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<br />The Colorado River Energy Distributors Association, a non-profit organization representing consumer- <br />owned electric systems that purchase federal \:1ydropower and resources of the Colorado River Storage <br />Project (CRSP), supports Reclamations action as it will reduce the potential for future rate increases and <br />lessen the impact to the Basin Fund which is used for upkeep and maintenance of the CRSP dam and .' <br />generating facilities. <br /> <br />Prior to 1993, Flaming Gorge was generally operated under a "double peak" regime. Since 1993, in order <br />to lessen the effects to the sport fishery below the dam, Reclamation has generally operated Flaming <br />Gorge Dam using only a single peak per day with a limited ramp rate of 800 cfs/hour. This was a <br />compromise between power interests and the recreation interests. The single peak operation was not <br />viewed by Reclamation as a long term solution and was based on the presumed condition of the fishery in <br />1993. <br /> <br />Under the Flaming Gorge Record of Decision (February 2006), the issue of generation patterns was <br />limited to daily stage change downstream at Jensen, Utah, associated with generation patterns at the dam. <br />Reclamation's position from 1993 to the present has been that NEP A is not required because these <br />changes are within the range of normal operations that date back to the 1960s. <br /> <br />Reclamation also sees the merit in collecting scientific information during the double peak operational <br />regime. Based on the draft study plan prepared by Western, impacts to the trout fishery below the dam <br />will be evaluated. Western has committed to provide the Flaming Gorge Work Group and other <br />stakeholders to the process with the results of the study by July 2007. <br /> <br />Upper Colorado River Recovery Program - Sufficient Progress Letter: In accordance with the <br />Section 7, Sufficient Progress, and Historic Projects Agreement, Region 6 of the U.S. fish and Wildlife <br />Service has reviewed the 2005-2006 and the cumulative accomplishments and shortcomings of the Upper <br />Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program. The accomplishments and shortcomings are <br />measured in part by the status of the fish populations and the actions taken which result in a measurable . <br />population response, improvements to critical habitat, legal protection of flows, and a reduction in the <br />threats of extinction. <br /> <br />Recent population trends have been downward unfortunately and are attributed to the recent drought <br />conditions which have provided conditions more favorable to nonnative species in the critical habitat <br />reaches. Noted Program accomplishments included: 1) continued success of stocking efforts; 2) <br />completion ofthe Flaming Gorge EIS and ROD approving operational changes and utilization of the TCD <br />to benefit the endangered fish; 3) research on floodplain habitats; 4) continued progress on nonnative fish <br />control; 5) substantial progress toward completion of the Elkhead reservoir enlargement; 6) continued <br />augmentation of flows in the 15-mile reach; and 7) completion offish screens on the Grand Valley <br />Project and Redlands diversions. Areas of concern included: a) recent downward trends in Colorado <br />pikeminnow and humback chub populations; b) increases in small mouth bass populations; c) lack of <br />long-term protection of instream flows for critical habitat; d) general declines in Yampa River native fish <br />populations; e) slow substantive progress on the Aspinall re-operations EIS; and t) operational issues with <br />the GVIC fish passage and fish screen. <br /> <br />While the Service is very concerned about the recent downward trends in native fish populations and <br />notes an urgent need to pay closer attention to the impacts of drought conditions, it finds that the efforts of <br />the Recovery Program have been sufficient for the Recovery Program to continue to provide the <br />reasonable and prudent alternative which avoids the likelihood of jeopardy resulting from depletion <br />impacts of new projects that have an annual depletion of up to 4,500 AF. <br /> <br />Bonytails and Razorback Suckers Make a Comeback at Lake Mead: A year ago last September <br />work was undertaken to salvage and renovate Davis Cove. A few weeks later 150 adult razorback <br />suckers (salvaged from Cibola High Levee Pond) were stocked along with 1,500 bonytail from Dexter. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />34 <br />