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<br />
<br />Wetland preserved
<br />for fish, wildlife
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<br />The Bureau of Reclamation has pur-
<br />chased a 153-acre wetland near Grand
<br />Junction, Colo.. preserving valuable habi-
<br />tat for endangered fish and other wildlife
<br />in the Grand Valley.
<br />Flowing along the northern border of
<br />this marshy. wooded picturesque parcel of
<br />land is the Colorado River, which here
<br />splits into the side channels, pools and
<br />backwaters favored by Colorado squaw-
<br />fish and razorback suckers.
<br />"A high concentration of endangered fish
<br />use this area:' said Pat Nelson, a biologist
<br />who heads up the Recovery Programs flood
<br />plain restoration efforts. ''Now that the land
<br />has been protected it can continue to help
<br />with the fishes' recovery for years to come."
<br />
<br />The fact that these razorhackri sur.
<br />viFed aloflg'iide tltese other fishes is.
<br />in my opinion. the most significant
<br />..fInding ;11 ,he history oflhe Recovery
<br />Program. '
<br />
<br />- Pat Nelson
<br />
<br />Nelson hopes to identify similar wet-
<br />lands in other portions of the Colorado.
<br />Green and Gunnison rivers, As these areas
<br />are pinpointed, Recovery Program staffer
<br />Dave Saker will take the reins, offering to
<br />acquire or lease the property from
<br />individuals willing to allow their land to be
<br />used for endangered fish habitat.
<br />
<br />Razorbacks survive despite daunting odds
<br />The benefits of wetlands to native fish
<br />and the river habitat are indisputable.
<br />
<br />
<br />Photo by Greg Corle
<br />Endangered fish and a variety of birds
<br />and other wildlife can continue to call this
<br />area home, now that the Bureau of
<br />Reclamation has purchased the property.
<br />
<br />Nelson says. He cites an illlustrative flood
<br />plain near Ouray, Utah, called "Old Charlie
<br />Wash," which enabled 45 newborn razor-
<br />back suckers to survive last year. despite a
<br />preponderance of non-native carp. fathead
<br />minnows, green sunfish and red shiners.
<br />The total weight of the non-native fish col-
<br />lected was a whopping 6 tons.
<br />"The vegelation in the flood plain pro-
<br />vided the cover the fish need," Nelson
<br />said. "The fact that these razorbacks sur-
<br />vived alongside these other fishes is, in my
<br />opinion, the most significant finding in the
<br />history of the Recovery Program."
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