6013

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 6013
• Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, C. R. F. R. T.
• Title: Humpback Chup Recovery Plan.
• USFW Year: 1979.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

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UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Memorandum
~ Regional Director, Region 6 (SE)
~.~ist
~~ Regional Director, Region 2 '(SE)
~p 1~ `78
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SUSjECr: Review of Gila cypher Draft Recovery Plan
We have reviewed the above draft recovery plea and have found it, for
the most, well written. The Recovery Team is obviously well informed
and is to be complimented on their effort.
The following questions have bees raised is our Regional Office:
1. The prime objective of the plan, to establish and maintain a minimum
of five humpback chub populations, must be questioned. There are
now only four distinct humpback chub populations known (Little
Colorado, Desolation Canyon, Black Rocks, Yampa). The only other
historic records are from areas now flooded by lakes Mead and Powell.
M-1 We question the prime objective of five populations while available
data indicates there maq be only four areas of suitable habitat
remaining for this species. We recommend the number be changed to
four or deferred until it can be determined if there is in fact a
fifth potential reintroduction site for this species. If not, it
will be impossible to ever attain .the prime objective.
2. Objective 23 recommends sin new populations of humpback chub be
established oa page 10 and five populations on page 17. Which is
correct? Is this in addition to the fifth population in the prime
M-2 objective? If Daly five populations are needed to delist(?) the
species, why are ten or eleven populations needed and where is the
habitat going to be found if it is highly questionable that even one
more habitat exists?
Recommendation: Reword 22 to four populations. Reword 23 to search
for new habitats with needed environmental parameters.
3. Objective 3 is much too ambitious in view of the possibilities that
as new habitats will be found and existing populations may be at
~3 maximum carrying capacities now. The second part of the objective,
hybridization and taxonomic work, is highly desirable and can easily
be carried out at one existing hatchery {Dexter NFg).
U. S. F1SH k WILDLIFE SERVICE
Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico 8
DwTB: September 7, 1978
RECEIVED
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