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N CO) ,.,. . . N c.. 8 prudent alternative for projects with an average annual depletion of less than 1.500 acre-feet. This decision reduced the 3.000 acre-foot threshold set in previous years. The Service further identified five actions to be completed before the threshold could be raised back to 3.000 acre-feet. All five actions were completed and the depletion threshold has once again been raised to 3.000 acre-feet. In its June 16. 1997. memo to the Implementation/Management Committee the Service concluded that the RIP has made sufficient progress to serve as a reasonable and prudent alternative for projects that have an average annual depletion of up to 3.000 acre-feet. Bioloaical Opinion This biological opinion is based on the best scientific and commercial data currently available. including: 1) what is currently known about the Duchesne River. 2) the current status of the Colorado squawfish. humpback chub, bony tail . and the razorback sucker, 3) the environmental baseline for the Duchesne River basin area. 4) the cumulative effects of non-Federal projects in the Duchesne River basin and. 5) the effects of the proposed action. Therefore. it is the Service's biological opinion that the proposed action. consisting of both historic project operations and the development and use of new project water, is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the Colorado squawfish. humpback chub. bony tail. and razorback sucker and is likely to adversely modify designated critical habitats of these species on the lower Duchesne River (razorback sucker). and downstream on the Green and Colorado rivers (Colorado squawfish. razorback sucker. humpback chub. bonytai 1). The Service has determined that completion and/or implementation of all elements of the reasonable and prudent alternative will offset impacts of projects identified in Table 1 and will avoid the likelihood of jeopardy and the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitats. The Service believes that the integrated operation of new and existing faciliti~s. constrained by annual hydrologic conditions and available water storage. can be coordinated to meet the needs of the listed fishes in most years. In developing the reasonable and prudent alternative the Service has determined that actions required as part of this biological opinion will have minimal impact on tribal trust resources and will not interfere with the tribe's ability to control and manage its land and water resources. Implementation of all elements of the reasonable and prudent alternative are the responsibility of the RIP. not the Ute Tribe. however. any habitat improvements recommended within the Duchesne River that would effect tribal trust lands will require consent of the Ute Tribe. Protection of final flow