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695 At the completion of a 7-year research study in 1998, the SJRBRIP Biology Committee completed a report that outlines and explains the flow recommendations believed to be necessary to recover the endangered fish in the San Juan River downstream from Farmington, New Mexico. The recommendations define the conditions for creating a more natural river flow in critical habitat of the San Juan River (natural hydrograph).] These recommendations have been accepted by the SJRBRIP Coordination Committee and have been provided to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their use. The Fish and Wildlife Service has used them, in compliance activities under the Endangered Species Act. It is believed by the SJRBRIP that these flow recommendations will protect and improve habitat needed to recover endangered fish populations in the San Juan River. Presently, Reclamation's operations maintain a minimum release of 500 cfs from Navajo Dam. Low flow releases of 250 cfs could occur during any season under full implementation of the SJRBRIP flow recommendations. These reduced flows were first tested and monitored in the winter of 1996-1997. At that time, it wasn't apparent that low flows would also occur in other seasons, particularly the summer. Reclamation is therefore proposing a short-term, low-flow test in July 2001 to evaluate the impacts of flows below 500 cfs during the summer irrigation season. The duration of this test will range from 5 days to 10 days. At least a 5-day test is best to collect sufficient physical, chemical, hydrologic, and hydraulic engineering data to evaluate the 250 cfs low-flow. Additional time is also necessary to allow the river flow to adjust to the decrease in releases from the dam (500 cfs release to a 250 cfs release). Once sufficient information has been collected or if one of the conditions listed for canceling the test occurs, the test will be stopped. This test will allow a better understanding of potential impacts on summer water temperatures, irrigation, industrial, and domestic water supplies, fish habitat, and recreation. The summer test will allow a more accurate evaluation and comparison of alternatives in the EIS process. Public meetings were held in 2000 in Farmington, New Mexico, and in Bluff, Utah to discuss a proposed 2000 low flow test. The test was subsequently canceled because hydrology conditions weren't appropriate. Many people in attendance at those meetings believed that it was necessary to conduct the test so that long-term impacts could be evaluated with more certainty in the EIS. Others in attendance expressed concern about the effect of the test flows (and the effect of long- term operations changes involving low flows) on irrigation and industrial diversions, water quality, recreation and related economies, and on fisheries. A draft EA on the test was released to the public in April, 2001 and additional public meetings were held in both Farmington and Bluff, Utah, to receive comments on the proposed 200l10w flow test. Similar concerns were expressed at these meetings. More information on comments received is found in the Consultation and Coordination section of this EA. lHolden, P.B. (Ed.). 1999. Flow recommendations for the San Juan River. San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program, Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque NM 3