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T c. United States Department of the Interior. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE , -:.. IN IIlE~L Y REFER TO: FA/SE/WPRS--Dallas Crk. Proj. (6-5-80-F-39) NAILING ADDRESS: Po.t Otfift Boll" 2UI6 Dt-nuer FedeNll ~IUD DtIlWT, Colorado 110226 STREET LOCA. TJON: 134 UrUon BJud. LoMwood. ColorDdo BOZU :~.:-.:-:~ [=rJ -~ ~77:3 SLD,; C.~.~~-: -.. :-:":: (....~., ;::! - 0 '80 ....,... ~ _"...;: ir.~:': '10. i"J JAN 7 1980 ______._J MEMORANDUM To: Regional Director, Upper Colorado Region Water and Power Resources Service, Salt Lake City, Uta -'.-- . -'. ~-- .. ..-' From: Regional Director, Region 6 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver, Colorado Subject: Amendment of. November 16, 1979, Biological Opinion for Dallas Creek Project, Colorado This memorandum amends our November 16 biological opinion for the proposed Dallas Creek Project. In that biological opinion, it was stated that the project would not jeopardize the continued existence of the American peregrine falcon. The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) also stated that the project would adversely modify habitat beneficial to the peregrine falcon, if not at present, then later if the population increases as recovery efforts intensify. It was recommended that the Water and Power Resources Service (WPRS) use their authorities to acquire, develop, and manage habitat for the peregrine falcon to reduce project impacts. In the biological opinion, the FWS described the understanding that WPRS had agreed to acquire 1,000 acres of big game habitat to be managed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW). This land acquisition Was to mitigate effects of the Dallas Creek Project on wildlife, and the WPRS already had acquired 650 of these acres. While preparing the biological opinion, our Salt Lake City Area Office discussed the proposed project with DOW staff and understood that the agency believed that the remaining 350 acres could be acquired and managed as habitat used by peregrine falcons for hunting. For that reason, it was recommended the WPRS acquire 350 acres of riparian habitat or marshland in lieu of 350 acres of big game winter range. Alternatively, the FWS said that these acres could be comprised of roughly equal portions of marsh and meadow habitat. The above recommendation was made because it was believed that there would be an impact on peregrine falcon habitat, and the FWS thought that the DOW favored this approach. The FWS believed it would be reasonable Save Energy and You Serve America!