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<br />---- <br />---- <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />4 <br /> <br />sources become available through the development of a Recovery Implementation <br />Program (RIP), Reclamation's funding will be directed to the Recovery Program. <br />F~ndin9 of the research and all other recovery activities for the endangered <br />flSh of the San Juan River would then be the responsibility of participating <br />parties of the RIP. <br /> <br />The Team recommended and Reclamation agrees. that a 7-year research effort <br />would allow for the collection of cr1tical information during the construction <br />of those features of the ALP that would make POSSible the deplet10n of <br />approximately 57,100 AF of water from the San Juan River. The 7 ears of <br />research would be se arat~d into jwo hases. The irst phase would include a <br />, 2-year effort concentrating on defining t e distribution and abundance of the <br />species, water quality contamination sources and effects, effects of fish <br />movement impediments, and investi ations on other factors believed to limit <br />native fish survival. The second p ase years of research would be based <br />in part upon e information obtained in the first 2 years of research but the <br />goal of the research effort would be to: a) characterize those factors which <br />lim'it native fish populations and, bl the collection of critical information <br />on l~e._~_~~_sonal flow Jleeds of th,efish. I These data would allow for <br />determining seasonal flow recommendations at the end of the 7-year period for <br />the endangered fish and allow for a critical evaluation of whether the <br />remainder of the ALP (104,000 AF) could proceed with construction. It is <br />understood that before construction Of the other ALP facilities can proceed, <br />Reclamation would have to reinitiate the Section 7 Consultation. <br /> <br />3. At the end of the 7-year research period, Navajo Dam would be operated <br />to mimic a natural hydrograph in perpetuity based on research flow <br />recommendations. Mimicry of the natural hydrography consists of high spring <br />flows followed by low summer, fall, and winter flows. It is Reclamation's <br />opinion that a specific flow recommendation cannot be made until the end of <br />the 7-year research periOd. However to offset the 57,100 AF depletion ~ <br />associated with the ALP, Reclamation makes a long-term commitment to mimic the J <br />natural hydrograph. When specifiC flow recommendations are made to protect <br />and enhance the endangered fish, the mechanism would be in place to assure the <br />flows are released in such a manner as to provide maximum benefit to the <br />native and endangered fish. <br /> <br />4. Navajo Dam will be operated for the next 7 years under study <br />guidelines to mimic a natural hydrograph thereby returning flow conditions to <br />more natural conditions. Test flows will be provided to include a wide range <br />of flow conditions including high flows hypothesized to be beneficial for the <br />native fish community. Reclamation supports the premise that a commitment of <br />returning the San Juan River to more natural conditions by mimicry of the <br />natural hydrography for a 7-year period would allow for the collection of <br />critical life history information and habitat needs of the endangered fish <br />which would support the determination of seasonal flow requirements. <br /> <br />Based on results of the hydrologic modeling conducted during the &J <br />development of the above alternative, it is Reclamation's opinion, and also ~ <br />the conclusion of the Team, that an add'itional 57,100 AF depletion from the Y1./ <br />San Juan River will not appreciably affect Reclamation's ability to mimic the <br />natural hydrograph under current conditions of the river. The Team concluded <br />and Reclamation agrees that returning the river to more natural conditions, <br /> <br />I <br />