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<br />CHAPTER II ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION <br />array of options, there may be future projects likely to jeopardize <br />the fish for which the Service would be unable to develop reasonable <br />and prudent alternatives. <br />2. Conduct Section 7 consultation on operating Reclamation projects. <br />The operation of water storage projects by Reclamation constitutes a <br />Federal action which may affect endangered fishes. Therefore, <br />Reclamation is involved in Section 7 consultation to ensure their <br />project operations do not jeopardize endangered fishes. Reclamation <br />has sponsored, and is continuing to sponsor, studies to determine the <br />effects of their operations on endangered fishes. After research <br />' efforts identify the specific flow and habitat needs of the <br />endangered fish, the Service and Reclamation will examine the data <br />and, where necessary, determine the degree to which Reclamation <br />project operations will be refined to protect these fish. <br />Four existing Reclamation projects have recently completed or are <br />scheduled for consultation in the near term and will, if necessary, <br />refine their operations to protect endangered fishes: Green <br />Mountain, Ruedi, Flaming Gorge, and Blue Mesa Reservoirs. <br />Consultation has just been completed on water sales proposed from <br />Green Mountain Reservoir and on a second round of water sales <br />proposed from Ruedi Reservoir. Research investigations began in 1985 <br />on the impacts of Flaming Gorge Reservoir operations on endangered <br />fishes, with consultation planned to be completed in 1989. <br />Consultation on Blue Mesa Reservoir will be scheduled for completion <br />following completion of the Flaming Gorge biological opinion. <br />Since Section 7 consultation (and National Environmental Policy Act <br />compliance) has not been completed on the latter two projects, there <br />are no definitive data on how these dams will be operated in the <br />' future to protect endangered fish. However, assumptions on future <br />flow releases have been developed for purposes of analysis. <br />Presented in Table IV-A-2, these figures represent the best <br />assumptions on future flow releases that can be made at this time. <br />Other existing Reclamation projects will be consulted on in the <br />future. As yet, it would be premature to speculate on when <br />consultation will occur or what refinements might be requested. <br />3. Conduct basic and applied research on fish and their habitat needs, <br />as funds permit. The Service and Reclamation will continue efforts <br />to identify essential habitats and delineate their physical <br />characteristics. Researchers also plan to examine ecosystem <br />relationships (e.g., interspecific competition, primary and secondary <br />' productivity), develop computer models that simulate river conditions <br />under alternative flow management scenarios, and evaluate the <br />feasibility and effectiveness of various recovery techniques (e.g., <br />using "grow-out ponds" [artificial rearing areas) to produce fish). <br />These studies will also identify options for hydrologic flexibility <br />within the system.while protecting the fish and their habitat. <br />II-3