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<br />Oil2548 <br /> <br />ISSUES <br /> <br />1. The 1995 Biological Opinion was a one time opinion for the 1996 BHBF that had an element that <br />required the establishment of a second population of Kanab ambersnaiI prior to any additional <br />BHBFs being conducted, Section 7 consultation will need to occur, <br /> <br />2, It is assumed that a BHBF of2-4 days in the March-April time frame is within the EIS and the <br />Operating Criteria; therefore, further NEP A and cultural resource compliance would not be <br />necessary if the 1998 BHBF is proposed in March-April, <br /> <br />3, The effects on other resources, such as the Lees Ferry trout fishery, will need to be considered <br />(See Attached Matrix) prior to making final decisions regarding the timing of such a potential <br />BHBF, <br /> <br />4, GCMRC estimates the cost to perform research and monitoring ofa 1998 BHBF could be as high <br />as $1,000,000. This would be in addition to work planned in the current FY98 budget. Is the <br />money available? <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATIONS <br /> <br />Following'presentation of this paper, and subsequent discussion, the TWG adopted the following <br />recommendations: <br /> <br />-- GCMRC initiate needed planning to be ready to implement a 1998 BHBF should the <br />appropriate water conditions materialize and the AMWG recommend such an action occur, <br /> <br />-- Similarly, the Bureau of Reclamation and the V.S, Fish and Wildlife Service should initiate <br />appropriate compliance activities. <br /> <br />- GCMRC should initiate evaluation of the effects on resources of conducting a BHBF between <br />January and June 1998 by compiling the expert opinion, and research citations supporting that <br />opinion, of scientists with experience working in the Colorado River ecosystem, <br /> <br />- The design and evaluation ofa 1998 BHBF will be constrained to flows less than or equal to <br />45,000 cfs over a 2-4 day period sometime between the months of January through June of 1998. <br /> <br />-- Any decision regarding providing additional funds to GCMRC for monitoring and research <br />activities regarding a Spring BHBF should be postponed until the December 10, 1997 TWG meeting, <br />This will allow the FY99 Working Group to meet and review GCMRC's proposed FY99 program <br />and budget, <br /> <br />4 <br />