WSP04991

• File Number: 8220.111.K
• Description: Central Utah Participating Project
• State: UT
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 7/29/1988
• Title: Final Biological Opinion: Duchesne River Basin Utah
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Biological Opinion

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Other participating parties or_cooperators that contributed to the completion
of thi s opi ni on are: the State of Utah. the Provo Ri ver Water Users.
Strawberry Water Users Association. Moon Lake Water Users Association. the Ute
Indian Tribe. other interested water users. and environmental groups.

This biological opinion addresses only those Colorado River listed fishes
likely to be jeopardized and/or their critical habitats which could be
adversely modified as a result of depleted flows in the Duchesne River Basin.
The Service recognizes that depletion of flows and the resulting impacts to
the Duchesne River also occur downstream on the Green River: however. the
Service is relying on the reoperation of Flaming Gorge Dam to help alleviate
potential impacts to the mainstem Green River. The biological opinion for
year-round reoperation of Flaming Gorge Dam is not yet completed. nor have
required flows been legally protected as required by Recovery Action Plan
items I.A.4 and I.B.3.

This biological opinion represents the Service's biological opinion regarding
the effects on Colorado River endangered fishes and their critical habitats
from historic projects that remain subject to Federal discretionary
involvement or control and from certain new projects that are federally
authorized. funded. or carried out. Ongoing studies authorized and funded by
the RIP, the Service. and other RIP cooperatDrs will be used to determine
where flexibility exists to reoperate Federal projects. The purpose of
reoperation will be to remove the threat of jeopardy and to avoid destruction
or adverse modification of critical habitats.

Site specific individual biological opinions for new projects will address any
direct physical impacts to the endangered fishes and other listed species.

Consultation Historv

Formal consultation on projects potentially affecting the Duchesne River Basin
began in the late 1970's for the Uintah and Upalco Units and in February 1980
for the Strawberry Aqueduct and Collection System. However. existing projects
subject to continuing Federal discretionary control or involvement. or which
require additional Federal funding, permitting. licensing. or approval must
comply with section 7 (a) (2) of the Act at each stage of planning and
implementation. Consistent with 50 CFR 402.16. reinitiation of section 7
consultation also is required when a new species is listed or critical habitat
is designated. as on the Duchesne and Green Rivers.

Previous biological opinions issued for major Federal water projects in the
Duchesne River Basin concluded with jeopardy determinations for the endangered