9631

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9631
• Author: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
• Title: Operation of Flaming Gorge Dam Draft Environmental Impact Statement Executive Summary.
• USFW Year: 2004.
• USFW - Doc Type: Salt Lake City, UT.
• Copyright Material: NO

pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), and bonytail
(Gila elegans). Reclamation would implement the Proposed Action by modifying the
operations of Flaming Gorge Dam, to the extent possible, to achieve the flows and
temperatures prescribed in the 2000 Flow and Temperature Recommendations.
Reclamation's goal is to implement the Proposed Action and, at the same time, maintain
and continue all authorized purposes of the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP).
S.2.1 Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Federal Action
The purpose of the Proposed Action is to operate Flaming Gorge Dam to protect and
assist in recovery of the populations and designated critical habitat of the four endangered
fishes, while maintaining all authorized purposes of the Flaming Gorge Unit of the
CRSP, particularly those related to the development of water resources in accordance
with the Colorado River Compact. The Proposed Action is needed for the following
reasons:
? The operation of Flaming Gorge Dam, under its original operating criteria,
jeopardized the continued existence of the endangered fishes in the Green River.
? Reclamation is required to comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the
operation of CRSP facilities, including Flaming Gorge Dam. Within the exercise of
its discretionary authority, Reclamation must avoid jeopardizing the continued
existence of listed species and destroying or adversely modifying designated critical
habitat.
? The Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) to the 1992 Biological Opinion on
the Operation of Flaming Gorge Dam required modification of Flaming Gorge
releases to benefit the endangered fish, a 5-year study period to evaluate winter and
spring flows, and reinitiation of discussions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
following the study period to further refine the flow recommendations. With the
results of these studies, as well as other relevant information, the Recovery Program
developed and approved the 2000 Flow and Temperature Recommendations for the
Green River. These recommendations are an extension of the 1992 jeopardy
Biological Opinion RPA. Reclamation committed to assist in meeting flow
requirements through the refined operation of Flaming Gorge and other federal
reservoirs in the 1987 agreement that formed the Recovery Program.
? Flaming Gorge Dam and Reservoir is the primary water storage and delivery facility
on the Green River, upstream from its confluence with the Colorado River. The
storage capacity and ability to control water releases of Flaming Gorge Dam allow
Reclamation flexibility in providing flow and temperature management, to protect
and assist in the recovery of endangered fish populations and their critical habitat
within specific reaches of the river. Thus, the refined operation of Flaming Gorge
Dam is a key element of the Recovery Program.
? The refined operation will offset the adverse effects of flow depletions from the
Green River for certain Reclamation water projects in Utah, as defined by existing
jeopardy Biological Opinions. Modifying the operation of Flaming Gorge Dam will
also serve as the RPA, as defined by the ESA, to offset jeopardy to endangered fishes
and their critical habitat that could result from the operation of numerous other
existing or proposed water development projects in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
S-2 0% Operation of Flaming Gorge Dam Draft EIS