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190 VALDEZ AND MUTH and riparian area from grazing and human activiry. Signs describe this unique species and the importance of protecting the area, and there is general public sup- port for this conservation action. The population is self- sustaining and viable, and sampling and analytical tech- niques continue to be refined for a better understand- ing of population dynamics (Gryska 1997). Other Species Colorado River cutthroat trout.-Considerable progress has been made toward the long-term goals and objectives of the conservation agreement and strategy for Colorado River cutthroat trout in Colo- rado, Utah, and Wyoming. Known stream popula- tions in 1998 were about 30% of the long-range objectives for stream miles. All three states increased occupied stream miles by at least 29% and the over- all increase was 95% between 1998 and 2003. Conservation populations (less than 10% introgres- sion with nonnative trout) increased much more in lakes and reservoirs than anticipated. Eighty-seven per- cent of conservation populations occupied streams less than 11 km long, and 96% were in streams 16 km or less; some populations occupied streams up to 34 km in length. Seventy-one percent of known con- servation populations are core populations with less than 1 % introgression. Efforts are underway to es- tablish two metapopulations consisting of five inter- connected populations in each GMU, but these have been difficult to establish because of the simple and limited structure of the drainages. Each state has, or is working to, establish a brood population for each GMU, and distribution of Colorado River cutthroat trout has increased by reduced stockings of nonna- tive trout, removal of nonnative fishes from occupied waters, and use of brood or donor populations to ex- pand and increase numbers within historic range. The combined efforts of the conservation agree- ment and strategy signatories have greatly expanded the number of populations and occupied stream miles of Colorado River cutthroat trout since the agree- ment was formalized in 1999. Many long-range ob- jectives have been met and all signatories continue to work toward achieving remaining objectives and en- suring long-term species conservation. State adminis- trators continue to suppon and fund these conserva- tion efforts and promote the success of the program. Because Colorado River cutthroat trout is not listed under the ESA, local governments and private land- owners continue to support these conservation efforts and have become important partners in this effort. Roundtail chub, flannelmouth sucker, and bluehead sucker.-Six western states have signed a conservation agreement to expedite and implement conservation measures for these three species throughout their respective ranges as a collabora- tive and cooperative effort among resource agen- cies. Conservation strategies are being developed by each state and an assessment of conservation prospects is not possible at this time. Studies to as- sess status and trends of these three species in the upper basin are few and localized, and these strat- egies will help to synthesize information about the species and develop and implement appropriate conservation measures. Discussion Species conservation takes time and money, espe- cially in highly altered aquatic systems replete with complex institutional and legal constraints and dif- ficult biotic logistics, such as the Colorado River sys- tem. Human changes to the system over the last 150 years have led to the endangerment of some native fishes, and it will take substantial effort to restore habitat components necessary for their recovery and long-term conservation. It is a foregone conclusion that species recovery on the scale and complexity of the Colorado River system will require ongoing pub- lic involvement and commitment with reliable sup- port and funding. It is also evident that large-scale ecosystem restoration is not achievable for the Colo- rado River system, given the long history of complex habitat changes and ongoing human demands, and the most prudent approach to long-term species con- servation is wise management of available resources through involvement by all parties with vested inter- ests. Species recovery programs in the upper basin have adopted a multi-stakeholder approach in which federal and state agencies work cooperatively and collaborativelywith public and private interests. These stakeholders have realized that a balanced approach is necessary to conserve imperiled fish species while providing for human needs. The most effective stake-