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population of endangered fish would be less likely to develop in the Gunnison River. Under No <br />Action and Alternatives A, B, and C changes in Aspinall Unit operations would still be <br />recommended in the future for protection and recovery of endangered fish. <br />Construction and operation of the fish passage is intended to correct this problem for the <br />Gunnison River. It is projected that the endangered fish and other native fish will begin to move <br />above the Redlands Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River in the years following installation of <br />the passage. The passageway will essentially open up approximately 50 miles of river for these <br />fish, with the plan that they will eventually develop into self - sustaining populations. The fish <br />passageway will be designed and operated to prevent non - native fish from moving upstream, and <br />this will reduce or eliminate the problem of introducing more non - natives to the Gunnison River. <br />Provision of water under the interim agreement is a critical element in meeting the goal of self - <br />sustaining populations. The agreement will assure a dependable water supply for operation of <br />the passage and will improve flows in the 2.3 mile reach of the Gunnison River downstream <br />from the Redlands Diversion Dam. The flow in this reach occasionally drops below a level that <br />can support the movement of fish. In extreme drought years such as 1977, flows would not be <br />supplemented as much below the Redlands Diversion. In cases such as this, the fish might <br />remain in the Colorado River where water conditions would be better. <br />In summary, the proposal is designed to result in a self- sustaining population of razorback <br />suckers and Colorado squawfish in the Gunnison River. It is recognized that there are some <br />unknowns in this plan. For example, fish passages of this type have not been used for these <br />species before and actual use will only be determined by monitoring actual operations. Also <br />habitat conditions above the diversion have been affected by factors other than the diversion- - <br />water quality has changed from historic conditions, flow regimes have been altered, <br />channelization has occurred, and non - native fish are present. Some of these concerns are <br />simultaneously being addressed by the Recovery Program. <br />The program should not affect any other threatened, endangered, or candidate species. Habitats <br />for the bald eagle, whooping crane, and peregrine falcon will not be affected by the fish passage, <br />and flow changes from the interim agreement are not expected to have a measurable effect on <br />riparian vegetation or wetlands used by these species. The southwestern willow flycatcher, black <br />tern, and white -faced ibis would also be expected to be found along the river corridor and <br />similarly would not be affected. Plant species listed for the Gunnison Basin would not be <br />affected because they occur in upland habitats unaffected by the proposed actions. <br />This EA also serves as a Biological Assessment under the Endangered Species Act. The <br />proposed actions will not have an effect on proposed species nor the threatened or endangered <br />species considered with the exception of the Colorado squawfish and the razorback sucker. <br />These fish and their critical habitat may be affected but in a beneficial manner. Based on these <br />conclusions and consistent with regulations in 50 CFR 402.13, formal consultation under the <br />Endangered Species Act is not necessary. <br />24 <br />