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In 1995, Flaming Gorge was operated in accordance with the Final Biological Opinion on the Operation of Flaming Gorge (FBOFGL issued in November 1992. The FBOFG outlines the reservoir operations during the spring, summer and early fall months that may provide an improved habitat for endangered endemic species of fish. To accommodate the FBOFG, a special release was made from Flaming Gorge during May and June. The goal of the special release in 1995 was to maintain flows on the Green River at Jensen, Utah between 17,000 to 18,000 cfs. This target range was established because flooding begins to occur at Jensen when flows exceed 18,500 cfs. Jensen is below the confluence of the Green and Yampa Rivers, and flows from the Yampa River alone in 1995 exceeded 18,000 cfs. Releases from Flaming Gorge were adjusted during this special release between minimum levels of BOO cfs and maximum power levels of 4,300 cfs. During the period when the Yampa River reached its peak, flows from Flaming Gorge were at minimum levels, producing a flow at Jensen of 19,300 cfs. In 1996, Flaming Gorge will again be operated in accordance with the FBOFG. If water year 1996 runoff is similar to the probable minimum, most probable, or probable maximum inflow scenarios, then high spring releases for three, eight, or in excess of eight weeks duration will likely be made, respectively. Water year 1996 will be the final year of the five-year study called for in the FBOFG to further examine the flow needs of the endangered fish during the spring and winter months. In order to observe the effects of high spring flows in occupied habitat above the Yampa-Green confluence and to produce high flows in the Jensen reach of the Green River, the researchers and the Service requested a bypass release from Flaming Gorge Dam. Combined with full powerplant releases, the requested release totaled 8,700 cfs. The proposal met strong opposition from State, county and private interests, particularly those living along the river who would be adversely impacted by the flows through increased power costs, farmland flooding, trout habitat degradation and recreation disruption and facility degradation. In response to this opposition, the Service withdrew its request for 1996. It has also resumed informational discussions in the Flaming Gorge Work Group and elsewhere in an effort to explain the need for these high releases for research, seek consensus on the long-term operation of the dam and gain support for recovery efforts. The issue of high spring flows and powerplant bypasses will likely continue to be a controversial topic for work group meet- ings. 62