New Proposal to Expedite Endangered Fish Recovery in the Colorado River

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�A 0 the interstate agreement governing the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery program expires. Without a state water right to protect instream flow, other mechanisms may have to be developed to secure water for the fish, such as long -term water contracts between water users and the state. "Water users and the state need to help find alternatives to a state water right that still provides flow protection for the fish. In the meantime, the Service needs to complete a biological opinion that evaluates the adequacy of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program to meet its dual objectives of recovering the four endangered fish species and allowing water development to continue. The biological opinion will also contain specific activities that need to be completed so federal agencies can continue to operate and authorize water projects while recovering the endangered fish," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director Ralph Morgenweck. The participants have scheduled another meeting on June 11 at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Lakewood office to continue these discussions. The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program agreement was signed in January 1988. The program has provided the reasonable and prudent alternative to avoid "jeopardy" for Endangered Species Act Section 7 biological opinions for approximately 400 water projects. These projects have an aggregate capability to deplete more than 671,000 acre -feet of water. --30--