WSPC00304

• File Number: 8220.106.I
• Description: Colorado River Water Projects - Animas La Plata - Environmental Studies
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 4/15/2004
• Author: DOI-BOR
• Title: Animas La Plata Project - Environmental Commitment and Monitoring Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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(c) The success of the trout stocking program will be determined by estimating
population numbers and biomass of trout annually. Refer to section c.2 above
for more information on the trout stocking program.
(d) The window for sampling fish in the Animas River with conventional raft
electrofishing is a relatively short time period during the summer, following
spring runoff and prior to the usual late-summer rainstorms. This allows
sampling to be conducted when the river is navigable and when sampling
techniques are effective, Other sampling, such as for young fish in nursery
areas, may occur outside of this window or as needed.

e) Other:
i) Reclamation will fund a detailed evaluation of Ridges Basin Reservoir's expected
limnological conditions to determine if water pumped to Ridges Basin Reservoir
needs to be delivered at an elevation below the thermocline. This activity will be
completed in coordination with the Service as part of the design data collection
activities.

6) Special Status Species - Construction of project facilities could potentially affect the food
base of bald eagles. Construction of the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline could impact
southwestern will flycatcher nesting habitat at two crossings of the San Juan River. The
operation of the ALP Project without offsetting measures could adversely affect the Colorado
pikeminnow and razorback sucker in the San Juan River. Survival and recovery of
endangered fish in the San Juan river could be jeopardized by competitive interaction with
non-native fish released from Ridges Basin Reservoir to the Animas River, As stated in 5)
Aquatic Resources operation of Ridges Basin Reservoir is not expected to result in levels of
trace elements hannful to aquatic life. However, because of bioaccumulation in the aquatic
food web, mercury levels in the reservoir could represent a hazard to bald eagles. Many of
the impacts in this section are also covered under the 4) Wildlife and 5) Aquatic Resource
sections,
a) A voidancelMinimization:
i) By Design:
(I) Ridges Basin Dam:
(a) As stated under the 5) Aquatic Resource section, because of the potential of
escapement of nonnative fish from Ridges Basin Ridges Reservoir that might
complete with native fish in the Animas and San Juan Rivers, the Dam outlet
facilities will be designed to prevent escapement of nonnative fish.
(b) Wildlife and wetland/riparian areas should provide high quality protected
habitat for species such as willow flycatcher and bald eagle,
ii) General Construction:
(I) Ridges Basin Dam:
(a) The contractor(s) shall cooperate with and abide by protection plans
developed by or with appropriate state and federal entities to minimize to the
extent reasonable all damage to, or disturbance of protected species. These
protection plans include, but are not limited to:

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