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.c . . water in the San Juan River after it mixes with Animas River water. Because the flow of the Animas River flow is uncontrolled, it is impossible to increase the temperature of Animas River water. During the runoff period, therefore, the temperature of the Navajo release cannot be increased significantly to overcome the affect of the very cold water from the Animas River. The preliminary runs of the temperature model also woiJld suggest that the San Juan River pre-Navajo Dam, did not have water temperatures during the runoff period that were conducive to spawning. Once the spring runoff is over and the Animas River flow is relatively low, the release of warmer water from Navajo Reservoir could have a greater impact on the water temperature of the San Juan River. While cold temperatures may be a factor in the recovery of the endangered fish, Navajo Reservoir releases are much less likely to bc the cause of the cold temperatures during the spring, runoff, than, is,high-elevation runoff. Measures 3 and 4. SWCD is appalled that USFWLS would seek to require USBR to include the southwestern willow flycatcher in the SJRIP. The main reasons that SWCD believes this requirement is totally inappropriate are: 1. The biologists involved in the SJRIP are fish biologists, not bird biologists. If USFWLS believes that the willow flycatcher requires a recovery effort, then USFWLS should approach entities potentially involved with willow flycatcher recovery and seek the creation of a separate recovery program to address avian, rather than piscatorial, issues. The USFWLS does not need to use a heavy- handed approach in starting a separate recovery program, but should lead the effort by presenting infonnation on the need for a willow flycatcher program and recruit participants. 2. The SJRIP is focused on the San Juan River which is habitat for the endangered fish. Thc willow flycatcher habitat covers a far larger area than the San Juan River and requires a much different type of program than the SJRIP. 3. Because the SJRIP is a Congressionally authorized program, in order to include the willow flycatcher, Congress would have to allow this addition. After twelve years of intensive and expensive endangered fish recovery efforts, there are finally small positive signs of fish recovery. Now the USFLWS wants to use some of the limited SJRIP funds to study the willow flycatcher. The ultimate impact of including the willow flycatcher would be a delay in the recovery of the Colorado pikeminnow and the razorback sucker. The Secretary of the Interior supports the SJRIP. Has USFWLS obtained authorization from the Secretary of the Interior to change the basis and purpose of the SJRIP? 4. Those supporting the SJRIP and participating on the Biology and Hydrology Committees are participating only to recover the endangered fish. USFWLS is Oif)'"'l .I._I