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<br />DRAFr AND PREDECISIONAL DOCUMENT - FOR COORDINATION COMMfITEE REVIEW ONLY <br /> <br />'':> <br />-:> <br />":l <br />") <br />~ <br />-.J <br /> <br />community must be the broader framework within which recovery and conservation is achieved. <br />This section provides a description of these objectives and tasks, of both research and <br />management orientation, required to attain recovery of the endangered fish species and <br />management of the native fish community in the San Juan River basin. The sequence of <br />objectives does not imply priority. <br /> <br />4.1 DEVEWP INTERIM MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES FOR SAN JUAN <br />RIVER NATIVE FISH COMMUNITY. <br /> <br />Assessment of the relative achievement of recovery and management objectives requires <br />development of quantifiable measures of success (or failure). Relative measures to evaluate <br />progress (Interim Management Objectives), using information obtained during the Seven Year <br />Research effort, will be developed for Colorado squawfish, rawrback sucker and the native fish <br />community. As new information is obtained these relative measures will be modified and <br />quantifiable goals developed as necessary. <br /> <br />4.2 IDENTIFY, PROTECT, AND RESTORE HABITATS. <br /> <br />In order to determine full recovery potential of endangered fish species, qualification and <br />quantification of the historic and present river channel conditions are necessary. Data on historic <br />San Juan River channel conditions are available in varying and limited forms; however, <br />sufficient data exist to allow limited comparisons with current channel conditions and dynamics. <br />Initial tasks within this objective are to identify historic and current river channel conditions. <br />This includes identification of geomorphically distinct river reaches and detailed habitat mapping <br />of these reaches. Included within this characterization is a determination of overall changes <br />from historic to current conditions. Research activities are designed to evaluate physical habitat <br />changes, both qualitatively and quantitatively, as a response to different flow regimes. Activities <br />are designed to address both unregulated flows from tributaries and those that can be provided <br />by releases from Navajo Dam. Modelling of flow and habitat relationships will be conducted <br />to allow for a definition of expected river channel conditions that are likely to occur as a result <br />of different flow regimes. Habitat use patterns by all life stages of endangered, other native, <br />and non-native fish species will be determined and monitored to evaluate responses to different <br />flow regimes. These data will be incorporated into flow recommendations. Results of native <br />fish community habitat studies will be incorporated into management recommendations for the <br />removal or modification of in stream structures that impede native fish movements or limit range <br />and creation or enhancement of required but unavailable or limited habitats. To identify and <br />provide for flow regimes necessary to recover the endangered fish species and benefit the native <br />fish community, an evaluation of the quality, quantity, and sources of water is required. While <br />Navajo Reservoir has been identified as the primary origin, other sources, particularly the <br />Animas River, will be investigated. Analyses of stream channel conditions provided by both <br />reservoir-controlled flows and those occurring via inflow from tributary streams will be <br />conducted. Included within the provision of flows necessary to recover endangered fish species <br />and manage the native fish community is the necessity to protect these flows. Means of <br />protection will be attained through Tribal, State, and Federal regulatory actions. <br /> <br />7 <br />