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On a related note, American Soda fins substantive agreement with the Colorado River Water Conservation District that 200 acre-feet of Wolfotd Mountain water is available for purchase. American Soda intends to purchase this water in the near future as inc~,rance against priority calls on the Colorado River. This water is considered sufficient to prevent interruptions to those volumes necessary to sustain mining and processing make-up needs during years of extreme low flow (i.e., the driest 1 in 20 years). American Soda has indicated a willingness to release this water on an annual basis in a manner complementing endangered fish recovery efforts when not necessary for their use. It is assumed that the mechanics and details of this agreement would need to be developed through further coordination once a contract is negotiated. Summary In summary, BLM fords that the Yankee Gulch Sodium Minerals Project is likely to adversely affect listed Colorado River fishes from the standpoint of downstream depletion effects (average annual consumption of 1158 acre-feet) and potential for future larval entrainment. We do not believe this project poses any foreseeable threat to the fish or their habitat with regazd to water contamination, adverse modification of the critical habitat features within the 100-yeaz floodplain, or impingement against the intake screens. Over the course of this project, BLM would notify the Service of any changes that.may influence the findings presented in this amendment or the original Biological Assessment, and reinitiate Section 7 consultation if necessary. As always, if you have any questions or require further information concerning this Biological Assessment, please contact Ed Hollowed of my staff. Sincerely, John Mehlhoff Area Manager Attachments: Responses to Questions raised from Original Biological Assessment (1 page)