WSP07920

• File Number: 8240.200.14.F
• Description: UCRBRIP Biology Committee
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/1995
• Author: USFWS
• Title: Disposition of Captive-Reared Endangered Colorado River Fish/FONSI
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

sensitivity in killing any animals, particularly endangered species.
Maintaining captive-reared fish that are not needed in the Recovery
Program requires resources (e.g., space, funds, and personnel) that
should be used to accomplish Recovery Program priorities related to
propagation.

Implementation of the Disposition Guidelines ensures that propagation
facilities are used for priority Recovery Program activities. The
guidelines provide the basis for maintaining genetic diversity in
captive-reared broodstocks and for facilitating the establishment of
self-sustaining populations without compromising genetic diversity of
wild endangered Colorado River fish stocks.

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Recovery Program participants discussed the various options for disposition of
captive-reared endangered fish and developed "Guidelines for Disposition of
Captive-Reared Endangered Fish" (Appendix A). These guidelines provide a
prioritized list of options for using endangered fish that are surplus to
Recovery Program needs.

The preferred alternative is to "Implement Disposition Guidelines" because
guidelines are scientifically sound, logical, and appropriate as applied to
endangered fishes. The guidelines were developed by fishery biologists who
are familiar with the Recovery Program and the Upper Colorado River Basin.
These persons used their best professional judgement in developing the
procedures. The guidelines provide information about proper permitting
procedures with States and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The protocol
for euthanizing fish that was developed jointly by the American Society of
Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, American Fisheries Society, and the
American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists (Nickum 1988) would be
~mployed, if necessary.

CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION ACTIONS

The "Guidelines for Disposition of Captive-Reared Endangered Fish" (Appendix
A) were developed through the Biology Committee for the Recovery Program for
Endangered Fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin and approved by the
Program's Management Committee. They were reviewed by numerous other persn"s
interested in the Recovery Program. The fi na 1 guidelines are contai ned in the
"Genetics Management Guidel ines" Will iamson and Wydoski (1994) and in the
"Coordinated Hatchery Facility Plan: Need for Captive-Reared Endangered Fish
and Propagation Facilities" (Wydoski 1994). These documents were widely
distributed to Recovery Program participants, including persons with the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, U.S. Bureau
of Reclamation, Western Area Power Administration, water development
interests, and environmental organizations.

The Draft Environmental Assessment was provided to approximately 350 persons
in appropriate Federal and State agencies, environmental organizations, and
other interested parties for review and comment, including but not limited to:

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