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3.0 DISCUSSION OF SUBBASIN RECOVERY PRIORITIES Following is a summary of the importance of the various subbasins in the Upper Colorado River Basin to the endangered fishes and a brief discussion of the major actions directed at recovering the endangered fishes in these subbasins. Amore detailed accounting of the activities, including funding requirements and schedules is found in Sections 4.0 and 5.0. 3.1 GREEN RIVER 3.1.1 Imaortance The importance of the Green River to the endangered fishes has been established by the Recovery Program and recognized by many biologists. The Green River was listed as the highest priority area for recovery of Colorado squawfish in the Colorado squawfish Recovery Plan (USFWS 1991). The Green River in Desolation and Gray canyons and in Dinosaur National Monument (Dinosaur) is considered important to the recovery of humpback chub in the Humpback Chub Recovery Plan (USFWS 1990a). The Bonytail Chub Recovery Plan (USFWS 1990b) indicates that one of the last known riverine concentrations of bonytail chub was in the Green River within Dinosaur and identifies the Green River in Desolation/Grays Canyon and within Dinosaur as high priority recovery and/or restoration sites. In addition, the Green River supports the largest known population of razorback sucker in their natural riverine habitat (Lanigan and Tyus 1989). 3.1.2 Recovery Actions Recovery actions in the Green River will focus on refining the operation of Flaming Gorge dam to enhance habitat conditions for the endangered fishes. A biological opinion was issued on the operation of Flaming Gorge Dam in 1991. This opinion contained flow recommendations for the Green River at Jensen, Utah for the months of July-October, and specified a range of experimental test flows for the remainder of the year. The effects of the test flows on the endangered fishes and their habitat are being evaluated through a variety of studies through 1997, at which time the biological opinion (including flow recommendations) will be reviewed and revised as appropriate. An element of the Flaming Gorge biological opinion identified the need to protect releases from Flaming Gorge from possible diversion in the occupied habitat of the endangered fishes. The initial focus of this effort will be to legally protect (by November 1994) Flaming Gorge releases in the Green River down to the confluence of the Duchesne River for the months of July through October. Flow protection for the remainder of the year (November -June) and downstream to Canyonlands National Park will be addressed following issuance of the revised biological opinion in 1998. 13