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<br />U~~-~~-~~ ~~:1~ r~U":CML~U"C ~ u~~~n r~ <br /> <br />Jilll387 <br /> <br />was December one year ago when I signed the extension of the Cooperative Agreement for the Upper <br />Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program. <br /> <br />The recovery goals for the humpback chub, bonytail, Colorado pik,eminnow and razorback sucker were <br />signed on August 1 Sl by the Fish and Wildlife Service. <br /> <br />No one was really certain in 1988 how much progress could be made toward recovering endangered <br />Colorado River fish while allowing the water development needed to serve growing Western <br />communities- <br /> <br />But a concerted effort brought together organizations with diverse goals, ranging from state and federal <br />agencies to environmental groups to water and power developers. <br /> <br />I cite this as an excellent example of planning ahead to meet the demands of the Endangered Species Act. <br />All jurisdictions need to take Endangered Species Act problems seriously and to factor them into their <br />long-term planning. Upper Colorado River Users came to grips with this more than a dozen years ago <br />and that planning is begimring to show success today. <br /> <br />This can be a model that the Klamath and Rio Gxande and other basins can follow. <br /> <br />Moving downriver, the Department has been moving forward with the Grand Canyon Adaptive <br />Management Program. This is a cooperative process that mvolves 25 very diverse interests brought <br />together through a Federal Advisory Committee. <br /> <br />Ten dayS ago, thc Department approved an innovative and complex experiment that is designed to benefit <br />both endangered fish and to improve sediment retention in Marble and Orand Canyons. This experiment <br />was designed and recormnended through the Adaptive Management Working Group. <br /> <br />As a result of our earlier 1996 experiment releasing flows from Glen Canyon Dam, we leamed that <br />flooding remains a vital aspect of the natural dynamics of the Grand Canyon. <br /> <br />But it also taught us that we need to utilize tributaIy sediment imports more effectively. To do this, our <br />experts at the U,S_ Geological Survey believe it is critical to take sedim~t that comes into the Grand <br />Canyon during monsoon weather events, and move it onto beaches in the Canyon through the use of high <br />flows. We had hoped to do an experimental flow in 2003. <br /> <br />Unfortunately, in this ongoing drought year, we didn't have any sizeable storms that would have <br />produced sediment. So. we'll have to carry these high-flow test plans over to 2004. <br /> <br />The second portion of the ex.periment will include high fluctuating flows during January through March <br />to diSI"'.lpt the spa'NIlLTJ.g and survival of non-native trout. We expect this to benefit native fish, especially <br />the endangered humpback chub. <br /> <br />The last, but certainly not least, endangered species project is the Multi-Species Conservation Program for <br />the lower Colorado River basin. We hope it will avoid significant uncertainty for future operations of the <br />Colorado River. <br /> <br />The Multi-Species Conservation Program reflectS another collaborative and innovative means to address <br />Endangex-ed Species Act issues. Y ct, it still provides the traditional benefitS of the RiVet to those who <br />depend on it for sustenance and for their livelihood. <br /> <br />CRWUA . Dec. /6, 2002 <br /> <br />Page 5 of 7 <br />