8031 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

t I I I I I I r' - I r I I I I I I I I BIOLOGICAL OPINION Proposed Action subject to water availability. The released water generates power, but water is not released for the sole purpose of generating power. Reclamation has the discretion to ask the electrical service customers to renegotiate their contracts, but the United States could be responsible for direct financial reimbursement to customers if contractual obligations are not met. (The analysis here assumes that the Secretary will abide by all existing contractual obligations and will not act unilaterally to void such arrangements.) Additionally, the Secretary is obligated to fulfill the provisions of applicable Federal regulations, such as operational requirements set forth in 43 CFR Part 431. 5. Channel Maintenance and Levee System The Colorado River Front Work and Levee System (CRFWLS) Act of 1946 (as amended) provides that for the purposes of controlling floods, improving navigation, and improving the flow of the Colorado River, Reclamation will (i) operate and maintain the CRFWLS in Arizona, Nevada and California, (ii) construct, improve, extend, operate and maintain protection and drainage works and systems, (iii) control the river, and improve, modify, straighten, and rectify its channel, and (iv) conduct related investigations and studies in connection. Although these directions and responsibilities are relatively explicit as to what must be done, the details of the works, and the "how" and "when" parameters, are left to the discretion of the Secretary and Reclamation. The channel maintenance and levee system processes are considered discretionary for the Secretary and are covered within this assessment and consultation. The routine maintenance on existing stabilized banklines consists of placing riprap on bankline areas where the existing riprap has eroded or otherwise needs repair. Other routine maintenance involving riprap includes repair of jetties and training structures. Again, this repair consists of replacing riprap where it has eroded or otherwise needs replacing. Some riprap is needed occasionally for repair of levee armoring. Associated with the maintenance of the banklines, levees, and river control structures is maintenance of access and bankline roads. Roads are maintained on the levees and adjacent areas to stabilize banklines. The maintenance is routine road repair required for gravel roads. While these roads are also used by the public for various reasons, the roads ar e maintained for operation and maintenance of Reclamation project facilities and are not maintained up to public road standards. Reclamation anticipates that up to 80,000 cubic yards of rock and gravel will be needed to maintain the CRFWLS facilities on a yearly basis. Except during an emergency, no new construction IS anticipated during the period of this consultation for channel and levee maintenance. 6. Dredging 27