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. ," 2 Project as defined in thi s MOU. An integral part of this process is the specific commitment by the Colorado River Water Conservation District (River District) to hold an annual River Operations meeting on Huddy Creek. Reservoir in conjunction with operations meetings committed to by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) on Ruedi and Green Mountain Reservoirs, as set forth in the Muddy Creel: Final Environmental IlJ1lact Statement (ElS) (Chapter 5.0). The meetings Nill include concerned Federal, State, and local government agencies, as well as water user, conservation, and other groups. At these annual meetillgs, which will include representatives of the Fish and Wildlife Service, agency input and public comments will be addressed within the operational constraints, demands, and flexibilities of the water management agencies (the River District and Reclamation>. The Service believes that the provision of flows in the 15-mile reach is ifllJortant to the continued survival and recovery of the rare COlorado River fishes. The instreaa flows provided under this MOU (which could increase the flow by 50 cfs for a 3D-day period) will contribute incrementally to the Service's goal of protecting flows in the 15-mile reach for the maintenance of habitat for the rare Colorado River fishes and will offset the depletion ifllJacts of the ~ddy Creek. Project. I I. Puroose The purpose of this Ir)U is to provide flows from Muddy Creek. Reservoir to the IS-mile reach of the Colorado River for the rare Colorado River fishes to offset the depletion impacts of the Muddy Creek. Project as identified in the Biological Opinion for the Muddy Creek. Project. II I. Authorities Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 661; Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 742f(a)(4); Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531; and Cooperative Agreement for the Recovery IlJ1llementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin, dated January 21-22, 19B8. IV. Soecial TellIS and Conditions 1. The River ~istrict will determine, on an annual basis, the amount of water actually available for operational releases to provide flows to the IS-mile reach for tile rare Colorado River fishes. The criteria to determine availability of water for this purpose include: