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. . . Ensure implementation of a robust and coordinated fire protection and suppression program within the planning area; . Conservation areas may require protective buffers around them; and . Incorporation of existing infrastructure (e.g., roads, firebreaks, canals, wells, etc.). The States' !Reclamation Conservation Strategy proposes to restore 5,400 acres of cottonwood-willow habitat, in conjunction with 1,200 acres of mesquite, 512 acres of marsh habitat, and an additional 360 acres of backwater habitat. This restoration proposal was based upon a careful and thorough analysis of the potential impacts associated with the covered projects and the long-term needs of the covered species within the planning area. Additionally, a series of conservation measures were prepared addressing the needs of the endangered native fishes, including the razorback sucker, bonytail, and humpback chub. 'The acreage proposed for restoration of native riparian, marsh, and aquatic habitat totals to approximately 7, 500 acres. Associated with the proposed package are numerical goals and targets related to production and stocking of endangered native fishes in the mainstream and reservoir system from Lake Mead to Imperial Dam. Finally, the Proposal also provides for a monetary contribution geared toward conservation of existing humpback chub in the Grand Canyon through the auspices of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program. On February 7, 2003, the USFWS offered its preliminary assessment and review of the States'lReclamation Proposal. A copy of the meeting notes describing the USFWS' overall impression and specific comments related to the Proposal is included in the handout materials. Based upon the presentation the previous day and its review of the draft proposal, the USFWS made the following observations or suggestions: . USFWS generally approves of the assumptions used in the Proposal; USFWS concurs with the utilization of the "integrated mosaic" conservation preserve approach; USFWS recommends the addition of 10% more cottonwood-willow habitat to ensure that the habitat provides value to more species than just the southwestern willow flycatcher; Manage marsh habitat restoration conjunctively to benefit both California black rail and Yuma clapper rail; Critically important to protect and enhance the existing populations ofCalifomia black rail along the Lower Colorado River, in the Laguna Division, and the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge (the only other population of California black rail in the United States is in the San Francisco Bay area); USFWS suggests that the Proposal address the research and monitoring needs of a population of tlannelmouth sucker below Davis Dam; USFWS generally concurs with the proposed $10,000 per year for humpback chub conservation through the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program; USFWS suggests that the LCR MSCP assume the long-term responsibility to maintain the genetic refugia of razorback sucker and bonytail in Lake Mohave through augmentation and maintenance stocking efforts; . . . . . . . 8