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X477 Wydoski REALISTIC MANAGEMENT OF ENDANGERED SPECIES--AN OVERVIEW Richard S. Wydoski Leader, Utah Cooperative Fishery Research Unit INTRODUCTION As a biologist with the Cooperative Fishery Research Program who is a federal employee, stationed at a university, and working with colleagues in several state and federal agencies, I have become acutely aware that opin- ions differ greatly among various individuals or agencies regarding the study, preservation, and management of threatened or endangered species. Although much controversy exists, each view may be legitimate for differ- ent and varied reasons. Therefore, the topic of this session on the "Realistic Management of Endangered Species" is appropriate and timely for this conference because the western states contain natural resources that are needed by our country, but the development or use of these resources could adversely affect a variety of threatened or endangered species. q ??5 b Water is one of the most precious resources, particularly in the arid and semi-arid west. The use of water and development of the rivers with dams and irrigation diversions allowed this region to be inhabited as our country expanded. Today, further development of water projects already in progress or planned could cause the extinction of several endangered fish in western waters. Although fish may be used more extensively as examples in this session, since we are meeting as the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society, the concepts apply equally to other organisms. In today's session, the management of endangered species will be dis- cussed from several points of view: the state agencies, federal government, and recovery teams. These views should provide a synthesis of various ideas for future consideration in the management of endangered species. This paper will begin the session by (1) providing a summary of fed- eral legislation, (2) discussing the moral obligation and rationale for the management of nongame species -- including threatened and endangered species -- and (3) offering some views of biologists for consideration in the real- istic management of such species. FEDERAL LEGISLATION McEvoy (1973),who has reviewed the American public's concern of the environment, stated that there have been surges and declines in the public's concern about America's natural environment over the past century. He pointed out that two world wars and a depression interrupted the public's concern for some time and that interest in the environment did not revive until the mid-1950s. McEvoy demonstrated that changes occurred in three indicators of environmental awareness beginning with the media, extending to voluntary associations, and finally reaching the public. Public concern was attributed to two trends: (1) an apparent increase in personal exposure to the natural environment, and (2) the rapid deterioration of many aspects 1977, Proc. Annu. Conf. West. Assoc. Game & Fish Comm. 57: 2 ?.3 , 18".