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000973 modification of critical habitat and incidental take analyses. ReclamatIon agrees to implement the following conservation measure and include it as a condition of any issued permit required for the proposed action. Reclamation will to the extent allowable under State and Federal law, attempt to release from the Aspinall Unit sufficient water to maintain a minimum flow of 300 cfs during the months of July, August, September and October in the Gunnison River from the " Redlands Diversion Dam to the confluence of the Gunnison River with the Colorado River. Said flows include water necessary to maintain fish access to critical habitat in the Gunnison River below Redlands Diversion Dam for authorized fish and wildlife purposes (providing suitable endangered fish habitat). During periods of drought when the 300 cfs below Redlands cannot be met, Reclamation will work with the Service and water users to attempt to maintain flows lower than 300 cfs below Redlands for endangered fish. The 'operation will remain in place until the Aspinall Operations Environmental Impact Statement is complete and Reclamation has issued a Record of Decision on Aspinall Operations to address endangered fish flows in the Gunnison and Colorado rivers. Operations developed through the environmental impact statement and Endangered SpecIes Act section 7 consultation process will address long term flow requirements below the Redlands Diversion Dam. RWPC, Reclamation, and the Service agree to take specific responsibilities in the operation and maintenance of the fish passage facility and fish screen (Appendix A). STATUS OF THE SPECIES AND CRITICAL HABITAT Colorado Pikeminnow Species/Critical Habitat Description The Colorado pikeminnow is the largest cyprinid fish (minnow family) native to North America and it evolved as the main predator in the Colorado River system. It is an elongated pike-like fish that during predevelopment times may have grown as large as 6 feet in length and weighed nearly 100 pounds (Behnke and Benson 1983). Today, fish rarely exceed 3 feet in length or weigh more than 18 pounds; such fish are estimated to be 45-55 years old (Osmundson et al. 1997). rp.e mouth ofthis species is large and nearly horizontal with long slender pharyngeal teeth (located in the throat), adapted for grasping and holding prey. The diet of Colorado pikeminnow longer than 3 or 4 inches consists almost entirely of other fishes (Vanicek and Kramer 1969). Males become sexually mature earlier and at a smaller size than do females, though all are mature by about age 7 and 500 mm (20 inches) in length (Vanicek and Kramer 1969, Seethaler 1978, Hamman 1981). Adults are strongly countershaded with a dark, olive back, and a white belly. Young are silvery and usually have a dark, wedge-shaped spot at the base of the caudal fin. 4