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current knowledge, FWS estimates that it is possible legally and physically <br />to deplete an additional 1.675 million acre-feet/ year (Maf) in the Green <br />and Colorado River sub-basins. FWS believes that for population levels of <br />listed fishes to be maintained with such additional depletions, it is <br />essential to implement conservation measures. <br />Funding levels for conservation measures are based upon the amount of <br />projected average annual water depletions (acre~eet/year) from the upper <br />Colorado River system for the project under consultation, in proportion to the <br />1.675 Maf available for development. It has been estimated by the Bureau of <br />Reclamation that a total of 1.906 Maf remains available for development in the <br />upper Colorado River basin under the Colorado River Compact. Of this amount, <br />231,000 of are allocated to Arizona and New Mexico and will eventually be <br />diverted from the San Juan River and would not affect reaches currently <br />occupied by the endangered fishes in the Colorado and Green River sub-basins. <br />This leaves 1.675 Maf in a portion of the upper Colorado River basin as the <br />value against which project depletions are assessed in calculating a project's <br />equitable proportion of the conservation measure costs. <br />The effects of depletions that bring present day flows down to lower levels <br />are to be offset by the project sponsor funding these measures which are <br />outlined in active research and management plans. FWS has identified certain <br />conservation measures that are currently considered necessary. These measures <br />include but are not limited to monitoring known populations and attempting to <br />locate new areas containing the fish; further analyzing the potential effects <br />of water depletions and associated flow regimen modifications; locating <br />existing and potential spawning and YOY rearing areas; researching and <br />constructing various fish passage and habitat restoration features; and <br />producing the fish in a hatchery facility for research and restocking of <br /> <br />individuals in existing and historical habitat. . <br />Since such measures will develop critically important data on the needs of the: <br />fishes, Funding of these activities by the project sponsor is considered a <br />reasonable conservation measure designed to compensate for the adverse effects <br />of water depletion. Under a procedure developed by the FWS, upper basin <br />project sponsors are assessed a proportion of the total cost needed to support: <br />these conservation measures, currently estimated at 25 million dollars. <br />Based upon the average annual water use projection that is being evaluated in <br />this consultation, 356 of/yr for the S1:M Project, the cost of the conservation <br />measures to be funded that will offset total impacts will not exceed <br />$5,313.43. This dollar amount, when applied to funding of conservation <br />measures, will offset all of the impacts of the depletions of water analyzed <br />in this opinion on the Colorado squawfish, humpback chub, and bonytail chub. <br />This is a one-time cost which should be remitted to the P.egional Director, <br />U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P. 0. Box 25486, Denver, Colorado, 80225. FWS <br />has received a written commitment from SKM to fund conservation measures in <br />this amount. FWS believes that the appropriate time for the remittance of <br />funds is at that time when final Federal approvals are given for project <br />construction. We request that copies of Federal permits, Record of Decision, <br />and other Federal authorizing documents related to this project be sent to <br />this office ac the time of issuance. <br />6 <br />• <br />