Hotwater physa (Physella wrighti) COSEWIC assessment and upate status report: chapter 10
Existing Protection or Other Status Designations
This species is considered critically imperiled globally (G1Q), in Canada (N1), and in British Columbia (S1) (NatureServe 2007). COSEWICdesignated P. wrighti as Endangered in May 2000. In June 2003, P. wrighti was listed and protected as Endangered under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act based on the status designation by COSEWIC in May 2000. As such, P. wrighti is protected under SARA from killing, harming, harassing, capturing or taking and from the destruction of their critical habitat once identified.
Protection is afforded by the Fisheries Act (Canada) and the Park Act (B.C.). The Fisheries Act prohibits works that may result in harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat and prohibits the release of deleterious substances, such as contaminants, into fish-bearing waters. Under the Park Act the disturbance or destruction of habitat is prohibited except for the development of recreational services.
In accordance with SARA regulations, a recovery strategy for P. wrighti has been developed for this species (Heron 2007). The short-term objectives (by 2011) of the recovery strategy are: to ensure that the species’ current distribution in Alpha and Beta pools and Alpha Stream is maintained; to refine the understanding of the current distribution to better quantify this objective; to observe that the species’ current relative abundance is maintained; and to develop a methodology that increases survey precision. The recovery strategy recommends additional work to determine factors that define critical habitat; further recommendations to address threats and recovery are: population monitoring, protection through the LRHPP Master Plan, threat monitoring, and education to minimize impacts of recreational use within the park. An action plan will be completed by 2011.
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