Laserfiche WebLink
against which project depletions are assessed in calculating a project's <br />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 <br />certain conservation measures that are currently considered necessary. <br />These measures include but are not limited to monitoring known populations <br />and attempting to locate new areas containing the fish; further analyzing <br />the potential effects of water depletions and associated flow regimen <br />modifications; locating existing and potential spawning and YOY rearing <br />areas; researching and construction various fish passage and habitat <br />restoration features; and producing the fish in a hatchery facility for <br />research and restocking of individuals in existing and historical habitat. <br />Since such measures will develop critically important data on the needs of <br />the fish, funding of these activities by the project sponsor is considered a <br />reasonable conservation measure designed to compensate for the adverse <br />effects of water depletion. Under a procedure developed by the FWS, upper <br />basin project sponsors are assessed a proportion of the total cost needed to <br />support these conservation measures, currently estimated at 25 million <br />dollars. <br />Based upon the water use projection that is being evaluated in this <br />consultation, 356 of/yr for the SI{M Project, the cost of the conservation <br />measures funded that will offset total impacts will not exceed 55,313.43. <br />This dollar amount, when applied to funding of conservation measures <br />identified in this biological opinion, will offset all of the impacts of the <br />9 • <br />