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<br />.' <br /> <br />a <br />c.") <br />,":") <br /> <br />28 <br /> <br />c.~) <br />w <br /> <br />the aquatic community. However, the San Juan River may be <br />reaching its assimilation capacity for many, if not all, specific <br />contaminants. <br /> <br />3.4.2 Course of Action <br /> <br />3.4.2.1 Research <br /> <br />a. Historic water quality information on the San Juan <br />River will be compiled, evaluated, and synthesized. <br />Particular emphasis will be given to the Animas River <br />and other tributaries and their contributions to the <br />water quality of the mainstem San Juan River. <br /> <br />b. Types and sources of contaminants will be identified <br />and characterized. <br /> <br />c. Research will be initiated to determine and quantify <br />the biological effects of various forms of selenium and <br />other contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic <br />hydrocarbons (PAHs), on survival, growth, and <br />reproduction of endangered fishes and other native fish <br />species. <br /> <br />d. Changes in water chemistry will be investigated and <br />compared to the hydrologic cycle as well as to identify <br />changes caused by inflows and discharges. <br /> <br />e. A monitoring program will be instituted at a series of <br />sites to systematically characterize the water quality <br />of used and potential habitats of the endangered fish <br />species in addition to sampling the problem areas. <br />This program will also be used to evaluate the <br />effectiveness of any recovery action initiated as a <br />result of this research. <br /> <br />3.4.2.2 Recovery <br /> <br />a. Numerous studies and monitoring programs have produced <br />data on different aspects of water quality in the San <br />Juan River basin. A data base, utilizing existing <br />information, will be developed. This information will <br />form the basis upon which to evaluate and characterize <br />current conditions and to determine courses of action <br />for remedying any identified problems. Expansion of <br />environmental monitoring, in concert with specific <br />investigations on both acute and chronic biological <br />responses of the native community to contaminants, will <br />be implemented to increase and improve the data base <br />for consideration of water quality issues in recovery <br />decisions and actions. <br />