WSP09374

• File Number: 8149.911
• Description: PSOP Background
• Basin: Arkansas
• Date: 3/1/2000
• Author: Montgomery Watson
• Title: Envirionmental Issues Prepared for Arkansas Basin Future Water and Storage Needs Assessment Enterprise
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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2363

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
ARKANSAS BASIN FUTURE WATER AND STORAGE NEEDS ASSESSMENT ENTERPRISE

habitat. lfajeopardy opinion is rendered, then the FWS must include reasonable and prudent
alternatives to the proposed action if they exist. A "no jeopardy" opinion may contain
recommendations for conservation.

Section 9 of the ESA prohibits the take of a listed species even if the take is incidental to
otherwise lawful activities. Section 9 affords protection to federally listed wildlife species and
their habitat even if the activity does not require federal authorization or involve federal funding.

Other State or Forest Service Sensitive Species. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program
(CNHP), the Colorado Division of Wildlife, and U. S. Forest Service each rnaintain a list of
species of concern. Many of these species occur on multiple listings (i.e., a species may be listed
by the state, USFS, and/or CNHP). For example--

CNHP species are ranked according to their abundance globally and statewide. Many of
these species are globally secure, but rare or imperiled in Colorado. Currently there is no
regulatory protection for these species, but they are typically addressed in planning
documents such as an EA or EIS.

The CDOW maintains a list of state threatened, endangered or species of special concern
for wildlife species in the state. Generally, this list includes federally threatened or
endangered species, as well as species that are at risk in Colorado. Although there is no
regulatory mechanism at present to protect these species, consideration is usually given in
environmental evaluations to potential impacts to these species. Significant impacts to
populations of these species could lead to a federal I isting.

Forest Service sensitive species are designated by the Forest Service for each National
Forest as species for which population viability is a concern due to the decline in
population density, numbers, or the loss of habitat. Continued declines in these species
populations could lead to listing under the Endangered Species Act. Potential impacts to
Forest Service sensitive species are considered for project facilities located on Forest
Service lands.

Wildlife and Aquatic Life. Wildlife and aquatic life addressed in this report include species
that are typically native or common to a variety of habitats present in Colorado. These include
important economic game species such as deer, elk, bighorn sheep, waterfowl, brown trout, and
rainbow trout. A substantial loss or change in habitat for these species can affect hunting and
fishing opportunities and wildlife management goals. Also of concern are other nongame
species that are an important component of the regional ecological system. The Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) provides the FWS review authority for water resource

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