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<br />001597 <br /> <br />regimes, and other environmental changes associated with the construction and operation of <br />reserv01:'S. Contaminants, eradication of native fishes, sportfish-management activities such as <br />stocking ofnonnath., fishes, and predation and competition from introduced fishes have also been <br />implicated in the decline of the Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker (Minckley et al. 1991, <br />Tyus 1991, USFWS 1997). <br /> <br />In 1987, a 3-year research effort concentrating on the two endangered species in the San Juan River <br />was initiated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau), <br />New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMGF), and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources <br />(UDWR). The study participants found a number of young and adult Colorado pikeminnow and <br />an adult razorback sucker, confirming that both species still inhabited the San Juan River but <br />apparently in relatively small numbers. These findings prompted reinitiation of Endangered <br />Species Act Section 7 Consultation (Consultation) on major proposed water projects in the San <br />Juan River Basin. Consultation on the Animas-La Plata Project (ALP) in 1991 resulted in the <br />Bureau agreeing to reoperate Navajo Dam to mimic a natural hydrograph, fund approximately 7 <br />years of research on the San Juan River to study the effect of flow changes, and participate in and <br />help fund an implementation program for recovery ofthe endangered fishes in the San Juan River. <br />Following Consultation on the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project in 1991, the Bureau of Indian <br />Affairs (BIA) agreed to support and participate in the 7-year research effort and in the broader <br />recovery implementation program. <br /> <br />Because of Consultation requirements, the Bureau, BIA, and USFWS organized a broader recovery <br />program that included all agencies and entities involved with water use and resource development <br />in the San Juan River Basin. The San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program (SJRIP) <br />was initiated in 1992, with overall goals to conserve populations of the two endangered fish in the <br />San Juan River consistent with the recovery goals established under the Endangered Species Act <br />and proceed with water development in accordance with applicable laws and Indian trust <br />responsibilities. In addition to the USFWS, Bureau, and BIA, other original members of the SJRIP <br />included: the states of New Mexico and Colorado; the Ute Mountain Ute, Southern Ute, and <br />Jicarilla-Apache Indian tribes; and water development interests. Members of the SJRIP that joined <br />later were the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Navajo Nation. The 7-year research <br />effort was incorporated into the SJRIP once the SJRIP was underway. Two primary committees <br />were established within the SJRIP. The SJRIP Biology Committee (Biology Committee) was <br />n::'ponsible for determining research priorities, conducting research and coordinating research <br />activities, assessing progress of the SJRIP, and providing progress reports and budgets. The <br />Biology Committee developed a Long Range Plan (LRP) (USFWS 1995) that guided SJRIP <br />activities, especially research efforts. The SJRIP Coordination Committee (Coordination <br />Committee) was responsible for: approving annual work plans, progress reports, and budgets; <br />determining SJRIP membership; and assuring long-range funding. <br /> <br />Research and recovery actions under the SJRIP were carried out by a multiagency group including <br />the USFWS, NMGF, Bureau, BIA, UDWR, BLM, National Park Service, Southern Ute Tribe, <br />Jicarilla-Apache Tribe, Navajo Nation, University of New Mexico, and other organizations. <br /> <br />September 2000 <br /> <br />1 - 2 <br /> <br />Program Evaluation Report <br />