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'-~_~;~_7. -'+"1" ~ , COLOnADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS ANII1AS LA PLATA PROJECT SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT June'17 1992 We have identified the following issues and concerns related to the Animas-La Plata water development project. The Burea~ of Reclamation (BOR) is in the process of preparing a supplemental Environmental impact statement (SEIS) as described in the notice of intent to prepare draft supplemental, Federal Register, Vol. 57, No. 83. The concerns and issues are identified and reoommendations for potential mitigation are given. Many of these concerns can only be addressed by collection of additional information which cannot be obtained in the short time frame available. It is our understanding that these recommendations will be used in the development of th~ Planning Aid Memorandum which will transmit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mitigation recommendations to BOR. Im~~ets to Aauatic Resources in the Animas River Concerns: sport fish populations in the Animas River from 32nd street to Purple cliffs now meet the criteria for Gold Medal streams; however, we will not be requesting designation at this time. It is likely that there is a significant trout fishery below Purple Cliffs, at least to the confluence of the Florida and Animas. Barry Nehring's work later this year should help determine fishery composition on stretches below Purple Cliffs, on both private and Southern ute tribal lands. Decreased flow may reduce habitat, potentially increa.se temperature, and affect channel structure. Icing may increase. Because of the continuing clean up of the Animas, including ongoing studies/remediation of mining impacts, the river could pot~ntially provide spawning habitat in the future. Red\1ctions in habitat may cause an increase in competition between large and small fish. Disease could increase with decreased flows. Impacts to native fishes, incl~ding roundtail chub and flannelmouth sucker, should be described. The relationships between flow needs for endangered fishes in the San Juan River, sport fish in the Animas River, and native fish in the Animas need to be identified. Decreased sport fish populations in the Animas would presumably lead to decreases in recreational use. IFIM data collected by BOR in late 1970's is not compatible with updated techniques. Potential Mitiqation: * BOR should fund interagency collection of usable IFIM data, modelling, and monitoring. Flows shOUld be modelled for both the sport fishery and the native fishery. The compatibility (or lack thereof) of the desired flow regimes (native/sport) should be 1