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

CHAPTER IV
.ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
' This chapter analyzes the environmental consequences of the Proposed Action
and the No Action" alternative, with greater emphasis given to the former.
It analyzes potential impacts from both alternatives on physical, biological,
recreational, economic, social, and cultural elements of the human
environment.
' Prediction of future impacts is hampered by the dynamic, adaptable nature of
the Recovery Implementation Program. The program sets out a broad framework
and process for recovering the fish. Site-specific actions will be formulated
' only after habitat needs have been researched in greater depth and after
threats, opportunities, conflicts, and techniques for fish recovery have been
further evaluated. Many future actions cannot be specified in detail at this
time since underlying research has not been completed. In fact, some planned
recovery actions will not be implemented if pilot tests (research) indicate
they are ineffective or impractical.
' Whenever possible, this environmental assessment makes reasonable assumptions
regarding the course of future program implementation. However, where future
actions are truly uncertain, the environmental assessment does not speculate.
Instead, as potential projects or issues become ripe for decision,
supplemental, site-specific impact analysis documents will be prepared in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to ensure environmental
review. By staging environmental analysis in this manner, meaningful National
Environmental Policy Act analysis is ensured for the entire program.
The chapter begins with a discussion of water resources, since changes in the
' hydrologic regime of the Upper Basin can affect virtually every component of
the human environment.
' A. Water Resources
' ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE PROPOSED ACTION
1. Water Management
a. Federal Water Management
(1) Assumptions
Table IV-A-1 identifies potential water sources for rare fish
flows and indicates where these sources of water may be most
' important.
IV-A-1