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, 35 2. Changes in tributary and main channel flow patterns contributed to the accumulatian-of heavy metals and other contaminants in historic bottomland areas. As use of these areas increases through operatianal changes, these areas will require same cleanup effort. Reclamation should continue its active role in cleaning up these habitats. INCIDENTAL TAKE Section 9 of the Act prohibits any taking (harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoat, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect, or attempt to engage in any such conduct) of listed species without a special exemption. Harm is further defined to include significant habitat modificatian .or degradation that results in death or injury to endangered fish and wildlife by significantly impairing behaviaral patterns such as breeding, feeding, or sheltering. Under the terms of Section 7(b)(4) and Section 7(.0)(2), taking that is incidental to and not intended as part of the agency action is not considered taking with the bounds of the Act pravided that such taking is in compliance with the incidental take statement. With protective provisions included in the reasonable and prudent alternative contained herein, the Service does not anticipate that the propased operatian of Flaming Gorge Dam will result in any incidental take of Colarado squawfish, humpback chub, bony tail chub, razorback suckers, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, or Utah ladies'-tresses. Accordingly, no incidental take is authorized. Should any take occur, Reclamation must reinitiate formal consultation with the Service and provide detailed circumstances surrounding the take. The incidental take statement provided in this opinion satisfies the requirements of the Act. This statement does not constitute an authorization for take of listed migratory birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, .or any other Federal statute. CONCLUSION This concludes the bialogical opinion on the impacts of operation of Flaming Gorge Dam. The Service determined that current operation of Flaming Gorge Dam is likely to jeopardize t~e continued existence of the endangered fish in the Green River; however, a reasonable and prudent alternative which offsets jeopardy to the endangered fish was identified as a result of this consultation. The reasonable and prudent alternative includes: 1. refinement of the operation of Flaming Gorge Dam so that flow and temperature regimes of the Green River will more closely resemble natural conditions;