Correspondences Concerning Offsetting Reudi Reservoir Releases as a Result of Critical Habitat Designation

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3. Non - Native Fish Control: Reclamation is supportive of the proposed items relating to non- native fish control and removal in designated reaches of critical habitat and specific reservoirs. Although Reclamation's authority to implement these measures is limited, in the specific case of Paonia Reservoir, and any other reservoir within our control, we are prepared to take an active role in implementation through reservoir operations and /or appropriate stocking /management agreements with the appropriate State wildlife management agency. 4. Maintenance of Existing Diversions: Although not specifically stated, we understand through discussions at the May 4 and 5, 1994, Management Committee meeting that the goal of this item is to minimize or eliminate the impacts of annually constructing temporary diversion structures in critical habitat. From a biological perspective construction of permanent diversion dams may create more non- native fish habitat and thus be mare detrimental to the endangered native fish species than the current practice of annually constructing temporary diversions. Resolution of this concern should be completed before endorsing the concept of replacing temporary diversions with permanent structures. While we support the application of this item where it is demonstrated that temporary diversions are detrimental to the recovery of the endangered fish species, it should be recognized that inclusion of this element could significantly increase the existing capital improvements budget. 5. Fish Screens: As discussed at the May 4 and 5, 1994, Management Committee meeting, an assessment of the need for fish screens should also be'conducted at the Grand Valley Irrigation Company diversion dam if indeed fish entrainment is a concern in this reach of the Colorado River. Should the assessments indicate that fish entrainment is detrimental to recovery of the endangered fish species, we believe that installation of fish racks at the respective diversions are feasible for preventing entrainment of adult fish. However, fish screens to prevent entrainment of larval or juvenile fish could present significant operational costs. To date, we are unaware of any screening techniques that are both effective at preventing entrainment of larval fish and financially feasible from an operational perspective. Again, it must be recognized that the cost associated with fish racks and /or screens and associated operational costs are not included in the current capital improvement budgets. 6. Ruedi Reservoir Water Acquisition: We agree that Ruedi Reservoir may be able to provide additional water for endangered species flow enhancement purposes above and beyond the existing commitments as identified in the June 15, 1987, biological opinion on Ruedi Round II and Green Mountain water marketing. In order to ensure that we have a common understanding of what constitutes Round II water sales, we would like