In Montana, the Arctic grayling, a cold-water fish known for its distinctive sail-like dorsal fin, is fighting for survival. The Big Hole River, where the last native river-dwelling population in the lower 48 states resides, is a critical battleground.

The fate of this species, once abundant across the upper Missouri River basin, now rests in the hands of federal courts and conservationists who argue that the fish requires urgent protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

 

A Long History of Legal Struggles

The plight of Montana's Arctic grayling has been a source of contention for decades. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) first recognized the species' need for protection as far back as 1982 but delayed action, citing other priorities. In 1991, a formal petition to list the grayling under the ESA was submitted, leading to a series of legal and bureaucratic battles that continue today.

Despite intermittent legal victories for conservationists, the FWS has repeatedly denied ESA protection, most recently in 2020. However, as The Wildlife News reports, a recent court ruling in August 2024 ordered the FWS to reassess its decision, citing failures to consider the most up-to-date scientific research and the potential expiration of key conservation agreements.

Conservation groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity and the Western Watersheds Project, have been relentless in their efforts to secure federal protection for the grayling. They argue that the species is on the brink of extinction due to a combination of habitat degradation, climate change, and human activities such as irrigation withdrawals, which reduce river flows and raise water temperatures. These factors have decimated the grayling's habitat, confining them to a fraction of their historic range. 

 

The Big Hole River: A Last Stronghold

The Big Hole River, a vital lifeline for the grayling, is facing significant environmental pressures. Low water levels, driven by irrigation and drought, have made the river increasingly inhospitable for cold-water species like the grayling.

Conservation agreements, such as the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA), have been implemented to mitigate these threats. However, these agreements are set to expire in 2026, and there is no guarantee they will be renewed, the Daily Montanan reports. The CCAA, which involves over 30 private landowners managing nearly 150,000 acres of land, aims to protect the grayling by improving habitat conditions along the Big Hole River.

According to The Wildlife News, participants agree to adjust their water use during critical low-flow periods, providing some relief to the grayling. However, critics argue that these voluntary measures are insufficient. They contend that without mandatory federal protections, the species will continue to decline, and the river-dwelling grayling could be lost forever. 

 

Climate Change: An Escalating Threat

The impact of climate change on the Arctic grayling cannot be overstated. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are exacerbating the challenges faced by this cold-water species. The grayling is particularly vulnerable to warmer water temperatures, which can be lethal, according to Explore Big Sky.

During periods of drought, reduced snowpack and earlier spring runoff lead to lower river flows in the summer, when the grayling need cold, oxygen-rich water the most. Patrick Kelly, the Montana and Washington director of the Western Watersheds Project, described the grayling as a "swimming thermometer," indicating broader ecological distress in Montana's rivers.

"The water flows are so low and the water temperatures are so high," Kelly told Explore Big Sky. "This is sounding the alarm.” 

 

Federal Protection or Extinction?

The recent court ruling offers a glimmer of hope for the Arctic grayling, but the path forward is fraught with uncertainty. Conservationists hope that the FWS will heed the court's directive to reassess its decision with a renewed focus on scientific evidence and the realities of climate change. They argue that listing the grayling under the ESA is not just about saving a single species; it is about preserving an entire ecosystem that supports a diversity of wildlife and maintains the ecological balance in Montana's rivers.

Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity, emphasized the urgency of the situation.

"Just a couple of bad years on the water and Arctic grayling could be extinct from Montana rivers," Greenwald warned. "Scientists from around the world are warning that we are in an extinction crisis, and the grayling is a part of that.”

The decision to list the grayling as an endangered species would trigger federal protections, including the development of a recovery plan aimed at addressing the threats posed by irrigation, habitat loss, and climate change. It would also provide the legal framework necessary to enforce stricter conservation measures and ensure that the grayling's habitat is preserved for future generations, according to the Montana Standard. 

 

The Grayling's Fight for Survival

The Arctic grayling's struggle is emblematic of the broader challenges facing many species in the age of climate change. The outcome of this legal battle will have significant implications, not only for the grayling but for the health of Montana's rivers and the wildlife that depend on them.

As the FWS prepares to revisit its decision, the hope is that science, rather than politics or economics, will guide the process. Whether the grayling can be saved from the brink of extinction remains to be seen, but the urgency of the situation is clear. The time to act is now, before it's too late.

Click below to take action for the Arctic grayling!