9383

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9383
• Author: SWCA, I.
• Title: Recovery Goals for the four Colorado River Endangered Fish Species.
• USFW Year: 2000.
• USFW - Doc Type: Logan.
• Copyright Material: NO

and Deacon 1991).
evelopment of Recovery Goals and Criteria
process of downlisting and delisting described in this document is consistent with
provisions specified under Section 4(b), Basis For Determinations, and Section 4( f)( 1), Recovery
Plans, of the ESA. Recovery criteria for the four endangered fish species were developed by
identifying site-specific management actions and developing objective, measurable recovery
criteria. Site-specific management actions include institutional assurances and/or legal protection
to minimize or rem eats associated with the five listing factors under Section 4(a) of the
ESA (see Section 1 low), including protection of habitat and river flows. Objective;
measurable recovery criteria consist of target numbers of adults and subadults, and define viable
self-sustaining populations, as determined from population demographics, genetics guidelines,
and habitat carrying capacity. It is important to strike a balance between reasonably achievable
criteria and insuring the viability and security ofthe species beyond delisting.
These recovery criteria are provid d as a supplement to the four species recovery plans.
These criteria may be used by the U.S. E and Wildlife Service (Service) to develop Federal
Register announcements to downlist list the species. The recovery criteria presented in
this document are likely to be modified or revised, based on new findings and better information
on the life history of the species. Pe~iodic review of recovery plans (a status review of each listed
species must be conducted every 5 years; Section 4(c) ESA) provide the opportunity for these

revIsIons.

1.3 Definition of Recovery
Recovery of a species is defined as the point at which 'ld populations are secure and
self-sustaining with a minimum necessary investment of resources, and these populations no
longer need protection of the ESA. "Recovery is the process by which the decline of an
endangered or threatened species is arrested or reversed, and threats to its survival are
neutralized, so that its long-term survival in nature can be ensured. The goal of this process is
the maintenance of secure, selfsustaining wild populations of species with the minX'
necessary investment of resources. "(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1990c). The te recovery
is not specifically defined in the ESA. Section 4(t) of the ESA directs the Secretary 0 e Interior

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