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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />,M~Y-15-1998 15:46 <br /> <br />BOR LULND <br /> <br />9706633212 P.04/24 <br /> <br />3 <br /> <br />BIOLOGICAL OPINION <br /> <br />Based upon the best scientific and commercial information that is currently <br />available, it is the Service's biological opinion that the proposed project, <br />as described below, is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the <br />Colorado squawfish, humpback chub, bony tail , and razorback sucker and result <br />in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitat. The <br />Service has developed reasonable and prudent alternatives to avoid the <br />likelihood of jeopardy to the endangered fishes and to avoid destruction or <br />adverse modification of their critical habitat. It is the Service's opinion <br />that there will be no effect to other federally listed species as a result of <br />this project. <br /> <br />PROJECT DESCRIPTION <br /> <br />A first round of water sales from Ruedi Reservoir amounting to a total of <br />7,850 acre-feet per year was executed on May 13, 1982. The impacts of this <br />sale on Colorado River fishes were evaluated in a previous biological opinion <br />dated March 18, 1982. Since that time, Reclamation has received additional <br />requests for a second round of water sales. The Final Supplement to the <br />Environmental Statement (FSES) (Bureau of Reclamation 1989) addresses the <br />environmental implications associated with Round II water sales. Water will <br />be conveyed from Ruedi Reservoir in the natural channels of the Fryingpan, <br />Roaring Fork, and Colorado Rivers to the point of diversion downstream from <br />Ruedi Reservoir. No additional facilities will be constructed by Reclamation <br />for the preferred alternative in the FSES. <br /> <br />The water marketing alternative selected and documented by a Record of <br />Decision (ROD) signed by the Deputy Commissioner for Reclamation on <br />January 16, 1990, has a total annual marketable yield of 51,500 acre-feet <br />of water, including Ruedi Round I water sales of 7,850 acre-feet. Pursuant <br />to the Service's 1987 biological opinion and the ROD, the annual marketable <br />water supply available for Round II is 38,650 acre-feet (51,500 acre-feet <br />less Round I sales of 7,850 acre-feet, less 5,000 acre-feet withheld <br />for endangered fish). Reclamation has agreed to market a maximum of <br />17,000 acre-feet in the Round II plan, leaving approximately 21,650 acre-feet <br />of uncommitted marketable reserves. Reclamation has determined that the <br />entire 17,000 acre-feet (or what ever amount is marketed) will be depleted <br />from the Upper Colorado River Basin (Upper Basin) due to the fact that the <br />entire amount will be used as augmentation water for actual depletions <br />currently planned by the contractees. <br /> <br />BASIS FOR BIOLOGICAL OPINION <br /> <br />This biological opinion addresses an average annual depletion of approximately <br />17,000 acre-feet from the Upper Basin. Water depletions in the Upper Basin <br />have been recognized as a major source of impact to endangered fish species. <br />Continued water withdrawal has restricted the ability of the Colorado River <br />system to produce flow conditions required by various life stages of the <br />fishes. <br />