The Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Land Management have signed FONSIs on a proposal to implement several management actions in a 1.7-mile segment of lower Bonita Creek. Actions include the reapplication of rotenone to remove nonnative fish that pose a threat to five species of federally listed fish. Bonita Creek is situated within the BLM-administered Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, approximately 12 miles northeast of Safford, Arizona.

In 2007, Reclamation released an Environmental Assessment to evaluate a native fish restoration project that involved the construction of a fish barrier, application of rotenone, and reintroduction of several species of federally listed fish in lower Bonita Creek. The project was implemented in late 2008. In 2009, three species of nonnative fish again were detected in lower Bonita Creek. Biologists believe the continued persistence of these nonnative fish may jeopardize the existing native fish assemblage in Bonita Creek.

In December 2010, Reclamation issued a Revised Supplement to the 2007 EA to evaluate the environmental consequences of the proposed fisheries management actions. A copy of the FONSIs and Revised Supplement can be obtained by calling Reclamation's Environmental Resource Management Division at (623) 773-6251, by e-mailing jharagara@usbr.gov, or by downloading it from the Phoenix Area Office website at http://www.usbr.gov/lc/phoenix.

Questions may be directed to John McGlothlen at (623) 773-6256.