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LONSERVYNG AMERICA' Loss and alteration of aquatic habitats are principal factors in the decline of native fish and other aquatic resources and the loss of ' biodiversity. Seventy percent of the Nation's rivers have altered flows, and 50 percent of waterways fail to meet minimum biological criteria. ' Efforts to Control the Spread of Giant salvinia Underway AzFRO, through a contract from the Bureau of Reclamation, ' began spraying to control the spread of the invasive fern known as giant salvinia in the Palo Verde Irrigation District drain near Blythe, California, along the lower Colorado River. Giant ' salvinia grows rapidly to cover the surface of lakes and streams, forming floating mats that shade and crowd out important native plants, and reducing dissolved oxygen that is important for the survival offish and other aquatic organisms. 1 Project Underway to Renovate Verde River Headwater ' Impoundment Geomorphic surveys of Stillman Lake were completed by ' AZFRO to determine if pumping the lake volume down stream, as part of renovation efforts, would be feasible given the channel size and elevation. Stillman Lake is a small impoundment of the upper Verde River containing several non-native fish species, ' which impedes current efforts by the state to manage the upper Verde River for native fishes. Elimination of non-native fishes from Stillman Lake would benefit native populations downstream, and ' repatriation of natives such as razorback sucker and roundtail chub into Stillman Lake would greatly enhance the native fishery of upper Verde River. Stillman Lake could also be used as a grow-out facility for native species to be repatriated elsewhere. ,~ ~• ,: r ~. ~, ~ °~N ,,t,.~ ;, a ` ~' ~` ~'~ ~;, ~ "~ __., ~,~, z_ _ .~ - ~° - _i i ~,, I~MI The Fisheries Program relies on a broad range of professionals to accomplish ifs mission: biologists, managers, administrators, clerks, animal caretakers, and maintenance workers. Without their skills and dedication, the Fisheries Program cannot succeed. Employees must be trained, equipped, and supported in order to perform their jobs safely, often under demanding environmental conditions, and to keep current with the constantly expanding science offish and aquatic resource management and conservatio AZFRO Successfully Completed and Provided Training I n order to remain a strong leader in the conservation and management of our Nation's aquatic resources and habitats, AZFRO personnel completed over 30 courses including MOCC, Use of Rotenone and Antimycin in Fisheries Management, Pesticide Applicators License, B3 Airplane and Helicopter Safety. In addition to completing courses, AZFRO personnel provided training in the areas of Amphibian and Reptile Identification, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), Creel Survey Design and Analysis, B3 Airplane and Helicopter Safety, and others. By completing and providing training to our partners, AZFRO continues to maintain its role as a leader in the conservation and management of aquatic resources and habitats. AZFRO also participated on the national Management Assistance Workforce Planning Team. Arizona Fishery Resources Office FY 2004 Annual Report g