Colorado Native Aquatic Species Protection Workshop Summary

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• Division of Wildlife information, i.e. today's presentation. • Other existing data on wildlife. • Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, US Fish and-Wildlife, US Department of Interior (Bureau of Reclamation, etc.), USDA, local governments, non - governmental organizations, conservancy districts, Water Quality Forum, Headwaters Forum, Environmental Protection Agency, Arkansas watersheds, regional councils of governments, St. Vrain Coordination, etc. (providers /users /owners). • Endangered Species Act. • Governor's "Smart Growth" Initiative Missing resources. tools, information and partnerships • Integration of data. • Coordinating organization (s) among stakeholders. • Public awareness, understanding and involvement. • Incentives other than existing law. Possible actions to achieve desired results • Colorado Department of Wildlife /US Fish and Wildlife Service conservation agreement. • Develop common language about water quality, quantity, and wildlife. • Legislative support. • Public education, including why care? i.e., watershed user workshop. • Creation of watershed coordinating committees. • Creation of state -wide forum /person /agency. 3) Coordination/Leadership Among Agencies and Organizations Workshop participants identified the need for cooperation and leadership among agencies and organizations. This component was further defined as including: ► a Statewide Coordinating Committee with basinwide implementation committees; ► flexible management that is responsive to local conditions and able to determine rational priorities for public goals; ► coordinated decision - making processes characterized by a stakeholders steering committee, a clearinghouse, statutory direction, and reflect a balance between voluntary and regulatory measures; ► a lead entity to develop a shared vision /plan with statewide, local, and stakeholder consensus that supports voluntary involvement, has a watershed focus, and has an educational role; ► an organizational infrastructure based on existing and new resources in existing organizations that includes partnerships that are voluntary, local, and incentive based.