7339

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7339
• Author: Valdez, R. A.
• Title: A Review of the Hatchery Program for Threatened and Endangered Fishes of the Colorado River.
• USFW Year: 1985.
• USFW - Doc Type: Logan, Utah.
• Copyright Material: NO

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released in the lower Colorado River and its impoundments. A total of
6,416,438 razorback suckers have been released in the tributaries of the
lower Colorado River as part of a cooperative agreement between the FWS and
the State of Arizona. This species is listed as a candidate and does not
receive full protection from the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

The FWS estimates that a total hatchery production of 500,000
fingerlings per year is needed to help propagate and conserve the three
endangered species in the Colorado River System. Since existing hatchery
facilities can only produce about 350,000 fingerlings per year, the FWS
recently conducted a hatchery feasibility study for these endangered fishes.
Of the 11 hatcheries and sites evaluated, only four currently have
production capability; Willow Beach NFH, Dexter NFH, Hotchkiss NFH and Logan
FES. The production of each is limited by land and space restrictions,
inadequate facilities, insufficient water rights, and prior fish production
commitments. The FWS concludes that a new hatchery facility is needed to
serve as principal production site, with improvements to an existing
faCility to serve as a secondary support site. FWS estimates that
construction of a new site will cost $8.3 to $8.6 mill ion. Operation and
mai ntenance costs for the new facil i ty are estimated at $333,000 per year.
The cost to improve an existing facility will depend on the site chosen.
Cost estimates were not evaluated as part of this review.