Blue Ribbon Fisheries Program Utah

Utah Blue Ribbon (click image for detail)

Blue Ribbon Fisheries Program - A good idea whose time has finally arrived

By Jim Carter
Blue Ribbon Fishery Advisory Council Member

Governor Michael O. Leavitt introduced the concept of Blue Ribbon fisheries in his State of the State Address in January 2001. He said Blue Ribbon fisheries would benefit the people of Utah and indicated he would ask the legislature for money for a Blue Ribbon Fishing initiative to improve fishing for the general public and to increase angling opportunities throughout the state. The governor also hoped this initiative would help the economic development of rural Utah, and the Blue Ribbon program can do just that.

While the legislature was deciding the amount of money to give the Blue Ribbon program, the governor held a meeting where he outlined the concept and the goals of the program. In attendance at this meeting on Feb. 6, 2001 were members of the Utah Legislature, the directors of the Department of Natural Resources and the Division of Wildlife Resources, members of angling organizations throughout Utah, and owners and operators from the sporting goods industry. As the governor talked with and listened to experts from the group, he outlined and presented to them the Blue Ribbon Fishery concept and goals. He indicated he would appoint a 13-member council to work with the director of the Division of Wildlife Resources to:

Identify waters in Utah that could be designated as Blue Ribbon quality as they now exist. Identify waters that could meet Blue Ribbon standards with help in the form of increased angler access, restoration work, improved water quality and better fishing. Provide protection for Blue Ribbon waters to maintain the high quality of their fisheries. Provide new angling experiences on waters that have not been available to anglers in the past. Provide information about Blue Ribbon waters so the angling public could increase their angling experience and easily locate waters of Blue Ribbon quality. Increase economic opportunities for rural Utah through the program. Provide a legacy for Utah that includes quality streams and flat water areas the public can take pride in while enjoying the state's incredible beauty. Utah State Legislative House Bill (HB) 338 was introduced in the 2001 Legislature. The bill set aside $300,000 from the state's general fund for the "development and preservation of high quality aquatic systems to produce healthy fish populations for angling and aesthetic experience." The legislature passed the bill and Gov. Leavitt signed it into law on March 17, 2001 to become effective July 1, 2001.

With the passage of this law, Gov. Leavitt appointed 13 people representing angling organizations, retail trade, and the general public to serve on the Blue Ribbon Fishery Advisory Council (BRFAC), which would be administered by the Division of Wildlife Resources.

With the program's goals and concepts in hand, and $300,000 provided through the legislature, the newly appointed council went to work, meeting monthly to decide how to accomplish the program's objectives.

The council first defined a mission statement, set goals and criteria for identifying waters that were now at Blue Ribbon status, and waters that could reach that status with some help. To accomplish this task, the council met with the DWR, which had classified the state's waters years earlier. Council members met in each of the DWR's five regions and talked with aquatic biologists to get their input on the status of waters in their region. They then compared this information with the council's criteria for Blue Ribbon status. Each water was then discussed to determine that water's status and identify any areas of concern.

With this first step completed, council members compiled a list of waters in Utah that already met Blue Ribbon status. They then compiled a second list of potential Blue Ribbon waters, noting why they were potentials. Criteria such as angler access, water quality, fish populations, water quantity, and the amount of major work it would take to meet the BRFAC standard were considered. With these two lists, the council held public meetings in each of the five regions to gather public input and to inform the public of waters in their region that met the criteria for Blue Ribbon fishing status, or had the potential to be Blue Ribbon waters.

The criteria for a water to be selected as a Blue Ribbon fishery were established as follows:

Water quality and quantity: A body of water, warm or cold, flowing or flat, will be considered for Blue Ribbon status if it has sufficient water quality and quantity to sustain a viable fishery.

Water accessibility: The water must be accessible to the public.

Natural reproduction capacity: The body of water should possess a natural capacity to produce and maintain a sustainable recreational fishery. There must be management strategies that will consistently produce fish of significant size and/or numbers to provide a quality angling experience.

Angling pressure: The water must be able to withstand angling pressure.

Specific species: Selection may be based on a specific species.

Since a significant amount of evaluation is required, the DWR aquatic staff from each region provides basic and scientific information. They also accompany the council on field trips to see waters their region feels are eligible for Blue Ribbon status. They also visit waters that need help and let council members know what help is needed. With this teamwork, the Blue Ribbon Fishery Advisory Council has been able to compile a list of waters meeting the criteria for Blue Ribbon status.

This list will be presented to Utah's five public Regional Advisory Councils and the Utah Wildlife Board as an informational item. After this process is completed, the list will be sent to the director of the Division of Wildlife Resources for his approval. Once the waters are approved, Blue Ribbon status will be assigned to each one. Approved waters are then eligible for special protection and signage and publication as a Blue Ribbon fishery, which will help anglers locate top-quality fishing waters throughout Utah.

Accomplishments the Blue Ribbon Fisheries Advisory Council has realized to date include:

Listed waters that now meet the standard for Blue Ribbon status. Listed waters which, with work, could become Blue Ribbon waters. Developed a funding source to provide money for the improvements required to upgrade potential waters. Provided a funding source to ensure that qualified, trained personnel do the actual work on upgrading projects. Requested law and regulation changes to protect the waters, fish, and the public money spent. Evaluated areas of concern that could affect Blue Ribbon fisheries. Developed close working relationships with the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, the School and Institutional Trust Lands Association, private land owners, American Indian tribes, and state and local governments, to ensure everyone is working together to maximize the monies available for these activities. Strived to keep the public informed of all activities within the Blue Ribbon program. The Advisory Council is just that — an advisory council that puts a plan together to identify waters that meet Blue Ribbon fishery standards and then provides recommendations to the director of the Division of Wildlife Resources about which waters should receive Blue Ribbon status.

Blue Ribbon fisheries are not a new concept. Many states have used this concept for years to improve angling and increase angling satisfaction. Utah has much to offer the angling public and also has a chance to increase economic growth in Utah through its Blue Ribbon Fishery program.