WSP08252

• File Number: 8240.300.02
• Description: San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program - Recovery Plans & Information
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 8/9/1992
• Title: San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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1.3.3 Consultation History

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The Colorado squawfish and the humpback chub were listed in 1967
as endangered. Since the passage of the Endangered Species Act
of 1973, two other species of Colorado River fishes have been
listed as endangered; bony tail (1980). and razorback sucker
(199l). As required under section 7 of the Endangered Species
Act all actions of federal agencies that may affect these listed
species must undergo consultation with the U.S. Fish and wildlife
Service. This is to ensure that actions undertaken by a federal
agency will not jeopardize the continued existence of listed
species.

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Since 1977, consultations have been conducted between the Service
and various federal agencies. The most significant of these
consultations have been between the Service and the Bureau of
Reclamation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Several
consultations in the late 1970's and early 1980's resulted in no-
jeopardy biological opinions. However, these consultations were
based on limited information, before recovery goals were defined
for the species, and prior to the recognition of the importance
of the San Juan River populations of Colorado squawfish and
razorback sucker to the overall survival of each species.

Two projects since the early 1980's have undergone section 7
consultation with the Service: Animas-La Plata project and
Navajo Indian Irrigation Project. During the section 7 process
for the Animas-La Plata Project, the importance of the San Juan
River population of endangered fish species was re-evaluated.
The resulting "reasonable and prudent alternative" for the
project was based on the premise that current and cumulative
adverse conditions of the San Juan River jeopardized the
continued existence of the species. In spite of the existing
riverine conditions, however, a small reproducing population of
Colorado squawfish persisted and razorback sucker was documented
in the river.

The impacts discussed in the biological opinion for the Animas La
Plata project focused on water depletion. However, other impacts
associated with water development such as water quality
degradation, contaminants from irrigation return flows, increased
sediment, and temperature changes were also discussed. The same
impacts were discussed and addressed in the Biological Opinion
for the Navajo Indian Irrigation project.

It was recognized that while these impacts may be exacerbated by
continued development of the waters of the San Juan River, a
program or plan is needed whereby all entities that have a
potential or opportunity to recover or protect the river
environment are involved. The basis for such a program was
established in the biological opinion for the Animas-La Plata
Project and further supported in the opinion for the NIIP. Thus,