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CHAPTER 3 <br />AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES <br />Refined Alternative 4 Special Status Species Impact 4 - Significant: The operation of the ALP <br />Project without offsetting measures could adversely affect the Colorado pikeminnow and <br />razorback sucker in the San Juan River. <br />Effects of the project on the listed Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker were the subject of the <br />October 25, 1991 and February 26, 1996 Biological Opinions for the project. The Service determined <br />that the project as described in 1991 and 1996 would likely jeopardize the continued existence of these <br />species by appreciably reducing the likelihood of both survival and recovery of the species in the wild by <br />further reducing its numbers, reproduction, and distribution. <br />The Service's Biological Opinions included a set of Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs) to <br />avoid jeopardizing the existence of the Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker. For the 1991 <br />Biological Opinion (Service 1991), these RPAs were: <br />? An ALP Project that results in an initial depletion of 57,100 afy; <br />? Seven years of research to determine endangered fish habitat needs; <br />? Operation of Navajo Dam to provide a wide range of flow conditions for the endangered fish; <br />? A guarantee that the Navajo Reservoir would be operated for the life of the Project to mimic a <br />natural hydrograph based on the research; and <br />? Legal protection for the reservoir releases to and through the endangered fish habitat to Lake <br />Powell and a commitment to develop and implement a Recovery Implementation Program for the <br />San Juan River. <br />The RPAs advanced by the 1996 Biological Opinion (Service 1996) were similar and included the <br />following: <br />? A project that results in an initial depletion of 57,100 afy (Phase I, Stage A only); <br />? Research to determine endangered fish habitat needs; <br />? Operation of the Navajo Dam to provide a wide range of flow conditions for the endangered fish, <br />including low winter flows; <br />? A procedure to implement flow recommendations; <br />? A commitment to release peak flows out of Navajo Dam as agreed upon with the Biology and. <br />Navajo Dam Operating Committees; <br />? A guarantee that, based on the=results of the research program and dependent upon the prevailing <br />hydrology, Navajo Dam would be operated for the life of the ALP Project to mimic a natural <br />hydrograph;and <br />? Legal protection for the reservoir releases instream to and through the endangered fish habitat to <br />Lake Powell. <br />Weerninuche Construction Authority <br />- (r <br />P.O. 3.7 SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES 3-118 Box AA - 1 ou?aoc 51334 <br />jaN 1 M A 5 el.?-I E 9-.A-4 CL ? <br />C'lc t-k K - 9 AGC (-k t