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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />1. Provision of instream flows. Instream flow needs for the four rare fishes will <br />be identified for all the major rivers in the Upper Basin. The Recovery Program <br />anticipates that the needs of the fish in major portions of the Colorado and Green <br />Rivers can be provided through ref\nement and protection of releases from Federal <br />reservoirs, such as Flaming Gorge and Blue Mesa. In addition, in unregulated systems <br />like the Yampa and White Rivers, the program calls for water rights to be acquired, <br />converted into instream flows, and administered pursuant to State water law. In <br />1988, SI million were appropriated by Congress to initiate the acquisition of water <br />for instream flows. <br /> <br />2. Habitat development and maintenance. Fish habitat will be developed through <br />habitat management techniques, such as creation of backwaters for nursery and feeding <br />habitat and construction of jetties to provide overwintering habitat. <br /> <br />3. Native fish stocking. A hatchery, rearing, and stocking program will be <br />implemented as a means to produce fish for research and augment the endangered fish <br />populations. <br /> <br />4. Management of nonnative species and sportfishing. Certain introduced fish <br />species are known to prey on or compete with the endangered fishes. In addition, <br />anglers have been known to capture endangered fishes frequently in some areas. These <br />potential problems will be monitored and controlled where necessary and feasible <br />through a cooperative effort between State wildlife agencies and the Service. <br /> <br />5. Research, monitoring, and data management. Detailed study plans will be <br />developed to identify research needed for recovery, monitor the effectiveness of <br />management and recovery activities, and evaluate the life history and habitat of each <br />of the four species. <br /> <br />The ultimate goal of the Recovery Program in the Upper Basin is to recover and delist <br />the three endangered species and to manage the razorback sucker so it would not need <br />the protection of the Endangered Species Act. Fifteen years has been specified as <br />the initial timeframe for achieving this goal. <br /> <br />Funding of the Recovery Progra~ is a cooperative responsibility. The projected <br />annual budget for the Recovery Program is S2,300,000. Sources will include Federal <br />and State governments, power and water users, and private donations. Two capital <br />funds will be requested from Congress. A S10 million fund will be used for the <br />purchase of water rights to protect instream flows. In addition, a SS million <br />capital construction fund will be needed to initiate activities, such as construction <br />of a hatchery, fish passageways, etc. Proponents of non-Federal water projects will <br />provide an additional source of funding, by making a one-time contribution of SID per <br />acre-foot (adjusted annually for inflation) of the average annual depletion of any <br />project that goes through Section 7 consultation. <br /> <br />further information is available from: <br /> <br />John Hami 11 <br />Director, Colorado River Recovery Implementation Plan <br />U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWE) <br />- ~ox 25486, DFC <br />Denver, Colorado 80225 <br />(303) 236-7398 <br />