7281 ‎(2)‎

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7281
• Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Title: Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin, Environmental Assessment, November 1987.
• USFW Year: 1987.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver, Colorado.
• Copyright Material: NO

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CHAPTER II ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION 1
4. Nonnative fish species and sportfishin4. Many fishery biologists
believe competition with and predation from nonnative fish (e.g., '
largemouth bass, green sunfish, redside shiner, channel catfish) is
partially responsible for the decline of the rare fish. Further
study will identify nonnative species of concern, the extent of the '
problem, and potential solutions.
Competing or predatory nonnative fish may be controlled through
several means. River flows might be managed to favor native species.
Stocking of nonnatives will continue to be restricted to species and
areas where absence of conflict with natives could be demonstrated.
It may be feasible to eliminate or remove predatory or competing '
nonnatives from specific reaches (e.g., backwaters).
Sportfishing, and management practices enhancing sportfishing

opportunities, can be detrimental to the rare fish. Sportfishing '
practices and regulations will be reviewed for impact on the rare
fishes. Studies will be done to determine the extent of incidental
take of the rare fishes and how to reduce such take. Information and
education programs, angling restrictions, seasonal or permanent
closures, and a rigorous enforcement program are some of the measures
that have been identified as means to reduce incidental take. '
5. Research, monitoring, and data management. Well-defined research,
monitoring, and data management efforts will be an integral part of
the overall Recovery Implementation Program. Research programs will '
identify criteria for recovery, test recovery strategies, and examine
and evaluate the needs of the fish. Specific research projects will
be identified and ranked in order of priority for implementation.

Detailed study plans will be developed for each project. Criteria '
will be developed for each research project to evaluate success and
to determine the project's contribution to recovery.
,
A monitoring program will track population status and trends for the
rare fishes and help define the overall success of the recovery
program. If monitoring data indicate that the razorback sucker is ,
verging on extinction, it may be listed as an endangered species and
a recovery goal developed. Recovery goals will be quantified, and
relative progress toward these goals will be measured. '
A data management system will provide timely analysis of research
program data, allow analysis and reporting of monitoring program
data, and generally be an information resource for directing '
management and recovery activities. It will combine existing and
future Federal, State, and private data bases.
All actions described above will be reviewed and implemented by the '
appropriate party in accordance with Federal and State law, including the
National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Fish and Wildlife

Coordination Act, and National Historic Preservation Act. '

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