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.,"".TO' ~ ~ o .. .. <! ~ . ~ . .. ~ - 0::..41 ~!tCH 3 \'D":; United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office 2105 Osuna NE Albuquerque. New Mexico 87113 Phone: (505) 761-4525 Fax: (5051 761-4542 .~") .:.1 :.~ ~ . '. ~...:J 0) October 3, 1996 Cons. #2-22-96-F-266 Memorandum To: Assistant Field Supervisor, Utah Ecological Services Office, Salt Lake City, Utah From: Field Supervisor, New Mexico Ecological Services Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico Subject: Biological Opinion on the Proposed Experimental Stocking of Early Life Stage Colorado Squawfish in the San Juan River This is in response to the April 11, 1996, approval by the Coordination Committee of the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program of the proposed experimental stocking of Age-O and Age-1 sized Colorado squawfish for implementation as an element of the coordinated research program in 1996. The Fish and Wildlife Service, as a participant in both the Program and the stocking proposal has conducted an IntraService consultation under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (Act). as amended, to determine the effects of the proposal on two endangered species, the Colorado squawfish (Ptvchocheilus lucius) and razorback sucker (Xvrauchen texanus). and their designated critical habitat on the San Juan River. A no effect determination was made for the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher (Emoidonax traillii extimus). American peregrine falcon (Falco oerearinus anatuml. and Mancos milk-vetch (Astraaalus humillimusl. and the threatened bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucoceohalus) and Mesa Verde cactus (Sclerocactus mesae-verdae). These latter species occur in the general area of the San Juan River but will not be affected by the proposed research. The following biological opinion is based on information prOVided in the April 17, 1996, Final report entitled "Evaluating Habitat Use of Age-O Colorado Squaw fish in the San Juan River Through Experimental Stocking," modifications to the report and study proposal provided by facsimile on September 13, 1996. the October 1992 San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program document; data on file in the New Mexico Ecological Services Office; and discussions with various people familiar with the proposed action, the San Juan River, and the endangered species and their critical habitat. BIOLOGICAL OPINION Based upon the best scientific and commercial information currently available, and after