WSP02990

• File Number: 8240.300.02
• Description: San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program - Recovery Plans & Information
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 10/26/1994
• Title: Recovery Programs - Upper Colorado River Basin - San Juan River Basin
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

;Draft 10-6-9

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Colorado Water Conservation Board

ISSUES DOCUMENT FOR
THE APPROPRIATION OF INSlREAM FLOWS BY
THE COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION BOARD FOR THE
RECOVERY OF ENDANGERED FISH SPECIES OF THE
UPPER COLORADO AND SAN JUAN RIVER BASINS

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Issues Document is to provide a summary of the Recovery Implementation
Programs for the endangered fishes in the Upper Colorado and San Juan Rivers. The summary
addresses the reasons for the institution of the Recovery Programs, what the goals and objectives
are, what Colorado's role is and what is being done to resolve the issues and concerns associated
with the llrElgl'llms.

Recovery Implementation Program Background

Four fish species that inhabit the Colorado River Basin have been federally listed as endangered:
',': the Colorado squawfish, the bony tail chub, the humpback chub and the razorback sucker. Each /'
of the four fishes were once abundant in the Upper Basin, however, they have declined in .,/
numbers and are now threatened with extinction from their natural habitat. ' The current status
of these species has been attributed to direct loss of habitat, changes in water flow and
temperature regimes, blockage of migration routs and interactions with nonnative fish species.

The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has maintained since 1978 that a jeopardy situation
exists because of these factors and has concluded that actions must be taken to offset them. The
states of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah playa key role in determining the development of water
resources in the Upper Colorado River Basin, and thus have an interest in legal requirements
that could constrain water resource development. The Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for
the operation of federal reservoirs that regulate delivery of supplies of water for beneficial uses.
The Western Area Power Administration ~APA) markets hydroelectric power generated at
Federal water projects within the Colorado River Basin. All federal agencies and actions are
mandated by the requirements of federal law including the Endangered Species Act of ]973.
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In order to meet federal regulation d assist in the recovery of these species and assure that
the Upper Colorado River Bas' states can continue developing their compact apportioned
waters, a Cooperative Agree ent ~een the States of Colorado, Wyoming and Utah, the
Secretary of Interior, an P was signed in January 1988, which established the Recovery
Implementation Program r the Endangered Fishes of the Upper Colorado River Basin
(Recovery Program). Water development and environmental groups participate in this Recovery
.. Program as well. The purpose of this Recovery Program is to recover and delist these four fish
while allowing water development to proceed by restoring and establishing self-sustaining
populations and protecting sufficient habitat to support populations. I

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