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. . . 'MFlY-15-199S 15: 54 BOR LI.LND 9706633212 P.1S/24 17 *Utahk Grand County: and Colorado. Mesa County. The Colorado River from Blac Rocks (river mile I37) in T. 10 S., R. 104 W., section 25 (6th Principal Meridian) to Fish Ford in T. 21 S., R. 24 E., section 3S (Salt Lake Meridian). *Utah. Garfield and San Juan Counties. The Colorado River from Brown Betty Rapid in T. 30 S., R. 18 E., section 34 (Salt Lake Meridian) to Imperial Canyon in T. 31 S., R. 17 E., section 28 (Salt Lake Meridian). EFFECTS OF THE ACTION Impoundments and diversions have reduced peak discharges by 48 percent since I942, while increasing base flows by 21 percent in some reaches. These alterations to the flow regime, along with a number of other factors, have resulted in such drastic reductions in the populations of the Colorado squawfish, humpback chub, bony tail, and razorback sucker that the Service has listed these species as endangered and has implemented programs to prevent them from becoming extinct. Water depletions reduce the ability of the river to create and maintain important native fish habitats. Food supply, predation, and competition are important elements of the biological environment. Food supply is a function of nutrient supply and productivity, which could be limited by reduction of high spring flows brought about by water depletions. Predation and competition from nonnative fish species have been identified as factors in the decline of the endangered fishes. Water depletions contribute to alterations in flow regimes that favor nonnative fishes. The Service concludes that water depletions impact the primary constituent elements of designated critical habitat. However, reasonable and prudent alternatives have been developed by the Service that would avoid destruction or adverse modification to the critical habitat. REASONABLE AND PRUDENT ALTERNATIVES On January 21-22, 1988, the Secretary of the Interior; the Governors of Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah; and the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration were cosigners of a Cooperative Agreement to implement the "Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin" (Recovery Program) (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1987). An objective of the Recovery Program was to identify reasonable and prudent alternatives that would ensure the survival and recovery of the listed species while providing for new water development in the Upper Basin. The following excerpts from the Recovery Program are pertinent to this consultation because they summarize portions of the Recovery Program that address depletion impacts, section 7 consultation, and project proponent responsibilities: