4210

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 4210
• Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Title: Preliminary Conceptual Approach to Recovery of Endangered Fish Species In The Upper Colorado River Basin
• USFW Year: 1985.
• USFW - Doc Type: Draft.
• Copyright Material: NO

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DRAFT-05/10/85
3. Definition of scientifically supportable,
technically feasible alternatives which will lead
to recovery of the species.
4. Identification of socially and economically ~',<'``'{ 2.4 .'
acceptable opportunities for enhancing the
recovery of the species.
The general application of such a process to endangered
species recovery in the Upper Colorado River Basin is
described below.
2.1 EXISTING SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The present social, economic, and environmental setting in
the Upper Colorado River Basin represents a complex
combination of natural and man-made conditions. The
historical development of the Upper Colorado River Basin,
including activities such as agriculture,. mineral
extraction, recreation, hydroelectric, and water resource
development, has irrevocably altered -the conditions of air,
land, and water resources, and associated biota. Most of
these activities were implemented without regard to impacts
on native species. Some, however, such as eradication of
native species to create favorable conditions for stocked
game fishes, did consider the existence of the native
fishes, and were taken with the objective of discontinuing
their existence in several hundred miles of Upper Basin •
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rivers.
Realistically, the present social, economic,. and
environmental conditions under which the endangered fish
species exist are largely irreversible. It is unlikely that
non-native game species, which prey upon endangered species,
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