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<br />a <br />;'". 1'"",,:.1 <br /> <br />i_..,~ <br />.,..,;. <br />-.J <br /> <br />tnrough connections with the rivers or overbank flooding was considered to be <br />a significant factor in the high mortality of the endangered fishes from <br />predation and competition. <br /> <br />:,(,~ <br /> <br />RECOVERY PROGRAM APPROACH <br />TO <br />MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF NONNATIVE FISHES <br /> <br />The "Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered fish Species in the Upper <br />Basin" (Recovery Program) was established in ]987 (U.S. fish and Wildlife <br />Service ]987) and implemented in 1988 when the Governors of Colorado, Utah, <br />and Wyoming, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Administrator of the <br />Western Area Power Administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding to <br />cooperate in recovery efforts. One of five elements in the Recovery Program <br />is the management of nonnative fishes and sportfishing. <br /> <br />Recovery Program thrusts in the management of nonnative fishes and <br />sportfishing include: <br /> <br />I, Development and Implementation of "Procedures for Stocking of <br />Nonnative fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin" <br />(Procedures). <br /> <br />2. Control of escapement of nonnative fishes from off-channel ponds and <br />impoundments, <br /> <br />3, Development of a strategic plan for control of nonnative fishes that <br />will include: <br /> <br />A. Determining the distribution and relative abundance of <br />nonnative fishes by river reach. <br /> <br />B. Identifiying nonnative fish species that have established self- <br />sustaining populations in Upper Basin rivers. <br /> <br />C. Determining and prioritizing the fish species that pose the <br />greatest potential for adverse impacts on endangered fishes <br />through predation and competition. <br /> <br />D. Reviewing life history summaries and identifying potentially <br />vulnerable life stages of priority nonnative fish species. <br /> <br />E. Identifying, implementing, and evaluating control methods that <br />are employed to reduce nonnative fish numbers in river reaches <br />that are critical to the recruitment of the endangered fishes. <br /> <br />The States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming and the U.S. fish and Wildlife <br />Service (Service) have worked together since ]993 to establish procedures for <br />management of sportfishing through stocking that are consistent with the <br />recovery of the endangered Colorado River fishes. Interim Procedures were <br />developed and implemented on a trial basis during the spring, summer, and fall <br />of 1994. A Review Team composed of biologists from the Service and the States <br /> <br />2 <br />