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of Step 2 of this URA. No information is available on <br />• population conditions of the various species. <br />Rainbow trout of catchable size have-been introduced into <br />the planning unit and are planted annually, as shown on <br />Table 6. Northern pike were introduced into Paonia Reser- <br />voir and a few nice fish have been taken. Because of the <br />poor quality habitat the reservoir provides, a se]f-sus- <br />taining pike fishery is not expected. Some large pike <br />have been taken out of the Gunnison River near Delta in <br />the past few years. Brook trout are also a transplant in <br />the North fork Planning Unit from a long time back. <br />Colorado River squawfish and the humpback sucker are rare <br />and endangered species occurring in the planning unit and <br />they should be preserved for scientific study. Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife has rough stream surveys (Appendix II). <br />Access to fishing streams in the North Fork Planning Unit <br />• is poor, but so is the fishing. <br />Warm water fishing habitats exist in the planning unit, <br />but not on national resource lands. Selenium deposits <br />in the Mancos shale are concentrated by aquatic plants <br />and may be a limiting factor of habitat quality. Adobe <br />clay soils keep the water turbid with suspended solids <br />that decrease habitat quality. <br />Potential exists for further stream degradation in the <br />planning unit if adequate buffers are not left between <br />streams and roads, mining operations, power lines, pipe- <br />lines, etc. Sand and gravel operations in or near <br />perennial streams can be extremely harmful to aquatic <br />habitats. Stream channelization projects are harmful to <br />aquatic habitats and should be undertaken only on an <br />emergency basis. Sparse vegetation and the erosive soil <br />• NF-WL-I1I-23 4/76 RWM <br />