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I 1. COORDINATION OF BIOLOGICAL WORK Knowledge about the biology and ecological requirements of the rare Colorado River fish began in the 1960's and has been increasing at a rapid rate since 1979. The Colorado River Fishery Project (CRFP; USFWS), other agencies, and private consultants have been actively working on various biological studies that were designed as short-term projects to answer specific questions. These studies have been done independently instead of in a coordinated fashion. Although the information that was obtained from these efforts has provided important knowledge, it has not been thoroughly analyzed and interpreted. Therefore, the perceptions, opinions, and hypotheses that have been developed differ among various investigators. Although these differences can stimulate creative thinking, periodic review of current knowledge is needed to focus investigations on gaps in the data for maintenance and recovery of the rare fish. ' The Upper Colorado River Basin Coordinating Committee was formed in 1984 to serve as a steering committee for resource management in the Upper Basin. The Hydrology and Biology Subcommittees provide technical analyses of critical issues to the steering committee. After reviewing the magnitude of the problem, the committee concluded that a fully integrated management approach by natural resource managers, energy or water developers, and conservation interests must be made to determine how to maintain and restore the rare fish while meeting the social, political, and economic demands for water and energy development in the upper basin. The Biology Subcommittee has been identifying and refining biological needs involving monitoring relative abundance of the rare fish and their life history and habitat requirements as well as practical management and effective administrative activities. The progress has been proceeding very well. In addition, biologists who are actively working in the upper basin meet annually to exchange information on studies that were made during the year and on studies that are planned for the following year. Many of the Biology Subcommittee members participate in these annual meetings. However, the past and present biological work has been directed toward obtaining specific information to answer immediate questions. Long-term studies to answer more complex questions that must have continuity in obtaining biological information should be identified by the Biological Subcommittee, ranked by relative importance, and adjusted on an annual basis. The responsibility of the committee is to provide recommendations to the UCRB Steering Committee for making decisions on implementation. I believe that this arrangement is excellent since it provides interagency participation and includes a representative from the Colorado Water Congress and representatives of environmental organizations. However, I recommend that other persons who are knowledgable and are actively studying these rare fish be consulted for valuable input (e.g., persons at universities and private consulting firms). 2