7999

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7999
• Author: Colorado River Wildlife Council.
• Title: Minutes, Colorado River Fish & Wildlife Council.
• USFW Year: 1996.
• USFW - Doc Type: April 23-24, 1996.
• Copyright Material: NO

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an overall species approach. The Council must find a
strategy to deal with these issues and try to resolve them.
It was recommended that the states should proceed with
their own cooperative agreements through Forest Service
Regions and state directors of Bureau of Land Management and

others to implement the plan. Perhaps the Council's role '
could be in supporting the strategic plan and resolving
conflicts at these levels; or during the periodic review of
these documents provide continuity in the overall basin
plan. It was also recommended that the Council establish
some liaison which would track the progress and specifics of
implementation of each of these plans and report to the
Council on progress and problems associated with
implementation of the plan over the years as work is being
carried forward.

After discussion, the Council decided to consider for
the time being the means by which a cooperative three or
four state agreement could be obtained, with the FWS
agreeing that the plan was adequate and proper for the
enhancement and protection of the species. It was concluded
that the Council assume the role as coordinator and to
encourage Council members formulate a cooperative program,
The Council considered this essential and would become more
important in the future as conservation plans between
Council states or other native species proceed. FWS ,
regional office representatives indicated that such
cooperative agreements are going to be essential from the
point of view of FWS because it allows for a recognized
program reviewed and approved by professionals and
regulatory agencies to answer others who are formulating
petitions for the federal government to list native species.
Mr. Molini agreed that if it was the consensus of the group
he would be happy to write a letter to the directors of the
states involved encouraging them to complete a cooperative
agreement on this overall strategy and plan citing some of
the issues the Council thinks make this a rational and
imperative step, and especially the importance of FWS. The
group indicated agreement with such a letter and supported
its purpose.
Mr. Hamill asked the Council if they would like FWS to
review the plan now or indicate what their desire for
coordination with FWS would be. The Council was of the
opinion that FWS has had considerable input through their
field offices and that it was yet premature to review the
document because some of the issues that have been mentioned
are not yet fully developed. Hamill indicated he would take
a copy of the draft presented at this meeting and alert his
office that the document would be finalized later and to be
aware of it because an official request for review and
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