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� I <br />EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />The San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program (Program) was initiated in 1992 with the <br />following two goals: <br />To conserve populations of Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker in the <br />Basin consistent with the recovery goals established under the Endangered <br />Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. <br />2. To proceed with water development in the Basin in compliance with federal <br />and state laws, interstate compacts, Supreme Court decrees, and federal trust <br />responsibilities to the Southern Utes, Ute Mountain Utes, Jicarillas, and the <br />Navajos. <br />The Program incorporated an ongoing 7 -year research effort (1991 -1998) initiated by the Bureau of <br />Reclamation and Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1991. The Program encompasses the San Juan River <br />from Navajo Dam to Lake Powell. A Long Range Plan (LRP) was completed in 1995 to guide the <br />Program by detailing objectives, timelines, budgets, and milestones. This Summary Report was <br />prepared to summarize the ongoing research efforts in relation to the objectives of the LRP. The <br />following section summarizes the Program in relation to the seven major objectives of the LRP. <br />5.1 Develop Interim Management Objectives for the Endangered Fish Species and <br />the Native Fish Community of the San Juan River. <br />This objective will be addressed after the 7 -year research effort is completed in 1998. Much of the <br />research that is currently being conducted is aimed at providing information to address.this objective. <br />Preliminary population goals have been developed for razorback sucker as part of an augmentation <br />plan completed in 1997. A modeling study planned for 1998 will address interim management <br />objectives. <br />5.2 Identify, Protect, and Restore Habitats within the San Juan River Basin <br />Necessary for Recovery of the Endangered Fish Species and Management of <br />the Native Fish Community. <br />A number of studies are being conducted that address habitat in the San Juan River. Some are <br />assessing physical habitat and how it varies throughout the system and under different flow levels. <br />Other studies are documenting the habitat use and needs of endangered and other fish in the river. <br />Flows from Navajo Dam have been partially manipulated since 1992 to mimic natural flows when <br />possible and provide flows that are thought to be beneficial to recovery of endangered fish <br />populations. Different flow patterns were produced to study responses by the fish community. <br />Relationships between flow and habitat are fairly well established, and models of these relationships <br />are being developed. <br />Considerable insight into habitat use by Colorado squawfish has been gained, as well as how much <br />habitat is available for this species, through the collection of wild and introduced fish. Spawning <br />San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program December 1997 <br />Summary Report PR -602 -1 <br />11 <br />