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the arid region." During the past 100 years, complex changes have occurred in <br />river morphology and aquatic fauna from water diversion, construction of large <br />dams, channelization, introduction of non-native fishes, and introduction of <br />non-native riparian vegetation. The goal of the Recovery Program is to <br />recover four endangered fishes that are endemic to the Colorado River system <br />so that they are viable and self-sustaining. <br />The affected environment also includes any sites that are used as refuges or <br />as propagation facilities to rear endangered fishes as required by the <br />Recovery Program. At the present time, the Recovery Program has use of two <br />permanent facilities: the Ouray Endangered Fish Facility downstream from <br />Vernal, Utah (Toney 1992) and the Horsethief State Wildlife Area downstream <br />from Grand Junction, Colorado. Feasibility and engineering design studies are <br />presently underway at two additional sites: the Craig Municipal Facilities <br />along the Yampa River near Craig, Colorado and the Wahweap State Fish Hatchery <br />in a dry wash of Lake Powell at Big Water, Utah (Wydoski 1994). Other sites <br />may also be used to hold or rear endangered fishes for the Recovery Program. <br />These will be approved by the Recovery Program participants. <br />Finally, the affected environment will include aquaria located in the Upper <br />Basin as well as in other locations in the United States that may display live <br />endangered fishes with interpretive displays. The fish will be provided to <br />these aquaria through proper permits issued under the Endangered Species Act. <br />ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES <br />1. No Action. All captive-reared endangered fish that are considered to be <br />surplus to Recovery Program needs would be retained in propagation <br />facilities but would not be stocked or euthanized. This alternative is <br />not appropriate because propagation facilities for endangered fish in the <br />Upper Colorado River Basin Recovery Program are limited and the space <br />must be allocated to species and stocks of endangered fish that are <br />identified as priority to the Recovery Program. Captive-reared <br />endangered fish that are considered surplus become detrimental to the <br />Recovery Program because available resources (e.g., facilities, space, <br />equipment, personnel and funds) must be directed at activities that are <br />designated as Program priorities. This alternative would preclude <br />implementation of actions that would contribute to recovery of the <br />endangered fishes because of the demand for resources. <br />2. Discontinue Propagation of Endangered Fishes. Propagation of captive- <br />reared endangered fish was identified under the Recovery Program element <br />of "native fish stocking". Captive propagation was identified as an <br />important management tool to provide protection of species or stocks at <br />risk of extinction in refuges and provide fish for research and <br />development, information and education, and stocking. <br />Pedigreed family lots of endangered fish stocks that are at risk of <br />extinction are being developed to form broodstocks. These broodstocks <br />are being developed with genetically sound protocols so that the genetic <br />diversity of the broodstocks is similar to the wild stock that was used <br />as founders. These broodstocks provide an "insurance policy" to prevent