In 1966, there were 28.8 million visitor days to all Reclamation sites. In 1995, the total was 86.2 million. The Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for ensuring that agency actions do not adversely impact endangered species or their habitats and are not likely to jeopardize their continued existence. Furthermore, Reclamation is responsible for promoting the recovery and conservation of such endangered species and their habitats. The construction and operation of mainstem and tributary dams on the Colorado River system has been identified as one of the factors effecting the decline of native fishes.
Species involved include the humpback chub, Colorado squawfish, razorback sucker and bonytail chub.
Significantly, many of the dams that created the impacts resulting in the decline of the species were constructed 20 to 50 years prior to the passage of the Endangered Species Act. However, they are not exempted from the requirements of the act. Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the seven basin states, water and power users, Native American Tribes, and environmental groups are working together to develop programs to protect and preserve the fish while still allowing necessary water development. Throughout the entire river basin, numerous activities are under way involving both aquatic and terrestrial endangered species. In addition to those listed above,these include bald eagles, peregrine falcons, southwest willow flycatcher, desert pupfish and the desert tortoise.