9417

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9417
• Author: U.S. Department of the Interior.
• Title: Final Environmental Assessment
• USFW Year: 1998.
• USFW - Doc Type: Acquisition and Enhancement of Floodplain Habitats along the Upper Colorado, Green, and Gunnison Rivers as part of the Recovery Program for Endangered Colorado River Fishes.
• Copyright Material: NO

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Wetlands/2
Historically, upper Colorado River basin floodplains frequently were inundated during
spring runoff. Today, much of the river is bounded by levees, dikes and rock structures that
prevent water from spilling onto the banks.
Under the wetlands proposal, federal agencies would develop agreements or purchase
easements from willing landowners to protect or enhance existing wetlands, allow riverside
flooding and allow access to the property for scientific study and monitoring.
Some key points of the initiative are:
-- The project is strictly voluntary. Landowners are under no obligation to participate and
would be compensated at fair market value for property rights if they choose to sell.
-- The preferred agreements would involve easements, not purchases, allowing original
landowners to maintain the property title. Floodplain activities that do not harm endangered fish
or their habitats would be allowed.
-- The project would help achieve progress toward recovery of endangered fish, which in
turn would be used as justification for future water development by the states of Colorado, Utah
and Wyoming.
For an advance copy of the draft environmental assessment, call or write Pat Nelson, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver, CO 80225, [phone], ext 226.
Comments are due March 20.
The Upper Colorado River Recovery Program is a cooperative effort aimed at recovering
endangered fish while also allowing for future water development for human purposes.