WSP07846

• File Number: 8240.200.48.D.3
• Description: Wolford Mountain
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/13/1992
• Title: Wolford Mountain Reservoir Water Substitution - Record of Decision
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Record of Decision

~ ECORD OF DECstON
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biological opinion to partially support recovery activities under
the Recovery Implementation Program and;

b. The signing of a memorandum of understanding between
the Service and the District that provides for water releases of
3,000 acre-feet from Wolford Mountain Reservoir during July l5 to
October l5 to augment flows in the 15-mile reach of the
~ainstream Colorado River between Palisade, Colorado (river mile
170), and its confluence with the Gunnison River (river mile l85)
on an interim basis until the Recovery Implementation Program has
acquired and protected an equivalent amount of water.

2. Commitments agreed to in relation to the Service
endangered species Biological Opinion on Osterhout's milkvetch
for the Wolford Mountain Reservoir Project dated February 7,
1990 :

a. Prior to construction, off-site compensation will be
reauired. The District will provide 50 percent funding for
acauisition of a 52.5-acre tract of land in the Troublesome Creek
drainage which contains the milkvetch. This tract of land will
be acquired through the cooperative efforts of the District, BLM,
and the Nature Conservancy. The District will also purchase a
tract of land at least 20 acres in size containing the milkvetch
west of the reservoir site, subject to BLM approval in
consultation with the Service. This land will be donated to BLM
and managed in cooperation with BLM, the Service, and the
Colorado Natural Areas Program.

b. For the life of the project, the District will manage
the Wolford Mountain project area containing Osterhout's
milkvetch as part of the recreation plan. Management strategies
will include the location of developed recreation sites away from
areas containing the plant and precluding activities such as
vehicular access that will impact milkvetch habitat.

c. During construction, the District will have a
qualified rare plant biologist inspect the flagged access road
alignment and other construction activities in the areas of known
plant occurrence and reroute these features where necessary if
determined feasible by BLM.

d. Prior to filling the reservoir, a study will be
conducted to determine the success of vegetative manipulation and
transportation of seeds or adult specimens into new habitat.
Commencement of the study is subject to permit approval by the
Service under authority of the Endangered Species Act.