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< 3. Where - The .Sensitive Habitat Document for Threatened and Endangered Species. identifies important habitat reaches for endangered species. When projects are located in or near important habitats, the amount of water required to perpetuate these habitats should be maIntaIned. As additional research results become available on cause and effect relationships, maximum depletions could be imposed to provide needed water for habitat enhancement while complying with compact allocations. This should be considered only after all other possible measures have been exhausted. Once flows are reserved for the system it should be ensured that they remain in the system for the length of the river containing important habitat. 4. Who - Project sponsor 5. When _ New projects should accommodate the needs of endangered fish with regards to flow. Maximum depletions, if determined to be necessary, may be incorporated into project design and operation. E. Other Restrictions ona Proiect 1. Effectiveness - There are other impacts which can result from new projects which should be recognized early in project design so their effects can be minimIzed. Channel alteration during construction can directly remove or inundate critical habitat or indirectly affect habitat areas immediately downstream. Project operation can change the river's ability to transport sediment, reducing habitat scouring and the formation of nursery areas of sand and silt backwaters. Peaking power can create large changes in flow level, sometimes on a daily basis. Impacts can include stranding fish in backwater pools, inducing behavioral avoidance of fluctuating habitats, and riparian and channel instability. New projects will provide opportunities for further research into these areas which can be applied to succeeding projects. 2. Water impacts - New project designs may require alterations in construction or operation to avoid channel impacts or accommodate features needed by the fish. - 17 -