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<br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Reallocation should begin with the FY 97 budget. We look forward to continuing to work <br />cooperatively with Recovery Program participants to recover the endangered fish species while <br />the upper basin states develop their compact apportionments. We make these recommendations <br />to refocus and revitalize the Recovery Program. <br /> <br />RECOMMEND A nONS <br /> <br />1. USFWS should downlist the Colorado squawfish to a "threatened" species from an <br />"endangered" species at this time in the Green River and Colorado River subbasins. <br /> <br />Rationale: The Colorado Squawfish Recovery Plan (USFWS, August 6, 1991) states that "The <br />Colorado squawfish will be considered eligible for reclassification to threatened when naturally <br />self-sustaining populations are maintained in the Upper Basin" in specified recovery areas. This <br />includes the Colorado River from Palisade, Colorado, to Lake Powell, the Green River from the <br />Colorado River to the Yampa River, the lower 137 miles of the Yampa River, and the lower 150 <br />miles of the White River. The plan states that the Colorado squawfish may be downlisted <br />separately by population or recovery area, and downlisting or deli sting will be done <br />simultaneously in the Green River and Colorado River subbasins. <br /> <br />The estimated adult squawfish population in the Green River subbasin was 8,000 in 1991 (Tyus, <br />1991). A population of 250 adults exist in the Colorado River above Westwater Canyon, and a <br />significant population of adults and subadults exists below Westwater Canyon. (Osmundson and <br />Burnham, USFWS, July. 1996.) A panel of peer reviewers concluded that the Colorado <br />squawfish populations in the Upper Basin are considered to be stable (Wydoski, U.S. Fish and <br />Wildlife Service "Coordinated Hatchery Facility Plan: Need for Captive, Reared Endangered <br />Fishes and the Propagation Facilities" May 25, 1994; "Highlights of a Peer Review and Round <br />Table Discussion on the Relationship of Streamflow, Geomorphology, and Food Web Studies in <br />Recovery of the Endangered Fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin," USFWS, April 25, 1996, <br />page II). Stability is further evidenced by the Recovery Program Biology Committee's decision <br />to place development of Colorado squawfish brood stock as the lowest priority, given the status <br />of these populations (Wydoski, "Annual Propagation Operation Plan, 1996", April 1996). <br /> <br />Following downlisting of these populations, Recovery Program efforts should focus on meeting <br />the requirements for delisting identified in the Colorado Squawfish Recovery Plan (USFWS, <br />1991). The USFWS is required, every five years, to consider downlisting and delisting each <br />endangered species (ESA 4(c) (2)). Delisting of the Colorado squawfish and other species can <br />and should be accomplished under this requirement. <br /> <br />2. USFWS should downlist the humpback chub at this time. <br /> <br />Rationale: The humpback chub recovery program states "Down listing will occur when five, <br />viable self-sustaining humpback chub populations have been located or reestablished." "Deli sting <br />will be considered when five, viable populations and their habitats are protected." <br /> <br />The following self-sustaining populations of humpback chub exist: <br /> <br />2 <br />