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\\ ,-',\...: . WESTE~"-; STATES WAllER . OfHG3S TIlE WEEKLY NEWSLETfER OF TIlE WESTERN STATES WATER CO Creekview Plaza, Suite A-201/942 East 7145 So./ Midvale, Utah 84047 / (801) 561-5300 I FAX (801) 255-%42 Editor - Norm Johnson Typist - Carrie Curvin E~RONMENTNVATERRESOURCES Endangered Species Act (ESA)/Colorado River Basin . The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has released draft overview and biological and economic analyses of proposed critical habitat designations for endangered Colorado River fishes. The three documents summarize major issues. A public notice, published Nov. 12, began a 60-day comment period that closes Jan. 11, 1994. Eight public hearings have been scheduled (4-8 p.m.) for the following dates and locations: Nov. 29 - Salt Lake Hilton in Utah, and the Clark County Commission Chamber in Las Vegas, Nevada; Nov. 30 - Cheyenne Holiday Inn in Wyoming and the Cobra Valley Country Club in Globe, Arizona; Dec. 1 - Grand Junction Hilton in Colorado, and Sinagua High School in Flagstaff, Arizona; Dec. 2 - The Inn-Best Western in Farmington, New Mexico; and Dec. 3 - Feldheym Library in San Bernadino, California. Call Robert Williams (801) 975-3630 for information. Send comments to Field Supervisor, FWS, 2060 Admin. Bldg., 1745 West 1700 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104-5110 (58 FR 59979). The economic analysis determines the incremental Impacts of the critical habitat designation, in addition to the effects of listing only, for the Colorado squawfish, razorback sucker, humpback chub, and bonytail chub. Economic growth data and activity levels were projected for 20 sectors through the year 2020. The report concludes that overall impact for the Colorado River Basin is positive, but the impacts are unevenly distributed. . The positive incremental output for the basin totals $167M (using a 3% discount rate, in 1982 dollars). Calnornia would gain $262.6M. Utah and New Mexico would lose $63.4M and $60.1M, respectively. Chairman - Dave Kennedy Executive Director - Craig Bell According to the report, "The reasons for these differences lie in the nature of proposed recovery efforts.... Streamflow requirements and operational changes at federal reservoirs may negatively impact recreation,...power production, and future consumptive water uses in some geographic areas, while these same recovery efforts may enhance economic activity in other areas. This phenomena is particularly notable [in)...California.... Increased water availability in the lower basin...may significantly benefit that state's economy." With respect to differences between economic sectors within a state, Colorado would lose an expected $27,3M in livestock feed, $20M in recreation services, and $21.1 M in electric power production, but gain an estimated $35M from combined manufacturing and $32.3M in new construction. Overall, Colorado's incremental output would increase $1 M. Arizona, Nevada, and Wyoming would lose $2-5M. Incremental earnings impacts, indirect business and personal taxes, and employment are also estimated. A team of economists and biologists identified management practices that might need to be altered to ensure recovery of the fishes and then identified sectors of the economy that would likely be impacted. While the Upper Basin and San Juan River have approved recovery implementation programs (RIPs) designed to reduce economic and environmental conflicts, the report assumes neither will show suflicient and timely progress in recovering endangered fishes. Thus, some planned water developments may be modified, scaled back, or foregone. Given this assumption, the potential magnitude of economic impacts provides an upper bound associated with the proposed critical habitat designations. The analysis does not estimate impacts that may result should ESA consultation requirements