WSP10862 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

DRAIT AND PRECISIONAL DOCUMENT - FOR COORDINATION COMMITfEE REVIEW ONLY :"") :',-) 4.0. LONG RANGE PLAN OBJECTIVES Achievement of the objectives of the Long Range Plan are dependent upon successful accomplishment of identified research and management activities, While the endangered fish species are the focus of these needs, the overall status and health of the entire native fish community must be the broader framework within which recovery and conservation is achieved, This section provides a descriplion of these objectives and tasks, of both research and management orientation, required to attain recovery of the endangered fish species and conservation of the native fish community in the San Juan River basin, The sequence of objectives does not imply priority, /j) CD 4.1. DEVELOP QUANTIFIABLE MEASURES OF ACHIEVEMENT OF RECOVERY OF NATIVE FISH COMMUNITY. Assessment of the relative achievement of recovery and conservation objectives requires development of quantifiable measures of success (or failure). While absolute numbers are impossible to define, development of relative measures is possible. Relative measures to evaluate progress (Interim Management Objectives), using information obtained during the Seven Year Research effort, will be developed for Colorado squawfish, razorback sucker and the native fish community, As new information is obtained these measures will be modified, as necessary. 4.2. IDENTIFY, PROTECT, AND RESTORE HABITATS. In order to determine full recovery potential for and conservation of the native fish community, qualification and quanlification of the historic and present river channel conditions are necessary. Data on historic San Juan River channel conditions are available in varying and limited forms; however, sufficient data exist to allow limited comparisons with current channel conditions and dynamics, Initial tasks within this objective are to identify historic and current river channel conditions, This includes identification of geomorphically distinct river reaches and detailed habitat mapping of these reaches, Included within this characterization is a determination of overall changes from historic to current conditions, Research activities are designed to evaluate physical habitat changes, both qualitatively and quantitatively, as a response to different flow regimes, Activities are designed to address both unregulated flows and those that can be provided by releases from Navajo Dam, Modelling of flow and habitat relationships will be conducted to allow for a definition of expected river channel conditions that are likely to occur as a result of different flow regimes, Habitat use patterns by all life stages of endangered, other nalive, and non-native fish species will be determined and monitored to evaluate responses to different flow regimes, These data will be incorporated into flow recommendations, Results of native fish community habitat studies will be incorporated into management recommendations for lhe removal or modification of in stream structures that impede native fish movements or limit range and creation or enhancement of required but unavailable or limited habitats, To identify and provide for flow regimes necessary to recover/con'serve the native fish community, an evaluation of the quality, quantity, and sources of water is required, While Navajo Reservoir has been identified as the primary origin, other sources, particularly the Animas River, will be investigated, Analyses of stream channel conditions provided by both reservoir-controlled flows and those occurring via inflow from tributary streams will be conducted, Included within the provision of flows necessary to recover and protect the native fish community is the necessity ,I 6