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j, '; 2 from 1979-1984. This was followed by an interim flow agreement which constrained summer flows ta benefit the fish; these canstrained flows were studied from 1985-1991. This biological opinian is being issued by the Service consistent with the provisians of the Recavery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin (Recovery Program) (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1987). The Recovery Program was formally endorsed by the Secretary of the Interior (on behalf .of the Service and Reclamation); the Governors of Colorada, Utah, and Wyoming; and the Administrator of Western Power in January 1988. The purpose of the Recovery Program is to recaver the endangered fish while allowing water development to proceed in the Upper Colorado River Basin consistent with the Act. The Recovery Program contains five principal elements or strategies for recovering the endangered fish in the Upper Basin: habitat management (provision of instream flow); habitat development and maintenance; stocking of native fish; nonnatives fish and sport fishing; and research, monitoring, and data management. Refining the operation of Flaming Gorge Oam is identified as one of the principal habitat management strategies for recovering the endangered fish in the Green River. The following excerpts from the Recovery Program are pertinent to the Sectian 7 consultation on Flaming Garge: "The water resource develapment prajects constructed in the Upper Basin by Reclamation may have significantly and adversely affected the river system's rare fish species. In addition to the mechanism described in the preceding sections, there are ways to support essential habitat areas through the refined operation of these reservoirs to reduce .or eliminate those adverse impacts and contribute to recovery in a manner consistent with all applicable laws." (page 4-8) "Reclamation and the Service will make every effort to complete Section 7 consultation on the operatian of Flaming Gorge Dam during 1989. The parties will develop a release schedule that treats conservation of the endangered fish species as a firm constraint on release patterns from Flaming Gorge. Upon completian of consultation, Reclamation will adopt alternatives or recommendatians jointly developed with the Service." (page 4-10). Accordingly, refining the operation of Flaming Gorge to benefit the endangered fish and completion of the biological opinion has been given a high priority under the Recovery Program. Since 1985, Reclamation has operated flaming Gorge to provide flows in the Green River that enhance survival and growth of young Colorado squawfish. In addition, numerous studies were funded through the Recovery Pragram to better understand the effects of Flaming Gorge Dam on the endangered fish and their habitat. These studies provided information that was critical in the formulation of this biological opinion. In accordance with Section 7 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1536) and its regulations (50 eFR 402 et seq.), we transmit the Service's biological opinion for the continued aperatian of Flaming Gorge Dam on federally listed endangered species.