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~ ) ,.,. \oft l\:l N SUMMARY OF FINDINGS The Lower Colorado HYdrologic Region provides habitat for approxi- mately 835 species of fish and wildlife. Of these, 65 are classified as game. In 1965, the game species provided about 5.5 million man-days of fishing and hunting for the human population of 1.8 million. With the population of 6.5 million predicted for the Region in 2020, the fish and wildlife resource will need to supply about 31 million man- days of fiShing and hunting and an undeterminable amount of use result- ing from other wildlife-oriented activities. In 1965, approximately one of every seven residents participated actively in hunting and fiShing. For every 100 resident sportsmen par- ticipating, there were 14 visiting sportsmen. Hunters and fishermen spent nearly 75 million dollars in connection with their sports. Ex- penditures for fishing were about twice that spent for hunting. A ma- jor portion of these expenditures were in the small communities near the hunting and fishing areas and represent an important segment of their economics. Also, it is estimated that the time and money spent on equipment, transportation, lodging, and related items for non- consumptive use of the fish and wildlife resources might equal that ex- pended by the hunting fraternity. The assurance of an adequate supply of fish and wildlife resources to meet future demands for hunting, fishing, other wildlife-oriented activities, and preservation of endangered species will require manage- ment of water and land to enhance these purposes. The measures proposed in the fish ~nd wildlife program include the deve~opment and improve- ment of fish and wildlife habitat, associated public-use facilities, game management areas, fish hatcheries, improved management programs, and research. The measures proposed are designed to satisfy the total projected demands. Nearly 47 million acres of the Region are in Federal ownership and support most of the fish and wildlife resources. These lands offer sig- nificant opportunities for further development. Most of the remaining 43 million acres of private, Indian, State, and other public areas pro- vide wildlife resources and have the potential for satisfying a substan- tial part of the future fish and wildlife-oriented activities. The fish and wildlife program proposes measures to maintain and improve the Region's available wildlife resource. Basically, the pro- gram proposes that the management and use of the wildlife resources be given consideration equal to that given to the other uses of the land. Recognition of the importance of wildlife production on the existing areas offers the potential of the Region being developed and managed beneficially for wildlife. Approximately 11.8 million acres within the overall ranges of some wildlife species should be designated and 11