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<br />Preliminary work has been initiated <br /> <br />Other work related to endangered species <br /> <br />The Service rendered an additional biological opinion to address the one-time test of a <br />beach/habitat building flow in 1996, In the resulting opinion, the Service concluded that <br />incidental take limits could be exceeded, and developed reasonable and prudent measures <br />(RPM) to reduce the level of incidental take, In RPM number 2 the Service stated that "Before <br />another habitat-building flow, Reclamation will enter into informal consultation with the Service to <br />evaluate test flow studies, the establishment or discovery of a second population of Kanab <br />ambersnail in Arizona, and .." <br /> <br />This second population has not been established or discovered, however several efforts have <br />advanced the goal of establishing such a population a great deal. <br /> <br />Efforts Toward Recovery <br /> <br />1. A Kanab ambersnail working group has been formed, and meets regularly to discuss <br />and recommend actions which will lead to the recovery of the species. Members of the <br />group are the National Park Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGF), Fish and <br />Wildlife Service (Service), Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, CUP <br />Completion Act office (CUPCA), the Phoenix Zoo, Reclamation, and at times the Bureau of <br />land Management. <br /> <br />2. The habitat at Vaseys Paradise has been evaluated and monitored. Habitat at minus <br />ninemile and Indian Gardens in Grand Canyon, and at Three lakes near Kanab Utah has <br />also been evaluated. This work, together with information from Spammer allowed for a <br />better understanding of the KAS habitat requirements. The AGF developed habitat criteria, <br />which was then evaluated by the KAS working group, This criteria was used to evaluate <br />over 135 sites, in Grand Canyon, Upper Kanab Canyon, the Haulapai Reservation, and off <br />Mogollon Rim, AZ, to determine if additional populations were present AGF's 12-step <br />proceed if suitable habitat for reintroduction could be identified. Procedures which comply <br />with AGF's 12-step process and permits to be issued by the FWS are being pursued <br />toward the goal of establishing the second population. <br /> <br />3, A separate study is ongoing at Northem Arizona University which is propagating the host <br />plant species and culturing KAS for Research proposals. Ability to propagate the host plant <br />may be useful in enhancing potential introduction sites. <br /> <br />4, Based upon a recognition that a secure area, with a reliable water source, the proper <br />micro climate, and easy access was needed to test information previously collected from a <br />NAU study in an indoor setting prior to reintroducing or introducing a second population, the <br />roof of Glen Canyon Dam was selected as a sight for this work. Reclamation has received <br />a request from the GCMRClNAU for use of the area, and the project is moving forward, <br /> <br />5. The Phoenix Zoo has agreed to house a population of KAS and a suitable location has <br />been selected. The habitat for this population is being prepared and should be ready for <br />occupancy in November, 1997. <br /> <br />6. A contingency protocol has been developed through the KAS working group outlining <br />procedures and chain of communication for salvaging snails from Vaseys Paradise should <br />hydrologic conditions or management actions threaten to take snails, <br />