San Juan Dolores Draft Instream Flow Recommendation

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Attachment 1 - DoloresRiver Instream Flow Recommendation Biological Summary Fisheries Fishery surveys taken during 2007 and 2009 by the Colorado Division of Wildlife indicate that the stream environment supports bluehead sucker (Catostomus discobolus), flannelmouth sucker Catostomus latipinnis, roundtail chub (Gila robusta), and speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus). The surveys indicated that 89% of the fish captured were native species, and that all of these species were represented by individuals of multiple age classes. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has scheduled additional fish sampling within this stream reach during the 2013 field season. Once these surveys are completed, the results will be provided to the CWCB. Based upon the data currently available, this reach of the Dolores River appears to be one of the best populations of the two native suckers within the Dolores River watershed. Roundtail chub (Gila robusta) is recognized by the State of Colorado as a species of special concern. The roundtail chub, flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis) and bluehead sucker (Catostomus discobolus) are considered sensitive species by the BLM. Criteria that apply to BLM sensitive species include the following: 1) species under status review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; or 2) species with numbers declining so rapidly that federal listing may become necessary; or 3) species with typically small and widely dispersed populations; or 4) species inhabiting ecological refugia or other specialized or unique habits. The BLM, CPW and others have developed a "Range-Wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy" to direct management for these species. This plan provides direction and goals for research and management of projects. The success of management strategies will depend upon the voluntary implementation of these strategies by the signatories. Special attention will need to be given to habitat degradation and influence of non-native species interactions within the native range of these species. The intention of these plans is to increase populations and distribution of the identified species, thereby assisting in the long-term persistence of the species. The success of such plans could potentially curtail the need for federal listing of these species under the Endangered Species Act(ESA). These species are not currently federally listed. Macroinvertebrates The BLM intends to collect macroinvertebrate surveys during July 2013. The BLM will utilize a sampling protocol developed by the National Aquatic Monitoring Center (NAMC), designed to generate data sufficient to characterize the status and trend of aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages, including quantifying the effects of human disturbances and/or restoration actions. The results of this survey will be available by November 2013. The BLM will provide these results to the CWCB, along with our analysis of health and status of the macroinvertebrate community. Riparian Community