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OO?SH CESPK-CO,R Page 4 Public Notice Number 200375243 Imp;]"!s to Wildliff' This office has determined that the proposed project may affect the Federally endangered Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker, based on water depletions trom the San Juan River drainage. This office is currently consulting with the US Fish and Wildlife Service according to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. The District Engineer has made this detennination based on infonnation provided by the applicant and on the Corps' preliminary investigation. Additionally, adverse impacts may potentially occur to the state sensitive roundtaJI chub, and flannel mouth sucker. In order to minimize potential impacts to these native fishes, the project will be coordinated with the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the New Mexico Fish and Game Department to establish a monitoring and f10w release plan that meet the requirement of the Compact and seasonal f10w requirements for these fishes, Df'plf'tions Average annual calculated depletions associated with the proposed reservoir are 1,602 AF, These depletions consist of evaporative losses from the surtace of the reservoir and additional depletions due to irrigation of land within the La Plata basin, Altf'm:ltivps The applicant investigated several alternatives to the proposed reservoir. These alternatives include: 1. Rf'rl ME''';] \V:lTrl Rp,prvoir Fnl~rEf'mp.nt: A feasibility study for the enlargement of Red Mesa Ward Reservoir from 1,172 AF to 4,070 Afhas been completed, This study detennined that enlargement of Red Mesa Ward Reservoir is not practicable because the reservoir is approximately 21 miles from the state line, resulting in significant water loss through the channel and less water delivered to satisfy the Compact. In addition, inf10ws to the reservoir are inadequate to routinely fill and would be less than Long Hollow Reservoir, making it more difficult to meet the targeted flows at the state line, 2. Pipeline: A pipeline also was investigated from the Hesperus Gauge to the State Line Gauge. This alternative is not practicable due to cost. The estimated cost for material, construction, and right-of,way acquisition is approximately $25 million to $30 million, compared to $12 to $15 million for Long Hollow Reser,oir. 3. No Artion: No action could result in legal action between the States of New Mexico and Colorado, A lawsuit would be costly for both states. This alternative would not satisfy the 1922 La Plata Compact. 4. Solriiers Dr;l\v Rpsen!t')irs 1 ::Inn ?: These reservoirs have conditional water rights and are decreed. for a combined 1,000 AF of storage, yielding much less water than Long Hollow. Also, the reservoir outlets are approximately 28 miles from the state line and would discharge to the dry reach of the La Plata River. This alternative would provide minimal advantage over the natural delivery of the La Plata water. PropOSf'rI Mitirntion Impacts to waters of the U.S. will require mitigation, The applicant has proposed the following conceptual mitigation options: