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I . -. P.0';: 1.'llEPLY ltrE~ ro, UC-770 lJnited States Department of the Interior , " ". . " . - BUREAU OF P..ECLA~rA TION I UPPER COLOIlAOO REGIONAL OffICE t P,O, BOX IllG8 SALT LAKE CITY, UT.~H 84147 FEB ~ 1990 h._....'.~'" i~' ~r.,.'_ '..,)~... " C'-- (;.,~l. :. ;..0\, :.~ Ale Copv I FEE 07 '!JO/ i , Memorandum ---" DUe CATE CYS' z- . " . To: Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, R P.O. Box 25486, Denver CO 80225 Fronl};.i~'.~~RegiOnal Director Bureau of Reclamation N<ll\llll. V NICl!ISAIlY . .-:.....11' ~ _ ~_ Subject: Reinitiation of Section 7 Consultation - Animas-La Plata Project (Endangered Species) As you know the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is rapidly mOVing toward construction on the Animas-La Plata Project. Recent studies have shown the presence of Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker in the mainstem San Juan River downstream of ShiproCk, New Mexico. In keeping with Reclamation's responsibilities for ensuring that our action will not adversely affect protected or listed species, we have reviewed the Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) December 28, 1979, Biological Opinion on the project and have analyzed the last 3 years of catch data for Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker. We conclude that streamflow depletions on the Animas River would have little, if any. impact on listed or proposed listed species. We believe that this assessment is consistent with findings of the 1979 opinion and will be supported in the following discussion. We hereby also reaffirm our commitment to use our existing authorities to broaden efforts to conserve (recover) the species i~ the San Juan River. Reinitiation of Section 7 Consultation is required whenever (1) the proposed project changes significantly or (2) new Information becomes available which would reveal effects not previously considered in earlier consultation. We would like to discuss both areas below. Pre-construction activity for the Animas-La Plata Project has continued since the Final Environmental Statement was filed with Council On Environmental Quality July I, 1980. Project features have not changed significantly since our June 27, 1979, biological assessment nor have impacts to streamflow conditions on the San Juan River wh1ch were provided therein. As written in our assessment, streamflows in the San Juan River at Farmington, New Mexico, could decrease by 6 to 18 percent annually as a result of pumping water from the Animas River. However, opportunity to operate Navajo Reservoir to preserve the listed fishes, if necessary, exists at the present time. EXHIBIT "A"