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.0 c~') t,~ part of the environmental baseline (50 CFR 402,02 and 402.14 (g) (3)). ~ 00 The current baseline conditions concerning depletions of water in the San Juan River have been summarized in the February 1996 Biological Opinion issued for the proposed Animas- La P/lIta Projeet and !lrll ineorporated herein by referMea, In the put four years of the ongoing 7-year research effort. 23 Age-O or Age-1 Colorado squawfish have been captured in low-velocity habitats of the San Juan River. One Colorado squawfish was captured in 1992; 13 were captured in 1993; seven in 1994; and two in 1995. ;,.' EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED ACTION It is anticipated that the proposed action would affect the San Juan River population of Colorado squawfish in two ways. Wild young Colorado squawfish may be collected and sacrificed during the monitoring of the stocked fish. these fish would be lost to the population. However. it is not expected that any increase in the take of young Colorado sQuawfish that is currently allowed tnrough scientific collection permits issued to the researchers will occur, Stocked fish can present problems to resident fish communities. Ryden and Pfeifer (1994) outline several risks associated with stocking fish: straying. hybridization. outbreeding and inbreeding depression. swamping and maladaption, pathogen and parasite transmission, and intra-and interspecific competition. Such risks are not considered significant factors in the proposed action, The fish to be stocked will be taken from production at Dexter National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center; they will be tested to cull any individuals with disease or parasites. The introduction of the stocked fish, should any survive to reproductive age, to the gene pool of San Juan River Colorado squawfish would benefit the San Juan population. Currently available information indicates that there is no difference between the San Juan Colorado squaw fish and Colorado sQuawfish taken from the Upper Basin and used as the Dexter brood stock source for the fish to be used in this investigation (Donald C. Morizot, in Iitt. 1996) No effects to the razorback sucker are expected from this proposed action. Because the proposed action will not alter any primary constituent elements of critical habitat, no effects to the designated critical habitat for either the Colorado squawfish or the razorback sucker are anticipated from the proposed experimental stocking. CUMULATIVE EFFECTS Cumulative effects include the effects of future State. local or private actions that are reasonably certain to occur in the action area considered in this biological opinion. Future Federal actions that are unrelated to the proposed action are not considered in this section because they require separate consultation pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. To date, the Fish and Wildlife Service has no information on planned non- Federal actions that may be considered reasonably certain to occur in the San Juan Basin. INCIDENTAL TAKE 13