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in floodplain areas. thereby increasing the probability of escapement into the river. 2. Recreation: Recreational opportunities in Utah and Wyoming would be unchanged, or show a slight increase if nonnative abundance increases dramatically. Recreational fishing opportunities would also remain about the same in Colorado. As ponds are reclaimed through Recovery Program efforts, some waters may be restocked with sport fish by the Colorado.Division of Wildlife or aquaculture industry. 3. Recovery of Endangered Fishes: Efforts to reduce impacts of 4. nonnative fishes on the endangered fish would be circumvented. Introductions of new species and hybrids would likely increase over time. Abundance and occurrence of nonnative fishes may increase. All this would result in endangered fish populations remaining near present levels, with little chance of recovery. 4. Economy:- Recreational expenditures would remain the same or increase. Increased demand for fish from the aquaculture industry for stocking into private ponds would occur. The ability of the Recovery Program to serve as a reasonable and prudent alternative for future water development would be significantly diminished, affecting not only Colorado, but Utah and Wyoming also. Without the Recovery Program continuing to make sufficient progress towards recovery, billions of dollars of water development and subsequent economic growth could be impacted. Positive biological responses to other recovery efforts would be hindered by increased negative interactions with nonnative fishes. B. Alternative 1. 1. Aquatic Biological Resources: The case by case review process would help to insure that no fish species known to adversely effect the endangered fishes would be stocked in areas or situations where they could escape to the river. Some nonnative fish species would decrease in abundance in the riverine habitats, thus slightly increasing the likelihood of survival for the endangered fishes. Nongame nonnative fishes with established riverine populations would continue to be a major problem. 2. Recreation: Existing recreational opportunities in Utah and Wyoming would be unaffected by this alternative. In most cases, future private ponds wishing to have fishing would have to purchase trout rather than warmwater fishes from the aquaculture industry. Ponds would probably not be suitable for trout during summer months. Fishing in private ponds would be concentrated during spring and fall months. If the same level of warmwater fishing opportunities in Colorado are to be maintained. Colorado and the Recovery Program would have to seek opportunities elsewhere. This might include agreements with entities such as water districts that own waters not currently available to the public for fishing. Berming of public waters to FEMA standards would likely be required to maintain warmwater fishing. Warmwater fishing opportunities would continue to be provided, but at a greater cost to 28