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<br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />The Recovery Program has five principal elements: (I) habitat management through provision <br />of instream flows, (2) habitat development and maintenance through non. flow options, (3) <br />stocking of native fish species, (4) management of non-native species and sportfishing, and (5) <br />research, monitoring, and data management. A critical element is the appropriation /acquisition <br />and protection of instream flows required for the recovery of the species. In regards to (I), <br />habitat management through provision of instream flows, the Recovery Program has conducted <br />a number of studies to develop flow recommendations in the Yampa River, Green River, <br />mainstem Colorado River which would contribute to the protection and maintenance of <br />endangered fish habitat. <br /> <br />As direeted by the Recovery Program, the Service is required to conduct flow quantification <br />studies to provide instream flow recommendations which will be submitted to the state water <br />resources agencies for review, approval and implementation. Under this process, flow <br />recommendations have currently been developed by the Service in three separate studies using <br />a variety of flow methodologies on the Colorado and Yampa Rivers in Colorado. These <br />recommendations were for the IS-Mile Reach of the Colorado River, extending from about <br />Palisade to the confluence with the Gunnison River; and the Yampa River from Craig, Colorado <br />to the Colorado-Utah Stateline. Future studies will be conducted on the White, Dolores and <br />Gunnison Rivers. <br /> <br />The Recovery Program also outlines the procedures for Section 7 consultations of the Endangered <br />Species Aet. In order to ensure whether progress toward recovery of the fish is sufficient to <br />allow for continued issuance of favorable Biological Opinions on various water projects, a <br />number of agreements have been developed. These agreements clarify how the Recovery <br />Program suffices as the reasonable and prudent alternative to offset jeopardy biological opinions <br />on depletion impacts related to new and existing water projects in the Upper Basin, and include <br />the Enforcement and Protection of Water and Water Rights and Section 7 Consultation, Sufficient <br />Progress and Historic Projects Agreements'. <br /> <br />Tbe Recovery ImDlemenlation Prol!ram Recovery Action Plan (RIP RAP) <br /> <br />This document has been developed provide an operational plan for implementing the Recovery <br />Program, including development of the annual work plan and future budget needs. The RlPRAP <br />identifies feasible actions necessary to recover the endangered fishes including schedules and <br />budgets for these activities. It also specifies those recovery actions which must be accomplished <br />in order for the Recovery Program to serve as the reasonable and prudent alternative to depletion <br />impacts of new and existing water projects. This document is an adaptive management plan, as <br />modifications to RlPRAP will be made annually according to changes in priorities, results of <br />ongoing research efforts and further development of compact entitlements. <br /> <br />1 "Memorandum of Agreement Between the United States Depanment of the Interior Fish and Wildlife <br />Service and the Colorado Water Conservation Board concerning the Enforcement and Protection of Water and Water <br />Rights", (Enforcement Agreement) adopted by the Board in September 21, 1993. "Section 7 Consultation, Sufficient <br />Progress, and Historic Projects Agreement", accepted by the Recovery Program October 15, 1993. <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br />COW 0373 <br /> <br />I <br />J <br />