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<br />OOiJ9J7 <br /> <br />Colorado; 2) removal of small nonnative fishes from Colorado River backwaters; <br />3) translocation of nonnative fish (primarily northern pike) from the upper Yampa River; <br />4) reduction of centrarchid sportfish sources through reclamation of ponds along the <br />Colorado and Gunnison rivers (pond reclamation involves removal of nonnative <br />centrarchids, installation of screening devices, and stocking with either endangered fishes <br />or sportfishes that will not threaten the endangered fish populations); 5) removal of <br />nonnative fishes (primarily northern pike) from the middle Green River; 6) removal of <br />catfish from the lower Yampa River; and 7) evaluation of nonnative fish escapement from <br />Elkhead and Starvation reservoirs. <br /> <br />3.4 Propagation and Genetics Management - This element supports recovery by producing <br />genetically acceptable hatchery fish for reintroduction to the wild and conserving the <br />genetic diversity present in wild fish in refugia populations. Approximately 10% of the <br />Recovery Program's FY 2002 budget will be spent in this area. <br /> <br />Propagation facilities at Ouray National Fish Hatchery, Wahweap, Grand Valley and <br />Mumma will continue to develop broodstock and produce endangered fish for stocking in <br />selected areas. Specific activities include: I) continued experimental stocking of bonytails <br />in the Colorado and Green rivers; 2) additional stocking and continued evaluation and <br />monitoring of experimentally stocked razorback suckers in the Green and Gunnison rivers; <br />3) producing fish to meet Colorado and Utah's stocking plans; 4) operating and <br />maintaining existing hatchery/refugia facilities; and 5) construction of a hatchery building <br />at the Wahweap facility. <br /> <br />3.5 Research. Monitoring. and Data Management - The Program conducts research in support <br />of recovery activities, monitors the status and trends of the endangered fish populations, <br />and manages an archive of data collected on the endangered fishes. Approximately 7% of <br />the Program's budget will be used for these purposes in FY 2002. <br /> <br />The Program began development of recovery goals for all four endangered fishes (in both <br />the upper and lower Colorado River basins) in FY 99. The draft recovery goals were <br />published in the Federal Register for public review and comment in late 2001; they will be <br />revised and finalized in 2003. The Recovery Program's monitoring program has been <br />revised to better reflect population status by focusing more on determining population <br />estimates than catch per unit effort estimates. Population estimate data will be collected <br />for humpback chub populations in Desolation/Gray Canyon and Cataract Canyon and <br />Colorado pikeminnow in the middle and lower Green River. Data management will <br />continue and larval fish identification will support dam operations. <br /> <br />3.6 Information. Education. and Public Involvement - In FY 2002, 2% of the Recovery <br />Program budget will go toward activities to promote public understanding, appreciation, <br />and support for endangered fish recovery efforts, and to involve affected local <br />communities in Recovery Program decision-making processes. <br /> <br />6 <br />