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<br />0015~1 <br /> <br />STATUS OF ELEMENT 1.C <br /> <br />Onqoinq. Research and monitoring of native fishes in Grand Canyon, as well as their <br />predators, competitors, diseases, and parasites is being carried out largely under the <br />auspices of the GCMRC with funding provided to the GCDAMP. Much of the research <br />and monitoring work accomplished through GCMRC is accomplished through <br />competitive proposals that are peer-reviewed by independent scientists. Results of this <br />work are presented on a regular basis at TWG and AMWG meetings, and are published <br />as reports and peer-reviewed articles in technical journals. <br /> <br />ELEMENT 2 <br /> <br />Protect humpback spawning population and habitat in the LCR by being instrumental in <br />developing a management plan for the Little Colorado River. <br /> <br />PROGRESS ON ELEMENT 2 <br /> <br />Reclamation has stated previously that it does not have the authority or the responsibility <br />to implement the LCR management plan. Indeed, no single agency or entity has the <br />authority or responsibility to implement a management plan that would protect the <br />endangered humpback chub and its critical habitat from threats arising throughout the <br />basin. Watershed management, by its very nature, must be carried out as a cooperative <br />effort among government agencies and other entities that have authorities and <br />responsibilities for resources in the watershed area. We have agreed to cooperate with <br />those entities having the appropriate authority and jurisdiction in their efforts to fund and <br />implement the plan, and to participate in an appropriate organization to carry out the <br />plan. <br /> <br />After the Service reviewed the draft SWCA Little Colorado River Management Plan in <br />1999, it was revised and divided into a draft management plan and a supplemental <br />report. Subsequently, SWCA experienced a change in ownership, the lead author, Dr. <br />Valdez, left the company, and the contract for the work expired. SWCA finalized the <br />supplemental report (Valdez and Thomas 2001), but the management plan was not <br />completed. <br /> <br />In March 2002, Reclamation made a presentation to the Little Colorado River Multi- <br />Objective Management watershed group (LCR-MOM) on the need for a management <br />plan for humpback chub and our efforts in that endeavor. The LCR-MOM is an umbrella <br />watershed group having as members LCR basin subwatershed groups, Native American <br />tribes, and city, county, state, and federal agencies. At the meeting, LCR-MOM <br />representatives indicated that they were interested in partnering with Reclamation and <br />the Service in the development of the management plan. In subsequent conversations <br />with Ecological Services staff we confirmed that the Service also is supportive of this <br />approach. Therefore, we have agreed to work with the Service, LCR-MOM and other <br />watershed entities in developing a management plan, which will meet Reclamation's <br />commitment for this element of the biological opinion. <br /> <br />STATUS OF ELEMENT 2 <br /> <br />Onqoinq. Reclamation is working with the Service, LCR-MOM and other watershed <br />entities to develop a management plan that will satisfy this element of the RPA. <br /> <br />7 <br />