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U~__.U :J>o;,.",.j'~~~W!r',_f.. .., . . f~.~_ ~~-'..~ ~?__~,~"'~i?:\";_''',:. ,-~~;;,~i~~':" _._~;_"--"/'-'l)-,,~_:--'1 _/;~:::';V":fl<"'i.1~)".~ -{~':~: . c 2 regarding endangered Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker, both in and outside of the San Juan River Basin. Representatives atten~iAg the meeting on June 13 were from the States of Utah and Colorado, consultants for the water . development interests, and Reclamation. Additional representatives from the Service and the State of New Mexico attended the meeting on June.,25 and 26. The meeting on June 13 focused on the biological basis of the draft opinion. and the availability of stored water in Navajo Reservoir to meet critical flow needs of the endangered fish. On June 25-26, the discussions ~entered more on. the overall hydrology of the San Juan River, including historical flows, present use, and future flexibility of meeting flow needs of the endangered fish through project re-operation. D1scuss1ons at both meetings focused on the recently completed information available in the San Juan River Ichthyofaunal Study, New Mexico-Utah, 1987 to 1989, and the new hydrologic analyses conducted by Reclamation. No specific alternatives were presented or available for consideration. The biologists concluded that available information from the San Juan River. indicates there is a small reproducing population of Colorado squawfish and despite the physical and biological impacts presently occurring to the river, the squawfish and razorback sucker continue to survive. It also appears that while seasonal flows of the river have been regulated ,by the construction of a mainstem impounclmentand irrigation diversions, sufficient water occurs in some years to enable the ColoradO squawfish to reproduce. While reproduction may be occurring. there was no evidence, in recent collections (1987 to 1989) Of recruitment of either species of concern and that based on the total number -nUj.sh-'oJ1ected~rent absence of recrui tment, it 15 unlJ kely _ the ___ population of Colorado squawfish'and aggregatlron-of razorback-sucker-coijld~e maintained under current conditions. - ~~--~~ --- -. The biologists agreed that the recent collections of Colorado squawfish in the San Juan River, although limited. are biologically significant. constituting what may be considered a third population; thus. offering further protection and recovery potential for the species. However, the available information strongly suggests that without active management. the S.R Ju.n River population is in jeopardy. even without further water depletions. The following are major comments and conclusions as a result of the biological and hydrologic review: 1. It was the general consensus of the biologists that the biological opinion accurately reflected the current or known status of the Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker in the San Juan River. 2. The .jeopardy. opinion was generally supported by the biologists. 3. It was agreed that the San Juan River population of endangered fishes is important to the survival and recovery of the species. . 4. In addition to flow depletions. other conditions presently occurring in the San Juan River, including the proliferation of non-native species. water quality degradation. the blocking of migration routes. and loss of riparian areas. are extremely detrimental to the survival and recovery of the endangered fishes.