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1 fish in the upper basin including details such as species, size of fish, timing of release, location of release, genetic risks, and a description of how evaluation of the stocking will be made. Stocking plans are prepared for all experimental, augmentation, and restoration stocking and must be approved through the Program before captive-reared endangered fish are produced and stocked into the upper basin. These plans must also be cleared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for issuance of a Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit or a supplemental permit and Section 7 consultation under the Endangered Species Act to ensure that stocking of captive-reared endangered fish will not jeopardize wild stocks. C. Genetics Conservation Principles and Assumptions. The following genetics conservation principles and assumptions must be considered to maintain the genetic diversity of endangered fish stocks in the upper basin: o Conservation of genetic diversity is fundamental to both short-term ecological adaptation and long-term evolutionary potential of a species since genetic variation is the raw material upon which natural selection acts. o Genetic diversity in endangered fish stocks allows for adaptability to various environmental conditions. o All management activities in the Upper Colorado River Basin may affect the genetic diversity of various endangered fish stocks. o Accordingly, all proposed management activities in the Upper Colorado River Basin will be evaluated with consideration to potential genetic risks to endangered fish stocks, especially if the risks includd` genetic losses that may become irreversible. o Irreversible loss of genetic diversity in endangered fishes in the Upper Colorado River can be avoided or minimized through rational and systematic planning. o Adaptive management (Boyce 1993; Ludwig et al. 1993; Walters and Hillborn 1978) should be employed in recovery of the endangered fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Since there is no "track record" for determining if recovery actions are correct for the upper basin, all actions should be thoroughly evaluated so actions are completed systematically and adjustments or refinements made as needed to obtain the desired response from the endangered fishes. D. Opgortunities for Effective Management of Genetic Resources. Some recovery actions have higher priorities than others with regard to protecting and maintaining the genetic diversity of endangered fish stocks in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Application of management opportunities by priority (Box 2) will ensure that recovery is done in a way that will maintain genetic diversity of endangered fish stocks or cause the least adverse affects on these stocks. Recovery emphasis will be on preserving and enhancing natural habitats so that the endangered, fishes can be recovered from wild stocks. However, captive propagation and stocking can be useful tools in recovery efforts where wild stocks are low in number (e.g., razorback suckers in the upper Colorado River and Colorado squawfish in the Gunnison River between Redlands Irrigation /; 21