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0 USFWS UPPER BASIN RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND ITS IMPLICATIONS Mr. John Hammill, (FWS Region 6, Denver, CO) discussed the FWS Recovery Implementation Plan; management of non-native fish species throughout the Basin; and integration of both Upper and Lower Basins in implementation of conservation measures for all fishes. FWS is dealing with the four main-stem threatened and endangered species: The Colorado 0 River Squawfish, Razorback Sucker, Humpback Chub and Bonytail Chub. Throughout about 2,000 miles of River(s), there are three recovery plans dealing with one or more of these species: The Upper Basin Main River Fishes Recovery Plan, the Recovery Plan for the San Juan River and a similar plan for the Grand Canyon. These are areas where one or more of the species are generally free ranging - some over large distances. Discussions have been almost . continuous among the large number of groups based on the original agreement to conserve these species; the governors of CO, WY and UT, the USBR and FWS, and the water power agencies, and fish and wildlife agencies of these three states, trying to define the balance between these threatened and endangered species and other species and competing needs for the water resources. The goal of the Program is to establish self-sustaining populations in natural habitat. Much of the work to date has focused on water management and trying to duplicate the natural hydrograph through change in the operation of the dams and water control in the Upper Basin. Duplication of natural hydrograph, while not of.the same magnitude as the original hydrograph, has been fairly successful, especially regarding the Aspenall Unit and Flaming Gorge Unit. Basically, all of the reservoirs in the Upper Basin have been switched to a re-operation schedule so that the natural hydrograph is more or less duplicated. Other efforts are concerned with 0 purchasing and acquiring other water, both from private reservoirs and others on the system, which can be stored and used to help duplicate the natural hydrograph and beneficial in-stream flow rights. There are also water conservation plans being implemented, and the USSR is working to advertise and implement water conservation throughout the Colorado Basin. Efforts are proceeding to reduce impediments to fish movement through modifying diversion dams, and 1b the construction of fish ladders and other passage facilities; along with restoration of River bottom lands and reconnection of Oxbows and other habitat to provide for some critical phases of life histories. There is also a fairly active fish propagation system connected with the plan which has been functioning for the last several years as another way of providing the numbers of fish and species needed. Part of this work is genetic studies to determine the existing species diversity as well as the genetic diversity within the different populations, to recreate the genetic populations and diversity in culture situations. Recent focus of this effort is on raising Razorback Suckers with plans to restock back into the main Colorado and Green Rivers, as well as work with the Bonytail Chub, whose survival is much more in question. Non-native fishes in the system contribute up to 95% of the biomass and a great deal of effort has gone into trying to devise ways to deal with this large component as most of the efforts to recover the threatened and endangered species will also benefit, in one way or another, the . exotic species. Ongoing discussions with the states are dealing with stocking of non-native fishes 7 0