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Accordingly, it is very much to the point that P.L. 93-205, The Endangered Species Act of 1973, places a clear responsibility on the Department to consider these problems in any involvement in developing water supplies for energy in the Ya~pa, Green, and adjacent areas of the main stem Colorado River. For the four endangered species discussed above, although contractual studies are now under way for some, the specific information is not now available which would allow for water supply planning decisions that would eliminate the possibility of extinction of these species. This is an example of the environmental data gap which makes any precipitate decision on the location of energy development facilities and the source of water supply extremely perilous. The Federal-State streamflow study completed in 1974 for ,the Green River between Fontene11e Reservoir and Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming, is an example of the type of studies needed. The resultant report, entitled "The Fontene1le Green River Trout Fisheries - Considerations in Its Enhancement and Perpetuation, Including Test Flow Studies of 1973," contains detailed on-site observations under varying flow conditions that can provide accurate recommendations responsive to the needs of the aquatic resources. This is one of the few areas in the Upper Colorado River Basin where sufficient investigations have been conducted to substantiate the water needs peculiar to fish and wildlife. Similarly, the instream flow methodology developed as part of the Northern Great Plains Resource Program should prove increasingly use- ful in streamflow analyses in other river basins when field testing and refinement have been completed. Field studies are currently under way in some of the priority streams or stream segments within the Fort Union area of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Still in the formative stage, data already gathered have proved useful in developing water supply studies and in helping to determine alternative possibilities for storage site locations and capacities. Despite progress such as the above, the knowledge of water requirements specific to fish and wildlife needs in the Upper Colorado River Basin is generally lacking. Reliable data and an immediate ability to make valid, defensible recommendations as to the water quantities and regimens needed to support fish and wildlife resources are the exception rather than the rule. Fish and Wildlife Needs - Future requirements for fishing will be influenced by population growth within the region, by increasing demand from the rapidly expanding metropolitan areas outside the region, and by the growing number of visitors from more distant 47