1996 Washington, D.C. Briefing Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin

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Congregis of tic lfttittb *tateg =40VftP, ;BC 2MIS April 2S, 1995 The HonorabiQ Slade Gorton Senate Appzopriacion Subcommittee on rnterior and Related Agencies 127 Dirksen Seftate Offica BuildinT Washington, DC 20514 Dear Chairman Gorton: we are writing to request your support and assistance in insuring continued funding for the Recovery Implementation program for Endangered Fish Species of the tipper Colorado River Basin (the "Recovery program") . This wulti - a to to , multi - agGnay Aacovery Program is being implemented in the Upper Colorado River Basin with the objective of recovering four endangered fish species while water development proceeds in compliance with crne xndangerod Species Act of 1973_ We have four requests: I. That the Suboommi.ttee support the $623.000 of recovery funds to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) identified in tn.e President's budget to moot its funding commitme-At to th* Recovery Program. 2_ That language be included in the Subcommittee's FY 139E appropriations legislation to ,indicate that Section 6 Funds shnuld be allocated to the Recovery Program before the FWS formula for allocating funds among its Regions is applied. The ESA Section 6 budget for all 73 listed species in FWS Reyion 5 will be $583, O00 in L?Y 1996. aequeotD from the eight states in FNS Region 6 for ESA Section 6 iunds are expected to total about $2.2 million in FY 1996, Dedicating $200,000, or over one third of the Region's entire Sectl.on 6 budget. to four Endangered Colorado River fish will adversely - and significantly impact stat8 recovery prngrams for the other_^ listed species in FWS Region 6. Our rcque:3ted language will insure the Recovery program will continue to be funded but no= at Lhe expenss oL other high priority recovery efforto in Region 6. In FY -1992, 1993, and 1994. the Subcommittee earmarked $200,000 pursuant to section F of the Endangered Species Act far the Recovery Program. 3. That the subcommittee suppnri. hhe $2R4,000 of Fisheries Stewardship funds included in the base of the Presi.dent's FY 1996 budget for the FWS (Fisheries Activity; Hatchery o &M SutbacCiviLy) to Lhe endangered fiah propagation_ : faci.l.ities at the puray National wildlife Refuge in Utah.