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~ SUMMARY OF RESPONSES TIGER MUSKlE STOCKING ANALYSIS Overview The objective of this analysis is to summarize responses and identify key issues that have been submitted in reaction to a report prepared by the Colorado Department of Wildlife (CDOW) entitled Draft Stockinll Analvsis for Tiller Muskie in Select Western Colorado Waters. The respondents can be divided into groups: Federal, State, and City Govemment Agencies 8 Organizations 12 Individuals Independent 18 Organization affiliated 85 Total Responses 123 Responses from these groups vary considerably. Given the diversity of the respondents, a statement on prevailing opinion would be misleading. It's more appropriate to consider the motivation and reactions of each group. Government agencies included seven federal and state natural resources agencies and one city government. Typically the agencies did not consider the Tiger Muskie Report to be a decision document, and consequently refrained from stating clear support or opposition to the introduction of tiger muskies in Western Colorado. Their comments raised several issues relative to tiger muskie escapement from the stocked reservoirs, impact on endangered species and other fish, and additional information needed in the document before proceeding to the next step in the decision process. Only one respondent, the city, was clearly in favor of stocking tiger muskies. Organizations included environmental and sportsmen's groups. Six organizations indicated support for stocking tiger muskies as a sport fishing opportunity, and one organization stated clear opposition. Environmental and organizations sponsoring bass and trout expressed the most concern about escapement of tiger muskies and their impact protection of endangered species and native fish and stocking other fish. Individuals responses were overwhelmingly in favor of a Tiger Muskie stocking program on the western slope to enhance sport fishing and angler opportunities. The majority (85) of the individual responses were received from members of two sportsmen's organizations. In addition, 18 letters were received from independent individuals (who didn't indicate an organizational affiliation). Several individuals, while in favor of stocking tiger muskies, also expressed appreciation for CDOW consideration of muskie impact on endangered species in the report. Key issues raised by the respondents are listed in tables throughout this summary. The quantification of responses reflect instances when these issues were specifically stated and not just implied. A comparison of group responses is listed in Tables I and II. Further discussion of the concerns of each group is found on the following pages. A sample of verbatim comments are listed in Attachment A. 1 4/14/94