WSP05236

• File Number: 8220.106
• Description: Animas-La Plata
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 2/26/1996
• Title: Final Biological Opinion - 1996
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Biological Opinion

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United States Department of the Interior

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Moun rain-Prairie Region

RECEIVED
MAR 0 It 1996

FWS/BR
GJ-6-CO-95-F-033
COKANUT

MAILING ADDRESS:

Post Office Box 25486
Denver Federal Center
Denver, Colorado 80225

STREET LOCATION:
134 Union Blvd.
Lakewood, Colorado 80228

CoIcrado WaIIIf
Col\I8fVlIlioI' eo.d

IN REPLY REFER TO:

F'ES U 1996

Memorandum

To: Regional Director, Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado
Regional Office, Salt Lake City, Utah

From:_~~\.'\ Regional Director, Region 6
v- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Denver, Colorado

Subject: Final Biological Opinion for the Animas-La Plata Project,
Colorado and New Mexico

In accordance with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the Interagency Cooperation Regulations
(50 CFR 402), this transmits the Fish and Wildlife Service's biological
opinion for impacts to federally listed endangered species for the Animas-La
Plata Project. While Region 6 assumed the lead for this consultation,
recommendations contained herein have the concurrence of the Regional Director
of Region 2 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Reference is made to your June 2, 1995, correspondence requesting reinitiation
of formal consultation for the subject project. The Service concurs that the
proposed project "may affect" the Colorado squawfish (Ptvchocheilus lucius)
and razorback sucker (Xvrauchen texanus) and their designated critical
habitat. In addition, the proposed project "may affect" the bald eagle
(Haliaeetus leucoceohalus). The Service concurs that the proposed project is
not likely to adversely affect the peregrine falcon (Falco oerearinus) or the
southwestern willow flycatcher (Emoidonax traillii extimus). The Service also
concurs that the proposed project is not likely to adversely affect the
black-footed ferret (Mustela niarioes); provided that prairie dog communities
are not affected.

CONSULTATION HISTORY

The Animas-La Plata Project has been in the planning process since the early
1960's and resulted in the preparation of a Definite Plan Report in 1979.
At that time, Region 2 entered into formal section 7 consultation with
Reclamation and rendered a biological opinion on December 28, 1979
(2-2-80-F-13). The 1979 biological opinion addressed the potential effects
of the proposed Project on the endangered Colorado squawfish, bald eagle, and
peregrine falcon. Based on the capture of a single juvenile Colorado