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Conservation Plan for the Upper Colorado River Basin Conservation Plan: As part of its approach to protect and conserve fish and habitat the FWS began development of a specific management plan for the conservation and recovery of the three listed fish in the Upper Basin. The plan was intended as an extension of the existing recovery plans for the three listed fish and should provide more specific guidelines for managing these fish in occupied habitat. The plan would provide a coordinated long-range program to be used by the FWS and other participating Federal and State agencies as a tool in develop- ing their own long-range plans. The p1 an would specify: 1. general and area-specific research needs; 2. measures for the protection of existing habitat and populations; 3. measures for habitat enhancement; and 4. hatchery and fishery needs. The Windy Gap concept was not dependent upon the completion and approval of the conservation plan. This concept was developed to enable the FWS to conduct Section 7 consultation, providing alternatives without stopping or unnecessarily delaying project development. The plan would provide a source of information to assist in the development of project-specific recommen- dations for habitat management (of occupied habitat) and protection of the listed fish. `~ ., State and Federal Interaction: The FWS has initiated efforts to include the participation of the affected States, other Federal agencies, conservation groups, project sponsors, user groups, and other interested parties in analyses of data and the development of recommendations to both protect the fish and habitat and avoid inter- fering with water development in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Discussions have been initiated and a committee established to oversee this effort. Results from data review and initial recommendations are expected in mid to late 1984 (see Attachment VII.).