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than under the No Action alternative and this may affect potential quality and use of willow habitats. Low summer flows in the tail water area may increase disturbance to potential habitat from anglers that can more easily wade the river and travel up and down banks. This could adversely affect potential habitat in the first few miles downstream from Navajo Dam. Stresses on riparian vegetatIOn between the dam and Farmington due to unnaturally low flows could also occur. Long-term effects on habitat, due to a more natural hydrograph, particularly downstream from Farmington, under proposed operations are difficult to project; however, it is assumed a more natural hydrograph would benefit native habitats; and, in the long-term, benefit this species. California condor Relocation efforts involving this large raptor have resulted in the introduction of this species to northern Arizona. Previously the species occurred in recent years only in California, where it was extremely rare. Individuals from the northern Arizona population have traveled into Utah and Colorado, and certainly could occur on an irregular basis in the project area. The bird is a carrion feeder and generally nests in cliff areas. Existing or potential habitat for the species would not be affected by the proposed action. . Black-footed ferret There are no recent reports of this species, which is closely associated with prairie dog towns, in the project area. Potential habitat of the species would not be affected by the reservoir reoperation proposal. Threatened Species Bald eagle Bald eagles occur around Navajo Reservoir and along the San Juan River, primarily during the winter. No bald eagle nesting is known to occur in the New Mexico portion of the project area (Reclamation, 1999) and an active nest occurs in Colorado on private lands north of Navajo Reservoir. Winter concentration areas occur around Navajo Reservoir and some of its tributaries. Winter concentration areas have been designated along the Piedra, San Juan, and Lost Pinos rivers and reservoir arms in Colorado and in several areas around the reservoir in New Mexico. Food sources include fish, waterfowl, and carrion. Night roost sites consisting of undisturbed cottonwood groves or ponderosa pine groves, from which eagles disperse daily for feeding, are important factors in maintaining wintering populations. The bald eagle is not expected to be adversely affected by the proposed action. A more natural hydrograph along the San Juan River should maintain and possibly enhance regeneration of cottonwood trees along the San Juan River which are important winter habitat. In addition the periodic 22 !ID(o)f6I~rm