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<br />L~ <br /> <br />III, Study Background/Rationale: <br /> <br />Green River <br /> <br />There are an estimated 11.428 acres of privately-owned lands and <br />6,000 acres of Tribal lands within the Green River floodplain from <br />the boundary of Dinosaur National Monument (River Mile 318) <br />downstream to Pariette Draw (RM 238), This stretch of river is home <br />range to the last remaining riverine population of razorback <br />suckers. Upstream of this area (and at RM 311,5). razorback suckers <br />spawn during high spring flows, After a few days razorback eggs <br />hatch and larvae drift downstream into floodplain and backwater <br />nursery areas, Levees and reduced spring flows have denied access <br />to many of these floodplain nursery areas, The goal of Green River <br />Land Acquisition Strategic Plan is to restore and protect a <br />contiguous riparian corridor to assist in recovery of the razorback <br />sucker and other endangered fishes, Plan implementation focuses on <br />privately-owned lands and Tribal lands within the Green River <br />floodplain from Dinosaur National Monument downstream to Pariette <br />Draw, where razorback adults reside: ,where numerous razorback larvae <br />have been found: where flood frequency and duration can be <br />controlled, in part. by Flaming Gorge operations: and where <br />floodplain development has been relatively minimal and is. <br />therefore, reversible. The plan is to acquire perpetual easements. <br />fee title. or other forms of agreements from willing landowners, <br /> <br />The "Flaming Gorge High Flow Damage Assessment Report" (developed <br />jointly by the U,S, Fish and Wildlife Service. the Provo Area Office <br />of the U,S. Bureau of Reclamation. and the Western Area Power <br />Administration), stated that 1993 flows damaged 521 acres of pasture <br />lands, 105 acres of cropland, pumps. and 2 mobile home properties in <br />the Jensen, Utah, area of the Green River. Estimated costs for <br />resolving the problems and preventing future damage (e,g" by <br />acquiring properties and mOVing the mobile homes and pumps) ranged <br />from approximately $320K to $600K. <br /> <br />Therefore. acquisition of interests in floodplain properties along <br />this stretch of river would be expected to help the endangered <br />fishes by providing/protecting habitat: the area residents by <br />reducing flood damages; and the Bureau of Reclamation by allowing <br />greater flexibility in operating Flaming Gorge, <br /> <br />2 <br />