9594

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9594
• Author: Colorado Division of Wildlife and e. al.
• Title: Procedures for Stocking Nonnative Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
• USFW Year: 1996.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

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III. PRINCIPLES RELATED TO THE PROCEDURES
1. The Procedures are intended to meet the spirit of the Recovery
Program:
o The goal of the Recovery Program is to recover the four
endangered Colorado River fishes by establishing naturally
self-sustaining populations and protecting the habitat upon
which they depend. The Procedures are intended to support this
goal while allowing nonnative fish stocking for recreational
fishing and private aquaculture, provided that such stocking is
compatible with recovery of the endangered Colorado River
fishes.
o Implementation of these Procedures will contribute to
fulfilling the intent for the Recovery Program to serve as the
"reasonable and prudent alternative" for certain types of water
development in the Upper Basin (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1996).
o The Recovery Program directs that "stocking of nonnative
species will be confined to areas where the absence of
potential conflict with rare or endangered species can be
demonstrated."
The Procedures provide guidance for stocking of nonnative
fishes in the Upper Basin that is consistent with recovery
efforts for the endangered Colorado River fishes. They are
intended as a way to integrate recreational fishery management
with ongoing recovery efforts for the endangered fishes.
2. These Procedures will be implemented by a Cooperative Agreement
between the Service and State fish and wildlife agencies in
Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. The roles and responsibilities of
each agency will be clearly described in the Cooperative Agreement.
3. Both the Service and the States have statutory responsibilities
which cannot be abrogated. The States have the responsibility for
managing fish and wildlife resources that includes threatened and
endangered species occurring within their boundaries. The Service
has certain legislated responsibilities for conserving fish and
wildlife resources through administration of the Endangered Species
Act, including enforcement of section 9 "take" violations.
4. The Service's participation in the stocking procedures will require
that an Intra-Service section 7 consultation be completed. Berming
and stocking within the 100-year floodplain may result in an
adverse modification of critical habitat. These procedures attempt
to minimize the adverse modification of critical habitat. The
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