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The construction and operation of mainstem and tributary dams and reservoirs and other associated activities on the Colorado River system have been identified as having major effects on the decline of ~ative and endangered fishes. As most of you know, it does not matter that many of the impacts that led to the decline and listing of those species occurred over the 20 to 50 years prior the passage of the Endangered Species Act. Those projects are not exempted from the requirements of the Act. I emphasize that point, because for many in the water development community, our work under the Endangered Species Act has been seen as a sign of departure from historic relationships...and there are some feelings that we have abandoned our constituents. I submit that is not the case. We recognize that the realities of today are that the public, the Executive Branch, and Congress, wants the Endangered Species Act enforced. We must seek ways to accomplish water development and management in harmony with those new realities. If we are to be successful, we must bring to the decision process a broader spectrum of interests. To understand the issues, we must all appreciate that Reclamation does not control the endangered species process. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, through their Species Recovery Plans, formulates policy and guidance in administering recovery of listed species as required by the Act. The Species Recovery Plans form the umbrella and basis for specific actions taken in recovery implementation programs. The plans are also part of the internal policy of the Fish and Wildlife Service. The essential opportunity for Reclamation, or any other resource management agency, to influence the process comes in the development of Recovery Implementation Programs, or RIP's as they are commonly called. They are the specific result of efforts to reach compromise, consensus, and commitment on actions. They provide a funding commitment and the personnel to carry out the work. Let's talk a bit about recovery actions and issues. Specific to the Colorado River and in this region, we have four fish species of primary concern. They are the Colorado squawfish, the razorback sucker, the humpback chub, an the bony tail chub. In 1979, the Fish and Wildlife Service requQsted Reclamation to consult on all of the mainstem and participating Colorado River Storage Project facilities. We agreed to delay actual consultation until 6 years of research could be conducted. The investigations centered primarily on the problems of cumulative depletion impacts. From that, the RIP for the Upper Basin Green and Colorado Rivers was signed in 1987. The San Juan River was excluded because of limited information on the status of the fish and the State of New Mexico's decision not to participate. Of course, now a Recovery Program is being developed involving the operation of Navajo Dam as an alternative for offsetting jeopardy for Section 7 consultations on the river. 6