WSP11999

• File Number: 8220.102.01.I
• Description: Aspinall ‎(AKA Curecanti)‎
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 1/1/1992
• Title: Scopes of Work - Endangered Fish Program as Related to Aspinall
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Attachment 5

No: I~

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM
FOR THE ENDANGERED FISH SPECIES
IN THE UPPER COLORADO RIVER BASIN

FY-1992
SCOPE OF WORK
RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Lead Agencies: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and
Western Area Power Administration

Catellorv

Submitted by: Frank Pfeifer
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Colorado River Fishery Project
529 25-1/2 Road, Suite B-110
Grand Junction, CO 81505
[phone]

x Ongoing project
x Requested new start
Unsolicited project
Outside funding

Robert Williams
U.S, Bureau of Reclamation
P,O, Box 11568
Salt Lake City, UT 84147

I, Title of Prooosal

A FIVE yEAR STUDY TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFECTS OF ASPINALL UNIT OPERATION
ON ENDANGERED FISHES IN THE GUNNISON AND COLORADO RIVERS

II. Relationshio to Recoverv ProEram

The construction and operation of the Aspinall Unit has had a major
effect on the Gunnison and Colorado rivers, The Bureau, WAPA, and the
Service have recently initiated the process that will ultimately result
in a Biological Opinion on operation of the Aspinall Unit, Because of
past impacts to endangered fishes and the potential for reducing those
impacts and perhaps even enhancing conditions for these species, the
Biological Opinion process will be an important component of the
Recovery Implementation Program, This document outlines the study plan
that will provide the data necessary for a Biological Opinion on the
operation of the Aspinall Unit,

The data collected as part of this study will also give considerable
insight into the reproductive ecology and habitat requirements of the
endangered fishes. In addition, interactions between native and
introduced fish species will be investigated. These data are necessary
to formulate effective management strategies for the endangered fishes
of the Colorado River basin.