7282

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7282
• Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, R. I. P.
• Title: Final Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
• USFW Year: 1987.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver, Colorado.
• Copyright Material: NO

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1.1 PURPOSE
1.0 INTRODUCTION

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This document provides the framework upon which recovery of three species of
endangered fish and the management of a fourth fish species in the Upper
Colorado River Basin (1), is to be based and the concrete steps that are to be
implemented as part of a comprehensive program for all four species, herein
referred to as the recovery program. Three species, the Colorado squawfish,
humpback chub, and bonytail chub, have been listed as endangered by the
Secretary of the Interior under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The
fourth species, the razorback sucker, is a candidate for Federal listing under
this Act. The ultimate goal of this recovery program in the upper basin is to
recover and delist the three endangered species and to manage the razorback so
it would not need the protection of the Endangered Species Act.
This recovery program was developed as part of a cooperative effort that
involved many of the agencies and organizations that have an interest in how
the Upper Colorado River Basin and its resources are managed. Representatives
from the States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming; the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; water development interests;
and environmental organizations participated.
The States of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah play a key role in determining how
the river system's water resources are developed and have a corresponding
interest in legal requirements that could constrain water resource
development. At the same time, the States historically have been responsible
for management of fish and wildlife resources, including threatened or
endangered species that occur within their territories. Similarly, the U.S.
Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is a pivotal player. It is responsible
for operation of a number of Federal reservoirs on the system, ranging from
large reservoirs that are used to regulate deliveries under a set of
interstate compacts to smaller reservoirs that were constructed to ensure a
continuing supply of water for beneficial use. In addition, all Federal
agencies are bound by the requirements of the Endangered Species Act.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), through the Secretary of the
Interior, is responsible for administering the Endangered Species Act. In
carrying out its responsibilities, the Service is responsible for the
protection and recovery of endangered species (Endangered Species Act,
16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), including three fish species of the Colorado River
system. The Service also has responsibilities for the razorback sucker under
the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661) and
the Fish and Wildlife Act [16 U.S.C. 742f(a)(4)]. The Service provided the
organizational focus needed to develop this program in furtherance of its
duties under these Acts.
(1) This program applies to the Upper Colorado River Basin above Glen Canyon
Dam, excluding the San Juan River which is addressed in the Fish and Wildlife
Service's recovery plans for the endangered fishes. The Colorado River
Compact division point is at Lee Ferry, Arizona, below Glen Canyon Dam (see
Map 1-1).
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