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<br />January 11, 2006 Draft <br />Miguel River. Further, due to reductions in salinity levels, the Dolores River through . <br />Paradox Valley is no longer a barrier to upstream migration for native fishes as it <br />most often was prior to the Unit's operation. In addition, the eventual reduction of <br />salts within the Dolores River riparian zone downstream of Paradox Valley would <br />allow for less salt tolerant plants to become established and not to exclusively favor <br />more salt tolerant plant species such as salt cedar. <br /> <br />2. The guaranteed release of700 acre-feet to Dolores River below McPhee Reservoir <br />and the addition of water to the fishery pool will benefit the natural environment of <br />the Dolores River by enhancing the quality of the aquatic environment downstream of <br />the Reservoir. The addition 0000 acre-feet to this pool, although a relatively small <br />addition, would enhance habitat conditions for the tailwater trout fishery, the native <br />fishery further downstream and the riparian vegetation. The native fishes benefited <br />include the flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker and the roundtail chub. In addition, <br />riparian vegetation would also be benefited during the growing season by the slight <br />increase in Dolores River water elevations. The additional released water will benefit <br />the entire instream flow reach of 125 miles, including the approximately seven-mile <br />segment of the reach that could be injured by the Unit's depletions. <br /> <br />D. Obligations of Reclamation <br /> <br />I. Reclamation shall work with the District to ensure that the 700 acre-feet of <br />augmentation water is available for release every year. Under the District's <br />repayment contract with Reclamation, Reclamation and the District are required to <br />enter into a separate operating agreement ("SOA") that documents project operations. . <br />Reclamation and the District have entered into a written agreement, dated <br />, 2006, that provides for an annual pool 0000 acre-feet to be <br />released for augmentation of Paradox Unit out-of-priority well pumping. The <br />augmentation pool releases will also benefit fish populations throughout the entire <br />Dolores River ISF reach. <br />2. Reclamation shall use its best efforts to minimize injury to the Dolores River ISF <br />from Paradox Unit operations. <br />3. Reclamation shall use its best efforts to operate the Paradox Unit in a manner that will <br />maximize environmental benefits to the Dolores River. <br />4. Reclamation shall notify the CWCB of any plans to modify the Paradox Unit that <br />may result in a change in the amount of out-of-priority depletions at the Unit. <br /> <br />E. Obligations of the CWCB <br /> <br />I. The CWCB shall not place a call at or downstream of the Unit for the Dolores River <br />ISF while this Agreement is in effect. However, if Reclamation is unable to obtain <br />and provide 700 acre-feet of augmentation water, the CWCB may place a call at or <br />downstream ofthe Unit for the Dolores River ISF after consultation with <br />Reclamation. If for any reason Reclamation elects to not provide augmentation water <br />when required to do so by the Division Engineer when all or a portion of the 700 <br />acre-feet of augmentation water is available for release, the CWCB may place a call <br />at or downstream of the Unit for the Dolores River ISF. <br /> <br />4 <br /> <br />. <br />