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07 -18 -94 10;28nM FROM GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO 918662115 <br />P003 <br />Honorable Roy Romer 2 <br />habitats; construction of fish passage, propagation, and refugia facilities; <br />and instream flow protection. The San Juan River Basin program includes <br />similar activities as well as water quality requirements. <br />The Service has informed participants of the Recovery Programs that so long as <br />the programs continue to make documented, on-the-ground progress toward <br />recovery of these fish, the agency intends to rely on. their accomplishments to <br />address the effects of water depletion and other impacts on critical habitat- - <br />in other words, the Recovery Programs can serve as reasonable and prudent <br />alternatives for determinations of adverse modification of critical habitat as <br />they have in the past for jeopardy determinations. <br />It is true the two programs may require some modification to achieve this <br />purpose, and that some section 7 consultations completed before the critical <br />habitat designation may need to be reinitiated to address critical habitat <br />impacts. However, both programs considered habitat issues during their <br />development and included numerous habitat -based measures; taken together, they <br />represent a comprehensive strategy toward recovery of endangered Colorado <br />River fish. Consequently, the Service does not anticipate significant changes <br />to either program as a result of critical habitat designation. Region 2 and <br />Region 6 have begun individual and joint reviews of this issue and plan to <br />identify what changes, if any, to the programs are necessary by about August <br />1994. <br />I commend your State's progressive attitude in taking a leadership role to <br />design and implement programs dealing with these difficult issues, and I hope <br />this information is helpful to you. To further discuss the Upper Colorado <br />River Basin critical habitat designation and recovery program, please contact <br />Or Ralph Morgenweck, Regional Director, Region 6, Fish and Wildlife Service, <br />P.O. Box 25486, Denver, Colorado 80225, (303) 236 -7920. If I`can provide <br />further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. <br />Sincerely, <br />V;W DI RECTOR <br />