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<br />37 <br /> <br />at Mexican Hat), until all the elements of this reasonable and prudent <br />alternative are completed and/or implemented. However, if Reclamation <br />can provide a minimum winter flow out of Navajo Dam of approximately <br />300 cfs on a recurring basis such that the flexibility of operation <br />necessary to mimic a natural hydrograph can be maintained as <br />demonstrated by the model runs showing an availability of up to <br />300,000 acre-feet of water for spring release for endangered fishes <br />96 percent of the time (as per the 1991 biological opinion), then and <br />only then can Stage A be operated with 57,100 acre-feet as an averaae <br />annual depletion. This is a requirement for the research period. <br />Development of preliminary flow recommendations (provided hydrolgic <br />conditions allow) are planned to occur in 1998 after the conclusion of <br />the research. Navajo Dam operations would then be based on these flow <br />recommendations. <br /> <br />2. Reclamation has agreed to contribute funding to the San Juan River <br />BasiR Recovery Implementation Program, including funding for research <br />necessary to complete the objectives of the approximate 7-year <br />research effort on the San Juan River and its tributaries. The <br />research is being conducted by knowledgeable endangered species and <br />habitat experts and is designed to allow for testing of hypotheses. <br />The ultimate goal of this research is to characterize those factors <br />which limit native fish populations in the San Juan River and to <br />provide management options to conserve and restore the endangered fish <br />community. In order to complete the research objectives, Reclamation <br />agrees to provide all requested test flows (test flows are based on <br />hydrologic conditions for each water year). These test flows will <br />include winter releases from Navajo Dam of approximately 300 cfs for <br />two weeks in early 1996, and for a 4 month duration in 1996/1997 <br />winter season (provided hydrologic conditions are appropriate). The <br />4-month test should 'begin on or about November 1 and extend through <br />February 28, with ramping sufficient to avoid stranding fish in <br />isolated pools or shoals. The research period is scheduled for <br />completion in 1997, provided hydrologic conditions allow all test <br />flows to be completed. Preliminary flow recommendations, based on <br />research results, will be developed in 1998. After the preliminary <br />recommendations are developed, the Service and Reclamation will <br />reinitiate section 7 consultation to determine whether additional <br />depletions are permissible for the Animas-la Plata Project. <br /> <br />3. Reclamation will continue to operate Navajo Dam under study guidelines <br />developed under element 2 for the research period. Test flows will <br />continue to be provided to re-create a wide range of flow conditions <br />including high flows similar to 1987, which are hypothesized to <br />benefit reproduction and recruitment in the endangered fish community. <br />Release schedules will be determined by the Service and Reclamation <br />based on recommendations of the San Juan Recovery Implementation <br />Program's Biology Committee and the available water supply after <br />meeting baseline depletions. These release schedules shall recognize <br />the limitations on the outlet works facilities and the Corps of <br />Engineers Water Control Manual. The current channel capacities in the <br />Water Control Manual are: 5,000 cfs below Navajo Dam, 16,800 cfs at <br />