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<br />DRAFT AND PRECISIONAL DOCUMENT - FOR COORDINATION COMMmEE REVlHW ONLY <br /> <br />to protect these flows, Means of protection will be attained through Tribal, State, and Federal <br />regulatory actions, <br /> <br />,-, <br />o <br />-:..:.) <br />'J <br /> <br />.....1 <br />o <br /> <br />4.3. IDENTIFY, PROTECT, AND RESTORE THE ENDANGERED AND <br />OTHER NATIVE FISH SPECIES OF THE SAN JUAN BASIN. <br />Protection and long-term management of the native fish community is best accomplished through <br />an approach lhat emphasizes an evaluation of historic and current communily structure dynamics, <br />Specifically, identification of lhe spatial and temporal distribution and abundance patterns of the <br />native fish species relative to man-caused alterations of the San Juan River is the focus of this <br />objective, In concert with research activities on physical environmental changes, fish community <br />data will provide necessary guidance for selection and implementation of management activities. <br /> <br />Paramount 10 identifying lhe level of recovery possible for the native fish species is the <br />characterization of the historic fish populations, including species diversity and abundance. To <br />gain a betler understanding of the changes from historic to current conditions, identification of <br />the status and trends of native fish species is necessary. Specific research activities are designed <br />to address the response of the current fish community to various flow regimes, Particular <br />emphasis will be placed upon the response of the native and non-native fish species to various <br />Navajo Reservoir releases, The life history of the endangered fish species will be determined <br />within practical limits, Movement and habitat use patterns, reproductive habits, and young-of- <br />year and juvenile distribution and occurrence will be emphasized. Efforts will be made to <br />determine the response of the endangered fish species, including abundance and distribution, to <br />flow regimes, <br /> <br />While efforts have been made to address fish health concerns in cultural and refugial <br />environments, minimal attention has been given to determining fish health issues in wild <br />populations, Studies of the San Juan River fish community have documented the widespread <br />occurreoce of external physical abnormalities, Initial results have indicated that bacterial <br />infections, presumably due to environmental stresses, are adversely affecting fishes. Additional <br />studies will be conducted to determine the identity, extent, and causes of fish health problems <br />in the San Juan River, <br /> <br />Studies are underway to evaluate the genetic distinctiveness of San Juan River populations of <br />Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker. These studies will be incorporated into any decision <br />regarding the necessity for establishment of refugial populations or gene banks, If deemed <br />necessary plans will be developed and implemented to protect the genetic resources of the <br />endangered fish species, The need for implemenling an augmentation effort to restore or <br />improve the status of endangered fish species will be determined and implemented, if necessary, <br />Currently, a captive-bred stock of razorback sucker from the San Juan River Arm of Lake <br />Powell is maintained in a refugia, A portion of these fish are being used in field studies to <br />delineate life history attributes of the species, These data will be used to determine the <br />feasibility, utility, and type of augmentation necessary to assist in recovery of razorback sucker. <br />Similar efforts for Colorado squawfish will be considered and evaluated, without interference <br />with ongoing research activities on the species, <br /> <br />7 <br />