Briefing Paper to Accompany the Proposed Upper CO River and San Juan Endangered Fish Recovery Act

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� r 1. Upper Basin Division states will contribute a total of $17 million, with an appropriate amount apportioned to each state. 2. Colorado will loan $17 million to the two recovery programs to be repaid by power revenues collected from the members of the Colorado River Energy Distributors Association ( CREDA. This will allow CREDA to both participate in funding the capital costs of the Recovery Implementation Program and meet project repayment obligations within the 50 -year time frame established by the Colorado River Storage Project Act with minimal impacts in power rates. By combining the $17 million contribution by states with the re- financing of water and hydropower construction project debt, an additional $17 million is available from the sale of electric power from federal dams for a total of $34 million -- $1 million more than necessary to meet the non - federal contribution commitment. Indian Trust Assets Much of the potential water development in the San Juan River Basin is for the benefit of Indian Tribes and most of the designated critical habitat for the endangered fish is on Indian trust lands. The development of Indian water resources and the resolution of Indian water rights, including the Colorado Ute water rights settlement, the completion of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project and the Jicarilla Apache water rights settlement depend upon the success of the San Juan River Program. Secure funding of the recovery efforts provided by this act is key to the protection of Indian Trust Assets. Public Perceptions and Impacts of Proposed Changes on the Endangered Species Act The bill does not amend the federal Endangered Species Act. Most of the amendments that have been considered by Congress contemplate changes in the federal Endangered Species Act that affect how a species is listed and what constitutes the taking and harassment of a species. None of the proposed amendments eliminate the need for recovery plans or programs such as this ongoing effort. In fact, most of the amendments put even greater emphasis on local efforts to protect threatened and endangered species. Recovering endangered fish is appears to be supported by Western state residents. In a 1994 survey, researchers at Colorado State University found that 66 percent of residents in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah said they support efforts to recover endangered fish. Specifically, such support was reported by 60 percent of the elected officials surveyed, 61 percent of the anglers, 70 percent of the general public and 82 percent of the environmental group members.