Laserfiche WebLink
<br />cooperators and the public, additional information from meetings with <br />. researchers and scientists, and reevaluations of implementation. <br /> <br />We will request, through the Federal appropriations process, accelerated, <br />implementation of the Selective Withdrawal Structure since temperature <br />modification has been determined to be 'the most critical factor affecting the <br />recovery of the endangered fish in Glen and Grand Canyons. This action should <br />become the primary element of the RPA. We will participate, but not lead nor <br />fund, a management plan for the little Colorado River Basin. We feel others <br />are more appropriately tasked with this needed action. <br /> <br />We request that the Service's preparation of the final biological oplnlon, <br />including a determination of effects of the proposed action on critical <br />habitat, be based on the refined Preferred Alternative as described in <br />Enclosure 1. We also request that the Service specifically address concerns <br />expressed in our comments (Enclosure 2) relating to the environmental baseline <br />and effects of steady flows on endangered fish in the absence of temperature <br />modification. <br /> <br />Reclamation emphatically supports the development of sound management policies <br />at Glen Canyon Dam that provide the ability to manage for the maintenance of <br />the endangered species and the varied habitats of the Colorado River ecosystem <br />through the Grand Canyon. Our position is that the decisions should be based <br />on the best scientific data possible and that it be supportable from a <br />technical position. We believe that the DBO would require additional <br />scientific information to support the Service's proposed flow scenario. <br />Reclamation believes that the best way to support the maintenance of the <br />endangered species is to base management changes at the dam on scientific <br />information. Therefore, we suggest that the potential effects of steady flows <br />be fully evaluated before implementation to assess the potential for <br />negatively impacting the species. <br /> <br />We appreciate the opportunity to provide these comments. We believe your <br />willingness for continued staff discussions and coordination as well as <br />support for holding a meeting with representatives of the Cooperating Agencies <br />prior to finalizing the opinion will go a long way toward continuation of <br />cooperative efforts. We will set a date and time for such a meeting during <br />our next Cooperative Agency meeting in Phoenix on June 28-29, 1994. Please <br />contact either Rick Gold at (80I) 524-3330 or Christine Karas at <br />(801) 524-3273 if you need additional clarification on any issues. <br /> <br />Q~/~ <br /> <br />Enclosures 3 <br /> <br />,0 page(s) of enclosure <br />follow <br /> <br />cc: Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, <br />Arizona State Office, 3616 W. Thomas Road, Suite 6, Phoenix AZ 850I9 <br />('<I/all encl s) <br />Cooperating Agencies and Interested Parties (w/o Encl. 3) <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br />I <br />