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<br />002752 <br /> <br />and forage fishes for the sport fishery in Lake Powell. However, with the implementation of the <br />Recovery Program, a single 0.4 acre pond was designated for use as a grow-out facility for Upper <br />Colorado River subbasin endangered fishes. Recovery Program facilities at Wahweap, including <br />those planned for construction during FY 1997, total 11 ponds covering 4.15 acres and a 30 foot by <br />50 foot wet lab and storage building. The expenditures by the Recovery Program for construction <br />and research facilities at Wahweap SFH through FY 1997 total approximately $850,000. <br /> <br />Colorado Water Conservation Board Hatchery Feasibility Study: In 1989, the Colorado <br />Legislature authorized the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to prepare a feasibility <br />study of a native species aquatic facility for propagation of the four endangered fishes of the Upper <br />Colorado River Basin. Thirty-three sites throughout Colorado were evaluated. Based on site <br />selection criteria, the initial 33 sites were screened to 16. In June 1993, the Recovery Program's <br />Management Committee decided not to select a site, as the Recovery Program was not prepared to <br />obligate resources to build such a facility at that time. The Committee suggested that the states <br />individually detennine their specific needs for a facility, not only for recovery of the four endangered <br />fishes of the Upper Colorado River Basin, but for population enhancement of other native aquatic <br />species currently in decline. A flexibly designed facility could provide augmentation and research <br />capabilities directed towards protecting these species, and keeping them from becoming federally <br />listed. <br /> <br />The CWCB and Colorado Division of Wildlife staffs developed a September 1993 Joint Resolution <br />presenting the State's position on the need for a native aquatic species hatchery. The Resolution <br />directed the CWCB to work in conjunction with the Division of Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and <br />Wildlife Service in further coordinating the development of such a facility. Efforts have continued <br />towards finding a suitable location for an native aquatic species hatchery. Negotiations are continuing <br />with the landowner concerning the appraisal of the property located at the preferred site in the San <br />Luis Valley. It is anticipated that, upon acceptance ofa fair appraisal for the property, the design and <br />construction of a Native Species Aquatic Facility will commence. A second Joint Resolution <br />(November 1, 1996) identifies the purpose of such a facility and includes a cost-sharing <br />provisionjoint funding request which will be submitted to the Colorado General Assembly in 1997. <br /> <br />Stocking of Endangered Fish Species <br /> <br />Coloradn squawfish: Three experimental stockings were performed in the Colorado River prior to <br />the initiation of the Recovery Program: 1,500 7-15 inch fish (April 20, 1980), 11,422 2-3 inch fish <br />(October 6, 1982), and 55,000 2-4 inch fish (October 13, 1983) and one was performed in the <br />Gunnison River: 11,000 2-6 inch fish (October 31. 1984). All of these approximately 80,000 fish <br />stocked were obtained from Dexter NFH. Only 5 adult survivors have been found during later <br />monitoring efforts. <br /> <br />Since the formation of the Recovery Program, Colorado squawfish were only stocked into Kenney <br />Reservoir on the White River. Between 1988 and 1990, a total of 86,601 Colorado squawfish <br />ranging in size from 2-7 inches were tagged and stocked in this area. Again, this entire stock was <br />obtained from Dexter NFH. Only 4 squawfish were captured in the reservoir and upstream during <br />sampling efforts in 199 L By 1992, no squawfish were captured. No additional stocking has <br /> <br />VIII <br />