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5 The following are some examples of measures that the Service will consider in determining if progress has been sufficient to offset jeopardy impacts of future federal actions under Section 7 consultation: Support and participation by the parties in developing and carrying out the Program (including adequate funding) Identification of flow needs for the listed fish Acquisition of water for the benefit of listed fish Legal protection of water, including protection of reservoir storage releases, for the benefit of the listed fish to and through their habitat Modification of federal projects to maintain the level of depletions in the Section 7 environmental baseline as described in the biological opinion for the ALP (baseline) Operation or modification of federal projects to benefit listed fish Modifications to existing and proposed federal actions (i.e., measures) to lessen impacts to listed fish Improvements to water quality in habitat areas used by listed fish Physical habitat enhancement (e.g., removal of barriers, construction of fish passage facilities, improvement of spawning and nursery habitats, etc.) Control of exotic species Augmentation of listed fish populations if determined to be biologically necessary Research and studies carried out in accordance with the Program Indications that listed fish populations or habitats are improving At this time, the operation of Navajo Reservoir to mimic the natural hydrograph; the identification of the flow needs of the listed fish; legal protection of reservoir storage releases to and through the occupied habitat; indications that listed fish populations or their habitats are improving; and water quality improvement are viewed as the most important elements of achieving sufficient progress under the Program. It is anticipated that Section 7 consultations will be initiated for all existing federal actions within the baseline for the ALP that are subject to consultation. The Service concluded that the reasonable and prudent alternative will offset 57,100 acre-feet of depletion for the ALP in addition to the depletions in the baseline. The operation of Navajo Dam to benefit the listed fish will be taken into account by the Service in its biological opinions on the depletion impact of these existing federal actions. 1. Prior to Completion of the 7 Year Research Period While any Federal agency may request Section 7 consultation at any time, three Federal actions (Blocks 7 and 8 of NIIP, BHP-Utah International, Inc.'s Navajo South Project, and an energy and/or agricultural project on Bluff Bench in Utah) could cause major depletions in the San Juan River and undergo Section 7 consultation in the near future. -~:, " " ,'r.