Common use of Loss, Destruction, Modification, or Fragmentation of Habitat Clause in Contracts

Loss, Destruction, Modification, or Fragmentation of Habitat. ‌ Water Quality and Loss of Water Resources‌ Degradation of water quality is a primary threat to the Covered Species and other desert riparian species. Poor water quality negatively impacts species survival and affects the function of the local ecosystem. Low water levels and contaminants (Xxxxxx 2007) exacerbate poor water quality conditions, resulting in potential damage to habitat of the Covered Species. Recent pumping of water from Black River, extreme drought events, along with other increased water withdrawals for commercial and other purposes, have caused the amount of surface flow in the watershed to decline significantly (Xxxxxx 2007). Additional reduction in flow could raise the water temperature, cause pools to stagnate, and cease surface flow altogether. Low-water crossings on both the Black and Delaware rivers are utilized frequently by both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks associated with construction activities including, but not limited to, oil and gas development. Vehicles utilizing low-water crossings could discharge pollutants (liquids or solids) (BLM 2016) in violation of the Clean Water Act or the Oil Pollution Act that could impact the Covered Species. Inadvertent transport of contaminants and contaminated soils by otherwise legal traffic usage may also occur. The topography and steep slopes of these low-water crossings could allow spilled contaminates and contaminated soils to directly enter into the surface water of the river and negatively impact the species (Xxxxx 1986; Xxxxx and Xxxxx 1989; Xxxxxxxxxx 1982, 1984). Golden Algae is a warm water alga that occasionally erupts (blooms) in the Pecos River (Maning and La Claire 2010). A change to the water quality has been shown to increase chances of Golden Algae blooms (Xxxxx and Xx Xx Xxxx 1989). In contrast, high instream flows can terminate or suppress Golden Algae blooms (Xxxxxx 2010). These blooms originate in the Pecos River and have been found at the mouth of the Black River. By depleting the river of oxygen, blooms of Golden Algae and associated toxins would likely result in irreparable harm to the Covered Species. Water temperatures are lower in the Delaware River compared to other sites in the Pecos River, making it less susceptible to Golden Algae blooms. Maintaining adequate water flow in the Black River will help reduce the potential for Golden Algae blooms that can impact the Covered Species. Runoff and Erosion‌ Historical land use activities, such as construction and livestock overgrazing, have decreased water absorption potential of topsoil, thus increasing erosion and runoff. Erosion and runoff are sources of fine sediment that can accumulate in a watershed, degrade or eliminate habitat for the Covered Species, and smother individual Texas Hornshells. Native grasses have decreased along the riverbanks, and the vegetative component has shifted to woody plants (Xxxxxx 2007). In many cases, these activities have caused changes in stream morphology, changes in substrate composition, increases in drainage entrenchment and bank collapse, and increases in pulse discharge into the river, providing better habitat for exotic competitors (i.e., Corbicula fluminea) (NMDGF 2008).

Loss, Destruction, Modification, or Fragmentation of Habitat. ‌ Water Quality and Loss of Water Resources‌ Resources Degradation of water quality is a primary threat to the Covered Species and other desert riparian species. Poor water quality negatively impacts species survival and affects the function of the local ecosystem. Low water levels and contaminants (Xxxxxx 2007) exacerbate poor water quality conditions, resulting in potential damage to habitat of the Covered Species. Recent commercial pumping of water from Black River, extreme drought events, along with other increased water withdrawals for commercial and other purposes, purposes have caused the amount of surface flow in the watershed to decline significantly (Xxxxxx 2007). Additional reduction in flow could raise the water temperature, cause pools to stagnate, and cease surface flow altogether. Low-water crossings on both the Black and Delaware rivers are utilized frequently by both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks associated with construction activities including, but not limited to, oil and gas development. Vehicles utilizing low-water crossings could discharge pollutants pollutantsmaterials (liquids or solids) (BLM 2016) in violation of the Clean Water Act or the Oil Pollution Act that could impact the Covered Species. Inadvertent transport of contaminants and contaminated soils by otherwise legal traffic usage may also occur. The topography and steep slopes of these low-water crossings could allow spilled contaminates and contaminated soils to directly enter into the surface water of the river and negatively impact the species (Xxxxx 1986; Xxxxx and Xxxxx 1989; Xxxxxxxxxx 1982, 1984). Golden Algae is a warm water alga that occasionally erupts (blooms) in the Pecos River (Maning and La Claire 2010). A change to the water quality has been shown to increase chances of Golden Algae blooms (Xxxxx and Xx Xx Xxxx 1989). In contrast, high instream flows can terminate or suppress Golden Algae blooms (Xxxxxx 2010). These blooms originate in the Pecos River and have been found at the mouth of the Black River. By depleting the river of oxygen, blooms of Golden Algae and associated toxins would likely result in irreparable harm to the Covered Species. Water temperatures are lower in the Delaware River compared to other sites in the Pecos River, making it less susceptible to Golden Algae blooms. Maintaining adequate water flow in the Black River will help reduce the potential for Golden Algae blooms that can impact the Covered Species. Runoff and Erosion‌ Erosion Historical land use activities, such as construction and livestock overgrazing, have decreased water absorption potential of topsoil, thus increasing erosion and runoff. Erosion and runoff are sources of fine sediment that can accumulate in a watershed, degrade or eliminate habitat for the Covered Species, and smother individual Texas Hornshells. Native grasses have decreased along the riverbanks, and the vegetative component has shifted to woody plants (Xxxxxx 2007). In many cases, these activities have caused changes in stream morphology, changes in substrate composition, increases in drainage entrenchment and bank collapse, and increases in pulse discharge into the river, providing better habitat for exotic competitors (i.e., Corbicula fluminea) (NMDGF 2008).

Loss, Destruction, Modification, or Fragmentation of Habitat. ‌ Water Quality and Loss of Water Resources‌ Degradation of water quality is a primary threat to the Covered Species and other desert riparian species. Poor water quality negatively impacts species survival and affects the function of the local ecosystem. Low water levels and contaminants (Xxxxxx 2007) exacerbate poor water quality conditions, resulting in potential damage to habitat of the Covered Species. Recent pumping of water from Black River, extreme drought events, along with other increased water withdrawals for commercial and other purposes, purposes have caused the amount of surface flow in the watershed to decline significantly (Xxxxxx 2007). Additional reduction in flow could raise the water temperature, cause pools to stagnate, and cease surface flow altogether. Low-water crossings on both the Black and Delaware rivers are utilized frequently by both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks associated with construction activities including, but not limited to, oil and gas development. Vehicles utilizing low-water crossings could discharge pollutants (liquids or solids) (BLM 2016) in violation of the Clean Water Act or the Oil Pollution Act that could impact the Covered Species. Inadvertent transport of contaminants and contaminated soils by otherwise legal traffic usage may also occur. The topography and steep slopes of these low-water crossings could allow spilled contaminates and contaminated soils to directly enter into the surface water of the river and negatively impact the species (Xxxxx 1986; Xxxxx and Xxxxx 1989; Xxxxxxxxxx 1982, 1984). Golden Algae is a warm water alga that occasionally erupts (blooms) in the Pecos River (Maning and La Claire 2010). A change to the water quality has been shown to increase chances of Golden Algae blooms (Xxxxx and Xx Xx Xxxx 1989). In contrast, high instream flows can terminate or suppress Golden Algae blooms (Xxxxxx 2010). These blooms originate in the Pecos River and have been found at the mouth of the Black River. By depleting the river of oxygen, blooms of Golden Algae and associated toxins would likely result in irreparable harm to the Covered Species. Water temperatures are lower in the Delaware River compared to other sites in the Pecos River, making it less susceptible to Golden Algae blooms. Maintaining adequate water flow in the Black River will help reduce the potential for Golden Algae blooms that can impact the Covered Species. Runoff and Erosion‌ Historical land use activities, such as construction and livestock overgrazing, have decreased water absorption potential of topsoil, thus increasing erosion and runoff. Erosion and runoff are sources of fine sediment that can accumulate in a watershed, degrade or eliminate habitat for the Covered Species, and smother individual Texas Hornshells. Native grasses have decreased along the riverbanks, and the vegetative component has shifted to woody plants (Xxxxxx 2007). In many cases, these activities have caused changes in stream morphology, changes in substrate composition, increases in drainage entrenchment and bank collapse, and increases in pulse discharge into the river, providing better habitat for exotic competitors (i.e., Corbicula fluminea) (NMDGF 2008).