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<br />.' <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Section 7 and the Operation of the Colorado River System <br />Reed Harris, US Fish & Wildlife Service <br />Thank you for the opportunity to be here today to discuss with you the <br />Service's mandates and policies with regard to protection of endangered and <br />threatened species in the Colorado River Basin. At the outset I want to tell <br />you that I enjoy working with T & E species - especially the native fishes <br />which are an important component of our intermountain area's natural history. <br />I also want you to know that I live in rather arid Salt Lake City and I <br />appreciate the availability of high quality water and its many uses. <br />Sometimes we have to choose between two good things, but hopefully, we never <br />have to totally sacrifice one for the other. <br /> <br />I have been asked today to talk about Section 7 of the Endangered Species <br />Act - a topic with which most of you are already fami'li~r. With that thought <br />in mind I would rather not delve into all the specifics of the laws and <br />regulations that requires lists, assessments, and opinions; but instead focus <br />on the intent of the Act and what we're doing. <br /> <br />As many of you know federal agencies contemplating an action (permit, etc.) <br />which could affect listed threatened or endangered species must consult with <br />the Fish and Wildlife Service. Likewise, private, state, or other entities <br />\~hich require federal permits, licenses, approval, and so forth, must work <br />through the permitting federal agency in much the same manner. Water <br />development virtually always requires Section 7 Consultation, because the <br />lands are federally administered or there is the need for federal funding, <br />rights-of-way approval or a 404 permit. In keeping with ESA the action <br />federal agency cannot do anything which would "jeopardize the continued <br />