Animas-La PLata Project Environmental Impact Statement

Consultation and Coordination
Reclamation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) have consulted, both formally and
informally, regarding potential impacts to special status species which may occur as a result of the
development and operation of the proposed ALP Project. A Biological Assessment was prepared by
Reclamation and was submitted to the Service in December 1999 and the Service has completed a final
Biological Opinion (both documents are included in Appendix G in Volume 2). The Biological Opinion
supercedes previous opinions on the ALP Project. It is the Service's opinion that the ALP Project, as
described in this FSEIS and the Biological Opinion, is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of
the Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker, nor is the proposed project likely to destroy or adversely
modify their designated critical habitat. The Service has also concluded that the proposed ALP Project is
not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the bald eagle. These conclusions are based on the
description of the proposed action contained in the opinion and FSEIS, with full implementation of the
conservation measures. The Service also concluded that the project may affect, but is not likely to
adversely affect, the southwestern willow flycatcher. Other special status species would not be affected.
IA Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Report (FWCAR) has also been completed by the Service (see
Technical Appendix 7).
Reclamation has also coordinated with EPA regarding potential ALP Project effects on wetlands and
water quality, and with EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on consideration of the Section
404(b)(1) guidelines. The required 404(b)(1) Evaluation is contained in Attachment B -1 to the FSEIS,
Volume 2. A letter of concurrence from EPA confirming Reclamation's compliance with 404(r)
requirements is attached as B -3, Volume 2. The 404(b)(1) evaluation used EPA guidelines to evaluate
Refined Alternatives 4 and 6. As a result of the evaluation, Reclamation found that Refined Alternative 4
would comply with the requirements of the EPA guidelines. Revised Alternative 4 would have fewer
overall impacts to wetlands and endangered species (southwestern willow flycatcher habitat) than
Refined Alternative 6.
Pursuant to the Native American Graves Repatriation and Protection Act ( NAGPRA), Reclamation has
consulted with interested and concerned Indian tribes. Tribal representatives included elected officials,
recognized traditional and religious leaders, Tribal representatives and historians, and cultural
committees. A NAGPRA Plan has been prepared for the ALP Project. The Plan has been prepared with
regard to potential ALP Project effects on Native American human remains, associated grave goods, and
objects of cultural patrimony. A Programmatic Agreement has also been prepared pursuant to the
National Historic Preservation Act. Both the Programmatic Agreement and NAGPRA Plan are included
in Attachment H of the FSEIS, Volume 2. In addition, a draft Historic Preservation Management Plan
has been prepared (see Technical Appendix 8).
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