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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The BCO found that the Lower Colorado River Operations and Maintenance program is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the proposed threatened flat-tailed horned lizard (phrynosoma mcallii) nor the endangered Yuma clapper rail (RaIlus longirostris yumanensis), No critical habitat has been proposed for these two species, thus destruction or adverse modification of proposed critical habitat would not occur. Ten terms and conditions are described to reduce the amount of take of these two species, The BCO found that the proposed operations and maintenance program is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the bonytail chub (Gila elegans), and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), and southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), No critical habitat has been proposed for the flycatcher in the area, so no destruction or adverse modification of its proposed critical habitat would occur, Both bonytail chub and razorback sucker have designated critical habitat on the Lower Colorado River and destruction or adverse modification of proposed critical habitat is likely to occur, ARPA with seventeen provisions is identified, Fourteen tenns and conditions are described to reduce the amount of incidental take of these three species, Reclamation is in the process of implementing the RPA and Terms and Conditions presented in the BCO. The BA for Operations and Maintenance on the Lower Colorado River functioned as the primary inventory and analysis document for sensitive, threatened and endangered species, and critical habitat of the lower Colorado River for development of the regional MSCP. On May 1, 1997, the Department of the Interior and State agencies in Arizona, Nevada and California signed a Joint Participation Agreement that clears the way for further development and implementation of a MSCP in the Lower Basin, The MSCP is a regional partnership with the following goals . Protect more than 100 species of sensitive, threatened and endangered species of fish and wildlife within the 100-year floodplain of the lower Colorado River; . Recover listed species through habitat and species conservation while attempting to reduce the likelihood of additional species listings under ESA; and . Accommodate current water diversions and power production and optimize opportunities for future water and power development in the Lower Basin, The short- and long-term conservation provisions and activities that Reclamation is required to implement under the RP A of the BCO comprise activities that will build toward the larger conservation partnership of the MSCP. There are a multitude of conservation activities currently ongoing on the Lower Colorado River, but these efforts have often been independent of each other, The MSCP process intends to help coordinate all these efforts into a single ecosystem approach for conservation of natural resources in the Lower Colorado River, This comprehensive, long range-plan will be implemented by the time the 5-year period of the BCO concludes. LC Region DEAl I 4 12197