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<br />002737 <br /> <br />basin and the protection of the habitat utilized by these populations (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service <br />1990b). In achieving this goal, three major elements were listed in the recovery plan that were <br />associated with stocking and genetics management including (I) resolve taxonomic problems in <br />Colorado River basin Qi!a, (2) protect humpback chub populations and their habitats, and (3) assess <br />potential reintroduction or augmentation sites and implement stocking when deemed necessary and <br />feasible. <br /> <br />The revised recovery plan called for the actions described below. <br /> <br />1. Resolve taxonomic problems in Colorado River basin Gila. (The description of this <br />action is identical to that describedfor the bony tail chub in Section 2,2,2) <br /> <br />2. Protect humpback chub populations and their habitats. Changes in the environment <br />of the humpback chub may pose threats to the species and its habitats, Humpback chub <br />populations in the Little Colorado River, Black Rocks/Westwater Canyon and Yampa Canyon <br />are restricted to relatively short river reaches that could be decimated by a catastrophic <br />event, Emphasis should be placed on working cooperatively with State and Federal agencies <br />and private groups to develop a coordinated program to protect and recover humpback <br />chub. <br />. Establish and maintain refugia. Refugia should be established and maintained to guard <br />against loss of existing humpback chub populations as the result of a catastrophic event. <br />Between 50 and 100 fish should be establishedfor the Upper Colorado River from stock <br />from the Black RockslWestwater Canyon. <br /> <br />3. Assess potential reintroduction or augmentation sites and implement stocking where <br />deemed necessary and feasible. Reintroduction of humpback chub into areas where they <br />occurred, or may have occurred, and augmentation of existing stocks may be necessary to <br />achieve recovery, Habitat assessment of potential reintroduction sites will be necessary <br />prior to reintroduction or augmentation. Augmentation will be done only if warranted by <br />special justification such as senescent adults, skewed sex ratios, or some other factor <br />affecting the ability of the population to recover naturally. Reintroduction and potential <br />habitat manipulation will be coordinated with the appropriate land managing agencies. <br />. Establish and maintain adequate production facilities. The existence and availability of <br />adequate production facilities and decisions on the quantity of humpback chubs to be <br />produced are of primary importance to reintroduction or augmentation efforts. <br />. Provide and support appropriate production facilities. Existingfacilities at Dexter <br />National Fish Hatchery and Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery should be evaluated <br />for suitability in producing Immpback clmbsfor required stocking. Ijneeded, additional <br />sites should be inventoriedfor suitability as rearingfacilities. <br />. Identify and secure adequate numbers of the proper broodstocks. Broodstock <br />selections should be based on taxonomic and stock evaluation, availability of adequate <br />numbers, and absence of genetic contamination through hybridization. <br />. Maintain genetic variability and integrity in broodstocks. Every effort should be <br />made to maintain the genetic diversity of wild populations in broodstocks and in those <br />fish producedfor reintroduction or augmentation. <br /> <br />7 <br />