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0024_5 5. The Procedures provide adequate opportunity and time for review and input by the public, participants in the Recovery Program, and other interested parties. 6. Habitat and biological communities have been significantly altered in the Upper Basin. While it is difficult to fully assess and quantify, the loss of habitat and the adverse impacts of nonnative, warmwater fish species are both responsible for the decline of the endangered Colorado River fishes. It is not possible to definitively identify the relative contribution that each of these factors had to the endangerment of the fishes. In many cases, the proliferation of nonnative fishes was enhanced by habitat alteration and attempts to fulfill the demand for recreational fishing. All factors should be considered to provide an ecosystem perspective in recovery efforts for the endangered fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin. 7. The Service and States recognize that nonnative fish stocking is an important component of public and private recreational sport fisheries management and commercial aquaculture in the Upper Basin. As such, an important objective of these agencies is the establishment and maintenance of sport fisheries and aquaculture activities that do not conflict with recovery efforts for the endangered Colorado River fishes. 8. The States also have certain authorities for regulating/overseeing aquaculture activities and fish introductions by private landowners. The States will incorporate these Procedures into appropriate State regulations. IV. ROUTINE STOCKING OF NONNATIVE FISHES THAT ALREADY OCCUR AND ARE MANAGED IN THE UPPER COLORADO RIVER BASIN I. Nonnative fish species that occur and are managed by stocking in the Upper Colorado River Basin can be routinely stocked in the locations/situations identified in Table I. Stocking of nonnative fish species in the locations/situations identified in Table 1 are considered to be consistent with recovery of the endangered fishes. Explanations and rationale for stocking of fish species and terms/acronyms used in Table I are provided in Appendix B. 2. The following conditions apply to stocking of nonnative fishes 50- year floodplain within the critical habitat of the endangered fishes: A. General Rule: The stocking of nonsalmonid. nonnative fishes will not generally be condoned for ponds within the 50-year floodplain of critical habitat for endangered fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin. However, proposals for stocking in the SO.year floodplain will be considered for special situations on a case-by-case basis. 8. Exceotion: Stocking of gravel-pit ponds in the 50-year floodplain of the Colorado River from Rifle to Loma, Colorado and the Gunnison River from Delta, Colorado, to the mouth of Dominguez Canyon with largemouth bass, bluegill, and black crappie would be allowed, subject to the following conditions (in their entirety): 4