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<br />i~ <br /> <br />/":) <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br />Bureau of Reclamation submitted a proposal in 1990 that called for <br />a cooperative-agency approach to accomplish the five-year research <br />on Flaming Gorge. Goals of the studies are to collect information <br />that would be used to refine and further support recommendations <br />made in the Consolidated Reports and the Biological Opinion for <br />operation of Flaming Gorge issued by the FWS. Studies would be <br />integrated and designed to track biological responses to the <br />specific flow recommendations throughout the Green River downstream <br />of Flaming Gorge. Data would be collected following a "systems- <br />oriented" approach with BR and FWS coordinating annual efforts. <br />Study area includes the Green River downstream of Flaming Gorge Dam <br />and the Yampa River. The end products would be more refined and <br />biologically based, seasonal flow recommendations that could be <br />implemented through the NEPA process. <br /> <br />A team of upper basin researchers, composed of representatives from <br />BR, FWS, CDOW, UDWR, and LFL, would design and conduct research to <br />refine and support the three flow recommendations proposed by FWS. <br />BR and FWS would provide overall coordination. The BR would assist <br />in study design, implementation, and review, and would assume the <br />role of annually providing RIP committees with scopes of work, <br />funding requests, and accomplishment reports. <br /> <br />A series of null hypotheses were formulated by the research team to <br />focus research activities of the Flaming Gorge Investigations and <br />insure that goals of the study were met. These hypotheses, which <br />are listed below, were based on the potential effects of seasonal <br />flow recommendations made by the FWS for endangered and other <br />native and non-native species in the Green River system below <br />Flaming Gorge. <br /> <br />Hvootheses: <br /> <br />Null Hypotheses to Test - <br /> <br />1. Seasonal flooding does not enhance successful recruitment <br />of young razorback sucker. <br /> <br />2. Seasonal flooding does not enhance spawning success of <br />adult razorback suckers and Colorado squawfish. <br /> <br />3. Seasonal flooding does not affect status of non-native <br />fishes. <br /> <br />4. Seasonal-flooded bottomlands do not have increased food <br />resources and do not enhance survivability of young of <br />native fishes. <br /> <br />5. Seasonal flooding does not affect the sediment budget and <br />formation of backwater habitats in the nursery areas. <br /> <br />A1 <br />