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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The humpback chub (Gila cvpha) was listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and WHdlife Service on March 11, 1967. The original recovery plan .was approved on August 22, 1979, and revised on May 15, 1984. This is the second revision of the plan, The humpback chub is endemic to the Colorado River basin. Populations are currently loc~ted in the Colorado, Little Colorado, Green, and Yampa rivers. The largest population is located in the Little Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. The decline of the humpback chub may be due to a combination of factors such as: stream alteration (dams, irrigation, dewatering, and channelization); competition with and predation by introduced, nonnative fish species; hybridization with other Gila; and other factors. The goal of this recovery plan is the protection or ~estoration of five viable, self-sustaining populations of the humpbaCK chub within the Colorado River basin and the protection of the habitat utilized by these populations. Downlisting will occur when five, viable self-sustaining humpback chub populations have been located or reestablished. Delisting will be considered when five viable, self-sustaining populations and their habitats are protected. Major actions needed to achieve the recovery of the humpback chub are: Resolve taxonomic problems in Colorado River basin Gila. Identify and define humpback chub populations. Implement monitoring programs to determine the status and trends of humpback chub populations. Investigate the life history and ecological requirements of the humpback chub. Protect humpback chub populations and their habitats. Assess potential reintroduction or augmentation sites and implement stocking when deemed necessary and feasible. - Promote and encourage improved communication and information dissemination. - Determine biological criteria/objectives for downlisting/delisting the humpback chub. lhe humpback chub is being recovered in concert with the bony tail chub, Colorado squawfish, and the razorback sucker. The "Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin" (Recovery Program) identifies specific recovery tasks and strategies to be employed in recovering these fish in the Upper Colorado River Basin. The goal of the Recovery Program is to recover the Colorado River fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin, excluding the San Juan River, by the year 2003 at an estimated cost of $59 million. lhe Service considers the Recovery Program a stepdown effort of the recovery plans for the listed Colorado River fish and the primary mechanism for implementing this plan in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Development of a coordinated recovery program for the Lower Colorado River Basin is being planned. An estimated recovery cost and recovery date will be established for the Lower Basin during the development of this program. Recovery activities planned to date for the lower Basin will total at least $10 million for the humpback chub by the year 2003. iv