7281 ‎(2)‎

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7281
• Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Title: Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin, Environmental Assessment, November 1987.
• USFW Year: 1987.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver, Colorado.
• Copyright Material: NO

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CHAPTER IV
Research/Monitoring
Research and monitoring efforts
individual specimens. However,
possible. In addition, research
an endangered species permit sys
this, no significant impacts to
anticipated.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
can result in occasional mortality to
researchers minimize mortality wherever
and monitoring activities are controlled by
tem administered by the Service. Because of
rare fish populations as a whole are
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE "NO ACTION" ALTERNATIVE
Overview
Although protective measures will continue, research and recovery programs
under the "No Action" alternative will be undertaken at a lower level of
effort than under the Proposed Action. Protective measures should ensure that
the rare fishes do not become extinct, but reduced research and recovery
programs may not be sufficient in scope or timely enough to recover the listed
fishes. The Service expects that the Colorado squawfish, humpback chub, and
bonytail chub will remain on the endangered species list and that the
razorback sucker would be federally listed to prevent its extinction.
Habitat Management
As in the Proposed Action, adjusted water releases from Federal reservoirs
will benefit rare fishes in the Green and Colorado Rivers, provided these
releases are protected from diversion. But, without special Congressional
funding, it is unlikely that water will be purchased to guarantee instream
flows in critical reaches where there are presently no Federal reservoirs.
This could result in adverse impacts to rare fishes in low water years.
However, Section 7 consultation will ensure that instream flows are not
depleted to a level that would jeopardize the fishes. Even if funds did
become available for acquiring instream flows for rare fishes, the delay in
establishing instream flow requirements could increase the expense and legal
difficulties in procuring instream flow rights.
Research efforts to determine the year-round flow requirements of rare fishes
in the Upper Basin will continue, but at a slower pace. Uncertainties
regarding instream flow needs of the rare fishes could result in jeopardy
opinions under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
Habitat Development and Maintenance
Habitat development and maintenance actions will be undertaken, but over a
longer period of time than under the Proposed Action. Impacts will be similar
to those in the Proposed Action, only they will occur more slowly. Fish
' passageways could allow fish to migrate to and from spawning or wintering
areas in instances where instream barriers block this movement. Constructing
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