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<br />Non-native fish stocking procedures <br /> <br />Only 14 fish species are native to the upper Colorado River basin; eight of these are either <br />endangered or are candidates for listing, In contrast, more than 40 non-native species have <br />been introduced to the basin and are believed one of the primary causes of the decline in <br />native Colorado River fish. To partially address this problem, in 1994 the Service and the <br />states of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming developed "Interim Procedures for Stocking of <br />Non-native Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin. . The purpose of the procedures <br />is to prevent non-native fish from escaping out of upper Colorado River basin ponds and <br />reservoirs and into the river. Stocking non-native fish for recreational fIShing in the upper <br />basin is still permitted, provided the stocking is consistent with endangered fISh recovery. <br /> <br />A team of federal and state biologists has revised the interim procedures, which have been <br />widely distributed to federal and state agencies and the public for information, review and <br />comment. This action is part of the scoping process for compliance with the National <br />Environmental Policy Act. Public meetings were held in Denver, Craig, and Grand Junction, <br />Colo., and Vernal Utah, to explain the purpose of the procedures, alternatives considered and <br />to solicit impacts from the procedures on the public. An Environmental Assessment will be <br />prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act that also will be widely <br />distributed for review and comment. Public notices will be published in key newspapers in <br />Colorado, Utah and Wyoming, informing interested individuals of how to obtain the <br />document. Public comments will be considered when the Environmental Assessment is <br />revised and a preferred alternative is selected. <br /> <br />Action: <br /> <br />Draft environmental assessment for non-native stocking procedures to be <br />mailed to appropriate agencies and public for 30-day review. <br />April 30, 1996, <br /> <br />Date: <br /> <br />Action: <br /> <br />Public meeting on draft procedures to be conducted in Grand Junction, <br />Colo. Meeting place and time will be announced when draft procedures <br />are sent out for comment. <br />May 21, 1996. <br /> <br />Date: <br /> <br />Action: <br /> <br />Second public meeting on draft procedures to be held. Meeting place and <br />time will be announced when draft procedures are sent out for comment. <br />May 22, 1996. <br /> <br />Date: <br /> <br />Date: <br /> <br />Public comments on draft Environmental Assessment due to: Mike <br />Stempel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, PO Box 25486, Denver, CO <br />80225. <br />May 30, 1996. <br /> <br />Action: <br /> <br />Questions? <br /> <br />Please call Henry Maddux at (970) 245-3920. ext. 29. <br /> <br />II <br />