Laserfiche WebLink
<br />APPENDIX 1 <br /> <br />June 19,2000 Final Biological Opinion <br />Conservation Measures <br /> <br />Record of Decision <br />Animas-La Plata Project/Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement <br /> <br />Conservation measures are actions that the Reclamation agrees to implement to further the <br />n:covery of the species under review. The beneticial effects of conservation measures were taken <br />into consideration for determining both jeopardy and incidental take analyses and all hydrology <br />analyses considered in the Biological Opinion assume implementation of these conservation <br />measures, including the reoperation of Navajo Dam. Reclamation agrees that failure to <br />implement the conservation measures will be grounds for reinitiation of consultation. <br /> <br />The following are the conservation measures recommended in the Biological Opinion. More <br />expanded descriptions can be found in the Biological Opinion in Volume 2 of the FSEIS. <br /> <br />I. Operate Navajo Reservoir to mimic thc natural hydrograph of the San Juan River to benefit <br />endangered species and their critical habitat. <br /> <br />2. Reclamation ",ill be responsible for maintaining the hydrology model and its data used to <br />simulate t10ws in the San Juan River and thc effects of water development in thc basin. <br /> <br />3. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Supplemental Agreement to protect the <br />releases for endangered fishes made from the Navajo Reservoir to and through the endangered <br />fish habitat of the San Juan River to Lake Powell was signed in October 1991. This MOU <br />remains in effect. <br /> <br />4. The Durango Pumping Plant will be operated in a manner that insures that its operation do not <br />interfere with meeting the target flows reconunended for the San Juan River. <br /> <br />5. Reclamation will implement all actions necessary to prevent escapement of nonnative fishes <br />from Ridges Basin Reservoir in any water leaving the reservoir. <br /> <br />6. Reclamation will develop and implement a monitoring program for potential adverse <br />bioaccumulation of trace elements in bald eagle food items in Ridges Basin Reservoir. <br /> <br />7. Reclamation will incorporate bypass flows into ALP operations to promote natural <br />recruitrnent of cottonwood tress along the Animas River. <br /> <br />8. All electrical transmission lines associated with the project will be designed to avoid injury to <br />raptors, including bald eagles. <br />