Who would of thought this little Green Sunfish could be such a threat to the Grand Canyon waters.

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Invasive Green Sunfish to
be Removed from
Backwater Slough in
Colorado River
1Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

2. 223,217,31
The National Park
Service (NPS) and
Arizona Game and
Fish Department
(AGFD) will
administer two
treatments of the
fish toxin rotenone
to eliminate
invasive Green
Sunfish (Lepomis
cyanellus) from a
backwater slough,
located on the
Colorado River
within Glen Canyon
National Recreation
Area, three miles
below the Glen
Canyon Dam.
2Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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The first
treatment is
planned
between
Nov. 2 - 6,
followed by
a second
treatment 10
days later to
address fish
that may
have
hatched
after the first
treatment.
3Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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The treatments will be applied by AGFD biologists,
pending approval by the Arizona Game and Fish
Commission. The cobble bar area surrounding the
slough, the slough itself, and a short distance up
and downstream will remain closed to the public for
the duration of both treatments.
4Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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In July, AGFD biologists discovered an unusually
large, reproducing population of invasive Green
Sunfish in the slough. Green Sunfish are prolific, with
a single female producing up to 10,000 eggs.
5Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

6. 223,217,31
Biologists with the AGFD, NPS, U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(FWS), and Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)
determined that Green Sunfish pose a threat to
native fish including the Humpback Chub.
6Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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A rapid response action is necessary to
eradicate the population of sunfish before it
spreads downstream into critical habitat for
the endangered Humpback Chub.
7Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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The treatment will be carefully planned and
conducted to minimize exposure to
rotenone to protect the health and safety of
humans, the environment and livestock.
8Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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Rotenone is a natural substance derived
from plant roots. It has been effective at
eliminating localized populations of Green
Sunfish, including in the Colorado River
Basin.
9Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

10. 223,217,31
Between eight
and 30 gallons
of rotenone
will be
applied to
treat the
slough.
Fish will be
removed from
the area
following
treatments.
1Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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Should any rotenone
enter the main channel,
it will be diluted to
concentrations that are
insignificant to wildlife or
humans, because of the
volume of flow in the
Colorado River, which will
be held at 9,000 cubic
feet per second by the
BOR for three days during
the treatments.
1Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

12. 223,217,31
www.explorethecanyon.com
Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center
450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023
Phone: (928)638-2468
Group Reservations and Special Events
Phone: (877)239-3235
Fax: (928)638-2807
E-mail: group2@ngvccanyon.com
Visitor Center Hours of Operation
March - October open 8:00 am -10:00 pm
November - February open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
1Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468