9582

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9582
• Author: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
• Title: Final Environmental Impact Statement - Navajo Reservoir Operations Volume III Comments and Responses.
• USFW Year: 2006.
• USFW - Doc Type: Grand Junction - Durango, CO.
• Copyright Material: NO

Volume III - Comments and Responses
FEIS - Navajo Reservoir Operations
(c) The Flow Recommendations may not in fact lead to recovery of endangered
species and their habitat, and they could take place in an isolated, artificial
environment that could not be sustained except at great expense. Other
alternatives to the Flow Recommendations could be formulated that would be
equally effective in conserving the endangered species.
Response: There is no guarantee that the Flow Recommendations will lead to recovery of
the endangered fish in the San Juan River. Flow Recommendations are only one aspect of
the SJRBRIP; other aspects or elements of the program include providing fish passage
around migration barriers, control of non-native fish that compete with endangered fish,
and stocking of endangered fish. The program also includes an adaptive management
element. The response of the endangered fish and their habitat to new flow regimes will be
monitored by the SJRBRIP and flow regimes modified if determined necessary.
(d) There is no guarantee that the flows recommended would be protected from
intervening appropriators.
Response: Responsibilities of regulating diversions downstream from Navajo Dam he
with the New Mexico State Engineer's Office in New Mexico and the Navajo Nation
on Navajo Nation Lands. Authorized diversions are anticipated in the Flow
Recommendations; excessive diversions not authorized by the State of New Mexico
could hinder meeting the Flow Recommendations and thus the recovery of the fish.
(e) High releases may have caused the river channel to deepen, and they have not
contributed to the formation of sand bars, which aid in fish recovery.
Response: The effect of the high spring flows on habitat is being monitored by the
SJRBRIP. There are provisions in the SJRBRIP to adjust flows in reaction to habitat changes
(adaptive management); long-term monitoring will be needed to determine if desired effects
on habitat actually occur.
(f) Low releases result in an increased concentration of pollutants and may adversely
affect endangered fish in related ways.
Response: The SJRBRIP has studied, and continues to study, water quality in the
San Juan River. In the studies performed to date, it was concluded that "concentrations of
contaminants in biota inhabiting the mainstem of the San Juan River were not consistently
correlated with instream flow discharges. Therefore, incorporating a contaminant-related
component into the Flow Recommendations for recovery of San Juan River endangered fish
is not advised." (Environmental Contaminants in Aquatic Plants, Invertebrates, and Fishes
of the San Juan River Mainstem,1990-96, SJRBRIP). In a Program Evaluation Report (2000)
it was also stated, "The extensive information collected during the 7-year research period
•
•
i
•
•
i
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
i
•
•
•
•
•
i
•
i
i
•
•
•
•
•
i
•
i
•