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002680 ,',2., :The'foHowing conditions applyto'stockirIQ of nonnattvefishes in ' ;. ." the 50-yearfloodplain1:.; . .'..,.' '. ' ,. , " . . Black craooie/blueai 11 /larqemouth bass: Stocking is allowed in isolated ponds and reservoirs above the 50-year floodplain and private ponds bermed to the 50-year floodplain with no surface water connection to rivers in the upper basin. These species are not well 'adapted to riverine envi ronment and do not appear to establish self-sustaining populations in rivers upon escapement. However. there is concern that these species will flourish in flooded bottomland habitats that are being reconnected with Upper Basin ri vers. '. Trioloid qrass carD: Grass carp have been introduced into the United States as a vegetation control. Only certified triploid grass carp are being used in the Upper Basin. because they lack the ability to reproduce. This allows their numbers and distr~bution to be controlled. Stocking sites must be isolated or screened from receiving rivers to prevent escapement. Screens must be high '-enough to preclude the fish from jumping over the screens. Very few triploid grass carp have been captured in the river from past stocking in isolated ponds. Grass carp are not known to prey on other fishes. but can alter habitats of other fishes by changing vegetation. Because of the expense in obtaining these fish. stocking in areas where escapement is possible is highly unlikely. A. Private Ponds: The stocking of largemouth bass. bluegill. black crappie. and triploid grass carp for ponds within the 50-year floodplain in the Upper Colorado River Basin will require that the ponds be bermed to FEMA standards to the 50-year floodplain. If an outlet exists on the pond. the outlet must be screened prior to stocking. The stocking plan. screening. and berming must be approved by the appropriate State wildlife agency and the Fish and Wildlife Service. Once approved. future stocking of that pond is considered routine. n0t requiri ng further approva 1. Screens and berms wi 11 be inspected annually by State wildlife agency personnel. If bermining or screening fail to control escapement of nonnative fishes. then that pond will require a case-by-case review prior to any additional stocking. B. Public Waters: Stocking of nonsalmonid. nonnative fishes in public waters below the 50-year floodplain will not occur except for the following exceptions. (1) The State of Colorado has developed lake management plans or stocking plans for the following waters in the Upper Basin. 1 In areas where the 50- or 100-year floodplain boundary are not know. the point 5 feet above the OHWL may be used as the boundary location (see Appendix B). 6