2010-11-16_PERMIT FILE - C1996083A (27)

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n U 21 endangered fishes. To the extent that the Project will reduce flows, the ability of the river to provide these functions will be reduced. Biotoeical Environment The modification of flow regimes, water temperatures, sediment levels, and other habitat conditions caused by water depletions has contributed to the establishment of nonnative fishes. To the extent that it would reduce flows and contribute to further habitat alteration, the Project would contribute to an increase in nonnative fish populations. Endangered fishes would experience increased competition and predation as a result. Summary The Service has concluded that the depletion of water caused by the Project will impact the primary constituent elements necessary for the survival and recovery of endangered fishes in the Upper Basin. Without actions taken to offset impacts, further flow reductions aze likely to jeopazdize the continued existence of the endangered fishes and adversely modify or destroy their critical habitat. The Gunnison River is an essential component of the habitat of the endangered fishes in the Colorado River Basin and is important in ensuring survival of these species in the event populations aze lost in other subbasins as a result of catastrophic events such as oil spills. REASONABLE AND PRUDENT ALTERNATIVE Regulations (50 CFR 402.02) implementing section 7 of the Act define reasonable and prudent alternatives as alternative actions, identified during formal consultation, that: (1) can be . implemented in a manner consistent with the intended purpose of the action; (2) can be implemented consistent with the scope of the action agency's legal authority and jurisdiction; (3) aze economically and technologically feasible; and (4) would, the Service believes, avoid the likelihood of jeopazdizing the continued existence of listed species or resulting in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. Backeround On January 21-22, 1988, the Secretary of the Interior; the Governors of Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah; and the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration were cosigners of a Cooperative Agreement to implement the "Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin" (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1987). An objective of the Recovery Program was to recover the listed species while providing for new water development in the Upper rsin. • In order to further define and clarify processes outlined in sections 4.1.5, 4.1.6, and 5.3.4 of the Recovery Program, a Section 7 Agreement and a Recovery Implementation Program Recovery Action Plan was developed (LJ.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1993). The Agreement establishes a