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<br />C~) <br /> <br />, i~ <br />~~J <br /> <br />- 5 <br /> <br />;1 <br /> <br />Section 7 (a) of the Endangered Species Act requires that <br />the Bureau of Reclamation shall insure that any action leading to <br />construction of the Project is not likely to jeopardize the continued <br />existence of the Colorado squawfish (and the razorback sucker, if it <br />is listed) unless the Bureau has been granted an exemption by the <br />Endangered Species Committee. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Section 7 (d) means that after initiation of consultation the <br />Bureau shall not make any irreversible or irretrievable commitment <br />of money which might have the effect of foreclosing the formulation or <br />implementation of any reasonable and prudent alternative measures <br />that might be initiated to enhance the existence of the endangered <br />species. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />~ <br />~ <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />From the two above paragraphs, one can ascertain Why the Con- <br />gressionally appropriated funds mentioned above have not been spent <br />on construction of the Project. <br /> <br />1/' <br /> <br />According to the conclusions of the Fish and Wildlife Service <br />quoted above and the interpretations of Sections 7 (a) and 7 (d) <br />mentioned above, and if the Final Biological Opi~ion is the same as <br />the draft opinion, it appears that: (See quoted conclusions of Fish <br />and Wildlife Service above) <br /> <br />~ <br />, , <br />~ <br />~ <br />=; <br />~ <br />r~ <br />i~ <br />:':,1 <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br /> <br />a. construction of the Animas-laPlata Proj~ct could be pre- <br />vented or substantially delayed for a long time; <br /> <br />~ <br />'~~ <br />~, <br /> <br />.~ <br /> <br />. <br />,". <br /> <br />b. the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement could not <br />be implemented which could lead to a long and bitter <br />judicial process; <br />