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Chapter 2 - Identification of Problems/Opportunities and Needs concerned that high water from Government Creek coinciding with uncontrolled spilling at Rifle Gap Reservoir amplifies their problems. In the past, City officials have requested that space be maintained in the reservoir to help prevent coincidental uncontrolled spills. However, since there would be no guarantee this space would fill later, the SWCD has not felt comfortable complying with the request. Economic consequences would likely occur to the irrigators if that space went unfilled. Endangered Colorado River Fish Four fish species in the upper Colorado River basin (of a total of 14 native to this area) are in danger of extinction. It has beer. suggested that the decline of these four fish species indicates an overall decline in the ecosystem which affects our human quality of life. In effect, the purpose of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Fish & Wildlife Service is to maintain the human quality of life by keeping these species around. All Federal agencies have been given the responsibility to support this mission. Changes in flow, resulting from the development and use of water resources in the upper Colorado River basin, have been identified as one of the causes of the decline in the native fish species. Other causes, including predation, by non-native fish, are also being addressed by the RIP. One of the most important stream reaches is the "15-Mile Reach" of the Colorado River just upstream of the confluence with the Gunnison River at Grand Junction. Federally constructed reservoirs, like Rifle Gap, upstream of the "15-Mile Reach", are being examined to see if any unused or newly developed water could be provided for flow enhancement in that reach. This reach, which is severely impacted by diversions during the irrigation season, is believed to be extremely important to the recovery of the endangered fish species. The purpose of the RIP is to take a proactive approach to the problem of declining native fish species and establish self-sustaining populations of the endangered fish while allowing water development on the west slope of Colorado to continue. The RIP is a cooperative effort by Federal, state and local interests including irrigation water users. It seeks to recover the fish and avoid the use of regulatory actions, like Federal permitting (e.g. Section 404 permits), to prevent further impacts on the endangered species. The Silt Project is being evaluated under two headings in the RIP's Recovery Action Plan (RIPRAP) to determine if there is potential to help enhance flows in the 15-Mile Reach. First, it is being analyzed individually [RIPRAP item ; 10