WSP00292

• File Number: 8220.106
• Description: Animas-La Plata
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 6/5/1991
• Author: Lois G. Witte - Esq.
• Title: Negotiating an Indian Water Rights Settlement: The Colorado Ute Indian Experience
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

alternative was available to preclude the likelihood of jeopardy
to the endangered Colarado squawfish and the razorback sucker,
which had recently been proposed for listing.
As a result of this intense study process, on March 4,

1991, the Bureau sent FWS a letter which outlining a reasonable

and prudent alternative which was supported by the three teams.

(1) depletion of 57,100 acre-feet for ALP
instead of the full ALP depletion of
154,800 acre-feet of water. This depletion,
represents that portion af the ALP avail-
able from the construction of Ridges Basin
Dam and Reservoir, and Durango Pumping
Plant and inlet pipeline;

I
!
~
~
g
.
l
r

The teams and the Bureau agreed that this alternative would miti-

gate all impacts of the propased construction of ALP.
The basis of the alternative is:

~

(
I'

ie

i '

(2) the long-term reoperation of Navajo
Reservoir, a large Bureau reservair on the
San Juan River in New Mexico, to mimic the
natural hydrograph of the San Juan River;

(3) seven years of research on the San Juan
River and its tributaries to determine the
needs of the endangered fish;

(4) the development of a recovery imple-
mentation plan which will provide for con-
servation of, the threatened and endangered
fish species while providing for water
development in the San Juan Basin; and

(5) long-term protection of reservoir
releases from Navajo Dam for the benefit of
the threatened and endangered fish through-
out its habitat.

~
~
~

~
t!
f
~

!
.'

.
~
",
!~
~
~

In response to this alternative, on March 21, 1991, the FWS

-15-