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<br />. <br /> <br />3.3.4 Habitat Management/Evaluation Studies <br /> <br />The purpose of the habitat-management component is to allow for testing, <br />evaluating, and refining specific management concepts and projects, particularly <br />as they relate to flow management. Habitat restoration is important for recovery <br />of endangered fishes that depend on seasonally flooded habitats that are no <br />longer available. One study, a wetlands restoration/demonstration project has <br />been initiated under this component. This study is presently scheduled for <br />completion in FY 93. Additional studies and projects will be undertaken as <br />suitable areas are identified. <br /> <br />3.4. Research Flows <br /> <br />The Biological Opinion allowed for implementation of research (test) flows <br />to help refine the seasonal flow recolllllendations (Figure 3). Requests or <br />recolllllendations for research flows will be submitted to the Service primarily for <br />the winter and spring periods where sufficient data to support flows is lacking. <br />Requests for research flows will be discussed and, if approved, implemented <br />annually during October and April meetings involving the Service, Reclamation, <br />the State of Utah, and WAPA. Flow requests made by the research team will vary <br />depending on available water resources. However, it is presently anticipated <br />that research flows will include at least one year of stable winter releases at <br />or below 2,000 cfs, at least one year of very high spring releases utilizing the <br />jet tubes at FGD, and two to three years of relatively high (approx. 18,000 cfs <br />at Jensen). Additionally, it may be requested that peak releases from FGD be <br />offset slightly from peak flows in the Yampa River to increase duration of high <br />spring flows in the Green River. Specific recommendations for research flows <br />will be developed by the research team and presented at the April meeting each <br />year. <br /> <br />3.5. Coordination of Research Activities <br /> <br />Reclamation and the Service win be jointly responsible for overal1 <br />activities within the 5-year research progrifl. However, to facilitate <br />integration of the various research projects, a technical coordination team will <br />be formed. This team will consist of a representative from each agency with <br />management responsibilities in the Green River below FGD. In addition, other <br />individuals with recognized expertise will be selected by the team to assist in <br />synthesizing the various research projects. Initially the technical coordination <br />team will be composed of Henry Maddux (USFWS), Larry Crist (Reclamation), and Leo <br />Lentsch (UDOW) and Dr. Robert Muth (LFL). The primary focus of the technical <br />coordination team will be to integrate findings of various research projects into <br />a cohes i ve document that wi 11 address the goal of the 5- Year Fl ami ng Gorge <br />Research Program. Studies which will be integrated include not only RIP <br />sponsored research but any.other research bei ng conducted in the study area. The <br />technical coordination team will work with Reclamation and the Service to prepare <br />and submit to the RIP annual and final reports. The technical coordination team <br />will also provide internal review and guidance for studies being conducted under <br />the auspices of the 5-Year Flaming Gorge Research Program. To ensure <br />coordination among the researchers, all members of the Flaming Gorge Research <br />Team will meet yearly to assess how well the Research Program is meeting its <br />objectives and scope proposed studies for upcoming year. <br /> <br />Flaming Gorge Studies <br /> <br />17 <br />