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J 0005r~? v,... FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF NONNATIVE FISH SPECIES in FLOODPLAIN PONDS along the UPPER COLORADO AND GUNNISON RIVERS In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. Sections 4321-4361), as amended, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), as amended, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that an Environmental Impact Statement is not requi red for management and control of nonnative fish species in floodplain ponds along the Upper Colorado and Gunnison rivers. A notification letter of the proposed action and the intent to write an Environmental Assessment was mailed to agencies, organizations, and individuals who were considered potentially affected interests on April 30, 1997 for a 30-day review and comment peri od. A draft Envi ronmental Assessment was mai 1 ed to persons who responded to the notification and to other potentially affected interests on June 18, 1997 for a 30-day review and comment period. All comments that were received the public were reviewed and incorporated into the Final Environmental Assessment. In addition, major concerns or issues that were raised were addressed separately. Description of the Proposed Action Human alteration of the Upper Colorado River Basin (Figure 1) has resul ted in four endemi c fi shes (razorback sucker, Xvrauchen texanus; bonyta il, .G.i..l..a. el eqans; humpback chub, .G.i.la. cvpha; and Colorado squawfish, Ptvchocheilus lucius) being listed as "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act. Although numerous factors have contributed to listing these native fishes as endangered, several factors appear to be particularly important. Habitat alteration and introduction of nonnative fish species were considered to be the most important factors in the extinction of 40 native North American fishes (27 species and 13 subspecies) during the past century (Miller et ale 1989). These two factors 1