Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />the interstate agreement governing the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish <br />Recovery program expires. Without a state water right to protect instream flow, other <br />mechanisms may have to be developed to secure water for the fish, such as long-term <br />water contracts between water users and the state. <br />"Water users and the state need to help find alternatives to a state water right <br />that still provides flow protection for the fish. In the meantime, the Service needs to <br />complete a biological opinion that evaluates the adequacy of the Upper Colorado River <br />Endangered Fish Recovery Program to meet its dual objectives of recovering the four <br />endangered fish species and allowing water development to continue. The biological <br />opinion will also contain specific activities that need to be completed so federal <br />agencies can continue to operate and authorize water projects while recovering the <br />endangered fish," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director Ralph <br />Morgenweck. <br />The participants have scheduled another meeting on June 11 at the U.S. Fish <br />and Wildlife Service's Lakewood office to continue these discussions. <br />The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program agreement was <br />signed in January 1988. The program has provided the reasonable and prudent <br />alternative to avoid "jeopardy" for Endangered Species Act Section 7 biological <br />opinions for approximately 400 water projects. These projects have an aggregate <br />capability to deplete more than 671,000 acre-feet of water. <br />-- 30 -- <br />