WSP11103

• File Number: 8240.300.10
• Description: San Juan Recovery Implementation Program
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Date: 2/1/1995
• Author: SJRIP
• Title: San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program - Program Document
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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Augmentation of listed fish populations if determined to be
biologically necessary

Research and studies carried out in accordance with the
Implementation Program

This list is not meant to be all-inclusive; nor is it meant to
exclude any action from consideration. It is provided merely as
a list of examples. The first two examples listed may be
initiated affirmatively to benefit endangered fish species, or
may be implemented as project amendments to avoid jeopardy
(Section 4.2.2).

At this time, the operation of Navajo Reservoir to mimic the
natural hydrograph; the identification of the flow needs of the
endangered fish; legal protection of reservoir storage releases
to and through the occupied habitat; indication that endangered
fish populations or their habitats are improving; and water
quality improvement are viewed as the most important elements of
achieving sufficient progress under this Implementation Program.

If the Service finds, in the course of a section 7 consultation,
that progress under the Implementation Program is not sufficient
to offset potential jeopardy impacts of a proposed federal
action, it shall discuss (a) the basis for its finding with the
federal agency and any applicant and (b) the availability of
reasonable and prudent alternatives that the agency and the
applicant can take to avoid a violation of section 7(a) (2) of the
Endangered Species Act.

4.2.2 Actions to Avoid Jeopardy

As a result of research being conducted, it is anticipated that
significant new information will be available on the endangered
fish species. Also, certain recovery actions will have been
implemented to benefit the endangered fish species. There is the
option of a federal agency or project sponsor to implement
actions in addition to those accomplished under this
Implementation Program and which may also eliminate the
likelihood of jeopardy caused by a proposed federal action.
These measures would be reviewed by the Service in the
consultation process for a proposed federal action even if
sufficient progress has not been made under this Implementation
Program. Two primary examples of such actions are listed below:

Modification of federal projects to maintain the level of
depletions in the section 7 environmental baseline as
described in the Biological Opinion issued for the ALP
(baseline) .

Modifications to existing and proposed federal actions