8031

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8031
• Author: U.S. Department of the Interior.
• Title: Fish and Wildlife Service Final Biological and Conference Opinion on Lower Colorado River Operations and Maintenance - Lake Mead to Southerly International Boundary.
• USFW Year: 1997.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

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BIOLOGICAL OPINION

Proposed Action

this consultation for native riparian plant restoration. In its resource management agreement with
the Service, Reclamation is ready to implement portions of native habitat restoration proposals
identified for the Service's four National Wildlife Refuges located along the LCR.

c. Three-Finger Lake project

In 1993, Reclamation and the Service began a cooperative project to restore Three-Finger Lake
(Fig. 11). Approximately 120 acres of channels and shallow backwater areas, plus one 20-acre
native fish rearing pond, were dredged in 1995. The [mal phases of this project, including
construction of the water intake system, the construction of protective levees and bankline
structures, and the planting of native riparian vegetation will be completed by spring of 1997. Th e
total of this cost-share project will be approximately $4 million. Reclamation is prepared to work
with the Service and others in developing cells within the restored I ake for the rearing and natural
recruitment of the two endangered fish.

d. Lower Imperial Division wetland enhancement

This project will restore and maintain streamflow of sufficient quality and quant ity to enhance and
assist in recovering and protecting riparian, wetland, and aquatic habitats for fish and wildlife,
including ESA-listed species associated with such habitat. The proposed area covers 30 miles of
the LCR from Imperial Dam, 25 miles north of Yuma, to the northern boundary of Imperial
National Wildlife Refuge and includes approximately 6,100 acres of riparian woodland, wetlands,
and 150 backwater lakes. To help fund the restoration, Reclamation has received a $580,000 grant
from the Arizona Water Protection Fund. The project has been presented at public meetings in
Yuma and Parker, Arizona, and Blythe, California and has received considerable public and
political support. Reclamation will match Arizona's $580,000 grant and will enter into a contract
with the State for the restoration. This project which is anticipated to restore. approximately 50%
of the previous wetland-riparian habitat, will begin during the first half of 1997, with completion
proposed for 1998.

e. Flat-tailed horned lizard conservation

As a result of the Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard Rangewide Management Strategy, in which
Reclamation is participating member, Reclamation has proposed to preserve approximately 16,000
acres within the 5-mile zone southeast of Yuma as a flat-tailed horned lizard preserve and has
agreed to no new land use within the preserve boundaries. However, Reclamation proposes to
reserve the right to maintain the existing Minute 242 well field authorized by Public Law 93-320.
Reclamation would also reserve the right to expand the well field, but expansion would be closely
coordinated with the Service with regard to possible impacts to the flat-tailed horned lizard.
Mitigation features would be those outlined in the rangewide management strategy. Reclamation
will actively implement the management actions outlined in the strategy as described below, to

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