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<br /> <br />I <br />i- <br /> <br />. United lates Department of the I!erior <br /> <br />BUREAU OF RECLAMATION <br />UPPER COLORADO REGIONAL OFFICE <br />P,O, BOX 11568 <br />SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84147 <br /> <br />.. ' <br /> <br />IN REPLY <br />REfEIl.TO, <br />UC-100 <br /> <br />SEP 2 8 !S90 <br /> <br />Memorandum <br /> <br />To: Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6, <br />PO Box 25486, Denver CO 80225 <br /> <br />From: Regional Director <br />Bureau of Reclamation <br /> <br />Subject: Review of the Draft Biological Opinion for the Animas-La Plata <br />Project (Biological Opinion) <br /> <br />The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has reviewed the subject draft <br />biological opinion for the Animas-La Plata project. We have also met with <br />Colorado River endangered fish experts, reviewed the June 1, 1990, San Juan <br />River Ichthyofaunal Survey, Biological Summary, developed additional <br />hydrological analyses, and informally discussed the biological basis of the <br />opinion with the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) since Reclamation <br />received the draft biological opinion on May 4, 1990. The purpose of these <br />actions was to determine if a reasonable and prudent alternative to offset the <br />likelihood of jeopardy is possible for the Animas-La Plata project. Based on <br />the foregoing, Reclamation believes that a reasonable and prudent alternative <br />could be developed. <br /> <br />Hydrologic Analysis <br /> <br />Additional hydrologic information suggests there is a great deal of <br />fl exi bi 1 i ty in the ope rat i on of Navajo Dam.. Also, it appears that more water <br />is available to the endangered fishes during the summer and fall months than <br />was available historically, and current spring releases are reduced over what <br />was historically available. Our new hydrologic analysis shows that by <br />reducing late fall and winter releases, water could be made available to <br />increase peaks in the spring, returning the river to a more "natural" <br />hydrograph. Based on the hydrologic modeling of the river, under full <br />depletion, Reclamation believes there is approximately 300,000 acre-feet (AF) <br />of water that could be available to recreate the peak spring flow if it is <br />determined to be necessary to the survival and recovery of the endangered <br />fishes. Full depletions need to be clearly defined by listing projects and <br />their depletions. <br /> <br />Additional Biological Review <br /> <br />On June 13, 1990, and again on June 25-26, 1990, Reclamation met with a number <br />of State, Federal, and private field biologists who are knowledgeable <br />