WSP07920 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

PURPOSE AND NEED The purpose of this environmental assessment is to describe alternatives used to select an acceptable procedure for disposal of surplus captive-reared endangered Colorado River fishes and to evaluate the potential environmental impacts from implementation of procedures. The Recovery Program participants placed a high priority on development of captive broodstocks of endangered Colorado River fishes that are genetically represent the wild endangered fish stock. The Recovery Program is a cooperative endeavor to recover endangered fishes in the Upper Colorado Rivet' Basin. Participants in the Recovery Program include the States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Western Area Power Administration, water development interests, and environmental organizations. Captive broodstocks serve as an "insurance policy" if the wild stocks become extirpated, provide fish for experimental studies that are part of recovery efforts, and produce genetically suitable offspring for experimental, augmentation, and restoration stocking. Since "ctrition rates are not known in captive propagation of the endangered Colorado River fishes, more fish may be produced than are needed in the recovery effort. This Environmental Assessment compared several alternatives that could be use in the disposition of surplus captive-reared endangered fish. It provided the mechanism to evaluate the potential environmental impacts from the various alternatives in the use of surplus captive-reared endangered fish. BACKGROUND The affected area includes the rivers and floodplains in the Upper Colorado River Basin upstream from Glen Canyon Dam, excluding the San Juan River ba.. , The Recovery Program was initiated on October 1, I9BB with the goal of recovering the endangered fishes within a IS-year period (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service I987a, I987b). This effort includes participation by affected interests in the upper Colorado River including the States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Western Area Power Administration, water development interests, and environmental organizations. Five elements in the Recovery Implementation Program include: (1) prOVision of in-stream flows; (2) habitat development and maintenance; (3) native fish stocking; (4) management of nonnative species and sport fishing; and (5) research, monitoring, and data management. Critical habitat of the endangered fishes is defined by Maddux et al. (1993) and an economic analysis for the critical habitat was summarized by Brookshire et al. (1993). The element of native fish stocking includes the development of genetically sound broodstocks of the endangered fishes. Paired matings of wild endangered fishes produce pedigreed family lots that capture the genetic diversity of the founders in broodstocks. The initial target for broodstock development is 25 paired matings (50 fish) that will ensure that the potential inbreeding rate is low and that rare alleles are maintained. The need for captive-reared