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Preferred Alternatives The criteria we used to identify preferred alternatives included the relative importance and urgency of the alternative, and the likelihood of success in accomplishing the task. These alternatives include: Alternative 7: Balance the use of WD+ and WD- trout to protect resources while creating and directing fishing recreation. Historically, catchable trout stocking has been dictated by supply and an ever-evolving and poorly understood stocking strategy that, nonetheless, resulted in a reasonably equitable allocation and distribution of hatchery products. With the onset and spread of WD in production units and natural resources, however, stocking management and recreation days have been radically altered. Demand and supply of hatchery fish are likely not balanced, particularly as one views the state in smaller geographical units. A need now exists to reevaluate the DOW stocking program, with the goal of assessing the demand for hatchery fish while protecting aquatic resources. Stocking schedules for fiy, fingerling, and subcatchable trout have been produced through a biological (productivity) assessment of receiving waters and an evaluation of targeted catch rate objectives by the biologist responsible. On the other hand, catchable stocking schedules have used an "allocation system" that is based on the 1992 Categorization System. Historical stocking rates, angler pressure, return to creel, and the specific category of water are all parts of the formula. Until the past couple of years, the WD factor has not been a determining variable in the stocking equation. However, since the DOW has now modified its stocking policy to protect habitats from WD exposure, the assumptions and relevant factors in the allocation system for catchable trout are likely no longer valid. As a result, there have been some inequalities and inefficiencies in the catchable stocking program, as explained in the Recreation Section of this report. This is most notable on the west slope, where it is projected that in 1997, the decrease in catchable trout stocking will result in a deficit of 500,000 recreation days as compared with the 1992 levels. Problems also may occur in waters of the west slope stocked with fly, fingerling, or subcatchables, as well as in some protected habitats on the east slope. The allocation system for catchable trout needs to be reformulated to distribute the state's supply of catchable trout in an equitable manner, i.e., adhering to the Commission's WD Stocking Policy while allowing recreation day targets to be met. This should be broad- based, unbiased, and open to the alternatives, consistent with DOW's mission. For instance, the impact of diverting all WD- catchables to the west slope should be evaluated. Likewise, the strategy of stocking (or "overstocking") of Front Range and seasonal warmwater reservoirs to "divert" recreation days from protected habitats should be evaluated. This same kind of analysis should be completed for both WD+ and WD- fry, fingerling and 51