WSP11879

• File Number: 8240.200.10.C.5
• Description: UCRBRIP
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/1993
• Author: USFWS
• Title: Summary of Colorado River Foshes Critical Habitat Briefing
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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STATE OF COLORADO
Roy Romer, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WilDLIFE

AH EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPlOYER

Perry D. Olson, Director
6060 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80216
Telephone: [phone]

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Karcn 29, 1993

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For Wi/dJjfe-
For Peopk

Gene Jencsok
Colorado Water Conservation Board
1313 Sherman St., Rm 721
Denver, CO 80203

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Gene:

Pursuant to my discussion with Eddie regarding the Service "critical habitat"
recommendations, I am providing the following summary of issues the Division has
with the current Federal Rsgister recommendations.

1) Critical habitat:

a) We do not support the lOO-year floodplain designation for defining
critical habitat.

This designation will prohibit the Division from developing any recreational
fishing opportunity for cool- or warmwater fish speciee on the western slope
of Colorado.

b) We do not support the floodplain approach described in the Federal
Register as an appropriate or realistic method of defining critical habitat.

Critical habitat designation should be based on a defined quantity of
floodplain habitat needed for recurring use by the species' life stages
during the average life span of a year class, and made available at a
reasonable frequency during the fishee' life span by spring flooding.

2) Razorback sucker:

a) We agree with the Colorado and Gunnison river reach designations.

b) Nothing should be designated for the White River in Colorado.

c) No critical habitat should be designated in the Yampa river above the
lower few miles containing the presumed spawning habitat.

3) Bonvtail. There is no data to justify designating critical habitat for this
species. only implementation of a large-scale, scientifically-based
reintroduction program will permit us to determine if and where critical
habitat may exist for this species in the Upper Basin.

DEPARlMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, .Kcnoctb Salazar, E.xecutivc Director
Wll..DLIFB COMMISSION, FJdon W. Coopc~Larry M. Wrip~ Vice Cbairman-Loui. F. Swift, Secretary
Felix Chavez. Member-Thoma. M. Eve, Mcmbe~Rcbccc:.a Frank. Member-William R. Hepl'I. Member-George VanDcnBcl'l. Member