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<br />At the completion of a 7-year research study in 1998, the SJRBRIP Biology Committee
<br />completed a report that outlines and explains the flow recommendations believed to be necessary
<br />to recover the endangered fish in the San Juan River downstream from Farmington, New
<br />Mexico, The recommendations define the conditions for creating a more natural river flow in
<br />critical habitat of the San Juan River (natural hydrograph),' These recommendations have been
<br />accepted by the SJRBRIP Coordination Committee and have been provided to the V, S, Fish and
<br />Wildlife Service for th.eir use, The Fish. and Wildlife Service has used them, in compliance
<br />activities under the Endangered Species Act. It is believed by the SJRBRIP that these flow
<br />recommendations will protect and improve habitat needed to recover endangered fish populations
<br />in the San Juan River.
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<br />Presently, Reclamation's operations maintain a minimum release of 500 cfs from Navajo Dam,
<br />Low flow releases of 250 cfs could occur during any season under full implementation of the
<br />SJRBRIP flow recommendations, These reduced flows were first tested and monitored in the
<br />winter of 1996-1997, At th.at time, it wasn't apparent that low flows would also occur in other
<br />seasons, particularly the summer, Reclamation is therefore proposing a short-tenn, low-flow test
<br />in July 2001 to evaluate the impacts of flows below 500 cfs during the summer irrigation season,
<br />The duration of this test will range from 5 days to 10 days, At least a 5-day test is best to collect
<br />sufficient physical, chemical, hydrologic, and hydraulic engineering data to evaluate the 250 cfs
<br />low-flow, Additional time is also necessary to allow the river flow to adjust to the decrease in
<br />releases from the dam (500 cfs release to a 250 cfs release), Once sufficient information has
<br />been collected or if one of the conditions listed for canceling the test occurs, the test will be
<br />stopped. This test will allow a better understanding of potential impacts on summer water
<br />temperatures, irrigation, industrial, and domestic water supplies, fish habitat, and recreation, The
<br />summer test will allow a more accurate evaluation and comparison of alternatives in the EIS
<br />process,
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<br />Public meetings were held in 2000 in Farmington, New Mexico, and in Bluff, Vtah to discuss a
<br />proposed 2000 low flow test. The test was subsequently canceled because hydrology conditions
<br />weren't appropriate, Many people in attendance at those meetings believed that it was necessary
<br />to conduct the test so that long-term impacts could be evaluated with more certainty in the EIS,
<br />Others in attendance expressed concern about the effect of the test flows (and the effect of long-
<br />term operations changes involving low flows) on irrigation and industrial diversions, water
<br />quality, recreation and related economies, and on fisheries, A draft EA on the test was released
<br />to the public in April, 2001 and additional public meetings were held in both Farmington and
<br />Bluff, Vtah, to receive comments on the proposed 2001 low flow test. Similar concerns were
<br />expressed at these meetings, More infonnation on comments received is found in the
<br />Consultation and Coordination section of this EA.
<br />
<br />'Holden, P,B, (Ed,), 1999, Flow recommendations for the San Juan River. San Juan
<br />River Basin Recovery Implementation Program, Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque NM
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