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The life stages that appear to be most critical are from egg fertilization <br />through its first year of life. It has been demonstrated that these phases of <br />squawfish development are also closely tied to some specific habitat <br />requirements. It is imperative that proper flows and temperatures are <br />provided during these essential life stages. <br />FWS believes that adverse impacts to Colorado squawfish related to project <br />water depletions can be offset by carrying out certain conservation measures. <br />FWS has a written commitment from the SKM project proponents to carry out <br />certain conservation measures for endangered fishes, measures which are <br />specifically stated later in this document. FWS believes that such measures <br />will lead to research and management actions that will offset any adverse <br />impacts due to the SRM project on federally listed fishes; therefore, the SKM <br />project is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the Colorado <br />squawfish. <br />Humpback chub <br />Humpback chub generally do not make migrational movements in the upper <br />Colorado River and tend to reside throughout the year within a limited reach <br />of river. In the Colorado River, humpback chub are found inhabiting narrow, <br />deep canyon areas typified by jettied flow and deep water. They seldom leave <br />their canyon habitats (Miller, et al, 1982). While the humpback chub are <br />still 'occasionally found dispersed in the Green and Yampa Rivers, the major <br />populations of humpback chub conclusively known to erist in the upper Colorado <br />River basin are located in Black Rocks and Westwater Canyons on the Colorado <br />River, near the Utah-Colorado state line. • <br />Since conservation measures for endangered fishes have been made a part of <br />this project, SKM is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the <br />humpback chub. <br />Bonytail chub <br />Little is known about the biological requirements of the bonytail chub, as th~z <br />species greatly declined in numbers in the upper basin shortly after 1960. <br />Until recently, FWS considered the species extirpated from the upper basin; <br />however, a recently collected specimen which exhibits many bonytail <br />characteristics could indicate a small, extant population. It is thought <br />that, should this species persist in the Colorado River basin, the preferred <br />habitat would be larger river reaches in the Colorado and Green Rivers. <br />Again, because conservation measures will be carried out to offset any SK.*1 <br />project impacts on federally listed fishes, the SP.M is not likely to <br />jeopardize the continued existence of the bonytail chub. <br /> <br />4 <br />