WSP05450 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

./ "'u IV'. :I :.1/0 ... 'l..I'-'_... ,.. "C' .J) .:. ~- J:11 V 7, co CO " '. United States Department of the Interior: I J I I i 1-,-, I ....- , '--"--" FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Ecologia! Services Western Colorado Office 764 Horizon Drive. South Anno: A Gr:md Junction. Colorado 81506.3946 -... '. ~~--""""::'.: IN RErLYREFER TO: .. ....,. ESjCO:BR MS 65412 GJ November 30, 1994 ~". '._.JEH~~;_~:.: :~; I . L'" . --- ~ "7.l.'.. ;. ....."1/..' -;-.~.-. ~_ I?__J_ /_. ... ?e_"~::o/~J"-_::,: . Memorandum To: Act i ng Projects Manager, Durango Projects Offi ce, Buteau'of-.---.---.-'. Reclamation, Durango, Colorado __ ._.. ..._..:.:=',~'::-:=. From: Assistant Field Supervisor, Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, Grana Junction, Colcrado Subject: Comments on Biological Assessment for Reoperation of McPhee Reservoir and Acquisition of Water for Downstream Release in the Dolores River The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has reviewed the subject November 23, 1994, biological assessment. The Service believes that additional water in the Dolores River would benefit aquatic, riparian. and terrestrial organisms in and around the Dolores and Colorado River systems. Additional water may elevate the ground water table and provide greater areas of spring flooding which will provide a wider, healthier, riparian zone by regenerating cottonwoods (Populus spp.), willow (Salix spp.), and other riparian plants. The additional water may also provide more spawning, feeding, and nursery areas for the endangered and candidate fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) as well as provide increased habitat for other fish and wildlife species. Riparian zones are very important for many neotropical migratory birds including the southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidomax trail7ii extimus) which is proposed for listing as endangered. Willow flycatchers (E. trai77ii subsp.) were observed on the Dolores River near Uravan in 1994. Flooding may bring nutrients into the river systems which are beneficial for invertebrate production which in turn provides a greater food source for aquatic and terrestrial species. A wider, healthier. riparian zone will also benefit the ecosystem by filtering out aquatic and airborne pollutants and by providing more thermal protection for fish and wildlife. To attain the benefits listed above the Service strongly recommends water acquisition and management follow alternative 1 or 2 in the biological assessment. The Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau) has determined that' additional water releases from McPhee Reservoir and proposed management changes under any alternative will have "no effect" to the bald eagle (Ha7iaeetus leucocepha7us), peregrine falcon (Fa7co peregrinus), Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidomax trai7lii extfmus), Colorado squawfish (Ptychocheilus 7ucius), razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), bony tail (Gi7a elegans), humpback chub (Gi7a cypha), roundtail chub (Gi7a robusta), and flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus 7atipinnis)