Laserfiche WebLink
<br />o <br />o <br />(~ <br />. -, <br /> <br />7 <br /> <br />l\:) <br /><:0 <br /> <br />the confluence with the Mancos River, which is the first specimen collected at this site since <br />1987 (S. Platania, University of New Mexico, pers. comm.). <br /> <br />The San Juan River is one of only three remaining areas where a wild, reproducing population <br />of Colorado squawfish still persists. The San Juan River subbasin, isolated from the Colorado <br />and Green River subbasins, provides a third population of wild fish, contributing an additional <br />essential buffer against a catastrophic event (such as an oil spill) elsewhere in the basin. <br />While the Colorado squawfish population may be small in the San Juan River, it may be <br />important as unique genetic stock. Because of this the Colorado River Fishes Recovery Team <br />(consisting of scientists from the entire Colorado River Basin, including representatives from <br />State wildlife agencies of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado, as well as <br />Federal representatives from the National Park Service, Reclamation, and the Service) <br />recommended that the San Juan River be added to the Colorado squawfish recovery plan. <br />The updated Colorado Squawfish Recovery Plan (August 6, 1991) states that the species can <br />be downlisted to threatened when all recovery areas (including the San Juan River from Lake <br />Powell upstream to the confluence of the Animas River) have naturally self-sustaining <br />populations. The San Juan River is also included in the delisting criteria. <br /> <br />Critical Habitat <br /> <br />Critical habitat has been designated within the 100-year floodplain of the Colorado <br />squawfish's historical range in the following section of the San Juan River Basin (59 FR <br />13374). <br /> <br />New Mexico. San Juan Countv; and Utah. San Juan Countv. The San Juan River from <br />the State Route 371 Bridge in T. 29 N., R. 13 W., section 17 to Neskahai Canyon up <br />to the full pool elevation in the San Juan arm of Lake Powell in T. 41 S., R. 11 E., <br />section 26. <br /> <br />In determining specific river reaches required to prevent extinction and ensure recovery of the <br />Colorado squawfish, the Service relied upon available biological information and the species' <br />approved Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). Information relating to the <br />species' biological and ecological needs, such as habitat, reproduction, rearing, and <br />recruitment, was used in determining if an area was needed for inclusion in critical habitat. <br />The revised Colorado Squawfish Recovery Plan provided both downlisting and deli sting <br />criteria. During the consideration of critical habitat areas, downlisting criteria were generally <br />equated to the survival level; delisting criteria were related to the recovery level. The reach <br />of the San Juan River from Lake Powell to Farmington, New Mexico, which incorporates the <br />section of the river encompassing the project facilities and impacted by their presence and <br />operation, was included in the Recovery Plan as necessary for both downlisting and delisting. <br />Therefore, this portion of the San Juan River has been identified by the Service as essential <br />to the survival and recovery of the Colorado squawfish. <br /> <br />C. PROPOSED AREA <br /> <br />The San Juan River and its tributaries form the second largest of the three sub-basins <br />