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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squawfish in the San Juan River at the mouth of McElmo Creek near Aneth, Utah,
it was concluded that ". . . the proposed project is likely to further degrade
the San Juan River to a point that this population will be lost. However,
because of the apparent small size of the San Juan River squawfish population
and its already tenuous hold on survival, its possible loss should have little
impact on the successfully reproducing Green and Colorado Rivers squawfish
populations and, therefore, the species itself."

A wintering population of approximately 20 bald eagles and the presence of an
active nest site along the Animas River led to the 1979 conclusion that
reductions in streamflow would neither significantly affect the food base of
the Animas River nor deter eagle use of the area. While a historical aerie
for peregrine falcons exists within the Project area, it has been unoccupied
since 1963, and there was no evidence of breeding activity or sightings in or
around the immediate Project area. In addition, the Colorado Division of
Wildlife determined that the surrounding hunting habitat is of marginal
quality (Jel"ry Craig, CDOW, pers. conm.).

The 1979 biological opinion found the Project was unlikely to jeopardize the
continued existence of any of the three species identified above; however,
several recommendations were made regarding Colorado squawfish and bald eagles
in furtherance of their conservation. It was recommended that a Bald Eagle
Management Plan be developed for Project reservoirs. For Colorado squawfish,
it was recommended that:

1. native fish populations of the San Juan River be thoroughly surveyed,

2. environmental needs of Colorado squawfish be determined,

3. an attempt be made to meet the above needs by adjusting projects on
the San Juan River drainage, and

4. provide and fund artificial facilities in which to spawn and rear
Colorado squawfish until such time that suitable habitats in the San
Juan River can be developed and maintained.

On February 6, 1990, Reclamation reinitiated section 7 consultation and
provided the Service with an updated biological assessment of Project impacts
on Colorado squawfish. On May 7, 1990, the Service issued a draft biological
opinion concluding that the Project would jeopardize the continued existence
of the Colorado squawfish. No reasonable and prudent alternatives were
identified at that time. Reclamation and the Service began actively seeking
reasonable and prudent alternatives and in a March 4, 1991, letter Reclamation
proposed a reasonable and prudent alternative to preclude the likelihood of
jeopardy from the Project. The Service issued a final biological opinion for
the Animas-La Plata Project on October 25, 1991, that concluded the project as
proposed would likely jeopardize the continued existence of the Colorado
squawfish and razorback sucker. The reasonable and prudent alternative in
that opinion included: (1) an Animas-La Plata Project that results in an

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