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<br />Preliminary results of studies on fish-food organisms suggest that <br />floodplain habitats are highly productive and provide a tremendous <br />amount of food to the river ecosystem. Water temperatures in the <br />floodplain were found to be warmer even after spring runoff had <br />subsided. Crowl suggested that food resulting from floodplain <br />inundation is primarily what feeds the Green River ecosystem for the <br />entire year, and that all species of fishes can be expected to benefit. <br /> <br />Inundation of both terraces and depressions are expected to help feed <br />the ecosystem and benefit endangered. native. and nonnative fishes. <br />However. floodplain terraces may not be adequate habitat for larval <br />razorbacks. Terraces do not remain inundated for a long enough period <br />of time for larvae to grow large enough to avoid predation when they <br />have to return to the main river channel. Therefore. I would suggest <br />doing more experimentation with floodplain depressions. to see if: <br /> <br />1. Razorback larvae can survive and grow to a size where they can <br />avoid predation once they return to the river: and <br />2. Nonnative fishes produced in depressions have any effect on species <br />composition and relative abundance of fishes in main-channel <br />habitats. <br /> <br />An FY 97 levee removal evaluation annual report will be sent under <br />separate cover. <br /> <br />VII. Recommendations: <br /> <br />Continue as planned in FY 9B Work Plan. <br /> <br />VIII. Project Status: <br /> <br />On track. <br /> <br />IX. FY 97 Budget <br />A. Funds Provided: $1.889.1DK <br />B. Funds Expended: $1.178.4DK <br />C. Difference: $ 7ID.7DK <br />The FY 97 budget was based in part on the assumption that some <br />lands would be acquired and some habitat enhancement would be done <br />on acquired lands. The budget also assumed that more than 3 sites <br />along the Green River would be restored prior to 1997 runoff. but <br />NEPA and permitting delays resulted fewer sites than desired, <br />D. Recovery Program funds spent for publication charges: None as yet. <br /> <br />6 <br />