|
APPENDIX P
<br />McClave Canyon Mine Expansion and Fruita Loadout Facility Biological Assessment
<br />4.3.1 Colorado Pikeminhow
<br />4.3.1.1 Specifies Account and Critical -Habitat
<br />Status. The species was included on the 1967 list of native fish and wildlife threatened with
<br />extinction under the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 (see FWS, 1967) and were
<br />included in Appendix 'D, the "United States List of Endangered Native Fish and Wildlife" (FWS,
<br />1970) prior to enactment of the ESA of 1973. Colorado pikeminnows continue to be listed as
<br />. endangered under the ESA (FWS, 2010a).
<br />Threats. In 1973, modification of habitat by construction of large reservoirs was cited as the
<br />primary threat to the species. Adverse conditions associated with cold temperatures in tail
<br />water below dams, reduced flows, and introduced fish species affected pike -minnow
<br />reproduction and survival (FWS, 2002a). Additional threats identified in the species' Recovery
<br />Plan (FWS, 1987) were summarized as a combination of factors including direct loss of habitat,
<br />changes in flow and temperature, blockage of migration routes, and interaction (competition and
<br />predation) with introduced fish species. Degraded water quality by various contaminants
<br />including petroleum products, radionuclides, selenium, pesticides, and heavy metals has been
<br />recognized as potentially or actually suppressing Colorado pikeminnow populations (FWS,
<br />2002'a; FWS, 2009c).
<br />Life History, Habitat, Distribution. Historically, the Colorado pikeminnow occurred in great
<br />numbers throughout the Colorado River system from Green River, Wyoming to the Gulf of
<br />California in Mexico. Adult -Colorado pike -minnows can be found in big, deep water (i.e., eddies,
<br />pools, and other -areas adjacent to the main current flows), whereas young pikeminnows
<br />primarily utilize shallow, quiet backwaters, preferring warm; turbid, and relatively deep sites (<2
<br />feet) with little to no flow (Tyus and Haines, 1991; Woodiing, 1985). Spawning occurs after high
<br />spring runoff flows.with water temperatures ranging from 64°F to 73°F (FWS, 2002a). After
<br />hatching, pikeminnow larvae drift downstream from spawning substrates and typically inhabit in -
<br />channel backwater sites, characterized by warm, deep, and turbid water that historically formed
<br />after spring peak runoff (FWS, 2002a), generally during June, July, and August (FWS, 1994).
<br />Currently, wild populations are found only in the upper Colorado River Basin. In Colorado, they
<br />are found in the Green, Yampa, Little Snake, White, Colorado, Gunnison, San Juan, and
<br />Dolores rivers (Woodiing, 1985; FWS,, 2002a). Spawning sites within the upper Colorado River
<br />are in meandering alluvial reaches (McAda, 2003) probably over cobble -bottomed riffles (Tyus,
<br />1990). Pikeminnow larvae drift downstream after hatching and develop in sandy in -channel
<br />backwaters that form after spring runoff. Juvenile, subadult, and adult Colorado pikeminnows
<br />use pools and runs in nearshore areas, off main channels (Tyus and McAda, 1984; Osmundson
<br />et at., 1995). Adult pikeminnows move to floodplain habitats, flooded tributary mouths, and
<br />flooded side canyons that.are only present during high spring flows, probably in search of other
<br />fish as prey (Tyus, 1990; Osmundson et al., 1995).
<br />Species Recovery. ery. As an amendment and supplement to the Colorado Squawfish .recovery
<br />plan; recovery goals were released for the Colorado pikeminnow in 2002.. Recovery Information
<br />is for the Upper Colorado River Basin, including the Green River, upper Colorado River, and
<br />San Juan River subbasins, because species recovery is only considered necessay in this area
<br />(FWS, 2002a).
<br />Management goals include (FWS, 2002a);
<br />• Provide and legally protect habitat to provide adequate habitat and range for all life
<br />stages.
<br />• Provide passage over barriers in occupied habitat.
<br />• Investigate options for providing appropriate water temperatures in the Gunnison River.
<br />19
<br />PR -02 10/12
<br />
|