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Seit;ntiflc Vvaluuion of Biological Opinions on T:rndangercd and Thrcntenod Flshca in the Klamath RNcrBasili: interim Report (2002) <br />hn�.rn uev,n(�p,Cf W��r[nhnnW �91N(INU�y,nU +ml2l.htlrtl. C�q{�Agh� aril zml oil flphR MtC" <br />4. Conclusions <br />The NRC Committee on Endangered and Threatened Fish Species in the Upper <br />Klamath River Basin has studied the USBR biological assessment on the shortnose and <br />Lost River suckers, the USPWS biological opinion with its reasonable and prudent <br />alternative (RPA) on these same species, and supporting documentation and has heard <br />oral presentations and open public comment on the issues related to these endangered <br />fishes in the Klamath River Basin. The committee finds strong scientific support for the <br />requirements of the RPA except the requirement for specified minimum lake levels in <br />Upper Klamath Lake. Extensive field data on the fish and environmental conditions in <br />Upper Xlamr th Lake do not provide scientific support for the underlying premise of the <br />RPA that higher lake levels will help maintain or lead to the recovery of these two <br />species. At the same time, operation of Upper Klamath Lake at mean minimum levels <br />below the r ' ent historical ones (1990 - 2000), as could occur through implernentation of <br />the USBR sessment, would pose unknown risks in that these conditions have not been <br />observed o er the last 10 years, the interval over which good environmental <br />documents on is available. The present scientific record is consistent with use of <br />operational rinciple:s in effect between 1990 and 2000. <br />The C committee has studied the USBR biological assessment on the Southern <br />Oregon/Northern California Coasts evolutionary significant unit of the coho salmon in <br />the Klamath River Basin and the accompanying biological opinion prepared by the <br />National Marine Fisheries Service, along with its RPA requirements, as well as <br />supporting documentation, oral presentations of scientists contributing to research on this <br />issue, and open public testimony. The RPA contains requirements for minimum flows in <br />the Klamath River below iron Gate Dam, limitations on ramping rate below Iron Gate <br />Dam, and interagency coordination. The committee finds reasonable scientific support <br />for the suppression of ramping rates as given in the RPA and for coordination. The <br />committee does not find scientific support for the proposed minimum flows as a means of <br />enhancing the maintenance and recovery of the coho population_ The proposal of the <br />USBR, Jh, ver, as given in its biological assessment, could lead to more extreme <br />suppre of flows than has been seen in the past. and cannot be justified either. On the <br />whole, s no convincing scientific justification at present for deviating from flows <br />deriv operational practices in place between 1990 and 2000. <br />onclusions of the NRC committee as presented above apply to interim <br />manageofthe 1Zlamath Project. The committee will make a separate analysis of the <br />scientifdence, including any new evidence, supporting various actions that might <br />lead to vement in stocks of endangered suckers and coho salmon in the Klamath <br />River Bver the long -term future. <br />21 <br />966-4 BEO/ti80'd 98Z -1 899899880E 53 nosu 1Vdnm 100 -woad W11 ZOOZ- 80 -93d <br />