Darter "downlisted"

Rowan Gould, director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, takes a look at a container of Okaloosa darters March 28 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The small fish, whose habitat is almost exclusively on the Eglin ranges, became the first-ever fish on DoD lands to be reclassified on the endangered species list. It remains in the “threatened” status, but due to major erosion control efforts by 96th Civil Engineer Group’s Natural Resources Management Section and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the population has tripled since 1995, bringing the species back from the brink of extinction. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

Small wonder

The Okaloosa darter, whose habitat is almost exclusively on the Eglin ranges, became the first-ever fish on DoD lands to be reclassified on the endangered species list. It remains in the “threatened” status, but due to major erosion control efforts by 96th Civil Engineer Group’s Natural Resources Management Section and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the population has tripled since 1995, bringing the species back from the brink of extinction. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

Old friends

Terry Yonkers, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics and Col. Sal Nodjomian, 96th Air Base Wing commander hear some facts about the Okaloosa darter March 28 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The small fish, whose habitat is almost exclusively on the Eglin ranges, became the first-ever fish on DoD lands to be reclassified on the endangered species list. It remains in the “threatened” status, but due to major erosion control efforts by 96th Civil Engineer Group’s Natural Resources Management Section and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the population has tripled since 1995, bringing the species back from the brink of extinction. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Samuel King Jr.)

Eglin efforts help reclassify endangered local fish

Published March 29, 2011
By Samuel King Jr.
Team Eglin Public Affairs

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A small fish, whose habitat is almost exclusively on the ranges here, became the first-ever fish on DoD lands to be reclassified on the endangered species list.

The Okaloosa darter still remains in the "threatened" status as of March 28, but due to major erosion control efforts by 96th Civil Engineer Group's Natural Resources Management Section and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the population has tripled since 1995, bringing the species back from the brink of extinction.

"This day could not have happened without the partnership of Eglin and the Air Force," said Rowan Gould, director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, at a special ceremony at the Air Force Armament Museum, honoring the achievement.

The darter, which is approximately one to two inches long, has been on the endangered species list since 1973. Jackson Guard and fish and wildlife personnel began restoring the darter habitat in 1994. The first rehabilitation project began in 1998.

Protecting and preserving the darter means better water quality, better habitat, and a better downstream environment for all the other creatures that share this habitat, according to Mr. Gould.

"Eglin has been an outstanding natural resource partner through the years, not only for the darter, but for all the species and habitats on the reservation," said Mr. Gould.

The joint efforts have restored 534 acres at clay pit sites that were causing sedimentation of the darter habitat. Also road crossing structures were replaced or removed to allow proper movement of creeks and streams.

Approximately 356 1.5 acre sites have been restored and are monitored for three to five years to insure site integrity.

"Vigilance is never complete," said Terry Yonkers, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics. "These habitats will continue to be monitored so the darter population continues to flourish. These efforts not only help the darter, but benefit the entire region."