great Basin National Park has been without native Bonneville Cutthroat Trout since non-native trout forced them out. Now park officials want to reverse that.

The plan is just in the early stages, and Great Basin officials are seeking your thoughts and comments on the proposed plan as part of their environmental analysis.

The recovery program would see stocks of Bonneville Cutthroat Trout moved into Snake Creek (and other suitable stream areas) with the cooperation of the Nevada Division of Wildlife. Of course, first they'd have to remove all the non-native fish in the creek.

If the plan moves ahead, it would return the native trout species to nearly 6 miles of historic habitat and provide the longest contiguous habitat in the South Snake Range, according to the park.

"Like most streams in the South Snake Range, more aggressive non-native fish were introduced in the late 19th century, and they eventually eliminated the BCT and other native nonsalmonids," say park officials.

The proposed project is consistent with the 2006 National Park Service Management Policies, the park’s 1992 General Management plan, and the 2006 Conservation Agreement and Conservation Strategy for Bonneville Cutthroat Trout in the State of Nevada.

This is the last stream slated for BCT reintroduction in Great Basin National Park as the project will fulfill the Park Service’s commitment under the 2006 Conservation Strategy.

You can comment on the plan at this site.