WSP08124

• File Number: 8220.106
• Description: Animas-La Plata
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 10/1/1996
• Title: Animas-La Plata Project Summary Information
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

January 1990:

Feb1'UllTJ 1990:

May 4, 1990:

June 1990:

October 9, 1990:

October-November 1990:

March 4, 1991:

March 21, 1991:

July-October 1991:

October 22,1991:

The Funding Agreement and Repayment Contract between the
United States and the San Juan Water Commission, New Mexico, is
completed.

Reclamation re-initiates ESA consultation based on new fishery
information.

U.S. F&WL Service issues a Draft Biological Opinion on the
Project; a jeopardy opinion with no reasonable and prudent
alternative.

Reclamation met with a number of State, Federal, and private field
biologists who are knowledgeable regarding endangered Colorado
squaw fish and razorback sucker. The meetings focused on the
biological basis of the draft opinion and the availability of stored
water in Navajo Reservoir, after fuU depletions by Colorado and New
Mexico, to meet critical flow needs of the endangered fish through
changes in Navajo Reservoir operation.

Meeting to discuss the process to develop a potential alternative to the
draft biological opinion for the Project was held in Salt Lake City,
Utah. Representatives from Reclamation, the Service, Indian tribes,
project sponsors, and water users, and Upper Colorado Basin States
were in attendance. Environmental groups were invited but did not
attend. Three teams; biological team, hydrology team, and legal
team, and their chairpersons and respective first meeting dates were
identified.

Meetings of the biological team were held in Denver, Colorado. The
team determined there was a defensible biological basis for the
Project that would allow for the development of a "Reasonable and
Prudent Alternative. "

Reclamation transmits to Service a recommended reasonable and
prudent alternative to avoid jeopardy. The alternative contains the
recommendations of the biology team and includes the development
of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the approprioJe
parties to protect San Juan River flows for the endangered fish and
agree to participation in a San Juan Basin Recovery Implementation
Program.

Service issues revised draft Biological Opinion for the Project;
jeopardy with a reasonable and prudent alternative.

Negotiations regarding the MOU continue including the development
of a supplemental agreement which provides protection of flows until
the MOU is signed by all parties.

Notice of Intent to sue from the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund et.
al. The Notice of Intent raises questions about compUance with the

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