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1.2.3. Ensure water intakes and diversions are not adversely affecting <br />pallid sturgeon populations. <br />The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, <br />Western Area Power Administration, other appropriate Federal or <br />State agencies, and private industry need to undertake review <br />of water intakes and diversions under their jurisdiction to <br />ensure effectiveness in preventing loss of young and adult <br />pallid sturgeon. New point- source water intakes serving <br />industry, irrigation, and public water supply that may affect <br />pallid sturgeon recruitment must be screened with a 1/4 -inch <br />(6.35 mm) mesh and have an intake velocity of less than <br />1/2 ft /sec (15.24 cm /sec), or be placed at water depths greater <br />than 15 ft (4.575 m) to protect against entrainment or <br />impingement of pallid sturgeon larvae and fingerlings. <br />Existing intakes found to be adversely affecting pallid <br />sturgeon populations should be redesigned on an as needed basis <br />depending upon the magnitude of adverse affects. <br />1.2.4. Work with States within the pallid sturgeon's range to <br />temporarily place a moratorium on commercial fishing of all <br />sturgeon species. <br />Some loss of pallid sturgeon is occurring incidental to <br />commercial and sport fishing for other sturgeon. The States of <br />North Dakota, South Dakota, and Louisiana have established <br />regulations to protect against incidental killing of pallid <br />sturgeon by requiring release of all sturgeon. The States of <br />Montana and Kansas do not allow commercial harvest of sturgeon. <br />The commercial fishing seasons for sturgeon in Mississippi, <br />Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and <br />Nebraska should be temporarily closed until activities and <br />techniques are evaluated to determine the impact of commercial <br />fishing upon pallid sturgeon populations. See Task 2.2.6. <br />Compliance by all States will be necessary for this <br />recommendation to be effective. <br />1.2.5. Work with States to develop a policy that will ensure risk <br />assessment prior to introductions of new nonindigenous and <br />exotic species to the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. <br />Any future introductions of nonnative sturgeon species and <br />possibly other introduced fishes may introduce disease, cause <br />competition, or result in predation upon the pallid sturgeon. <br />Stocking of new nonindigenous and exotic species within the <br />Missouri and Mississippi River basin must not occur until after <br />a risk assessment is completed that verifies that the stocking <br />will not adversely affect pallid sturgeon. <br />27 <br />