WSP01249 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

,- .,../;[, Unite.tates Department of the fl!terior BUREAU OF RECLAMATION lJPPER COLORADO RF.GI01-:AL omeE P,O, BOX IllGS SALT LAKE errY. UTAH S,1J.17 r" ~f <..._~ :';UPLY RUfR TO, UC-770 Memorandum To: Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 6, P.O. Box 25486, Denver CO 80225 From: Regional Director Bureau of Reclamation Subject: Follow-up to Review May 4, 1990, Draft Animas-La Plata Biological Opinion (Biological Opinion) (Endangered Species) As noted in our September 28, 1990, memorandum on the above subject, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation} initiated a process with various San Juan River Basin water users and environmental interests to determine if a reasonable and prudent alternative could be developed for the Animas-La Plata (ALP) project. In addition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), while not an active participant, attended all the meetings, and provided technical fishery and hydrology assistance throughout the entire process. The process allowed water user groups and other interested parties to have their interests considered throughout the development of a reasonable and prudent alternative. In an effort to assist the process, the water users developed an alternative for consideration by Reclamation and the Service. At the October 9, 1990, meeting three teams were organized to assist in the development of a reasonable and prudent alternative: a Biology, Hydrology and Legal Team. The Biology Team's primary objective was to determine if an alternative was available to preclUde the likelihood of jeopardy of the ALP on the endangered Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker. Since the development of the teams and because of the complexity of issues regarding the possible development of a reasonable and prudent alternative and in keeping with the Secretary of Interior's trust responsibility to the Indian tribes of the San Juan River Basin, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has requested to be party to the formal Section 7 Consultation (memorandum dated December 21, 1990) process. After diSCUSsions with the BlA, Reclamation has agreed that it WOuld be appropriate for the BIA to be party to the formal consultation process. However, pursuant to 50 CFR 402.07. Reclamation requested to be designated as the lead agency in the Section 7 Consultation for the ALP and the BIA has agreed that Reclamation will be the lead agency- As you know, the BIA has participated in the process conducted by Reclamation in development of a reasonable and prudent alternative. Representatives from 1 ~< -