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<br />are being developed with genetically sound protocols so that the genetic <br />diversity of the broodstocks is similar to the wild stock that was used <br />as founders. These broodstocks provide an "insurance policy" to prevent <br />extinction of a species or stock of endangered fishes. They also provide <br />a genetically viable source for augmentation and restoration stocking <br />efforts that will be made in the Upper Basin. <br /> <br />The impact of this alternative is an increased potential for extinction <br />of one or more of the endangered Colorado River fishes. Therefore, this <br />alternative was dismissed because captive propagation is an integral part <br />of the Recovery Program in developing broodstocks that will be maintained <br />in refugia to prevent immediate extinction of endangered fishes and to <br />meet recovery needs of endangered fish for research, stocking, and <br />information and education programs. <br /> <br />1. ~tock Surplus Endanoered Fish into the UPDer Colorado River Basin. The <br />Program's "Genetics Management Guidelines" provides precautions, <br />procedures and strategies to prevent genetic risks in propagation <br />(Williamson and Wydoski 1994). This document also identifies breeding <br />strategies that would maximize the effective population size of captive <br />fish used to develop broodstocks. <br /> <br />Genetic conservation of the endangered fish stocks in the Upper Basin <br />\~ould be accomplished by following procedures in three documents: <br />Genetics Management Guidelines, Genetics Management Plan, and Stocking <br />Plans. The "Genetics Management Guidelines" provide a conceptual <br />framework for genetics management and rationale for maintaining genetic <br />diversity of wild and captive endangered fish stocks in the Upper <br />Colorado River Basin. A "Genetics Management Plan" will identify and <br />characterize endangered fish stocks in the upper basin, determine status <br />and trends, and establish priorities for effective and rational genetics <br />management by species and stocks with i n speci fi c ri ver reaches. Fi na 11]' <br />"Stocking Plans" for specific actions will include the justification and <br />l'ationale for stocking and other details such as species, size of fish, <br />timing of release, location of release, genetic risks, risk of predation <br />or competition by nonnative fishes, and a description of how the <br />evaluation of the stocking will be made. Stocking plans must be approved <br />by the Program and must be covered by a Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit. <br />If the action "may affect" the endangered fishes, then a formal Section 7 <br />consultation under the Endangered Species Act will be required to <br />determine if the proposed stocking may jeopardize wild stocks of <br />endangered fish in the upper basin. <br /> <br />Stocking of endangered fishes into their historic range should be done in <br />a genetically and ecologically sound manner to prevent genetic swamping <br />of the wild gene pool and to ensure that only fish with attributes that <br />will increase their survival in waters that are targeted for stocking. <br />The philosophy of the Recovery Program is to maintain the genetic <br />integrity of wild and captive-reared endangered fishes in the Upper <br />Colorado River Basin to prevent irreversible losses of genetic diversity <br />that may result frum management interventions or lack of action <br />(Williamson and Wydoski 1994), <br /> <br />9 <br />