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<br />Concerns <br /> <br />The Service's June 16, 1997, assessment of "sufficient progress" outlined nine specific <br />recovery actions judged to be of critical importance in 1997. These were items that <br />would have a significant effect on sufficient progress, and the Service was concerned that <br />they were behind schedule. Critical recovery actions from that list that now are seriously <br />behind schedule are: <br /> <br />. acquisition of floodplain habitats or easements; <br />. filing of Colorado instream flow appropriations and completion of a long-term <br />agreement for water delivery from Ruedi Reservoir; and <br />. pond reclamation in the Grand Valley and Gunnison River (for normative fish <br />control). <br /> <br />Conclusion <br /> <br />Based on careful evaluation of the status of the fish. adequacy of flows needed for <br />recovery. magnitude of depletion impacts, and Recovery Program accomplishments and <br />shortcomings, the Service concludes that until the three issues identified above are <br />resolved, progress in the Program will only be sufficient for projects that have an mmual <br />depletion of up to 3,000 acre feet. If the above listed items are not resolved by the <br />September Implementation Committee meeting, the Service may revisit the sufficient <br />progress threshold. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDA nONS <br /> <br />We should provide comments to the Service that while settlement of the filings made <br />December 1995 one lagging behind schedule. so are recommendations from the Service <br />for additional stream reaches. Also, it appears that while RJPRAP activities guide the <br />Recovery Program process and provide a way of measuring progress, the Service has <br />chosen not to use the same measurement tool in evaluating their own progress (as <br />discussed under "Concerns" in the draft letter in regards to their being behind schedule in <br />brood stock development and meeting augmentation goals for the razorback sucker). This <br />response should be addressed by the Recovery Program Management Committee to <br />ensure that all participants are evaluated in the sanle manner. <br /> <br />Attachment <br />