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<br />002530 <br /> <br />No specific instream flow quantities or locations have been <br /> <br /> <br />identified at this time. Flow needs will be identified as the <br /> <br /> <br />recovery program progresses, and all interests will be involved <br /> <br />in the process. <br /> <br />The draft recovery program recommends specific mechanisms for <br /> <br /> <br />identification of water needs for endangered species, and <br /> <br /> <br />establishment of rights under State programs. In Colorado, this <br /> <br /> <br />program is envisoned to be administered under Colorado's <br /> <br />instream flow law by the Colorado Hater Conservation Board, in <br /> <br /> <br />accordance with the procedures established by the Board. Water <br /> <br />rights acquired under this program will be transferred to the <br /> <br /> <br />Colorado Water Conservation Board on the condition that such <br />. <br /> <br />rights shall be held only for tbe protection of the required <br /> <br /> <br />instream flows. <br /> <br />SECTION 7 CONSULTATIONS ON WATER PROJECTS <br /> <br />In accordance with the Endangered Species Act, which does not <br /> <br />need to be changed to implement t~is program, water projects <br /> <br />will still be subject to Section 7 consultation. However, under <br /> <br /> <br />the recovery program, the following approach will be used: <br /> <br />1. Obtaining, administering, and protecting instream <br /> <br /> <br />flows are part of an overall recovery program, and <br /> <br /> <br />not as a responsibility of any particular water project <br /> <br />sponsor. <br /> <br />2. Because the recovery program sets in place the <br /> <br /> <br />mechanism and committment to assure that instream <br /> <br /> <br />flows are acquired and protected under State law, the <br /> <br />Service will consider this, under any Section 7 <br /> <br /> <br />consultation for a water project, as offsetting project <br /> <br />depletion impacts. Therefore, project related depletion <br /> <br /> <br />impacts on all river reaches will not jeopardize <br /> <br />endangered species. <br /> <br />6 <br />