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<br />\JM€, <br /> <br />IV. Description of past performance on this or similar projects: <br /> <br />In 1991, Ed Wick developed a draft issue paper entitled "River <br />Management and Habitat Restoration Strategy", which recommended <br />restoration of floodplain habitats for use by endangered fishes. <br />One specific recommendation was to reconnect Old Charley Wash <br />(Wood's Bottom) to the Green River for use by razorback suckers. <br />Old Charley Wash became a pilot study site for testing hypotheses <br />regarding flooded bottomland restoration. To prepare the site, <br />water inlet and outlet control structures and screens have been <br />installed, and the site has been graded. The site was tested during <br />1994 to see if water levels and fish predators can be controlled, <br />and if razorback larvae will survive and grow. <br /> <br />Since that time additional candidate sites have been selected to <br />evaluate their restoration potential for use by endangered fishes. <br />To date, data have been collected and conceptual management plans <br />have been developed for Moab Slough (Colorado River), Escalante <br />State Wildlife Area (Gunnison River), Gravel Pit at 29 5/8 Road <br />(Colorado River), Escalante Ranch (Green River), and Old Charley <br />Wash (Green River). Final reports were submitted in May/June 1994. <br /> <br />An inventory of flooded bottom lands was conducted for the upper <br />Colorado River basin during FY 93-94. Sites were ranked based on <br />selected criteria, and the hi9hest priority sites are being <br />evaluated for their restoration potential. <br /> <br />V. Study area <br /> <br />The study area consists of the upper Colorado River basin, excluding <br />the San Juan River. Due to initial emphasis on razorback sucker <br />recovery, the Floodplain Habitat Restoration Program will focus on <br />the Green, Colorado, and Gunnison rivers, where razorback suckers <br />were historically common to abundant. Restoration will occur within <br />alluvial floodplain areas of the Green River (river mile 0 to 398); <br />the Colorado River (river mile 0 to 241), and the Gunnison River <br />(river mile 0 to 75). <br /> <br />VI. Study Methods/Approach <br /> <br />Overview: <br /> <br />The Program will follow a sequence of steps to restore natural <br />floodplain functions that support razorback recovery. Major steps <br />include: <br /> <br />1. Site selection <br />2. Screening <br />3. Restoration <br />4. Evaluation <br /> <br />5 <br />