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INTRODUCTION <br />A good stocking plan is critical to the success of the Recovery Implementation Program <br />(RIP) for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin. A stocking plan should <br />detail the necessary steps to aid in the recovery of razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), <br />bonytail (Gila elegans), and Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus Lucius). To date, it has been <br />deemed unnecessary by the RIP Biology Committee to stock humpback chub in the upper <br />Colorado River basin. The State of Utah recognizes the necessity to develop acceptable stocking <br />plans for Colorado pikeminnow, bonytail, and razorback sucker. <br />This document provides direction for initiating razorback sucker propagation and <br />augmentation in the upper Colorado River basin within the state of Utah. Current population <br />status and trends, factors limiting natural reproduction, and the risk assessment of reintroduction <br />and augmentation are investigated. The goals and objectives of broodstock development, the <br />breeding matrix, and the location of stocking sites in the upper Colorado River basin within Utah <br />are clarified. This document outlines an approach for stocking razorback sucker which considers <br />size offish to stock and tune of year to release for best survival. This plan meets the goals and <br />objectives set forth by the Genetics Management Plan (Czapla 1999) and the Endangered Fish <br />Interim Management Objectives for the Upper Colorado River Basin Recovery and <br />Implementation Program (Lentsch et al. 1998). Finally, monitoring plans and marking/tagging <br />stocked razorback suckers are discussed. <br />The State of Utah is currently implementing the Bonytail Reintroduction Plan for the <br />Upper Colorado River Basin (Lentsch et al. 1996). In addition, Utah supports the <br />implementation of the State of Colorado's stocking play for bonytail (Nesler 1999). These two <br />documents thoroughly discuss the reintroduction issues associated with bonytail and outline the <br />approved plans for reestablishing bonytail populations in the upper basin. This document, <br />clarifies the number of bonytail populations to be reestablished in the upper Colorado River <br />basin within the state of Utah. The facilities needs for bonytail propagation and razorback sucker <br />propagation in the state of Utah are described. <br />The State of Colorado has developed a stocking plan for Colorado pikeminnow in the <br />upper Colorado River basin (Kesler 1999). The State of Utah agrees with this approach and <br />believes there is no need to further augment Colorado pikeminnow populations in Utah at this <br />time. Populations in Utah should be reestablished through natural expansion of individuals <br />stocked under the State of Colorado's stocking plan. <br />1 <br />