Laserfiche WebLink
Page 4 <br /> • pounds. Historically, it was the most common member of the genus Gila in the <br /> Colorado River basin, but has declined in distribution and abundance at some <br /> locales in recent years. In Colorado, it is found in the Colorado, White, <br /> Yampa, Dolores, San Juan, and Gunnison rivers. The roundtail chub is a large <br /> river fish, and occupies slow moving waters adjacent to areas of faster water. <br /> Young-of-the-year prefer shallow river runs, while juveniles concentrate in <br /> river eddies and irrigation ditches. The chub has declined in the Gunnison <br /> River, possibly due to coldwater releases from the Curecanti Project. For <br /> more information regarding this species biology and distribution, contact this <br /> office, or the Colorado River Fishery Project at 303-245-9319. <br /> Additional details regarding Penstemon mensarum are not available at this <br /> time. You may contact Dr. Lucy Jordan in this office if more information is <br /> required. <br /> Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act, as amended, requires that the <br /> Federal agency authorizing a major Federal action significantly affecting the <br /> quality of the human environment to conduct and submit to the Service a <br /> biological assessment to determine effects of the proposal on listed species. <br /> The biological assessment shall be completed within 180 days after the date on <br /> which initiated or a time mutually agreed upon between the agency and the <br /> Service. The assessment must be completed before physical project <br /> modification/alteration begins. If the biological assessment is not begun <br /> • within 90 days, the species list above should be verified prior to initiation <br /> of the assessment. Therefore, the Forest Service should evaluate the <br /> potential impacts of this project and determine if the action may affect any <br /> listed species. If a determination is •may affect' for listed species, the <br /> Forest Service must request in writing formal consultation from this office <br /> and should provide this office with a biological assessment, and any other <br /> relevant information used in making impact determinations. <br /> The Fish and Wildlife Service can enter into formal Section 7 consultation <br /> only with the Bureau of Land Management. State, county, or other governmental <br /> or private organizations can participate in the informal consultation process, <br /> help prepare information such as the biological assessment, participate in <br /> meetings, etc. <br /> Your attention is also directed to Section 7(d) of the Endangered Species Act, <br /> as amended, which underscores the requirement that the Federal agency or the <br /> applicant shall not make any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of <br /> resources during the consultation period which, in effect, would deny the <br /> formulation or implementation of reasonable and prudent alternatives regarding <br /> their actions on any endangered or threatened species. <br /> The memorandum and map you provided were very helpful in preparing this <br /> species list. We concur with the conclusions you have tentatively reached for <br /> the ferruginous hawk, northern goshawk, southwest willow flycatcher, white- <br /> faced ibis, and whooping crane. The long-billed curlew was designated a <br /> • category 3C candidate species on November 21, 1991, meaning it was determined <br /> to be more abundant or widespread than previously believed. Further <br /> investigation appears warranted to determine whether impacts will occur to the <br /> other federally listed and candidate species. We appreciate your attention to <br />