Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />7 <br /> <br />square meters of monkey flower would be inundated at a flow of 45,000 cubic <br />feet per second. Beach/Habitat building flows will result in an exceedance of <br />the 10% loss of Kanab ambersnail habitat allowed by the incidental take <br />statement. This does not include the area of water cress that would be <br />inundated. Due to the restrictions of the incidental take statement, releases <br />for Beach/Habitat building flows will have to be restricted to less than <br />45,000 cfs to avoid exceeding the 10% habitat loss. The maximum allowable <br />flow will be determined when the analysis of habitat and snail use data are <br />completed. <br /> <br />We believe the Beach/Habitat building flows are important to many resources in <br />the river corridor. The Biological Opinion provides no rationale for the <br />determination of 10% of the habitat being the amount which if exceeded would <br />constitute an unacceptable incidental take. It is doubtful the species is <br />evenly distributed within available habitat spatially or temporally, or that <br />loss of habitat directly correlates to loss of individuals. We believe this <br />issue needs reevaluation and clarification. <br /> <br />To aid in the effort to protect the Kanab ambersnail, a cooperative effort <br />between AGF, Reclamation and the Service began in March of 1995. A total of <br />three data collection trips will be completed. Seasonal variability and total <br />population will be determined through collecting information on when the <br />species becomes active in spring, the highest population numbers in mid- <br />summer, and lowest population levels in the fall. Permit requirements have <br />been negotiated with the National Park Service. Reclamation's Flagstaff <br />office is working to complete habitat maps which will provide information on <br />the amount of usable habitat and the area of habitat within the zone of <br />potential inundation. A population model to estimate the number of <br />individuals and their distribution within the habitat is being developed from <br />which the actual take resulting from high flow can be determined. Completion <br />of this investigation is expected to result in new information and Reclamation <br />anticipates reconsultation at that time. <br /> <br />Conservation Recommendations <br /> <br />1. Operate according to the Seasonally Adjusted Steady Flow alternative. <br />Reclamation filed the Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Operations <br />of Glen Canyon Dam with the Environmental Protection Agency on March 21, 1995. <br />Glen Canyon Dam will continue to be operated according to the interim <br />operating criteria until after the Secretary of the Interior signs the Record <br />of Decision (ROD), determining which operating alternative will be put in <br />place at that time. Future operations of GCD will be guided by the ROD and <br />the AMP. <br /> <br />2, 3, and 4. Monitor peregrine falcon and bald' eagle. <br />It has not been shown that dam operations have a negative effect on either of <br />these species. Reclamation will recommend monitoring of peregrine falcon and <br />bald eagle be considered in final development of the long-term monitoring <br />plan. <br /> <br />5. Kanab ambersnail life cycle and distribution. Studies Reclamation will <br />conduct related to the Kanab ambersnai1 have been previously discussed. <br />