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719 Response: 58. Comment: Response: 59. Comment: Response: 60. Comment: Response: the San Juan (500 cfs) are not based on the biological needs of endangered fish-the biology committee report includes habitat curves indicating that backwater habitat is maximized not at 500 cfs, but at 900-1,000 cfs. Using the upper end of that spectrum would be more beneficial to endangered fish and better protect trout. Theflow recommendation report for the San Juan River prepared by the biology committee states "Target base flow (average weekly) following spring peak is 500 cfs at Farmington, Shiprock, Four Corners, and Bluff gages, measured as the average of any two of these gages. Minimum release is 250 cfs. The target flow should be maintained between 500 and 600 cfs. attempting to maintain target flows closer to 500 cfs." Have you given some thought to the potential for the spreading oftamarisk seeds during this time period? This has not been considered a significant issue for the low flow test itself. Exposed areas, particularly between Citizen's Ditch and Farmington, may provide a seed bed for invasive species; however, when the short test is completed these areas will be rewatered, drowning out any germination. Provided the duration of the test and the conditions outlined in the EA for terminating the test are followed, the Fish and Wildlife Service does not anticipate any negative impacts to threatened or endangered species. This comment is taken from a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service letter to Reclamation dated March 30, 2001. The Service was writing in response to a request from Reclamation on potential concerns for threatened or endangered species during the proposed summer low flow test. Water Quality Monitoring for key water quality parameters should take place at locations from Navajo Dam to Farmington. Where will this monitoring occur and what type of flow information will be collected (hourly, average, daily: etc.)? Also, water quality samples should be collected from the river above its confluence with the Animas River regardless of the flow at Shiprock, NM. Water quality samples will be taken at Archuleta, Blanco, Bloomfield, and Farmington during the first week of the test. The parameters to be sampled include all those found in the New Mexico State Standards under the Irrigation, Livestock, Wildlife habitat, and Fishery standard sections. They include, but are not limited to physical parameters like pH, conductivity, temperature, turbidity, and discharge; trace element parameters, including most common metals (dissolved, totals, and 27