Laserfiche WebLink
<br />uG24::.4 <br /> <br />III. PRINCIPLES RELATED TO THE PROCEDURES <br /> <br />I. The Procedures are intended to meet the spirit of the Recovery <br />Program: <br /> <br />o The goal of the Recovery Program is to recover the four <br />endangered Colorado River fishes by establishing naturally <br />self-sustaining populations and protecting the habitat upon <br />which they depend. The Procedures are intended to support this <br />goal while allowing nonnative fish stocking for recreational <br />fishing and private aquaculture, provided that such stocking is <br />compatible with recovery of the endangered Colorado River <br />fishes. <br /> <br />o Implementation of these Procedures will contribute to <br />fulfilling the intent for the Recovery Program to serve as the <br />"reasonable and prudent alternative" for certain types of water <br />development in the Upper Basin (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service <br />1993). <br /> <br />o The Recovery Program requires that "stocking of nonnative <br />species will be confined to areas where the absence of <br />potential conflict with rare or endangered species can be <br />demonstrated" . <br /> <br />The Procedures provide guidance for stocking of nonnative <br />fishes in the Upper Basin that is consistent with recovery <br />efforts for the endangered Colorado River fishes. They are <br />intended as a way to integrate recreational fishery management <br />with ongoing recovery efforts for the endangered fishes. <br /> <br />2. These Procedures will be implemented by a Memorandum of <br />Understanding among the Service and State fish and wildlife <br />agencies in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. The roles and <br />responsibilities of each agency will be clearly described in the <br />Memorandum of Understanding. <br /> <br />3. Both the Service and the States have statutory responsibilities <br />which cannot be abrogated. The States have the responsibility for <br />managing fish and wildlife resources that includes threatened and <br />endangered species occurring within their boundaries. The Service <br />has certain legislated responsibilities for conserving fish and <br />wildlife resources including administration of the Endangered <br />Species Act. <br /> <br />4. The goal of the Service and the States is to reach consensus on <br />issues related to stocking of nonnative fishes so that neither <br />agency has to independently assert its authority. The Service and <br />the States will make a concerted effort to resolve any <br />disagreements that may arise from a stocking proposal. <br /> <br />3 <br />