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,~ . 02/14/96 10:05 tt303 245 6933 FISH" ll'ILDL.IFE ...... ~ 141003 '.-'-- Navajo Dam of approximately 300 cfs for two weeks in early 1996, and for a 4 month duration In 1996/1997 winter season (provided hydrologic conditions are appropriate). The 4 month test should begin on or about November 1 and extend through February 28, with ramping sufficient to avoid stranding fish in isolated pools or shoals. The research period is scheduled for completion in 1997, provided hydrologic conditions allow all test flows to be completed. Preliminary flow recommendations, based on research results, will be developed in 1998. After the preliminary recommendations are developed the Service and Reclamation will reinitiate section 7 consultation. 3, Reclamation will continue to operate Navajo Dam under study g~idelines developed under element 2 for the research period. Test flows will continue to be provided to re-create a wide range of flow conditions including high flows similar to 1987, which are hypothesized to benefit reproduction and recruitment in the endangered fish community. Release schedules will be determined by the Service and Reclamation based on recommendations of the San Juan Recovery Implementation Program's Biology Committee and the available water supply after meeting baseline depletions, These release schedules shall recognize the limitations on the outlet works facilities and the Corps of Engineers Water Control Manual. The current channel capacities in the Water Control Hanual are: 5,000 cfs below Navajo Dam, 16,800 cfs at Farmington (below Animas River confluence), and 17,600 cfs at Shiprock. 4, The follOWing procedure will be used to implement flow recommendations developed by the San Juan Recovery Implementation Program's Biology Committee (with oversight by the Coordination Committee) for the research period. The Navajo Dam Operating Committee shall advise the Biology Committee on available water to meet the needed flow requests for the research effort during any particular year. The representative from Bureau of Reclamation - Navajo Dam Operations, shall meet with the Biology Committee in January to present information on the projected water availability of the current water year (1 April - 30 November) and storage capacity of Navajo Reservoir. The B;ology Committee shall develop the desired criteria for releases for the current water year (April through November). The Navajo Dam Operating Committee shall meet sometime before March 10 of each year to analyze this input and determine if the. release conditions can be met, considering senior water rights and water supply. Any other considerations to be addressed should be compiled at this time and a report prepared by the Operating Committee for the Biology Committee, The report will be presented to the Biology Committee in March by a representative of the Operating Committee in time to finalize release targets for the current water year. Disputes among representatives that cannot be resolved at the Biology Committee level shall be referred to the San Juan Recovery Implementation Program's Coordination Committee. 5. Reclamation shall cooperate with the Biology Committee and Navajo Dam Operating Committee to determine the release hydrograph for spring flows and shall follow the agreed upon hYdrograph without deviation, except z