9377

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9377
• Author: Colorado Water Workshop.
• Title: 16th Annual Colorado Water Workshop.
• USFW Year: 1991.
• USFW - Doc Type: Western State College.
• Copyright Material: NO

be included in the federal budget for FY 92.

There has been some controversy over the matter of water "needed"
for endangered fishes. Questions have been raised by water users
and other Recovery Program participants regarding the methods
used by the Service to develop flow recommendations. and the
resulting magnitude of the flows said to be needed for endangered
fishes recovery. The methods used by the service will be under
review during 1992 in hopes of eliminating the controversy
associated with flow recommendations.

Water users support the appropriation and acquisition of water
for endangered fishes in accordance with state law. Efforts to
acquire and appropriate water are proceeding on several fronts.
Water users are skeptical of flow recommendations which indicate
all the water in the system is needed for recovery. or that more
water has been available historically is needed for recovery.
particularly when questions regarding the methodology for
developing flow recommendations remain unresolved. Water users
support efforts to resolve those questions in an expeditious
manner.

Balancing Recovery Program Activities

Both stocking and water acquisition play vital and important
roles in the recovery of endangered fish species in the Upper
Colorado River Basin. and both should be pursued vigorously.
Water acquisition alone will not lead to recovery. Intelligent
application of stocking is needed. In addition. two other needs
of the Recovery Program must be fulfilled:

1) nonnative fish which are preying upon native fish must
be controlled: and

2) specific quantifiable recovery goals need to be
established for each of the endangered species.

Water users will continue to support the Program in the Upper
Colorado River Basin as long as it meets the basic objectives of
1) recovering endangered fish. 2) allowing water development to
proceed without conflict with the Endangered Species Act. 3)
recognizing state water rights systems and interstate compacts.
and 4) distributing the cost of recovery equitably. Thus far
these criteria have generally been met. Water users will
continue active participation in the Program to insure that it
meets its many goals.

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