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CONSERVATION AGREEMENT COLORADO RIVER CUTTHROAT TROUT (Oncorhynchus clarki pleuriticuS) This Conservation Agreement (Agreement) has been developed to expedite implementation of conservation measures for Colorado River cutthroat trout (CRCT) in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming as a collaborative and cooperative effort among resource agencies. Threats that warrant CRCT listing as a special status species by state and federal agencies and might lead to listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, will be eliminated or reduced through implementation of this Agreement and the attached Conservation Strategy (Strategy). GOALS To assure the long-tenn prosperity of Colorado River cutthroat trout throughout their historic range by establishing two self-sustaining meta-populations, each consisting of 5 separate, viable but interconnected sub-populations, in each Geographic Management Unit (GMU) within the historic range. The short-tenn goal is to establish one metapopulation in each GMU. To maintain areas which currently support abundant Colorado River cutthroat trout and manage other areas for increased abundance, To maintain the genetic diversity of the species, and To increase the distribution of Colorado River cutthroat trout where ecologically, sociologically, and economically feasible. OBJECTIVES To maintain and restore 383 conservation populations in 1754 stream miles and 18 populations in 652 lake acres in 14 GMUs within the historic range. To eliminate or reduce threats to CRCT and its habitat to the greatest extent possible. These goals and objectives will be reached through implementation of specific management actions detailed in this Strategy (see Appendix B), and in existing and future conservation agreements! strategies and management plans developed between the signatory agencies and other federal, state, local and nongovernmental agencies. Upon signing, the signatories agree to commit resources in terms of personnel and operational funding to conservation activities described in section IV herein to the extent that progress toward Strategy objectives from the baseline condition is measurable and documented. They also agree to ensure the implementation of those conservation actions detailed in the Strategy. The range-wide status of CRCT will be evaluated annually to assess program progress and amendments will be added to the Agreement and Strategy as appropriate to address newly identified conservation issues and to ensure program effectiveness. March 1999 1