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Endangered Species Activities The Endangered Species Act provides a means to conserve the ecosystem needed by a species in danger of extinction and to recover or remove a species from danger of extinction, All Federal agencies are required to assist in conserving endangered and threatened species and to utilize their authorities in furtherance of the purposes of the Endangered Species Act. Endangered species of particular concern to the proposed water service contract are four native fish species of the Colorado River system: the Colorado squawfish, razorback sucker, humpback chub, and bony tail chub. The Colorado squawfish and possibly the razorback sucker occur in the lower Gunnison River, and all four species occur in the Colorado River downstream from the confluence with the Gunnison. The roundtail chub and flannel mouth sucker are candidate species currently under review by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The FWS has information indicating the possibility of listing these candidates as threatened or endangered, but further information is still needed. Operation of the Aspinall Unit is important in determining the flow pattern of the Gunnison River, and to a lesser extent influences flows in the Colorado River. Because of this, FWS and Reclamation have initiated studies to determine the effect of the Aspinall Unit on the fish and their habitat. The studies are part of the "Recovery Program for Endangered Fishes of the Upper Colorado River Basin," a cooperative effort of private, State, and Federal interests. These studies are scheduled to last 5 years, during which Reclamation will provide study flows in the Gunnison River for researchers to monitor and evaluate. The study flows will complement information needed to assess impacts of the proposed contract, will be coordinated with other agencies, and will be announced through news releases. The studies will conclude with the FWS issuing a "Biological Opinion" under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act on the operation of the Aspinall Unit. This opinion will contain formal recommendations on how the Aspinall Unit can be operated in compliance with the Endangered Species Act. Upon receipt of the Biological Opinion, Reclamation will take such actions as necessary to incorporate all reasonable and prudent FWS recommendations into the Aspinall Unit operations. Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act through an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement will be required prior to any permanent change in operations. The FWS will also prepare a Biological Opinion on the proposed contract to deliver water to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument. Compliance with the Endangered Species Act will be required prior to execution of the contract by any Federal agency. Consideration will also be given to combining the Biological Opinion on the proposed contract and on the Aspinall Unit. In addition to endangered fish species, another species of concern is the bald eagle which winters along the Aspinall Unit and Gunnison River. Potential effects of the proposed contract and the operation of the Aspinall Unit on all endangered species will be evaluated and coordinated with the FWS to assure that all endangered species are protected. Previous Biological Opinions for the Dolores and Dallas Creek Projects (participating projects of the Colorado River Storage Project located in western Colorado) call for making lip water depletions from these projects by releasing 148,000 acre-feet of water to the Colorado River system from the Aspinall Unit or possibly other Reclamation facilities. These opinions will be important in developing and analyzing alternatives for the water service contract. 10