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<br />0012J3 <br /> <br />The BCO found that the Lower Colorado River Operations and Maintenance program is not <br />likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the proposed threatened flat-tailed horned lizard <br />(Phrynosoma mca1lii) nor the endangered Yuma clapper rail (RaJlus longirostris yumanensis). <br />No critical habitat has been proposed for these two species, thus destruction or adverse <br />modification of proposed critical habitat would not occur. Ten terms and conditions are <br />described to reduce the amount of take of these two species. <br /> <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />The BCO found that the proposed operations and maintenance program is likely to jeopardize <br />the continued existence of the bonytail chub (Gila elegans), and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen <br />texanus), and southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus). No critical habitat <br />has been proposed for the flycatcher in the area, so no destruction or adverse modification of its <br />proposed critical habitat would occur. Both bonytail chub and razorback sucker have designated <br />critical habitat on the Lower Colorado River and destruction or adverse modification of proposed <br />critical habitat is likely to occur. ARPA with seventeen provisions is identified. Fourteen terms <br />and conditions are described to reduce the amount ofincidental take of these three species. <br />Reclamation is in the process of implementing the RPA and Terms and Conditions presented in <br />the BCD. <br /> <br />The BA for Operations and Maintenance on the Lower Colorado River functioned as the primary <br />inventory and analysis document for sensitive, threatened and endangered species, and critical <br />habitat of the lower Colorado River for development of the regional MSCP. On May 1, 1997, <br />the Department of the Interior and State agencies in Arizona, Nevada and California signed a <br />Joint Participation Agreement that clears the way for further development and implementation of <br />a MSCP in the Lower Basin. The MSCP is a regional partnership with the following goals <br /> <br />LC Region DEAl 1 <br /> <br />4 <br /> <br />12/97 <br /> <br /> <br />. Protect more than 100 species of sensitive, threatened and endangered species offish and <br />wildlife within the 100-year floodplain of the lower Colorado River; <br /> <br />. Recover listed species through habitat and species conservation while attempting to <br />reduce the likelihood of additional species listings under ESA; and <br /> <br />. Accommodate current water diversions and power production and optimize opportunities <br />for future water and power development in the Lower Basin. <br /> <br />The short- and long-term conservation provisions and activities that Reclamation is required to <br />implement under the RP A of the BCO comprise activities that will build toward the larger <br />conservation partnership of the MSCP. There area multitude of conservation activities currently <br />ongoing on the Lower Colorado River, but these efforts have often been independent of each <br />other. The MSCP process intends to help coordinate all these efforts into a single ecosystem <br />approach for conservation of natural resources in the Lower Colorado River. This <br />comprehensive, long range-plan will be implemented by the time the 5-year period of the BCO <br />concludes. <br />