9417

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9417
• Author: U.S. Department of the Interior.
• Title: Final Environmental Assessment
• USFW Year: 1998.
• USFW - Doc Type: Acquisition and Enhancement of Floodplain Habitats along the Upper Colorado, Green, and Gunnison Rivers as part of the Recovery Program for Endangered Colorado River Fishes.
• Copyright Material: NO

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Purpose and Need for Action

Pursuant to the Endanglred Species Act of 1973
I
(16 U.S.c. 1531 et seq.) the Upper Colorado River
Basin Recovery Implementation Program
(Recovery Program) 'seeks to recover the
endangered fishes identified within the basin, while
allowing water developrrlent to continue. The loss
of floodplain habitat isl believed to be a factor
contributing to the decline of these endangered
fishes, and ultimately thteatens their existence. To

- ..;--?"

...~. .;.
, .--~...
""\J .~

COlo<a~~S~uamf:
_~.... ,..4
..-. . ~~..-~."'
"'-1 ..."./ ~.....
Humpbac1; chub

~~ ..~
,-. ..
I
Bony=l:ail Chub
I
~..........~.4
-,- · ~,,,.:t..
'.....,. .., ~ .41!">-- ...;.....
~ '....--
R~zOJ:' b;3lck Su.cket
I
Figure 1-1. Upper Colorado River Basin
Endangered Fish Species

reverse this trend, the ReLvery Program proposes
to restore, enhance, and drotect floodplain habitats
to support the recovery ~of these species, namely
the Colorado squawfish, razorback sucker,
humpback chub, and boJytail.

B, Authority

Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16

U.S.c. 1531 et seq.) the U.S. Fish and ,Wildlife
Service (Service) is responsible for protection and
recovery of endangered species. The Service is
working to recover endangered fishes in the Upper
Colorado River Basin (Upper Basin) in cooperation
with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation), the Western Area Power
Administration, the States of Wyoming, Utah, and
Colorado, the Environmental Defense Fund, the
National Audubon Society, the Colorado and
Wyoming Wildlife Federations, the Colorado Water
Congress, Utah Water Users Association,
Wyoming Water Development Association and the
Colorado River Energy Distributors Association.

Section 2( c )(2) of the Act states: "It is further
declared to be the policy of Congress that Federal
agencies shall cooperate with State and local
agencies to resolve water resource issues in concert
with conservation of endangered species." The
goal of the Recovery Program is to recover the
endangered fishes while allowing water
development to meet the needs of society in the
Upper Basin.

This programmatic Environmental Assessment
(EA) has been prepared by the Service and
Reclamation as required by the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), and
related Department of the Interior regulations,
policies, and guidelines, Additional NEP A will be
conducted for each individual acquisition and
habitat enhancement where necessary.

C. Background

The floodplain habitats described in this document
are found within corridors along the mainstem
rivers of the Upper Basin, These corridors have
been designated as critical habitat for the razorback
sucker, Colorado squawfish, bony tail, and
humpback chub (except for the Delta to Austin
reach of the Gunnison River). Critical habitat is

I-I