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<br />~ <br /> <br />expands. We consider attempts to mechanically suppress predators ill advised at this time. <br />While this would provide important information, we feel the importance of maintaining this <br />community outweighs any benefits derived by research. This type of research should be delayed <br />until additional communities are established. We strongly recommend the pond be renovated in <br />the very near future. It is not entirely certain whether the community can be restored as easily as <br />it was established in 1993. <br /> <br />In conjunction with restoring CHLP,we recommend that a specific management plan be <br />developed which identifies and choreographs specific tasks, secures appropriate clearances, and <br />identifies parties capable or responsible for specific actions. If a plan is developed, we suggest it <br />be structured as a 'working document' to allow flexibility in adapting information that allows <br />management or research to be more effective. <br /> <br />The plan needs to identify the pond's purpose, realizing that management objectives may change <br />in time. We have discussed among ourselves the potential research benefits that could be <br />realized. However, due to the current status of the fish and the uniqueness ofthis community we <br />feel CHLP should initially be managed solely to maintain the native community. That action <br />would be invaluable in providing management-related information and experience needed to <br />expand these communities elsewhere. This and hopefully other facilities can 'be built where <br />native fish can live in a semi-natural habitat and be systematically studied to further understand <br />their ecology and determine ways to expand their communities to a more natural state. <br /> <br />a. Management Plan <br /> <br />The plan needs to be designed as a low-maintenance approach, maintaining the <br />level of activity that has occurred the past decade. Activities would include <br />maintaining adequate public signing, periodic monitoring, and annual fall <br />sampling. We recognize that refuge resources are strained and believe these types <br />of facilities can be designed to minimize maintenance costs. <br />i. The plan should identify primary and secondary goals. <br />11. The plan should identify entities responsible for specific management <br />activities, scheduling, environmental compliance, funding and field <br />activities. <br />iii. The plan should maintain an annual fall sampling effort to monitor fish <br />and determine the presence of unwanted predators. <br />IV. The plan should identify threshold events that would trigger management <br />responses. For instance, when non-native numbers exceed 5% of the <br />annual sample it would trigger a salvage and renovation program that <br />would be conducted the following spring when adults spawn and are most <br />susceptible to capture. It would identify where fish would be held or <br />released, sources of adults for restocking, and identify and obtain the <br />necessary environmental compliance. Based on the history of CHLP, <br />renovation may only be necessary once every 5-10 years. <br />v. Fish could be periodically harvested for use elsewhere during annual <br />monitoring. This could include all sizes of fish. Fish could augment river <br />stocking, be used to restock refuge communities, or be used for research. <br /> <br />20 <br />