2010-11-22_REVISION - M2009023 (7)

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t?ENT Op :94 y? ?4q? 'a1,9 [N REPLY REFER TO: ES/GJ-6-CO-03-F-020 MS 65412 GJ Lt. Colonel Michael J. Conrad U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District 1325 J Street Sacramento, California 95814-2922 FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE s J? Ecological Services yJ?, 764 Horizon Drive, Building B Grand Junction, Colorado 81506-3946 May 26, 2005 /Dear Colonel Conrad: J N ARMY Od1tP?F EtJ61 "?" n?cl?rven MAY 27 205 OURANCO RWULATORY OFFICE Cb c kr In accordance with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the Interagency Cooperation Regulations (50 CFR 402), this transmits the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's final biological opinion for impacts to federally listed threatened and endangered species for Department of the Army permit application number 200375243, for the proposed Long Hollow Reservoir Project. This biological opinion has been reviewed by and prepared in cooperation with our Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ecological Services Field Office in Region 2 of the Service. This biological opinion is in response to your July 16, 2004, correspondence requesting initiation of consultation for the Long Hollow Reservoir Project. The Service concurs that the proposed project may adversely affect the Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus Lucius) and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) and their designated critical habitat on the San Juan River. This biological opinion does not rely on the regulatory definition of "destruction or adverse modification" of critical habitat at 50 C.F.R. 402.02. Instead, we have relied upon the statutory provisions of the Endangered Species Act to complete the following analysis with respect to critical habitat. The Service concurs with your conclusion the proposed project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the threatened bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). This is based on the following information presented in the addendum to the biological assessment: 1) no bald eagle nests have been identified in the project area; 2) the project area does not provide quality habitat for bald eagle nesting or roosting; 3) creation of an open water reservoir may attract bald eagles; 4) bald eagles will likely avoid the project area during construction due to loud noises and construction activity; and 5) regular and increased flows during irrigation season downstream of the proposed Long Hollow Reservoir in the La Plata River could benefit cottonwood growth and recruitment. United States Department of the Interior The Service also concurs that the proposed project may affect, but is not likely'to adversely affect the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillfi extimus). This