WSPP286 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

000926 Redlands Fish Screen FONSI W ACO-GJ-FONSI-04-02 Page 3 Conclusions: Under the No Action Alternative, the Recovery Program through Reclamation, would not take action to minimize incidental take of Colorado pikeminno~ and razorback sucker in the Redlands Power Canal. Habitat would not be enhanced to assist in recovery efforts of the Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker. During formal consultation with the Service (FWS/R6/ES/GJ:6-CO-04-F-003), the Service determined that the water depletions associated with existing RWPC operations are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub, bonytail and razorback sucker and result in the destruction or adversely modification of their critical habitat. The Service determined that the Recovery Program can serve as the reasonable and prudent alternative to avoid jeopardy to the endangered fishes and destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat caused by R WPC ~storic depletion provided that the following Recovery Implementation Program Recovery Action Plan items from the Colorado River Action Plan: Gunnison River, are implemented or continue to be implemented: 1. RIPRAP ILB.IB.l.g-Screen Redlands diversion structure to prevent endangered fish entrainment. This recovery element is the proposed action that was consulted on and includes water depletions associated with the R WPC operations. Recovery elements are intended to offset impacts associated with water depletions. 2. RIPRAP ILB.l.c-Operate and maintain Redlands fish ladder. The Redlands fish ladder has been in operation since 1996. The Service will continue to operate the ladder and R WPC will assume ownership of the ladder and will be responsible for maintenance as identified in cooperation with the Service. 3. RIPRAP II.C.3-Provide interim flows the Redlands Fish Ladder and below the Redlands Diversion Dam from the Aspinall Unit as determined through the continued annual coordination (meeting 3 times/year) of Aspinall operation until the Record of Decision on the Aspinall Operations is completed and implemented. According to the Recovery Program's Section 7 agreement for historic depletions, these actions will serve as the reasonable and prudent alternative as long as they are completed according to the schedule identified in the Plan. R WPC, Reclamation and the Service agree to take specific responsibilities in the operation and maintenance of the fish passage facility and fish screen. (O&M agreement). In order to more efficiently implement the reasonable and prudent alternatives, R WPC and the Service signed a Recovery Agreement that outlines the responsibility of each party. An incidental take statement was included in the Service's biological opinion to address potential incidental take associated with the fish screen and fish ladder, and RWPC's diversions. The following reasonable and prudent measures necessary and appropriate to minimize take of Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker and bonytail were identified: