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FWS /ES /FS /GJ -6 <br />CO -93 -F -036 <br />MAIL STOP 60120 <br />Elizabeth Estill, Regional Forester <br />U.S. Forest Service <br />Rocky Mountain Region <br />P.O. Box 25127 <br />Denver, Colorado 80225 -0127 <br />Dear Ms. Estill: <br />In accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as <br />amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seg.), and the Interagency Cooperation Regulations <br />(50 CFR 402), this transmits the Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) final <br />biological opinion for impacts to federally listed endangered species. This <br />opinion is provided to you as the lead Federal Agency regarding Section 7 <br />consultation for small water depletions on seven national forests in Colorado <br />and one in Wyoming. <br />Reference is made to your April 21, 1993, letter requesting initiation of <br />formal consultation for the subject project. The Service concurs that the <br />annual depletion of water from the Colorado River Basin "may affect" the <br />endangered Colorado squawfish (Ptychocheilus lucius), humpback chub (Gila <br />ypha), bonytail chub (Gila elegans), and razorback sucker (Xvrauchen <br />texanus). Further, the Service has determined that the water depletion will <br />result in the destruction or adverse modification of proposed critical habitat <br />and has included a conference opinion to address this issue. <br />BIOLOGICAL OPINION <br />Based upon the best scientific and commercial information that is currently <br />available, it is the Service's biological opinion that the proposed project, <br />as described below, is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the <br />Colorado squawfish, humpback chub, bonytail chub, and razorback sucker. The <br />Service has developed reasonable and prudent alternatives to avoid the <br />likelihood of jeopardy to the endangered fishes. <br />