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<br />VM~ <br /> <br />3. Evaluate the response of the river ecosystem (including the <br />response of native and nonnative fish populations) to <br />reconnection of the floodplain to the main channel of the <br />river. <br /> <br />There are three scales of evaluation in the Habitat Restoration <br />Program: <br /> <br />-Site-specific evaluation will entail a close look at a small <br />area (i.e., the site and its immediate surroundings), to <br />determine if the site is of benefit to razorbacks. Site- <br />specific evaluation will not be designed to determine if young <br />razorbacks are surviving to recruit into the adult population. <br /> <br />-Segment-specific evaluation will look at effects of <br />restoration on a section of river that includes several sites <br />(e.g., Levee Removal Strategy). This will tell us if <br />restoration of a series of floodplain habitats are of benefit <br />to razorback populations within given river segments. <br /> <br />-Basin-wide evaluation will monitor and evaluate effects of <br />restoration activities on trends in species abundance and <br />ecosystem parameters (i.e., the Basin-Wide <br />Monitoring/Evaluation Program, to be implemented on the Green <br />River during FY 96). This will tell us if we are moving <br />towards recovery. Based on Biology Committee recommendations <br />(December 11, 1995), the effort will focus on razorback larvae <br />and adults, and juveniles to the extent possible. <br /> <br />In each case, "success" will be defi ned pri mari 1 y as the <br />positive response of razorback suckers and other endangered <br />fishes to habitat restoration activities. The responses of <br />nonnative fishes will also be monitored and evaluated, to <br />determine effects of restoration activities on potential <br />predator/competitor species. <br /> <br />4. Conduct site-specific experimental manipulations at controlled <br />facil ities. <br /> <br />Field experiments in uncontrolled environments are difficult to <br />conduct. Therefore, controlled facilities will be developed, <br />as needs are identified, to adequately test hypotheses. A <br />variety of floodplain habitat types have been restored for <br />testing hypotheses related to how razorbacks (and other <br />species) will respond. For example, Old Charlie Wash (Green <br />River RM 250) and Walter Walker (Colorado River RM 164) are <br />large floodplain depressions; Adobe Creek (Colorado River RM <br />160) is a tertiary channel; and the Gravel Pit at 29 5/8 Road <br />(Colorado RM 174) is, of course, a gravel pit. Although <br />floodplain terraces are not controllable, their evaluations <br />will be compared to the controlled facilities as possible. <br /> <br />12 <br />