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<br />- 3 - <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />note that currently, Reclamation does not intend to increase Unit operations, and the 700 acre- <br />feet release will result in a minimal amount of injury that only will occur if the released water <br />does not match the timing ofthe out-of-priority depletions. <br /> <br />2. Proposed Mitigation <br /> <br />Under this proposal, the mitigation results from both the Unit operations and from the guaranteed <br />annual release of 700 acre-feet of water from McPhee Reservoir. Unit operations have <br />significantly benefited the natural environment of the Dolores River at and below the Unit. Prior <br />to the initiation of the Unit's operation in 1990, the salinity levels in the Dolores River through <br />Paradox Valley most often exceeded levels that aquatic life could tolerate. By 1996, about <br />ninety per cent reduction of the brine inflow had been realized (313 tons per day to 29 tons per <br />day). This reduction in total dissolved solids has allowed aquatic organisms to reinhabit the last <br />seven miles of the Dolores River to its confluence with the San Miguel River. Further, due to <br />reductions in salinity levels, the Dolores River through Paradox Valley is no longer a barrier to <br />upstream migration for native fishes as it most often was prior to Unit operations. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The release of the 700 acre-feet from McPhee Reservoir will be timed both to meet fishery needs <br />downstream of the Reservoir and to meet Reclamation's augmentation requirements at the Unit. <br />The guaranteed release of 700 acre-feet to the Dolores River below McPhee Reservoir and the <br />addition of water to the fishery pool will benefit the natural environment of the Dolores River by <br />enhancing habitat conditions for the tailwater trout fishery and the native fishery further <br />downstream. The native fishes benefited include the flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker and <br />the roundtail chub. In addition, riparian vegetation will also be benefited during the growing <br />season by the slight increase in Dolores River water elevations. The additional released water <br />will benefit the entire ISF reach of 125 miles, including the approximately seven-mile segment <br />of the reach that could be injured by the Unit's depletions. <br /> <br />Proposed Memorandum of Al!reement <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Staff presented a proposed Memorandum of Agreement ("MOA") with Reclamation to the Board <br />at its September 2005 meeting. The MOA <br />. describes the operations ofthe Unit <br />. quantifies the past and potential future injury to the Dolores River ISF <br />. describes the mitigation provided by the Unit and the 700 acre-feet of water to be <br />released annually <br />. sets forth the obligations of Reclamation to: <br />~ work with the District to ensure that the 700 acre-feet of augmentation water is <br />available for release every year <br />~ operate the Unit in a manner that will maximize environmental benefits to the <br />Dolores River <br />~ notify the CWCB of any plans to modify the Unit that may result in a change in <br />the amount of out-of-priority depletions at the Unit <br />. provides that the CWCB will not place a call at or downstream of the Unit for the <br />Dolores River ISF while the agreement is in effect, except under certain conditions after <br /> <br />Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Finance. Stream and Lake Protection <br />Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning <br />