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A - , "natural floodplain functions" - For this Program, the phrase includes those functions believed to be important to the razorback sucker and other endangered fishes. Functions include provision of food, enhanced water temperatures, shelter from high velocities, predator avoidance habitat, spawning habitat, quality water, and nursery rearing habitat. The Program assumes that restoration of those functions for razorbacks will also satisfy the other endangered fishes and native fishes. "that support recovery of endanoered fishes" - This phrase is the key to the Program. "Success" will be measured using trends in population-response parameters (e.g., survival, growth, population size and distribution). This is where we must have a sound monitoring program, with the best sampling techniques and strategies, to evaluate success. Therefore, if certain "natural floodplain functions" are "restored and enhanced", and the target species do not respond, then it means: I) 2) we did not go far enough (i.e., we did not restore enough habitat quality and/or quantity), or we did not restore the right things (i.e., we missed/overlooked something). We do not want to fall into the trap of measuring Program success in terms of the number of ponds we construct, or the number of razorbacks we raise and stock into the river. "Restoring natural floodplain functions" is expected to result in a positive basin-wide response of the endangered species (i.e., larger numbers of endangered fishes and/or less nonnatives). Only a sound basin-wide monitoring/evaluation program will be able to detect such a response. Prooram Obiectives 1. Assist in short-term stabilization of razorback sucker populations by utilizing existing (or creating) drainable floodplain habitats with inflow/outflow control, and stock with larvae in accordance with approved stocking plans. This objective is directed primarily toward the Green River razorbacks, the last known remaining riverine population of razorbacks. Recent population estimates range from 300 to 1000 adults. Although available data are not definitive regarding trends, many fear that we may have little time, given the rate at which the razorback population in the Colorado River has recently declined to near extinction. Therefore, "stabilization of razorback sucker populations" is highest priority. Refugia populations are being developed under the Propagation Element; but what can the Floodplain Habitat Restoration Program do to help stabilize razorback populations? This is where Objective 1 comes into play. A variety of floodplain habitat types (e.g., natural floodplain depressions, gravel pits, oxbows, tertiary channels) will be restored hydrologically for use by razorbacks. Initially, sites will have outlet 2