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high - priority recovery areas, is necessary to restore instream <br />habitats and turbid waters. Opportunities to restore the <br />dynamic equilibrium of sediment transport should be pursued. <br />Additional research is needed to determine mechanisms for <br />transporting sediment past dams and into river reaches <br />downstream. See Task 2.2.4. <br />1.1.6. Restore free movements of pallid sturgeon within high - priority <br />recovery areas. <br />Dams and diversions impede pallid sturgeon from migrating to <br />and from traditional spawning areas and other important <br />seasonal habitats. Modifications may be needed at Ft. Peck <br />Dam, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' dam on the Missouri River, <br />and at the Intake diversion, a U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Tow- <br />head diversion dam on the Yellowstone River, to allow free <br />movement of pallid sturgeon within these recovery - priority <br />areas. Modifications needed on other dams may be identified it <br />the future. <br />Research on adult pallid sturgeon movements as described under <br />Task 2.1.5 must be initiated as soon as possible to determine <br />where, and if, bypass facilities are necessary. Additional <br />research is needed on design of bypass facilities that sturgeon <br />will use and their practicality. See Task 2.2.5. <br />1.2. <br />4 Protect pallid sturgeon and their habitat and minimize threats <br />from existing and proposed human activities. <br />1.2.1. Ensure Federal Agencies conduct section 7 consultations on all <br />Federal actions that may affect pallid sturgeon. <br />Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act will play a major role <br />in the protection and recovery of pallid sturgeon. Federal <br />Agencies must immediately consult with the U.S. Fish and <br />Wildlife Service to ensure that actions they authorize, fund, <br />implement, or permit are not likely to jeopardize the continued <br />existence of pallid sturgeon. Recommendations will be made by <br />the Service to preclude jeopardy and to conserve and recover <br />the species. <br />1.2.2. Establish, maintain, and disseminate section 7 Biological <br />Opinions evaluating impacts on pallid sturgeon. <br />A library of biological opinions should be established to <br />facilitate interoffice consistency in determining a jeopardy <br />threshold, alternatives, and conservation recommendations. <br />This library will be maintained in the Bismarck Ecological <br />Services Office. <br />41 <br />