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1 River. However, with no formal procedures in place, resuming stocking would be totally at their discretion. ~, Stocking in Colorado by the aquaculture industry into private ponds for approved species would continue and likely increase. Chronic escapement from ponds with outlets to the river and when the floodplain became inundated would continue and probably increase. The occurrence of channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, fathead minnows, green sunfish, etc. in the river would therefore increase. Competition with and predation on the endangered fish would increase. Stocking by the Colorado Division of Wildlife would continue in public waters. Colorado would continue to try and increase warmwater fishing opportunities in western Colorado, while trying to minimize impacts to the endangered fishes. Stocking into private ponds would likely occur in floodplain areas, thereby increasing the probability of escapement into the river. ~, 2. Recreation: Recreational opportunities in Utah and Wyoming would be unchanged, or show a slight increase if nonnative abundance increases dramatically. Recreational fishing opportunities would also remain about the same in Colorado. As ponds are reclaimed through Recovery Program efforts, some waters may be restocked with sport fish by the Colorado Division of Wildlife or aquaculture industry. 3. Recovery of Endangered Fishes: Efforts to reduce impacts of nonnative fishes on the endangered fish would be circumvented. Introductions of new species and hybrids would likely increase over time. Abundance and occurrence of nonnative fishes may increase. All this would result in endangered fish populations remaining near present levels, with little chance of recovery. 4. Economy: Recreationa] expenditures would remain the same or increase. Increased demand for fish from the aquaculture industry for stocking into private ponds would occur. The ability of the Recovery Program to serve as a reasonable and prudent alternative for future water development would be significantly diminished, affecting not only Colorado, but Utah and Wyoming also. Without the Recovery Program continuing to make sufficient progress towards recovery, billions of dollars of water development and subsequent economic growth could be impacted. Positive biological responses to other recovery efforts would be hindered by increased negative interactions with nonnative fishes. B. Preferred Alternative 1. Aquatic Biological Resources: The abundance of nonnative top-of-the-line predatory fishes, in the Upper Basin Rivers containing endangered fishes, would decrease. Nonnative fishes would still occur between the 50- and 100-year floodplain, however, they would be in private ponds bermed and screened to prevent escapement up to the 50-year event. Some nonnatives would still occur in private ponds ~, below the 50-year floodplain that are not volunteered for reclamation. 31 1