BOARD01080

• Board Meeting Date: 1/27/2004
• Description: WSP Section - Native Species Trust Fund, Recommendations for FY 2004-05
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

",

Agenda Item 9, Species Conservation Trust Fund
January 27.28,2004 Board Meeting
Page 2 of 4

Current SCTF Balances

As of November 30 2003, the balance in the Capital Account, which is used to fund the
Recovery Programs and Cooperative Agreement, was $8,427,055. Of this amount, $7,225,826 has
been authorized for expenditure leaving a balance of $1,201,229 available to fund the FY04-05
request.

As of November 30 2003, the balance in the O&M Account, which is used primarily to fund CDOW
activities related to candidate species and species of concern, was $3,190,279. Ofthis amount,
$1,741,279 has been authorized for expenditure leaving a balance of $1,368,000 available to fund
the FY04-05 request.

This financial information shows that more funding is now required if we are to meet our cost share
obligations (approximately $3 million for the Upper Colorado and San Juan after this year, plus
Platte River Cooperative Agreement cost share) and continue to provide funding to address state
listed species, candidate species and species of concern.

FY 2004-05 Recommended Programs

The Board considered these recommendations at their November meeting and requested additional
information concerning SCTF balances. The recommendations for 2004-05 have been reviewed
with the stakeholders group that DNR convenes annually and with the Wildlife Commission. The
recommendations are as follows:

1. Recovery Programs for the Endangered Fish of the Upper Colorado and San Juan River
Basins: $1,643,000 ($1,489,000for the Colorado RIP and $154,000 for the San Juan RIP) .

These two recovery programs are directed toward the recovery ofthe pike minnow, humpback
chub, bonytail chub, and razorback sucker in the Upper Colorado River and San Juan River basins
while allowing water development activities to proceed in accordance with state law and interstate
compacts. Recovery Program activities eligible for funding are drawn from the Colorado River
Recovery Implementation Program Recovery Action Plan (RIPRAP), the San Juan River Recovery
Implementation Program Workplan (Workplan) and state activities that are consistent with tlwse
plans. These activities include:

. Removal and regulation of non-native fish in critical habitat and the development of new habitat
such as floodplain ponds;
. Providing and protecting flows;
· Landowner incentives to manage ponds for native species (e.g. through leases or short-term
payments);
. Stocking of native fish;
. Construction of fish passage; and
· Screening and berming of ponds and canals to prevent fish escapement or entrapment.

Funding from the SCTF leverages additional funds from Reclamation, the states of Wyoming,
Utah and New Mexico, and Federal power revenues pursuant to Public Law 106-392, the Long-term
Funding Legislation. These cost share funds may be provided to and managed for the Recovery
Programs by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Several major projects are scheduled this fiscal year, including fish passage at the old Price- .
Stubb diversion and 'fish screening on the Redlands and Grand Valley Projects. Also, agreements for
the enlargement of the Elkhead Reservoir are nearing completion. A portion (5,000 AF) of the

.

Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Financing. Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning