Plan Aims to Lift Protections on Bull Trout

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Federal officials are releasing a plan to recover struggling bull trout populations in five Western states with the goal of lifting Endangered Species Act protections.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the draft plan for six recovery units spread over Idaho, western Montana, Washington, Oregon and a tiny portion of northern Nevada will be released Thursday.

Bull trout require pristine conditions and were listed as threatened in the Lower 48 states in 1999.

Steve Duke, the agency's bull trout recovery planning coordinator, says the plan doesn't dictate actions but urges land managers to look at ways to keep water in streams clean and cold.

Public comments will be taken through July 20. The agency plans to use the input to prepare a final plan by Sept. 30.