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<br />Utah, threats to CRCT populations are being addressed through an existing conservation agreement <br />and strategy approved by the state's Division of Wildlife Resources and Reclamation Mitigation and <br />Conservation Commission, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, <br />Forest Service, and Bureau of Reclamation (UDWR 1997). Therefore, lack of regulating <br />mechanisms to prevent species decline or habitat degradation does not constrain this conservation <br />effort. <br /> <br />E. Other natural or manmade factors affecting continued existence of the species: <br /> <br />The impacts 'of stocking of non-native trout species on native cutthroat trout populations, and <br />the use of hatchery-raised fish to augment wild populations are two significant areas of concern. <br />The first of these issues has been addressed in all three states as evidenced above in the description <br />of management policy and priorities for native cutthroat trout populations and habitat, disease <br />control, and fishing restrictions. Information provided herein regarding the assessment of the <br />baseline of existing populations and their genetic purity status demonstrates the management <br />concern being devoted to maintaining the genetic integrity of existing wild stocks and populations. <br />Protocols are described for the appropriate use of fish from wild populations for captive broodstock <br />development, reclamation projects resulting in new populations, and translocations based on genetic <br />purity rating. Stocking of non-native trout by private interests is regulated in Colorado, Utah, and <br />Wyoming to protect native cutthroat populations. Stocking of native cutthroat trout is used to <br />restore naturally functioning populations within historic range. This process is guided by genetic <br />protocols and quantifiable population objectives. The intent of this tri-state strategy is ~o make these <br />protocols and objectives consistent among the natural resource agencies charged with management <br />responsibilities over CRCT and their habitat. In Wyoming policy has been developed that enables <br />CRCT to be provided to private landowners if such action will benefit cutthroat management <br />objectives. Colorado has developed a conservation agreement process to promote the expansion of <br />native cutthroat trout populations in privately-owned waters. <br /> <br />CONSERVATION STRATEGY <br /> <br />The primary goal of the Conservation Strategy for Colorado River cutthroat trout is <br /> <br />To assure the long-term prosperity of Colorado River cutthroat trout throughout their <br />historic range by establishing two self-sustaining meta-populations, each consisting <br />of 5 separate, viable but interconnected sub-populations, in each GMU within the <br />historic range. The short-term goal is to establish one metapopulation in each GMU. <br /> <br />The cooperators envision a future where Colorado River cutthroat trout swim freely and reproduce <br />naturally in as much of their historic range as possible. <br /> <br />Further goals of the Conservation Strategy are: <br /> <br />To maintain areas which currently support abundant Colorado River cutthroat trout <br /> <br />March 1999 <br /> <br />18 <br />