BILLINGS — Federal wildlife officials said Monday they will review the status of Arctic grayling in Montana to decide if the fish species should receive greater protection on the upper Missouri River.
The review stems from a legal settlement with wildlife advocates who sued to force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to take action on hundreds of species. An earlier review, in 2010, found grayling warranted protections, but no action was taken because officials said other species took priority.
The Missouri River system upstream of Great Falls holds the only North American Arctic grayling population outside Canada and Alaska. The fish are related to trout and known for a colorful, sail-like dorsal fin.
An initial decision on whether to grant threatened or endangered status is due by Sept. 30, 2014. If federal officials propose more protections, a final decision would come a year later.
Despite the 2010 decision that more protections were warranted, Fish and Wildlife Service biologist James Boyd said a similar outcome is not guaranteed this time around.
Wildlife officials have been working with private ranchers to reduce impacts on grayling habitat from excessive grazing in the Big Hole River system, a tributary of the Missouri. Boyd said that’s led to new fencing to keep cattle away from rivers and streams.
“There’s been a lot of work done since then and the species was highlighted through that process so people are aware of the potential threats,” Boyd said.