1995 Washington, D.C. Briefing Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin

• Description: 1995 Washington, D.C. Briefing Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 5/16/1995
• Title: 1995 Washington, D.C. Briefing Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

f i i
nittd states 015 enate
WASHINGTON, DC 20510
May 27, 1994
The Honorable Bennett Johnston, Chairman
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on
Energy and Water Development
SD -132 -
Washington D.C. 20510
SUBJECT: Request for Support of the Upper Colorado River Basin
Endangered Fish Recovery Program
Dear Chairman Johnston:
We are writing to request your support for an appropriation in
fiscal year 1995 of $4,715,000 to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation) that would be specifically earmarked for activities
associated with the recovery of four endangered fish species in the
Upper Colorado River Basin. This amount is included in the
Administrations proposed FY 95 budget for Reclamation under an
item labeled "Construction - Endangered Species Recovery
Implementation Program - Upper Colorado Region - various" totaling
$5.546 million, and which includes other items.
In Fiscal Year 1993, the Recovery Program initiated specific
studies and actions in preparation for *construction activities
necessary to recover the endangered fish. These activities
included restoration of fish passage to historical habitat,
instream flow protection on the Yampa River including the
enlargement of the existing Elkhead Reservoir, and water
acquisition on the Colorado River, including re- operation of
existing projects and modifications to existing projects.
Activities also were initiated in 1993 on several fish habitat
restoration projects, including flooded bottom lands and wetlands.
Pre - construction activities in all of these areas began in Fiscal
Year 1994. The FY 95 funds we are requesting will enable these
vital activities to continue and to be successfully implemented in
subsequent fiscal years.
The Upper Colorado River Basin Endangered Fish Recovery Program is
a mutually supported program involving the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Western Area Power
Administration, the states of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming,
environmental organizations, and water development interests.
Appendix A -5