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, PREFACE These procedures were deyeloped cooperatively with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the States of Colorado. Utah, and Wyoming. based on an evaluation of various alternatives analyzed in the "Draft Environmental Assessment for Procedures for Stocking of Nonnative Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin. " The Interim Procedures were implemented on a trial basis during the spring, summer, and fall of 1994 by application to Lake Management Plans (i .e.. stocking gropoSalS) that were developed for 12 ponds and reservoirs by the Colorado ivision of Wildlife. A Review Team composed of biologists from the Service and the fish and wildlife agencies in Colorado, Utah. and Wyoming reviewed the Lake Management Plans, evaluated the Interim Procedures, and considered comments that were solicited from the public in mid-December. 1994. On January 31. 1995. the Region 6, Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Director of the Colorado Division of Wildlife met and discussed further options to allow the stocking of nonsalmonid, nonnative fishes in the 50-year floodplain. The proposed conditions were distributed to participants on various Recovery Program committees and to interested parties on March 6. 1995. On April 24-25, 1995. three independent biologists (i.e., not employed by the agencies represented on the Review Team) met with the Review Team to discuss the biological merits of the proposed conditions. Public meetings were held: December 5, 1995, in Denver, Colorado; December 6, 1995, in Craig, Colorado; December 7, 1995, in Grand Junction, Colorado; and December 12, 1995, in Vernal. Utah. Stocking procedures being considered at that time were discussed and comments accepted. Additional alternative versions of the Procedures were prepared to address concerns identified during this early public review process. A draft environmental assessment was released to the public for comment on April 30, 1996. This assessment evaluated a "no action" alternative and five action alternatives. Public meetings were held: May 21, 1996. in Grand Junction, Colorado; May 22. 1996, in Denver, Colorado; and May 23, 1996. in Craig, Colorado. The various alternatives were presented and public comment accepted. Written comments on the draft enYironmental assessment were due June 3, 1996. The final environmental assessment was publi~hed ????? The Fish and Wildlife Service issued a policy on June 3, 1996, for conserving species listed under the Endangered Species Act while providing for and enhancing recreational fisheries opportunities. The joint Stocking Procedures between the States of Colorado. Wyoming, and Utah work to minimize conflicts between recreational fisheries and the Endangered Species Act. The procedures will help to enhance existing fisheries, provide for additional future recreational fishing, and contribute to the recovery of the endangered Colorado River fishes. iii