Letter to Robert Williams April 15 1993 Comments on Proposed Determination of Critical Habitat for the Razorback Sucker

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Agenda Item 16d (1) OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman Street. Room 718 Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone (303) 866 -3311 FAX: (303) 866-2115 STATE OF COLORADO April 15, 1993 Mr. Robert Williams DELIVERED BY FAX Utah State Supervisor Ecological Services U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2060 Administrative Building 1745 West 1700 South Salt Lake City, UT 84104 Roy Romer Governor Ken Salazar Executive Director Ron Cattany Deputy Director Subject: Comments on Proposed Determination of Critical Habitat for the razorback sucker, Colorado squawfish, humpback chub, and bonytail chub Dear Mr. Williams: The State of Colorado appreciates the opportunity to review and comment on the "Proposed Determination of Critical Habitat for the Colorado River Fishes: razorback sucker, Colorado squawfish, humpback chub, and bonytail chub," as published in the January 29, 1993 Federal Register. These comments are submitted by the Department of Natural Resources, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and the Colorado Division of Wildlife on behalf of the State of Colorado. The designation of more than 2,000 miles of riverine and reservoir areas in the Colorado River basin as critical habitat for the four fish species may have significant social, economic, and environmental impacts to wildlife, recreation, existing and future land use and water development, hydropower generation and operation of the Colorado River System reservoirs in the Upper and Lower Colorado River basins. These impacts may also have far reaching effects outside the basin, since the Colorado River is a major source of agricultural water resources and municipal water supplies for the Colorado Front Range communities, Salt. Lake City, Los Angeles, Phoenix and other major metropolitan areas. Because the biologic and economic supporting documentation will not be available until sometime in July 1993, we are unable to submit detailed or definitive comments at this time. We therefore reserve the right to comment further and to raise additional concerns after that supporting information can be reviewed. However, based upon the information which is currently available, the state of Colorado believes the following concerns require additional review: Geological Survey • Board of Land Commissioners • Division of Minerals & Geology Oil & Gas Conservation Commission • Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation • Soil Conservation Board Water Conservation Board • Division of Water Resources • Division of Wildlife