WSP10985

• File Number: 8240.300.10
• Description: San Juan River Recovery Program - Program Organization and Mission
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 2/1/1995
• Author: SJRRIP
• Title: San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

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Endangered Species Act compliance will be acquired or
completed.

b. After determining appropriate flow needs, the Biology
Committee, with input from the Navajo Dam Operating
Committee, will recommend specific flow regimes to the
Service. This information will be utilized by the
Service in coordination with the Bureau of Reclamation
to determine reservoir releases needed for the
endangered fish species.

c. It is anticipated that the source water for habitat
flows will be derived mainly from the operation of
Navajo Dam and other sources. Based upon the results
of the research accomplished under this Implementation
Program, the Bureau of Reclamation has agreed to
operate Navajo Dam to mimic a natural hydrograph for
the life of the Animas-La Plata Project, provided that
the research shows that this type of hydrograph is
beneficial to recovery of t~e endangered fish species.
The quantities of water needed for recovery may be
greater or lesser than the quantities discussed in the
Biological Opinion issued for the Animas-La Plata
Project. These flows are dependent upon what is
ultimately determined to be needed to achieve recovery
of the endangered fish species.

d. If habitat flow needs are identified that cannot be met
by reoperation of Navajo Dam, potential sources of
water to meet those needs will be identified on a
case-specific basis. Obtaining the water from other
sources will be the responsibility of the Participants
in this Implementation Program or other affected
entities and will occur in accordance with the
following process:

1.

Once habitat flow needs have been quantified, the
Service will request from staffs of the
appropriate state and tribal agencies and others
recommendations on the physical and legal means
for providing the desired habitat flows. The
alternatives will be provided, together with
estimates of costs, methods of implementation,
time frames, and procedural requirements to the
Implementation Program Participants.

,

2 .

Implementation Program Participants will review
the available alternatives, prepare
recommendations, and implement the recommendations
through cooperative efforts under the auspices of
this Implementation Program. The Service, in

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