Yampa River Basin Endangered Fish Recovery and Water Management Plan (2)

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r 0 // 4uzlo/_ Yampa River Basin Endangered Fish Recovery and Water Management Plan Goal: To provide and protect the instream flows and habitat needed to maintain and recover the endangered fishes, to protect other native fish and wildlife resources, and to provide water for existing and future human needs in the Yampa River Basin. Task Descriation and Schedule NEPA Scoping I. Conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to augment late summer /early fall flows for the endangered fishes in the Yampa River. The Biology Committee and a panel of independent experts will be assembled to review the results of the study and other available information to make recommendations for augmenting late summer /early fall flows for the endangered fishes in the Yampa River under current and future conditions (the years 2015 and 2040). The evaluation will address the tradeoff of the impact associated with reducing the peak spring peak flows with the benefits associated with augmenting late summer /fall flows in the Yampa River (1996 -July 1998). 2. Conduct a study to evaluate if natural and man -made barriers restrict fish movement in the Yampa River (1996 -July 1998 contingent upon low flows.) 3. Review and update 1989 information describing the amount of water that is needed to meet human needs in short- and long -term (the years 2015 and 2040, respectively). Determine the process for conducting Section 7, ESA consultation on the water needed to meet short /long -term needs (October 1996- September 1997). 4. Develop a basin wide plan to reduce impacts of nonnative fishes from existing storage projects and activities implemented through the Plan, while continuing to provide sportfishing opportunities-in the basin (1997- 1998). _ 5. Assemble information on declining native species associated with the Yampa River. Identify those actions needed to conserve the declining species (1997- 1998). Identify /Evaluate Alternative Pursuant to NEPA 6. Define purpose and needs statement for the Plan and identify and agree upon alternatives for meeting the purpose and need (January 1998- January 1999). 7. Collect and assemble missing information needed for the NEPA review of alternative (May 1998 - January 2000).