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STATE OF CALIFORNIA-RESOURCES AG€NCY EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor DEPARTMENT OFF ~ y~C ME 1416 NINTH STREET ````~~ ~` ~ ~~ SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNI iT381 (916) 445-3531 c; rC~~ ~'\~ ,,~ '' `~~ rir. Robert H. Shields Acting Regional Director U. S. Fish-and Wildlife Serv~.ce. P, 0. Box 25486 Denver, CO 80225 Dear Mr. Shields: We have reviewed the draft of the Colorado squawfish Recovery Plan as requested in your recent letter (FA/SE/Colorado River Fishes Recovery Team). The activities and costs described in the proposed- budget that represent California's share of the recovery effort appear reasonable. California will continue to fund these activities as it has in the past once the plan is finally approved. The only general comment on the plan we have is that it seems to be oriented more toward studies and data gathering activities than toward A-1 actions necessary for overcoming the factors that are limiting the squawfish in the Colorado River and its tributaries. The Recovery Team and Planning Guidelines of the FWS recommends that a recovery plan be built around a step by step outline of problems or limiting factors which must be overcome. The introduction of the plan identifies these limiting factors as 1) the physical and chemical conditions created by damming the river and its tributaries, and 2) introduction of exotic fishes. Perhaps the team feels it is not possible to take actions to create or restore conditions for squawfish without quantification, through studies, of existing conditions and of what those conditions should be A-2 to benefit the squawfish. However, it might not always be necessary to wait until all possible data are obtained before taking action. It seems there are enough data available already to know what approximate physical and chemical conditions are necessary to retain and restore squawfish. Actions could be instituted now to protect existing natural conditions and to attempt to create more favorable physical and chemical conditions in the habitat of the squawfish. These actions and the recovery plan could be modified as necessary as the acquisition of new data may warrant. We have specific comments on the various items of the plan, but we will transmit these to the team through California's representative, Mr. Jim St. Arrant. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft recovery plan. !, Sincerely, _\ ..e F© Director cc: "URFWS-Portland, USFWS-Sacramento 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1