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and the existence of the wild channel catfish population below the dam, the potential impact to <br />endangered fish from a channel catfish population in Kenney Reservoir appears minimal and should <br />not jeopardize endangered fish populations. <br />In 1996, the Colorado Wildlife Commission approved the Procedures for Stocking Nonnative Fish <br />Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin (NNFSP). These procedures direct stocking of nonnative <br />fish such as channel catfish in western Colorado. The NNFSP allow for case by case review of <br />stocking proposals that do not meet certain criteria for species and locality that are acceptable for <br />routine stocking. Stocking of channel catfish in Kenney Reservoir would be a case that requires <br />individual review. The review would be conducted by members of the RIP. <br />VIII. Recommendations <br />The Kenney Reservoir LMP should be amended to propose stocking channel catfish and initiate a <br />review under NNFSP. The stocking should be done according to the following guidelines: <br />1. Stock biannually at a low rate (1.2 fish/surface hectare) to maintain good growth. <br />Monitor Wr periodically. <br />2. All stocked fish would be adipose fin clipped to allow for continued monitoring for <br />downstream escapement. <br />3. Stocked fish would be released in the upper end of the reservoir to keep them away <br />from the outlet and spillway. <br />4. Sample the White River downstream of Kenney Reservoir at five year intervals <br />specifically to monitor escapement. <br />5. Maintain periodic sampling of the White River upstream from Kenney Reservoir to <br />monitor the composition of the overall fish community. <br />6. The primary source of channel catfish for stocking into Kenney Reservoir will be fish <br />captured from the White River below Taylor Draw Dam. Channel catfish removed <br />from critical habitat in other upper Colorado River basin rivers will also be used as <br />needed to meet the recommended stocking rate. <br />7. Monitoring of downstream escapement of channel catfish stocked into Kenney <br />Reservoir will be included as an integral component of the amended LMP as long as <br />stocking occurs. Stocking of channel catfish will be discontinued if downstream <br />escapement problems develop or the native fish community changes unusually <br />upstream from the reservoir. <br />17 <br />