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<br />VI. Accomplishment ofFY 2002 Tasks and Deliverables, Discussion ofInitial Findings and <br />Shortcomings: <br /> <br />Changes to the existing instream flow filings (Case Nos. 5-95CW296 & 5-95CW297 on the <br />Colorado River, and Case Nos. 6-95CW155 & 6-95CW156 on the Yampa River) occUlTed <br />at the January and May 1999 CWCB meetings. As a result of concerns expressed by the <br />Service and other Program participants, the CWCB withdrew the baseflow and recovery <br />flow instream flow filings on the Colorado and Yampa rivers. The Colorado Division of <br />Wildlife staff has been instructed to develop new flow recommendation methods a.nd to <br />make new flow recommendations when appropriate. This process will likely be completed <br />in FY 2003. Until the new flow recommendations are submitted and approved, the CWCB <br />will review CDOW activities and the perfOlmance of the PBO activities and detennine the <br />need for future instream flow protection. The CWCB staff continues to work with the <br />Attomey General's Office, Board Members, CDOW,USFWS, and Recovery Program <br />participants to stay current with Recovery Program needs. <br /> <br />The CWCB participates in providing and protecting water to the 15-Mile Reach through <br />contract deliveries from several upstream reservoirs. The CWCB is also providing and <br />protecting water to the Redlands Fish Passage via a contract with Reclamation and the <br />Service <br /> <br />The State of Colorado continues to meet Recovery Goals and maintain Sufficient Progress <br />for the Recovery Program. CD OW continues its research into new instream flow protection <br />methods and recommendations. FY 2001-2 tasks included fish sampling and habitat <br />mapping and modeling. Excerpts from the CDOW annual progress report are provided in <br />the Appendix.. <br /> <br />VII. Recommendations: <br /> <br />It is recommended that the State of Colorado continue to participate in all activities <br />concerning flow protection for the endangered fish in the Upper Colorado River Basin. <br /> <br />VIII. Project Status: <br /> <br />Much of this project is on hold. <br /> <br />Since withdrawal of the recovery flow and base flow filings on the Colorado and Yampa <br />rivers by the CWCB, there has been much discussion and uncertainty regarding future <br />instream flow filings for endangered fish in Colorado. Meanwhile a programmatic <br />biological opinion has been developed for the I5-Mile Reach, and other programmatic <br />opinions are expected,inc1uding one on the Yampa River. The Implementation <br />Committee approved the Management Committee's recorrimended approach to defer <br />instream flow filings: <br /> <br />a) on the Colorado River, for 5 years, contingent upon implementation of the <br />programmatic biological opinion; <br /> <br />70 - 2 <br />