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780 hydrograph along the San Juan River should maintain and possibly enhance regeneration of 781 cottonwood trees along the San Juan River which are important winter habitat. In addition the periodic 782 high spring flows may discourage human encroachment into floodplain areas thus indirectly benefitting 783 the eagle's habitat Increased river flows will cause more loss of mature trees to bank erosion, 784 possibly offsetting this benefit Although some changes in fish populations are anticipated, food 785 supplies in the waterways affected should not be significantly affected. Reduced reservoir levels may 786 stress cottonwood trees developing around Navajo Reservoir, thus reducing roosting areas. Overall 787 there should be no adverse effect on this species. 788 Navaio sedge 789 This member of the sedge family occurs only in a few localities in Arizona (Apache, Coconino, and 790 Navajo Counties) and Utah (San Juan County), although surveys are incomplete. Its specialized 791 habitat consists of seep-springs on vertical cliffs of Navajo sandstone or other eolian sandstone 792 formations. One population is reported 1.5 miles south of the San Juan River (Utah Div. of Wildlife 793 Resources, (998). Threats may include grazing, trampling, and disturbance to ground water supplies. 794 The proposed action would not affect the types of habitat used by this species. 795 796 Mexican sootted owl 797 798 The Mexican spotted owl inhabits canyon and montane forest habitats in a range that includes southern 799 Utah and Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Critical habitat has been designated on 4.6 million 800 acres in the 4 states. Critical habitat does not include the project area but does include portions of the 801 San Juan ann of Lake Powell (Service, 200Ic). 802 Mixed conifer forests are commonly used; and in the northern part of its range (which would be the 803 project area), the owls primarily occur in rocky canyons. Prey species are thought to primarily be 804 small, nocturnal mammals. Habitat types used or potentially used by this species would not be affected 805 by the proposed action. 806 Species of Concern 807 American and Arctic oereerine falcons 808 These two species occur in Colorado and New Mexico, with nesting of the American peregrine falcon 809 occurring in both states. There are no known nests around Navajo Reservoir (Reclamation, 1999). 810 Potential nesting habitat occurs on cliffs along the San Juan River. Riparian areas in the project region 811 provide migration and foraging habitat These habitats should not be significantly affected by the 812 preferred action. . . 27 '"I' '.'