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. . 3 5. Some biologists believed that there may be a potential for developing a reasonable and prudent alternative which could offset impacts caused by certain further depletions to the San Juan River. This was based on the available biological information for the spedes both in and. outside of the San Juan River Basin and the hydrologic analyses suggesting the availability of water under full depletion and Reclamation's flexibility to reoper-ate Navajo Dam to meet future flow needs of the fish. It was also predicated on the understanding that there is an urgent need to initiate intensive management to deal with water quality, non-native species and migration blockage which is seen as being extremely important. Additional . investigations on the native fish community are essential to determine specific critical flow needs as are the development and initiation of the formal long-term recovery program for the protection and recovery of the endangered fish of the San Juan River. . Other biologists believed that additional biological studies on the river were necessary and more information was needed regarding the flexibility of Navajo Dam and availability of water before determining whether a reasonable and prudent alternative to certain future depletions was available. Process to Develop a Reasonable and Prudent Alternative Based on our review of the draft biological opinion, review of. additional biological and hydrologic informati4n, and discussions with fishery experts. and the Service. Reclamation proposes a process for.developing a reasonable and prudent alternative. We propose that the Service and Reclamation work -together to develop j;hLdetalli-'lf_~-proposed_reasonab Ie, a.l!JtJ!rudent .. alternative 'including -a-'proposed'irrstream-flOw reyllllt: Lhat would be -=-=-=-=-=-'---:C.C::'cc biologically and hydrologically supportable within 60 days after receipt of this memorandum. Reclamation recognizes that the Service is legally required to make the final determination of whether the newly developed alternative would offset the likelihood of jeopardy to the species. We believe that if a reasonable and prudent alternative is found to be acceptable, it would have at least the following three elements: 1. Specifically design a 5-yHr research project under the proposed San Juan River Basin Endangered Fishes Recovery Program (Program) to further refine the instream flow regime by utilizing the operational flexibility of NavajO Reservoir. For the research effort, within the physical and hydrologic capabilities, Reclamation would provide approximately 300.000 AF of peak spring releases from NavajO Reservoir as research flows. Under average . hydrologic conditions. Reclamation would provide these flows 4 out of 5 years. If drought conditions persist. research flows may have to be extended; however, releases less than JOO.OOO AF could possible be tested for research purposes during drought years. The research flows would be accompanied by a change in trout fishery flows from 530 cfs to 300 cfs. If the studies confirm that releases are needed to enhance endangered fishes downstream to offset the likelihood of jeopardy, these releases would be made approximately 40 percent of the time on a long-term basis. under the auspices of the Program described below, and legally protected to and through the habitat of the endangered fish. Through the Program, additional water management and supply measures would be investigated to provide increased water for the Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker, if needed.