2011-05-12_PERMIT FILE - M2011028 (2)

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Recently documented records of wild razorback sucker in the San Juan River are limited to two fish captured in a riverside pond near Bluff, Utah, in 1976, and one fish captured in the river in 1988, also near Bluff (Ryden 2000b). Large numbers were anecdotally reported from a drained pond near Bluff in 1976, but no specimens were preserved to verify species. No wild razorback sucker were found during the 7- year research period (1991-1997) of the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program (SJRRIP) (Holden 1999). Hatchery-reared razorback sucker, especially larger fish (> 350 mm), introduced into the San Juan River in the 1990s have survived into subsequent years and reproduced, as evidenced by recapture data and collection of larval fish (Ryden 2000b). Razorback sucker presently have access to the San Juan River from the San Juan arm of Lake Powell, near Piute Farms Marina (RM 0) upstream to the Hogback Diversion (RM 158.6). The Hogback Diversion has recently been rebuilt and now includes a fish ladder, and no longer prevents upstream movement of fish at all flows. The Cudei Diversion (RM 142.0) is located downstream of the Hogback Diversion, and is passable by fish during high flows. Three other diversions also act as barriers to upstream fish movement; i.e., Four Corners Generating Station Diversion (RM 163.3), San Juan Generating Station Diversion (RM 166.1), Fruitland Diversion (RM 177.2). All five diversions would have to be modified to allow razorback sucker access to upstream reaches and the Animas River (Masslich and Holden 1996). Razorback sucker in the San Juan River subbasin are separated from the Upper Colorado River and Green River subbasins by about 320 km across Lake Powell, habitat not normally inhabited by razorback sucker, but through which passage is possible. Movement of razorback sucker between the San Juan River and the Upper Colorado River and Green River subbasins has not been documented. 3.2.3 Proximity to Project Area Razorback sucker are currently found outside of the project area, in the San Juan River. Basin Creek (drains Ridges Basin) enters the Animas River approximately 45 river miles upstream from the confluence with the San Juan River at Farmington, NM. The confluence of the Animas River is located at approximately RM 181 on the San Juan River (i.e., distance upstream from Piute Farms Marina, Lake Powell). The upstream most distribution of razorback sucker in the San Juan River is the Hogback Diversion at RM 158.6. The Hogback Diversion has now been rebuilt, however, and includes a fish ladder, so this may change in the future. The upper end of critical habitat for razorback sucker is the Hogback Diversion, and hence, the distance from Basin Creek to critical habitat of razorback sucker is about 67 river miles. 3.3 Bald Eagle 3.3.1 Status and Critical Habitat The bald eagle is associated with aquatic ecosystems throughout its range, which formerly included most of the North American continent. Bald eagles are known to feed and roost at Lemon Reservoir and along the Animas and La Plata Rivers. The Animas and La Plata Rivers, and other stream corridors in the area are important wintering areas for bald eagles. The birds arrive in the area in mid-November and leave by late March or early April. Only a small number of bald eagles remain in the southwest each spring to nest and rear young. There are no active bald eagle nests within, or in the immediate vicinity of, the project area (Interior 1999). Two nests with a history of production are known in the Animas River drainage between Durango and the San Juan River. One is in Colorado, approximately 10 miles north of the state line; the other is in New Mexico about 1 mile south of the state line. These nests have not been reported active recently, presumably because of increased human encroachment in the area. B-9 Weerninuche Construction Atlthir R0. Box AA - Towaoc, CO 8130: 4 ,ew tmAS cLAr_c rr_ e- AvE. L.. E.144 i &(T 14 - PAGcc H - I- I