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<br />002759 <br /> <br />miles within the Upper Colorado River Basin as critical habitat for the humpback chub (Federal <br />Register Vol. 59, No. 54, March 21, 1994 pgs. 13374-400). The designated critical habitat is <br />identical to the bonytail critical habitat <br /> <br />3.0 Genetics Management <br /> <br />Genetics management of endangered Colorado River fishes is an integral part of the Recovery <br />Program's management of wild fish populations, native fish stocking, and research/monitoring efforts <br />(Williamson et aL 1994). The goals of genetic management, as outlined in the original Recovery <br />Program documentation (US. Fish and Wildlife Service 1987), are as follows: <br /> <br />L To prevent immediate extinction of any endangered Colorado River fish stocks. <br /> <br />2. To conserve genetic diversity of wild endangered fish stocks through recovery efforts that will <br />protect or restore viable wild stocks by removing or significantly reducing limiting factors that <br />caused population declines. <br /> <br />3. To maintain genetic diversity in captive-reared endangered fish brood stocks that is similar to <br />the wild stock used as founders. <br /> <br />Three major activities were undertaken concerning genetics management including (1) genetics <br />management plan, (2) genetics management guidelines, and (3) broodstockJrefugia development The <br />Recovery Program's accomplishments regarding these activities are discussed in the following <br />sections. <br /> <br />3.1 Genetics Management Plan <br /> <br />The first plan concerning genetics management entitled "Plan for the Propagation of Threatened and <br />Endangered Fishes of the Upper Colorado River Basin" was produced by the US. Fish and Wildlife <br />Service in 1988 and approved by the Recovery Implementation Committee (US. Fish and Wildlife <br />Service 1988). The plan directed the PWG to provide oversight and direction regarding the <br />development of a genetic resource management plan. It included the following six major objectives. <br /> <br />I. Establish an ad hoc group of experts under the technical work group of the Implementation <br />Committee to provide oversight and direction including assessment of fish needs, development of <br />a genetic resource management plan, engineering assessments and evaluations, and overall long- <br />tenn propagation strategies. <br /> <br />2. Update short-tenn fish needs (1989-1991) for approved research projects. <br /> <br />3, Refine and update the numbers of each species required for research, restoration, augmentation, <br />and broodstock management in 5-year increments through the IS-year period of the Recovery <br />Program. <br /> <br />9 <br />