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<br />
<br />
<br />OffiCERS
<br />1997.91
<br />
<br />Presidenl:
<br />PcrER ~ICHOLS
<br />C~ndale. CO
<br />Vice Pre~idenl:
<br />ERIC WILKINSON
<br />LoveJan.1. CO
<br />Treasu~r:
<br />DOUGL....S KEMPER
<br />:\urora.CO
<br />AsslstantTreasurer:
<br />KIT KIMBALL
<br />Dcn"er.CO
<br />Secn:W"Y:
<br />RICHAA:O D. ~bcRAVEY
<br />Dcn\er.CO
<br />Immediate Pasl PreSlde"l:
<br />~EIL JAQlTET
<br />Goldell. CO
<br />BOARD OF
<br />DIREcrORS
<br />DANIEL BIRCH
<br />Stc-:lmboal Spon,!!. CO
<br />ROBERT Q. BURR
<br />Walden. CO
<br />STEVE ClAIlK
<br />Demcr. CO
<br />KE:o-INETH CRA;"IIOALl
<br />SICrhn'l.CO
<br />RALPH CURTIS
<br />,...I:lml)~ll. CO
<br />RONALD :>t., HELLBUSCH
<br />W~lmln'le'. CO
<br />11M HOKIT
<br />~onl~. CO
<br />~E[L JAQUET
<br />Goldel\. CO
<br />DOL'GLAS KE:\IPER
<br />Auror.L.CO
<br />KIT KI~BALL
<br />Dcn\e1".CO
<br />ROD KL"H.-\RICH
<br />eulor.llI.. Spnrl!I, CO
<br />DOL'GL.I"S LOCKHART
<br />GrJn<.l JUnellon..ll: l...JUv,'ood. CO
<br />D"....!O \1ERRITT
<br />::;lcnll-OOo..I Spnn"!:,. CO
<br />L,l;'A'I::'>JE \flLLER
<br />Windsor. CO
<br />~ETER 'JICHDLS
<br />:.1Itlonualc.CO
<br />\.1... ..BUO~ fYH....RA
<br />~eblo.C()
<br />:0 POKOR:"olEY
<br />Jen\l!'f.CO
<br />OHN PORTER
<br />::'oncL.CO
<br />)""\"10 ROBBI;o..IS
<br />:>en\cr.CO
<br />'AL'L TEST\\"l:IDE
<br />:,III.CO
<br />~EFORD THEOBaLD
<br />~r:lIk.IJul1Cllon.CO
<br />V H, 'BILL" .....EBSTER
<br />~lft:le~.. CO
<br />:RIC .....IU..:l:\SO~
<br />.uvel~d.CO
<br />IART WQODW-\RD
<br />,n~Ller.CO
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<br />
<br />Colorado U7Qter Congress
<br />
<br />1390 Logan Street. Suite 312, Denver. CO 80203 (303) 837-0812 FAX. (303) 837.1607
<br />Richard D. MacRavey. E:r.ecutive Director
<br />
<br />July 21, 1997
<br />
<br />Colorado Field Supervisor
<br />United States Fish and Wildlife Service
<br />P.O, Box 25486
<br />Denver Federal Center
<br />Denver, CO 80225
<br />
<br />Re: Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse
<br />
<br />Dear Supervisor:
<br />
<br />These comments are made in response to 62 FR 24387 regarding the
<br />proposed endangered status for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse ["Mouse"],
<br />The Colorado Water Congress is an association of 400 water providers and users and
<br />its membership includes large municipalities, ditch companies, water conservancy
<br />districts, individuals, small farm operators, mining companies, and cities and towns
<br />throughout Colorado. The Water Congress has been a leader in the recovery
<br />program for endangered fish on the Colorado River and acted as one of the
<br />organizing entities on the still evolving South Platte endangered species program, In
<br />evaluating the proposed listing of the Preble's meadow jumping mouse, the Water
<br />Congress brings a substantive experience in hydrology, water law, endangered
<br />species recovery and work with diverse interest groups on various issues, The
<br />following comments are offered after a review of the proposed listing:
<br />
<br />1, No listing should occur until sufficient information is developed as
<br />follows:
<br />. Mouse taxonomy: Insufficient work has been completed to
<br />determine whether the Preble's meadow jumping mouse exists as
<br />a distinct and separate subspecies, Prior to listing, scientifically
<br />sound evidence needs to be developed to determine the Mouse's
<br />individual, biological characteristics which distinguish it frgm_
<br />other mice present in the same habitat. The Service has the
<br />capability to produce scientifically sound information on the
<br />Mouse's distinguishing characteristics and needs to do so prior to
<br />listing, The ongoing two year DNA testing program is
<br />insufficient to develop reliable information and at least a five year
<br />study needs to be completed prior to the listing decision, Funher,
<br />without reliable genetic ~vidence, scientific ~valuation as
<br />envisioned by the Endangered Species Act ["ESA'] is impossible,
<br />~hus thwarting the clear ~ntent of the ,-\ct.
<br />
<br />~'~mD..r f ":;ltlllnai "V;Uf"!'" ~p.'5ourr=!'>... ,.......sor.i3tion
<br />
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