Laserfiche WebLink
<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />0(116u8 <br /> <br />Another major event in the SJRIP that occurred in 1995 was completion ofthe LRP, the guideline <br />for research and management activities for the IS-year program period. The LRP relied heavily <br />on the 7 -year research plan, but it expanded the horizon for research and management actions. This <br />document listed the major milestones ofthe SJRIP and provided a schedule for completing various <br />research and management goals. <br /> <br />In 1996, two new studies were added to the research effort. The UDWR stocked young-of-the- <br />year (YOY) Colorado pikeminnow to determine if there was sufficient habitat in the system to <br />retain them. This study was directed at Objectives 4 and 7 of the 7-year research plan. It was <br />initially controversial because it involved stocking a size of fish that had not been successful in <br />other situations, but it was successful in the San Juan River. The other study initiated in 1996 was <br />a toxicity test of Colorado pikeminnow conducted by the USGS-BRD. This was the last of the <br />contaminant studies, and it used adult hatchery-reared fish that were exposed to various levels of <br />selenium, a natural contaminant common in parts of the San Juan Basin, especially in irrigation <br />returns. <br /> <br />In 1997, the first real management/recovery action was initiated when the USFWS (Grand <br />Junction) was funded to develop an Augmentation Plan for razorback sucker. By this time the <br />results of the studies showed the rarity of wild razorback sucker in the river. The razorback sucker <br />Augmentation Plan was finalized, and 2,885 sub adult razorback sucker were stocked into the river <br />in September 1997. <br /> <br />Research into the means for recovering the endangered fish species in the San Juan River <br />developed into a complex scientific undertaking. Scientists from a variety of federal, state, and <br />private organizations worked together to investigate all potential issues that limit the two <br />endangered fish species and other native fishes. Although much of the work did not stop after 7 <br />years, a considerable amount of knowledge was gained during the 7-year research period. That <br />knowledge is summarized in the next two chapters and in the Flow Report. The final chapter of <br />this document describes remaining tasks for assuring recovery of the endangered fish species and <br />the native fish community in the San Juan River. That information will be used, along with this <br />document, to develop a revised LRP. <br /> <br />September 2000 <br /> <br />2-11 <br /> <br />Program Evaluation Report <br />