9398

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9398
• Author: SWCA, I.
• Title: Feasibility Assessment for a Multi-Species Management Program, Lower Colorado River.
• USFW Year: 1994.
• USFW - Doc Type: Salt Lake City.
• Copyright Material: NO

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listed species or their designated habitat. If there is an effect, section 7 consultation is
required" 4 .

Anticipating the potential impact of ESA compliance and enforcement on the Lower Colorado
River, the Lower Division States\Tribes Steering Committee (Steering Committee) was formed'
in October 1993 by entities within Arizona, California, and Nevada who have an interest in this
issue. The Steering Committee initiated a Management Program Feasibility Assessment effort
and adopted three primary objectives for a future multi-species management programs.

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accommodates current water diversions and power production and optimizes future water
and power development opportunities,

.

works toward the conservation of habitat and. toward recovery of the species, and

.

reduces the likelihood of additional "threatened/endangered" species listings.

Lower Colorado River interests who are participating in or otherwise supporting the Feasibility
Assessment (Participants) appointed a Feasibility Assessment Advisory Committee (Feasibility
Committee) to oversee the development and evaluation of alternative multi-species management
program strategies. The results of that assessment are reported in this document.

II. MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES

As a first step in developing management alternatives for assessment, the Feasibility Committee
and the consultant (SWCA, Inc.) decided that several assumptions were valid regarding the ESA
and current ESA-related case law. Three of the most important assumptions are as follows: (1)
the existing Law of the River is applicable and would not be changed through these alternatives;
(2) the ESA will be re-authorized in a way that will not significantly change its influence on
Lower Colorado River endangered species issues; and (3), the Service will eventually conclude

See Appendix D for the complete text of this memorandum from the Regional Director for Region 2 of
the Service to the Regional Director of Reclamation, dated September 27, 1994.

See Appendix F for the "Scoping Committee Outline for Management Program Planning Process,"
dated May 5, 1994.

FINAL REPORT

December 20, 1994
Page 2