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"~ t , 2 . ,, ~ . r,_ ~ ~; ~~~ ~~'~c zt- ~'~~ 5""' ,r t~'~~ r~ v~~ ~_ y~ ~k, . X `~{~ PROJECT DESCRIPTION This biological opinion is based on the project description presented in the biological assessment. A summary of that project description is presented here. The Ute Water Conservancy District proposes to replace its deteriorated Plateau Creek pipeline with a larger pipeline for the purpose of providing a reliable, high quality, and cost effective water supply sufficient to meet existing and future water demands. Approximately 20 percent of the existing~~ pipeline crosses Bureau lands within Plateau Creek Canyon. Replacement of~the~. pipeline, along either the current alignment or an alternative alignment, will '~ require approval of anew Right-of-Way from the Bureau. ~ ~~rG~ Replacement of the existing pipeline is necessary because it is unreliable and does not have the capacity to meet peak daily demands. The pipeline is unreliable because it is subject to frequent breaks due to its deteriorated condition, and because it is subject to damage from landslides, streambank erosion, and flooding. The replacement pipeline will be designed to meet projected demands through the year 2045. Ute Water has water rights which allow the diversion of up to 50 cubic feet per second of water from Plateau Creek. The water is diverted from the tai 1_rac o_f. reau ,o£-,Reclamation's Lower Molina Power Plant, Plateau Creek Mesa Creek and~o,,o~n Cree' to Ute Water's Jerry Creek Reservoir system throug ately 4.5 mires of 42-inch and 36-inch-diameter pipe. A 14.5-mile, 24-inch diameter pipeline carries the water from Jerry Creek Reservoir No. 1 through the Plateau Creek Canyon to the Ute Water Treatment Plant located near the town of Palisade. The Project consists of-the replacement of the 24-inch diameter pipeline between Jerry Creek Reservoir No. land the Ute Water Treatment Plant with a 48-inch diameter pipeline. Z Based on the results of the hydrologic analysis contained in the biological assessment, the Project will continue to cause an average annual historic depletion of 4,628 acre-feet to the basin and 7,539 acre-feet to (measured at the top of) the 15-mile reach (the reach of the Colorado River between the town of Palisade, Colorado and the Gunnison River confluence) and is projected to cause an average annual new depletion in the year 2045 of 3,195 acre-feet to the basin and 18,521 acre-feet to the 15-mile reach. The total average annual depletion (historic plus new) in the year 2045 is projected to be 7,823 acre-feet to the basin and 26,059 acre-feet to the 15-mile reach. To facilitate the development of a reasonable and prudent alternative, the Project was described as consisting of three phases based on quantities of new depletion corresponding to depletion thresholds identified under the Recovery Implementation Program For Endangered Fish Species In The Upper Colorado River Basin. Phase 1 includes construction of the replacement pipeline and operations causing an average annual new depletion to the 15-mile reach measured as make-up flows (defined later) of up to 1,500 acre-feet, the Program's current sufficient progress threshold. Phase 2 includes operations causing an average annual new depletion to the 15-mile reach measured as make-up flows between 1,500 acre-feet and 3,000 acre-feet, the level of depletion to which the Program's sufficient progress threshold is expected to be raised in the near future. Phase 3 includes operations causing an average