Common use of RESTORE AND PROTECT HABITAT Clause in Contracts

RESTORE AND PROTECT HABITAT. Important elements of habitat protection include restoring and managing in-channel habitat and historically flooded bottomland areas, restoring passage to historically occupied river reaches, preventing fish entrainment at diversion structures (if warranted), enhancing water temperatures, and reducing or eliminating the impacts of contaminants. Historically, Upper Colorado River Basin floodplains were frequently inundated by spring runoff, but today much of the river is channelized by levees, dikes, rip-rap, and tamarisk. Fish access to these flooded bottomlands has been further reduced by decreased peak spring flows due to upstream impoundments. Numerous studies have suggested the importance of seasonal flooding to river productivity, and flooded bottomlands have been shown to contain large numbers of zooplankton and benthic organisms. Floodplain areas inundated and temporarily connected to the main channel by spring flows appear to be important habitats for all life stages of razorback sucker, and the seasonal timing of razorback sucker reproduction suggests an adaptation for utilizing these habitats. Restoring access to these warm and productive habitats would provide the growth and conditioning environments that appear crucial for recovery of self-sustaining razorback sucker populations. In addition, Colorado pikeminnow also use these areas for feeding prior to migrating to spawning areas. Inundation of floodplain habitats, although most important for razorback sucker, would benefit other native fishes by providing growth and conditioning environments and by restoring ecological processes dependent on periodic river-floodplain connections. Restoration of floodplain habitats could be achieved through a combination of increased peak flows, prolonged peak-flow duration, lower bank or levee heights, and constructed inlets. Studies have shown that full utilization of these floodplain habitats has been hampered by the presence of large numbers of predacious and competing nonnative fish. Studies are underway to determine how this interaction may be reduced to enhance use of these habitats by endangered fish. For example, additional evaluation of the floodplain reset theory will be needed to determine if nonnative fish can be reduced or eliminated during low-flow years. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to identify and restore important flooded bottomland habitats. During 1994, the Recovery Program completed an inventory of floodplain habitats for 870 miles of the Colorado, Green, Gunnison, Yampa, and White rivers. From the list of inventoried habitats, high-priority sites were screened for restoration potential. Site acquisition began in 1994 and continued through 2003. Since 2003, the Program has completed the razorback sucker floodplain habitat model and floodplain management plans for the Green and Colorado River sub-basins (subject to revision as new information is gathered). Based on the model and these management plans, the Program has shifted from screening additional floodplain sites for potential restoration/acquisition to focusing on sites already acquired or otherwise available for management. Success will be measured by the response of the endangered fish populations. The General Recovery Program Support Action Plan contains tasks to develop an issue paper on floodplain restoration and protection. This paper identified legal, institutional, and political strategies to enhance and protect floodplain habitats for the endangered fishes and ameliorate the effects of levees, diking, rip-rap, gravel mining, and other forms of floodplain development. Phase 1 of the issue paper identified what floodplain restoration and protection is needed for the endangered fishes; Phase 2 determined how to accomplish that restoration and protection. The issue paper evaluated responsibilities of the Recovery Program, Recovery Program participants, and other agencies involved in floodplain development, regulation, and management, and their roles and responsibilities with respect to endangered species. Passage barriers have fragmented endangered fish populations and their habitats, resulting in confinement of the fishes to 20 percent of their former range. Blockage of Colorado pikeminnow movement by dams and water-diversion structures has been suggested as an important cause of the decline of this species in the Upper Basin (Xxxx 1984; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). Restoring access to historically occupied habitats via fish passage ways was identified in the Colorado Squawfish [Pikeminnow] Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991) and in the recovery goals (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002c) as one of several means to aid in Colorado pikeminnow recovery. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to assess and make recommendations for fish passage at various dams and diversion structures. The need for passage already has been determined at four sites: Redlands, Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC), Price Stubb, and the Grand Valley Project. Passage has been restored at the Redlands Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River and at the GVIC and GVP diversions on the mainstem Colorado River near Palisade, Colorado. Activities are underway to restore passage at Price-Stubb. Diversion canals have been found to entrain native and endangered fishes. Construction of fish screens to prevent entrainment of adult and subadult fish is in the planning and design stage at Tusher Wash and construction was completed at the Grand Valley Project and Redlands during 2005. Construction of a screen at the GVIC diversion canal was completed in 2002, but additional improvements to this screen are anticipated. Potential entrainment of Colorado pikeminnow in diversion structures on the Yampa River may be evaluated beginning in 2007. A number of potentially harmful contaminants (including selenium, petroleum derivatives, heavy metals, ammonia, and uranium) and suspected contaminant "hot spots" have been identified in the Upper Basin. It is the intent of the Recovery Program to support and encourage the activities of entities outside the Recovery Program that are working to identify problem sites, evaluate contaminant impacts, and reduce or eliminate those impacts.

RESTORE AND PROTECT HABITAT. Important elements of habitat protection include restoring and managing in-channel habitat and historically flooded bottomland areas, restoring passage to historically occupied river reaches, preventing fish entrainment at diversion structures (if warranted), enhancing water temperatures, and reducing or eliminating the impacts of contaminants. Historically, Upper Colorado River Basin floodplains were frequently inundated by spring runoff, but today much of the river is channelized by levees, dikes, rip-rap, and tamarisk. Fish access to these flooded bottomlands has been further reduced by decreased peak spring flows due to upstream impoundments. Numerous studies have suggested the importance of seasonal flooding to river productivity, and flooded bottomlands have been shown to contain large numbers of zooplankton and benthic organisms. Floodplain areas inundated and temporarily connected to the main channel by spring flows appear to be important habitats for all life stages of razorback sucker, and the seasonal timing of razorback sucker reproduction suggests an adaptation for utilizing these habitats. Restoring access to these warm and productive habitats would provide the growth and conditioning environments that appear crucial for recovery of self-sustaining razorback sucker populations. In addition, Colorado pikeminnow also use these areas for feeding prior to migrating to spawning areas. Inundation of floodplain habitats, although most important for razorback sucker, would benefit other native fishes by providing growth and conditioning environments and by restoring ecological processes dependent on periodic river-floodplain connections. Restoration of floodplain habitats could be achieved through a combination of increased peak flows, prolonged peak-flow duration, lower bank or levee heights, and constructed inlets. Studies have shown that full utilization of these floodplain habitats has been hampered by the presence of large numbers of predacious and competing nonnative fish. Studies are underway to determine how this interaction may be reduced to enhance use of these habitats by endangered fish. For example, additional evaluation of the floodplain reset theory will be needed to determine if nonnative fish can be reduced or eliminated during low-flow years. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to identify and restore important flooded bottomland habitats. During 1994, the Recovery Program completed an inventory of floodplain habitats for 870 miles of the Colorado, Green, Gunnison, Yampa, and White rivers. From the list of inventoried habitats, high-priority sites were screened for restoration potential. Site acquisition began in 1994 and continued through 2003. Since 2003, the Program has completed the razorback sucker floodplain habitat model and floodplain management plans for the Green and Colorado River sub-basins (subject to revision as new information is gathered). Based on the model and these management plans, the Program has shifted from screening additional floodplain sites for potential restoration/acquisition to focusing on sites already acquired or otherwise available for management. Success will be measured by the response of the endangered fish populations. The General Recovery Program Support Action Plan contains tasks to develop an issue paper on floodplain restoration and protection. This paper identified legal, institutional, and political strategies to enhance and protect floodplain habitats for the endangered fishes and ameliorate the effects of levees, diking, rip-rap, gravel mining, and other forms of floodplain development. Phase 1 of the issue paper identified what floodplain restoration and protection is needed for the endangered fishes; Phase 2 determined how to accomplish that restoration and protection. The issue paper evaluated responsibilities of the Recovery Program, Recovery Program participants, and other agencies involved in floodplain development, regulation, and management, and their roles and responsibilities with respect to endangered species. Passage barriers have fragmented endangered fish populations and their habitats, resulting in confinement of the fishes to 20 percent of their former range. Blockage of Colorado pikeminnow movement by dams and water-diversion structures has been suggested as an important cause of the decline of this species in the Upper Basin (Xxxx 1984; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). Restoring access to historically occupied habitats via fish passage ways was identified in the Colorado Squawfish [Pikeminnow] Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991) and in the recovery goals (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002c) as one of several means to aid in Colorado pikeminnow recovery. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to assess and make recommendations for fish passage at various dams and diversion structures. The need for passage already has been was determined at four sites: Redlands, Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC), Price Stubb, and the Grand Valley Project. Passage has been restored at the Redlands Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River and at the GVIC GVIC, Price-Stubb and GVP diversions on the mainstem Colorado River near Palisade, Colorado. Activities are underway to restore passage at Price-Stubb. Diversion canals have been found to entrain native and endangered fishes. Construction of fish screens to prevent entrainment of adult and subadult fish is in the planning and design stage at Tusher Wash and construction was completed at the Grand Valley Project and Redlands during 2005. Construction of a screen at the GVIC diversion canal was completed in 2002, but additional improvements to this screen are anticipated. Potential Evaluation of potential entrainment of Colorado pikeminnow in diversion structures on the Yampa River may be evaluated beginning began in 20072007 (Xxxxxxx 2009), and continued in 2011- 2012. A number of potentially harmful contaminants (including selenium, petroleum derivatives, heavy metals, ammonia, and uranium) and suspected contaminant "hot spots" have been identified in the Upper Basin. It is the intent of the Recovery Program to support and encourage the activities of entities outside the Recovery Program that are working to identify problem sites, evaluate contaminant impacts, and reduce or eliminate those impacts. Specifically, the Service will identify actions needed to reduce selenium contamination to levels that will not impede recovery.

RESTORE AND PROTECT HABITAT. Important elements of habitat protection include restoring and managing in-channel habitat and historically flooded bottomland areas, restoring passage to historically occupied river reaches, preventing fish entrainment at diversion structures (if warranted), enhancing water temperatures, and reducing or eliminating the impacts of contaminants. Historically, Upper Colorado River Basin floodplains were frequently inundated by spring runoff, but today much of the river is channelized by levees, dikes, rip-rap, and tamarisk. Fish access to these flooded bottomlands has been further reduced by decreased peak spring flows due to upstream impoundments. Numerous studies have suggested the importance of seasonal flooding to river productivity, and flooded bottomlands have been shown to contain large numbers of zooplankton and benthic organisms. Floodplain areas inundated and temporarily connected to the main channel by spring flows appear to be important habitats for all life stages of razorback sucker, and the seasonal timing of razorback sucker reproduction suggests an adaptation for utilizing these habitats. Restoring access to these warm and productive habitats would provide the growth and conditioning environments that appear crucial for recovery of self-self- sustaining razorback sucker populations. In addition, Colorado pikeminnow also use these areas for feeding prior to migrating to spawning areas. Inundation of floodplain habitats, although most important for razorback sucker, would benefit other native fishes by providing growth and conditioning environments and by restoring ecological processes dependent on periodic river-floodplain connections. Restoration of floodplain habitats could be achieved through a combination of increased peak flows, prolonged peak-flow duration, lower bank or levee heights, and constructed inlets. Studies have shown that full utilization of these floodplain habitats has been hampered by the presence of large numbers of predacious and competing nonnative fish. Studies are underway to determine how this interaction may be reduced to enhance use of these habitats by endangered fish. For example, additional evaluation of the floodplain reset theory will be needed to determine if nonnative fish can be reduced or eliminated during low-flow years. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to identify and restore important flooded bottomland habitats. During 1994, the Recovery Program completed an inventory of floodplain habitats for 870 miles of the Colorado, Green, Gunnison, Yampa, and White rivers. From the list of inventoried habitats, high-priority sites were screened for restoration potential. Site acquisition began in 1994 and continued through 2003. Since 2003, the Program has completed the razorback sucker floodplain habitat model and floodplain management plans for the Green and Colorado River sub-basins (subject to revision as new information is gathered). Based on the model and these management plans, the Program has shifted from screening additional floodplain sites for potential restoration/acquisition to focusing on sites already acquired or otherwise available for management. Success will be measured by the response of the endangered fish populations. The General Recovery Program Support Action Plan contains tasks to develop an issue paper on floodplain restoration and protection. This paper identified legal, institutional, and political strategies to enhance and protect floodplain habitats for the endangered fishes and ameliorate the effects of levees, diking, rip-rap, gravel mining, and other forms of floodplain development. Phase 1 of the issue paper identified what floodplain restoration and protection is needed for the endangered fishes; Phase 2 determined how to accomplish that restoration and protection. The issue paper evaluated responsibilities of the Recovery Program, Recovery Program participants, and other agencies involved in floodplain development, regulation, and management, and their roles and responsibilities with respect to endangered species. Passage barriers have fragmented endangered fish populations and their habitats, resulting in confinement of the fishes to 20 percent of their former range. Blockage of Colorado pikeminnow movement by dams and water-diversion structures has been suggested as an important cause of the decline of this species in the Upper Basin (Xxxx 1984; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). Restoring access to historically occupied habitats via fish passage ways was identified in the Colorado Squawfish [Pikeminnow] Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991) and in the recovery goals (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002c) as one of several means to aid in Colorado pikeminnow recovery. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to assess and make recommendations for fish passage at various dams and diversion structures. The need for passage already has been determined at four sites: Redlands, Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC), Price Stubb, and the Grand Valley Project. Passage has been restored at the Redlands Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River and at the GVIC and GVP diversions on the mainstem Colorado River near Palisade, Colorado. Activities are underway to restore passage at Price-Stubb. Diversion canals have been found to entrain native and endangered fishes. Construction of fish screens to prevent entrainment of adult and subadult fish is in the planning and design stage at Tusher Wash and construction was completed at the Grand Valley Project and Redlands during 2005. Construction of a screen at the GVIC diversion canal was completed in 2002, but additional improvements to this screen are anticipated. Potential entrainment of Colorado pikeminnow in diversion structures on the Yampa River may be evaluated beginning in 2007. A number of potentially harmful contaminants (including selenium, petroleum derivatives, heavy metals, ammonia, and uranium) and suspected contaminant "hot spots" have been identified in the Upper Basin. It is the intent of the Recovery Program to support and encourage the activities of entities outside the Recovery Program that are working to identify problem sites, evaluate contaminant impacts, and reduce or eliminate those impacts.White

RESTORE AND PROTECT HABITAT. Important elements of habitat protection include restoring and managing in-channel habitat and historically flooded bottomland areas, restoring passage to historically occupied river reaches, preventing fish entrainment at diversion structures (if warranted), enhancing water temperatures, and reducing or eliminating the impacts of contaminants. Historically, Upper Colorado River Basin floodplains were frequently inundated by spring runoff, but today much many of the river is rivers are channelized by levees, dikes, rip-rap, and tamarisk. Fish access to these flooded bottomlands has been further reduced by decreased peak spring flows due to upstream impoundments. Numerous studies have suggested the importance of seasonal flooding to river productivity, and flooded bottomlands have been shown to contain large numbers of zooplankton and benthic organisms. Floodplain areas inundated and temporarily connected to the main channel by spring flows appear to be important habitats for all life stages of razorback suckersucker and bonytail, and the seasonal timing of razorback sucker reproduction suggests an adaptation for utilizing these habitats. Restoring access to these warm and productive habitats would is intended to provide the growth and conditioning environments that appear crucial for recovery of self-sustaining razorback sucker populations. In addition, Colorado pikeminnow also use these areas for feeding prior to migrating to spawning areas. Inundation of floodplain habitats, although most important for razorback sucker, would will benefit bonytail and other native fishes by providing growth and conditioning environments and by restoring ecological processes dependent on periodic river-river- floodplain connections. Restoration of floodplain habitats could be is achieved through a combination of increased peak flows, prolonged peak-flow duration, lower bank or levee heights, levee removal, and constructed inlets. Studies have shown that a full utilization benefit of these floodplain habitats has been hampered reduced by the presence of large numbers of predacious and competing nonnative fishfish (Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx et al. 2004; Xxxxx and Xxxxxx 2005). Studies are underway (e.g. projects #164, #165) to determine how this interaction may be reduced to enhance use of these habitats by endangered fish. For example, additional evaluation of the floodplain reset theory (periodic draining to eliminate the nonnative fish burden) will be needed to determine if nonnative fish can be reduced or eliminated during low-flow years. The Recovery Action Plans Plan tables contain tasks to identify and restore important flooded bottomland habitats. During 1994, the Recovery Program completed an inventory of floodplain habitats for 870 miles of the Colorado, Green, Gunnison, Yampa, and White rivers. From the list of inventoried habitats, high-priority sites were screened evaluated for restoration potential. Site acquisition began in 1994 and continued through 2003. Since 2003, the Recovery Program has completed the razorback sucker floodplain habitat model and floodplain management plans for the Green and Colorado River sub-sub- basins (subject to revision as new information is gathered). Based on the model and these management plans, the Recovery Program has shifted from screening restoration/acquisition of additional floodplain sites for potential restoration/acquisition to focusing on better management of sites already acquired or otherwise available for managementavailable. Success will be measured by the response of the endangered fish populations. The General Recovery Program Support Action Plan contains table includes tasks to develop an issue paper on floodplain restoration and protection. This paper identified legal, institutional, and political strategies to enhance and protect floodplain habitats for the endangered fishes and ameliorate the effects of levees, diking, rip-rap, gravel mining, and other forms of floodplain development. Phase 1 of the issue paper identified what floodplain restoration and protection is needed for the endangered fishesfishes (Xxxxxx 1998); Phase 2 determined how to accomplish that restoration and protectionprotection (Tetra Tech 2000). The issue paper evaluated responsibilities of the Recovery Program, Recovery Program participants, and other agencies involved in floodplain development, regulation, and management, and their roles and responsibilities with respect to endangered species. Passage barriers have fragmented endangered fish populations and their habitats, resulting in confinement of the fishes to 20 percent of their former rangerange in the Upper Basin. Blockage of Colorado pikeminnow movement by dams and water-diversion structures has been suggested as an important cause of the decline of this species in the Upper Basin (Xxxx 1984; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). Restoring access to historically occupied habitats via fish passage ways was identified in the Colorado Squawfish [Pikeminnow] Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991) and in the recovery goals (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002c) as one of several means to aid in Colorado pikeminnow recovery. The Recovery Action Plans Plan tables contain tasks to assess and make recommendations for fish passage at various dams and diversion structures. The need for passage already has been was determined at four sites: Redlands, Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC), Price Stubb, and the Grand Valley Project. Passage has been restored at all four locations. A fish passage was completed in 2012 on the Redlands Hartland Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River near Delta by NRCS and at the GVIC local interests that benefits both endangered and GVP diversions native fishes. A newly rebuilt Tusher Diversion on the mainstem Colorado Green River near PalisadeGreen River, Colorado. Activities are underway Utah will include a fish passage component, designed similar to restore passage at Price-Stubbthe Price Stubb fish passage, and should be completed in 2016. Diversion canals have been found to entrain native and endangered fishes. The Recovery Program has constructed fish screens on major diversion on the Colorado and Gunnison rivers. Construction of fish screens to prevent entrainment of adult and subadult fish is in the planning and design stage at Tusher Wash and construction was completed at the Grand Valley Project and Redlands Water and Power Company diversion during 2005. Construction of a screen at the GVIC Grand Valley Irrigation Company diversion canal was completed in 2002, but 2002 and additional improvements to this screen are anticipated. Potential The Grand Valley screens on the Colorado and Gunnison rivers are operated as much as feasible through the irrigation season, though debris and other concerns sometimes interrupt operation. Evaluation of potential entrainment of Colorado pikeminnow in diversion structures on the Yampa River may be evaluated beginning began in 20072007 (Xxxxxxx 2009), and continued in 2011-2012 (Xxxxx et al. 2014). Only one endangered fish, a Colorado pikeminnow, was detected in 2012. Evaluation of potential entrainment of endangered fishes at the Green River Canal near Green River, Utah was undertaken by Xxxxxxxxx et al in 2001. In 2013 and 2014, stationary PIT antennas were deployed in the canal and high levels of entrainment were documented. Based on these findings, the Program is pursuing a vertical xxxx wall (similar to Hogback Diversion on the San Xxxx River) in the Green River Canal below the Xxxxx Hydro facility to reduce entrainment at this site (instead of the wedge wire screens used in Grand Valley fish screens). Design is underway based on initial positive results from the Hogback xxxx. A number of potentially harmful contaminants (including selenium, petroleum derivatives, heavy metals, ammonia, and uranium) and suspected contaminant "hot spots" have been identified in the Upper Basin. It is the intent of the Recovery Program to support and encourage the activities of entities outside the Recovery Program that are working to identify problem sites, evaluate contaminant impacts, and reduce or eliminate those impacts. Specifically, the Service will identify actions needed to reduce selenium contamination to levels that will not impede recovery and identify existing pipeline river crossings that need to have spill-control devices installed. New petroleum pipelines with a Federal nexus are required by the Service through the Section 7 process to have shutoff valves. Not all pipelines have a Federal nexus; therefore, the Program Director’s office discussed concerns with existing and future pipelines with the States’ oil and gas divisions. The Service also is working with EPA, BLM, and USDOT to identify existing pipeline crossings that may need shutoff valves. Additionally, the Service and UDWR have worked with EPA on spill response contingency planning.

RESTORE AND PROTECT HABITAT. ‌ Important elements of habitat protection include restoring and managing in-channel habitat and historically flooded bottomland areas, restoring passage to historically occupied river reaches, preventing fish entrainment at diversion structures (if warranted), enhancing water temperatures, and reducing or eliminating the impacts of contaminants. Historically, Upper Colorado River Basin floodplains were frequently inundated by spring runoff, but today much many of the river is rivers are channelized by levees, dikes, rip-rapriprap, and tamarisk. Fish access to these flooded bottomlands has been further reduced by decreased peak spring flows due to upstream impoundments. Numerous studies have suggested the importance of seasonal flooding to river productivity, and flooded bottomlands have been shown to contain large numbers of zooplankton and benthic organisms. Floodplain areas inundated and temporarily connected to the main channel by spring flows appear to be important habitats for all life stages of razorback suckersucker and bonytail, and the seasonal timing of razorback sucker reproduction suggests an adaptation for utilizing these habitats. Restoring access to these warm and productive habitats would is intended to provide the growth and conditioning environments that appear crucial for recovery of self-sustaining razorback sucker populations. In addition, juvenile Colorado pikeminnow also use these areas for feeding and adults stage in these habitats prior to migrating to spawning areas. Inundation of floodplain habitats, although most important for razorback sucker, would will benefit bonytail and other native fishes by providing growth and conditioning environments and by restoring ecological processes dependent on periodic river-floodplain connections. Restoration of floodplain habitats could be is achieved through a combination of increased peak flows, prolonged peak-flow duration, lower bank or levee heights, levee removal, and constructed inlets. Studies have shown that a full utilization benefit of these floodplain habitats has been hampered reduced by the presence of large numbers of predacious and competing nonnative fishfish (Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx et al. Studies are underway to determine how this interaction may be reduced to enhance use of these habitats by endangered fish. For example, additional evaluation of the floodplain reset theory will be needed to determine if nonnative fish can be reduced or eliminated during low-flow years2004; Xxxxx and Xxxxxx 2005). The Recovery Action Plans Plan tables contain tasks to identify and restore important flooded bottomland habitats. During 1994, the Recovery Program completed an inventory of floodplain habitats for 870 miles of the Colorado, Green, Gunnison, Yampa, and White rivers. From the list of inventoried habitats, high-priority sites were screened evaluated for restoration potential. Site acquisition began in 1994 and continued through 2003. Since 2003, the Recovery Program has completed the razorback sucker floodplain habitat model and floodplain management plans for the Green and Colorado River sub-sub- basins (subject to revision as new information is gathered). Based on the model and these management plans, the Recovery Program has shifted from screening restoration/acquisition of additional floodplain sites for potential restoration/acquisition to focusing on better management of sites already acquired or otherwise available for managementavailable. Success will be measured by the response of the endangered fish populations. The General Recovery Program Support Action Plan contains table includes tasks to develop an issue paper on floodplain restoration and protection. This paper identified legal, institutional, and political strategies to enhance and protect floodplain habitats for the endangered fishes and ameliorate the effects of levees, diking, rip-rapriprap, gravel mining, and other forms of floodplain development. Phase 1 of the issue paper identified what floodplain restoration and protection is needed for the endangered fishesfishes (Xxxxxx 1998); Phase 2 determined how to accomplish that restoration and protectionprotection (Tetra Tech 2000). The issue paper evaluated responsibilities of the Recovery Program, Recovery Program participants, and other agencies involved in floodplain development, regulation, and management, and their roles and responsibilities with respect to endangered species. Xxxxx et al. (2017) reviewed the Recovery Program’s state of knowledge relative to floodplain management. They recommended that successful rearing of razorback sucker larvae to the YOY stage will require: 1) the ability to exclude large-bodied nonnative fish from the wetland during the larval entrainment period; 2) maintenance of water levels using water control structures and external water sources; and 3) capture, enumeration and release of YOY fish into the main channel Green River as the wetland is drained in the fall months. Passage barriers have fragmented endangered fish populations and their habitats, resulting in confinement of the fishes to 20 percent of their former rangerange in the Upper Basin. Blockage of Colorado pikeminnow movement by dams and water-diversion structures has been suggested as an important cause of the decline of this species in the Upper Basin (Xxxx 1984; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). Restoring access to historically occupied habitats via fish passage ways was identified in the Colorado Squawfish [Pikeminnow] Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991) and in the recovery goals (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002c) as one of several means to aid in Colorado pikeminnow recovery. The Recovery Action Plans Plan tables contain tasks to assess and make recommendations for fish passage at various dams and diversion structures. The need for passage already has been was determined at four sites: Redlands, Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC), Price Stubb, and the Grand Valley ProjectProject (GVP). Passage has been restored at all four locations. A fish passage was completed in 2012 on the Redlands Hartland Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River near Delta by NRCS and at the GVIC local interests that benefits both endangered and GVP diversions native fishes. A newly rebuilt Tusher Diversion on the mainstem Colorado Green River near PalisadeGreen River, ColoradoUtah includes a fish passage component, designed similar to the Price Stubb fish passage, and was completed in 2016. Activities are underway to restore Long-term effectiveness of these fish passages will require upstream sediment management (GVP and Redlands passages); in- passage at Price-Stubbdebris removal (Price Stubb and Tusher Diversion passages); and continued operation of selective fish passage structures (GVP and Redlands passages). Diversion canals have been found to entrain native and endangered fishes. The Recovery Program has constructed fish screens on major diversion on the Colorado and Gunnison rivers. Construction of fish screens to prevent entrainment of adult and subadult fish is in the planning and design stage at Tusher Wash and construction was completed at the Grand Valley Project and Redlands Water and Power Company diversion during 2005. Construction of a screen at the GVIC Grand Valley Irrigation Company diversion canal was completed in 2002, but 2002 and additional improvements to this screen are anticipated. Potential The Grand Valley screens on the Colorado and Gunnison rivers are operated as much as feasible through the irrigation season, though debris and other concerns sometimes interrupt operation. Evaluation of potential entrainment into irrigation canals is an important part of the Recovery Program’s decision-making process for screening canals. Studies of Colorado pikeminnow in entrainment into diversion structures on the Yampa River may began in 2007 (Xxxxxxx 2009), and continued at the Xxxxxxx Xxxxx in 2011-2012 (Xxxxx et al. 2014). During a two-year study, only one endangered fish, a Colorado pikeminnow, was detected in the Xxxxxxx Xxxxx (in 2012). Evaluation of potential entrainment of endangered fishes at the Green River Canal near Green River, Utah has been considered by the Recovery Program for many years, first being undertaken by Xxxxxxxxx et al in 2001. Stationary PIT antennas have been deployed in the canal since 2013, documenting high levels of entrainment. All four endangered species continue to be evaluated beginning documented in 2007the canal through 2017. Based on these findings, the Program is pursuing a vertical xxxx wall paired with a fish screen in the Green River Canal below the Xxxxx Hydro facility to reduce entrainment at this site (instead of the wedge wire screens used in Grand Valley fish screens). A number of potentially harmful contaminants (including selenium, petroleum derivatives, heavy metals, ammonia, and uranium) and suspected contaminant "hot spots" have been identified in the Upper Basin. It is the intent of the Recovery Program to support and encourage the activities of entities outside the Recovery Program (e.g. Reclamation’s participation in the Gunnison River Basin Selenium Management Program) that are working to identify problem sites, evaluate contaminant impacts, and reduce or eliminate those impacts. Specifically, the Service will identify actions needed to reduce selenium contamination to levels that will not impede recovery and identify existing pipeline river crossings that need to have spill-control devices installed. New petroleum pipelines with a Federal nexus are required by the Service through the Section 7 process to have shutoff valves. Not all pipelines have a Federal nexus; therefore, the Program Director’s office discussed concerns with existing and future pipelines with the States’ oil and gas divisions. The Service also is working with EPA, BLM, and USDOT to identify existing pipeline crossings that may need shutoff valves. Additionally, the Service and UDWR have worked with EPA on spill response contingency planning.

RESTORE AND PROTECT HABITAT. Important elements of habitat protection include restoring and managing in-channel habitat and historically flooded bottomland areas, restoring passage to historically occupied river reaches, preventing fish entrainment at diversion structures (if warranted), enhancing water temperatures, and reducing or eliminating the impacts of contaminants. Historically, Upper Colorado River Basin floodplains were frequently inundated by spring runoff, but today much of the river is channelized by levees, dikes, rip-rap, and tamarisk. Fish access to these flooded bottomlands has been further reduced by decreased peak spring flows due to upstream impoundments. Numerous studies have suggested the importance of seasonal flooding to river productivity, and flooded bottomlands have been shown to contain large numbers of zooplankton and benthic organisms. Floodplain areas inundated and temporarily connected to the main channel by spring flows appear to be important habitats for all life stages of razorback sucker, and the seasonal timing of razorback sucker reproduction suggests an adaptation for utilizing these habitats. Restoring access to these warm and productive habitats would provide the growth and conditioning environments that appear crucial for recovery of self-self- sustaining razorback sucker populations. In addition, Colorado pikeminnow also use these areas for feeding prior to migrating to spawning areas. Inundation of floodplain habitats, although most important for razorback sucker, would benefit other native fishes by providing growth and conditioning environments and by restoring ecological processes dependent on periodic river-floodplain connections. Restoration of floodplain habitats could be achieved through a combination of increased peak flows, prolonged peak-flow duration, lower bank or levee heights, and constructed inlets. Studies have shown that full utilization of these floodplain habitats has been hampered by the presence of large numbers of predacious and competing nonnative fish. Studies are underway to determine how this interaction may be reduced to enhance use of these habitats by endangered fish. For example, additional evaluation of the floodplain reset theory will be needed to determine if nonnative fish can be reduced or eliminated during low-flow years. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to identify and restore important flooded bottomland habitats. During 1994, the Recovery Program completed an inventory of floodplain habitats for 870 miles of the Colorado, Green, Gunnison, Yampa, and White rivers. From the list of inventoried habitats, high-priority sites were screened for restoration potential. Site acquisition began in 1994 and continued through 2003. Since 2003, the Program has completed the razorback sucker floodplain habitat model and floodplain management plans for the Green and Colorado River sub-basins (subject to revision as new information is gathered). Based on the model and these management plans, the Program has shifted from screening additional floodplain sites for potential restoration/acquisition to focusing on sites already acquired or otherwise available for management. Success will be measured by the response of the endangered fish populations. The General Recovery Program Support Action Plan contains tasks to develop an issue paper on floodplain restoration and protection. This paper identified legal, institutional, and political strategies to enhance and protect floodplain habitats for the endangered fishes and ameliorate the effects of levees, diking, rip-rap, gravel mining, and other forms of floodplain development. Phase 1 of the issue paper identified what floodplain restoration and protection is needed for the endangered fishes; Phase 2 determined how to accomplish that restoration and protection. The issue paper evaluated responsibilities of the Recovery Program, Recovery Program participants, and other agencies involved in floodplain development, regulation, and management, and their roles and responsibilities with respect to endangered species. Passage barriers have fragmented endangered fish populations and their habitats, resulting in confinement of the fishes to 20 percent of their former range. Blockage of Colorado pikeminnow movement by dams and water-diversion structures has been suggested as an important cause of the decline of this species in the Upper Basin (Xxxx 1984; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). Restoring access to historically occupied habitats via fish passage ways was identified in the Colorado Squawfish [Pikeminnow] Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991) and in the recovery goals (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002c) as one of several means to aid in Colorado pikeminnow recovery. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to assess and make recommendations for fish passage at various dams and diversion structures. The need for passage already has been was determined at four sites: Redlands, Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC), Price Stubb, and the Grand Valley Project. Passage has been restored at the Redlands Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River and at the GVIC GVIC, Price-Stubb and GVP diversions on the mainstem Colorado River near Palisade, Colorado. Activities are underway to restore passage at Price-Stubb. Diversion canals have been found to entrain native and endangered fishes. Construction of fish screens to prevent entrainment of adult and subadult fish is in the planning and design stage at Tusher Wash and construction was completed at the Grand Valley Project and Redlands during 2005. Construction of a screen at the GVIC diversion canal was completed in 2002, but additional improvements to this screen are anticipated. Potential Evaluation of potential entrainment of Colorado pikeminnow in diversion structures on the Yampa River may be evaluated beginning began in 2007. A number of potentially harmful contaminants (including selenium, petroleum derivatives, heavy metals, ammonia, and uranium) and suspected contaminant "hot spots" have been identified in the Upper Basin. It is the intent of the Recovery Program to support and encourage the activities of entities outside the Recovery Program that are working to identify problem sites, evaluate contaminant impacts, and reduce or eliminate those impacts. Specifically, the Service will identify actions needed to reduce selenium contamination to levels that will not impede recovery.

RESTORE AND PROTECT HABITAT. Important elements of habitat protection include restoring and managing in-channel habitat and historically flooded bottomland areas, restoring passage to historically occupied river reaches, preventing fish entrainment at diversion structures (if warranted), enhancing water temperatures, and reducing or eliminating the impacts of contaminants. Historically, Upper Colorado River Basin floodplains were frequently inundated by spring runoff, but today much many of the river is rivers are channelized by levees, dikes, rip-rap, and tamarisk. Fish access to these flooded bottomlands has been further reduced by decreased peak spring flows due to upstream impoundments. Numerous studies have suggested the importance of seasonal flooding to river productivity, and flooded bottomlands have been shown to contain large numbers of zooplankton and benthic organisms. Floodplain areas inundated and temporarily connected to the main channel by spring flows appear to be important habitats for all life stages of razorback suckersucker and bonytail, and the seasonal timing of razorback sucker reproduction suggests an adaptation for utilizing these habitats. Restoring access to these warm and productive habitats would is intended to provide the growth and conditioning environments that appear crucial for recovery of self-sustaining razorback sucker populations. In addition, juvenile Colorado pikeminnow also use these areas for feeding and adults stage in these habitats prior to migrating to spawning areas. Inundation of floodplain habitats, although most important for razorback sucker, would will benefit bonytail and other native fishes by providing growth and conditioning environments and by restoring ecological processes dependent on periodic river-floodplain connections. Restoration of floodplain habitats could be is achieved through a combination of increased peak flows, prolonged peak-flow duration, lower bank or levee heights, levee removal, and constructed inlets. Studies have shown that a full utilization benefit of these floodplain habitats has been hampered reduced by the presence of large numbers of predacious and competing nonnative fishfish (Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx et al. Studies are underway to determine how this interaction may be reduced to enhance use of these habitats by endangered fish. For example, additional evaluation of the floodplain reset theory will be needed to determine if nonnative fish can be reduced or eliminated during low-flow years2004; Xxxxx and Xxxxxx 2005). The Recovery Action Plans Plan tables contain tasks to identify and restore important flooded bottomland habitats. During 1994, the Recovery Program completed an inventory of floodplain habitats for 870 miles of the Colorado, Green, Gunnison, Yampa, and White rivers. From the list of inventoried habitats, high-priority sites were screened for restoration potential. Site acquisition began in 1994 and continued through 2003. Since 2003, the Program has completed the razorback sucker floodplain habitat model and floodplain management plans for the Green and Colorado River sub-basins (subject to revision as new information is gathered). Based on the model and these management plans, the Program has shifted from screening additional floodplain sites for potential restoration/acquisition to focusing on sites already acquired or otherwise available for management. Success will be measured by the response of the endangered fish populations. The General Recovery Program Support Action Plan contains tasks to develop an issue paper on floodplain restoration and protection. This paper identified legal, institutional, and political strategies to enhance and protect floodplain habitats for the endangered fishes and ameliorate the effects of levees, diking, rip-rap, gravel mining, and other forms of floodplain development. Phase 1 of the issue paper identified what floodplain restoration and protection is needed for the endangered fishes; Phase 2 determined how to accomplish that restoration and protection. The issue paper evaluated responsibilities of the Recovery Program, Recovery Program participants, and other agencies involved in floodplain development, regulation, and management, and their roles and responsibilities with respect to endangered species. Passage barriers have fragmented endangered fish populations and their habitats, resulting in confinement of the fishes to 20 percent of their former range. Blockage of Colorado pikeminnow movement by dams and water-diversion structures has been suggested as an important cause of the decline of this species in the Upper Basin (Xxxx 1984; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). Restoring access to historically occupied habitats via fish passage ways was identified in the Colorado Squawfish [Pikeminnow] Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991) and in the recovery goals (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002c) as one of several means to aid in Colorado pikeminnow recovery. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to assess and make recommendations for fish passage at various dams and diversion structures. The need for passage already has been determined at four sites: Redlands, Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC), Price Stubb, and the Grand Valley Project. Passage has been restored at the Redlands Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River and at the GVIC and GVP diversions on the mainstem Colorado River near Palisade, Colorado. Activities are underway to restore passage at Price-Stubb. Diversion canals have been found to entrain native and endangered fishes. Construction of fish screens to prevent entrainment of adult and subadult fish is in the planning and design stage at Tusher Wash and construction was completed at the Grand Valley Project and Redlands during 2005. Construction of a screen at the GVIC diversion canal was completed in 2002, but additional improvements to this screen are anticipated. Potential entrainment of Colorado pikeminnow in diversion structures on the Yampa River may be evaluated beginning in 2007. A number of potentially harmful contaminants (including selenium, petroleum derivatives, heavy metals, ammonia, and uranium) and suspected contaminant "hot spots" have been identified in the Upper Basin. It is the intent of the Recovery Program to support and encourage the activities of entities outside the Recovery Program that are working to identify problem sites, evaluate contaminant impacts, and reduce or eliminate those impacts.White

RESTORE AND PROTECT HABITAT. ‌ Important elements of habitat protection include restoring and managing in-channel habitat and historically flooded bottomland areas, restoring passage to historically occupied river reaches, preventing fish entrainment at diversion structures (if warranted), enhancing water temperatures, and reducing or eliminating the impacts of contaminants. Historically, Upper Colorado River Basin floodplains were frequently inundated by spring runoff, but today much many of the river is rivers are channelized by levees, dikes, rip-rapriprap, and tamarisk. Fish access to these flooded bottomlands has been further reduced by decreased peak spring flows due to upstream impoundments. Numerous studies have suggested the importance of seasonal flooding to river productivity, and flooded bottomlands have been shown to contain large numbers support high densities of zooplankton and benthic organismsorganisms that are important food sources for young native fish. Floodplain areas inundated and temporarily connected to the main channel by spring flows appear to be important habitats for all life stages of razorback suckersucker and bonytail, and the seasonal timing of razorback sucker reproduction suggests an adaptation for utilizing these habitats. Restoring access to these warm and productive habitats would is intended to provide the growth and conditioning environments that appear crucial for recovery of self-sustaining razorback sucker populations. In addition, juvenile Colorado pikeminnow also use these areas for feeding feeding, and adults stage in these habitats prior to migrating to spawning areas. Inundation of floodplain habitats, although most important for razorback sucker, would will benefit bonytail and other native fishes by providing growth and conditioning environments and by restoring ecological processes dependent on periodic river-river- floodplain connections. Restoration of floodplain habitats could be is achieved through a combination of increased peak flows, prolonged peak-flow duration, lower bank or levee heights, levee removal, and constructed inlets. Studies have shown that a full utilization benefit of these floodplain habitats has been hampered reduced by the presence of large numbers of predacious and competing nonnative fishfish (Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx et al. Studies are underway to determine how this interaction may be reduced to enhance use of these habitats by endangered fish. For example, additional evaluation of the floodplain reset theory will be needed to determine if nonnative fish can be reduced or eliminated during low-flow years2004; Xxxxx and Xxxxxx 2005). The Recovery Action Plans Plan tables contain tasks to identify and restore important flooded bottomland habitats. During 1994, the Recovery Program completed an inventory of floodplain habitats for 870 miles of the Colorado, Green, Gunnison, Yampa, and White rivers. From the list of inventoried habitats, high-priority sites were screened evaluated for restoration potential. Site acquisition began in 1994 and continued through 2003. Since 2003, the Recovery Program has completed the razorback sucker floodplain habitat model and floodplain management plans for the Green and Colorado River sub-basins (Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx 2004a; 2004b; subject to revision as new information is gathered). Based on the model and these management plans, the Recovery Program has shifted from screening acquisition of additional floodplain sites for potential restoration/acquisition to focusing on better management of sites already acquired or otherwise available for managementavailable. Success will be measured by the response of the endangered fish populations. The General Recovery Program Support Action Plan contains table includes tasks to develop an issue paper on floodplain restoration and protection. This paper identified legal, institutional, and political strategies to enhance and protect floodplain habitats for the endangered fishes and ameliorate the effects of levees, diking, rip-rapriprap, gravel mining, and other forms of floodplain development. Phase 1 of the issue paper identified what floodplain restoration and protection is needed for the endangered fishesfishes (Xxxxxx 1998); Phase 2 determined how to accomplish that restoration and protectionprotection (Tetra Tech 2000). The issue paper evaluated responsibilities of the Recovery Program, Recovery Program participants, and other agencies involved in floodplain development, regulation, and management, and their roles and responsibilities with respect to endangered species. Xxxxx et al. (2017) reviewed the Recovery Program’s state of knowledge relative to floodplain management. They recommended that successful rearing of razorback sucker larvae to the YOY stage will require: 1) the ability to exclude large-bodied nonnative fish from the wetland during the larval entrainment period; 2) maintenance of water levels using water control structures and external water sources; and 3) capture, enumeration and release of YOY fish into the main channel as the wetland is drained in the fall months. Passage barriers have fragmented endangered fish populations and their habitats, resulting in confinement of the fishes to 20 percent of their former rangerange in the Upper Basin. Blockage of Colorado pikeminnow movement by dams and water-diversion structures has been was suggested as an important cause of the decline of this species in the Upper Basin (Xxxx 1984; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). Restoring access to historically occupied habitats via fish passage ways was identified in the Colorado Squawfish [Pikeminnow] Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991) and in the recovery goals (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002c) as one of several means to aid in Colorado pikeminnow recovery. The Recovery Action Plans Plan tables contain tasks to assess and make recommendations for fish passage at various dams and diversion structures. The need for passage already has been was determined at four sitessites in Colorado’s Grand Valley: Redlands, Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC), Price Stubb, and the Grand Valley ProjectProject (GVP). Passage has been restored at all four locations. In addition, a fish passage was completed in 2012 on the Redlands Hartland Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River near Delta by the National Resources Conservation Service and at local interests that benefits both endangered and native fishes. On the GVIC and GVP diversions on the mainstem Colorado Green River near PalisadeGreen River, ColoradoUtah, the rebuilt Tusher Diversion includes a fish passage component, designed similarly to the Price Stubb fish passage. Activities are underway The Tusher rebuild was completed in 2016, removing the last remaining significant barrier to restore native fish movement in the upper basin. Long-term effectiveness of these fish passages will require upstream sediment management (GVP and Redlands passages); in-passage at Price-Stubbdebris removal (Price Stubb and Tusher Diversion passages); and continued operation of selective fish passage structures (GVP and Redlands passages). Diversion canals have been found to entrain native and endangered fishes. The Recovery Program has constructed fish screens on major diversions on the Colorado and Gunnison rivers. Construction of fish screens to prevent entrainment of adult and subadult fish is in the planning and design stage at Tusher Wash and construction was completed at the Grand Valley Project and Redlands Water and Power Company diversion during 2005. Construction of a screen at the GVIC Grand Valley Irrigation Company diversion canal was completed in 2002, but 2002 and additional improvements to this screen are anticipated. Potential The Grand Valley screens on the Colorado and Gunnison rivers are operated as much as feasible through the irrigation season, though debris and other concerns sometimes interrupt operation. Evaluation of potential entrainment into irrigation canals is an important part of Colorado pikeminnow in the Recovery Program’s decision-making process for screening canals. Studies of diversion structures on the Yampa River may be determined the Xxxxxxx Xxxxx was not a significant source of entrainment for endangered species, though several large-bodied fish were entrained, including one Colorado pikeminnow. In partnership with the Maybell Irrigation District, The Nature Conservancy is working to rehabilitate the diversion and modernize the headgate, ensuring that the diversion provides water to the users who need it. At the same time, TNC is coordinating with the recreation community to ensure safe passage of watercraft through the new diversion. The three parts of the project—lining the ditch, replacing the headgate and rehabilitating the diversion—will improve efficiency, water flow and habitat for native fish. Entrainment of endangered fishes at the Green River Canal near Green River, Utah has been evaluated beginning by the Recovery Program and recent studies documented high levels of entrainment. All four endangered species were documented in 2007the canal through 2018. Based on these findings, the Program in 2019 constructed a vertical xxxx wall paired with a fish screen in the Green River Canal below the Xxxxx Hydro facility. Monitoring through 2020 indicated only two tagged fish have been entrained in the Green River Canal during the irrigation season, suggesting that the xxxx/screen design is effective at reducing or eliminating entrainment. For context, these two fish were detected in 2020 and represented 0.2% of all tagged fish detected in the vicinity of the screen that year. The Green River Canal was the last remaining known source of substantial entrainment in the upper basin. A number of potentially harmful contaminants (including selenium, petroleum derivatives, heavy metals, ammonia, and uranium) and suspected contaminant "hot spots" have been identified in the Upper Basin. It is the intent of the Recovery Program to support and encourage the activities of entities outside the Recovery Program (e.g. Reclamation’s and other stakeholders’ participation in the Gunnison River Basin Selenium Management Program) that are working to identify problem sites, evaluate contaminant impacts, and reduce or eliminate those impacts. Specifically, the Service will identify actions needed to reduce selenium contamination to levels that will not impede recovery and identify existing pipeline river crossings that need to have spill- control devices installed. New petroleum pipelines with a federal nexus are required by the Service through the Section 7 process to have shutoff valves. Not all pipelines have a federal nexus; therefore, the Program Director’s office discussed concerns with existing and future pipelines with the States’ oil and gas divisions. The Service also is working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to identify existing pipeline crossings that may need shutoff valves. Additionally, the Service and Utah Division of Water Resources have worked with EPA on spill response contingency planning.

RESTORE AND PROTECT HABITAT. Important elements of habitat protection include restoring and managing in-channel habitat and historically flooded bottomland areas, restoring passage to historically occupied river reaches, preventing fish entrainment at diversion structures (if warranted), enhancing water temperatures, and reducing or eliminating the impacts of contaminants. Historically, Upper Colorado River Basin floodplains were frequently inundated by spring runoff, but today much of the river is channelized by levees, dikes, rip-rap, and tamarisk. Fish access to these flooded bottomlands has been further reduced by decreased peak spring flows due to upstream impoundments. Numerous studies have suggested the importance of seasonal flooding to river productivity, and flooded bottomlands have been shown to contain large numbers of zooplankton and benthic organisms. Floodplain areas inundated and temporarily connected to the main channel by spring flows appear to be important habitats for all life stages of razorback sucker, and the seasonal timing of razorback sucker reproduction suggests an adaptation for utilizing these habitats. Restoring access to these warm and productive habitats would provide the growth and conditioning environments that appear crucial for recovery of self-sustaining razorback sucker populations. In addition, Colorado pikeminnow also use these areas for feeding prior to migrating to spawning areas. Inundation of floodplain habitats, although most important for razorback sucker, would benefit other native fishes by providing growth and conditioning environments and by restoring ecological processes dependent on periodic river-floodplain connections. Restoration of floodplain habitats could be achieved through a combination of increased peak flows, prolonged peak-flow duration, lower bank or levee heights, and constructed inlets. Studies have shown that full utilization of these floodplain habitats has been hampered by the presence of large numbers of predacious and competing nonnative fish. Studies are underway to determine how this interaction may be reduced to enhance use of these habitats by endangered fish. For example, additional evaluation of the floodplain reset theory will be needed to determine if nonnative fish can be reduced or eliminated during low-flow years. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to identify and restore important flooded bottomland habitats. During 1994, the Recovery Program completed an inventory of floodplain habitats for 870 miles of the Colorado, Green, Gunnison, Yampa, and White rivers. From the list of inventoried habitats, high-priority sites were screened have been (and will continue to be) selected to visit and screen for acquisition and restoration potential. Site acquisition and restoration began in 1994 and continued will continue through at least 2003. Since 2003, the Program has completed the razorback sucker floodplain habitat model and floodplain management plans for the Green and Colorado River sub-basins (subject to revision as new information is gathered). Based on the model and these management plans, the Program has shifted from screening additional floodplain sites for potential restoration/acquisition to focusing on sites already acquired or otherwise available for management. Success will be measured by the response of the endangered fish populations. The General Recovery Program Support Action Plan contains tasks to develop an issue paper on floodplain restoration and protection. This paper identified legal, institutional, and political strategies to enhance and protect floodplain habitats for the endangered fishes and ameliorate the effects of levees, diking, rip-rap, gravel mining, and other forms of floodplain development. Phase 1 of the issue paper identified what floodplain restoration and protection is needed for the endangered fishes; Phase 2 determined how to accomplish that restoration and protection. The issue paper evaluated responsibilities of the Recovery Program, Recovery Program participants, and other agencies involved in floodplain development, regulation, and management, and their roles and responsibilities with respect to endangered species. Passage barriers have fragmented endangered fish populations and their habitats, resulting in confinement of the fishes to 20 percent of their former range. Blockage of Colorado pikeminnow movement by dams and water-diversion structures has been suggested as an important cause of the decline of this species in the Upper Basin (Xxxx 1984; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). Restoring access to historically occupied habitats via fish passage ways was identified in the Colorado Squawfish [Pikeminnow] Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991) and in the recovery goals (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002c) as one of several means to aid in Colorado pikeminnow recovery. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to assess and make recommendations for fish passage at various dams and diversion structures. The need for passage already has been determined at four sites: Redlands, Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC), Price Stubb, and the Grand Valley Project. The need for passage at Hartland is being reassessed. Passage has been restored at the Redlands Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River and at the GVIC and GVP diversions diversion on the mainstem Colorado River near Palisade, Colorado. Activities are underway to restore passage at Price-StubbStubb and the Grand Valley Project. Diversion canals have been found to entrain native and endangered fishes. Construction of fish screens to prevent entrainment of adult and subadult fish is in the planning and design stage at Tusher Wash and construction was completed at Wash, the Grand Valley Project Project, and Redlands during 2005Redlands. Construction of a screen at the GVIC diversion canal was completed in 2002, but additional improvements to this screen are anticipated. Potential entrainment of Colorado pikeminnow in diversion structures on the Yampa River may be evaluated beginning in 2007The need for screening at Hartland is being reassessed. A number of potentially harmful contaminants (including selenium, petroleum derivatives, heavy metals, ammonia, and uranium) and suspected contaminant "hot spots" have been identified in the Upper Basin. It is the intent of the Recovery Program to support and encourage the activities of entities outside the Recovery Program that are working to identify problem sites, evaluate contaminant impacts, and reduce or eliminate those impacts.

RESTORE AND PROTECT HABITAT. Important elements of habitat protection include restoring and managing in-channel habitat and historically flooded bottomland areas, restoring passage to historically occupied river reaches, preventing fish entrainment at diversion structures (if warranted), enhancing water temperatures, and reducing or eliminating the impacts of contaminants. Historically, Upper Colorado River Basin floodplains were frequently inundated by spring runoff, but today much of the river is channelized by levees, dikes, rip-rap, and tamarisk. Fish access to these flooded bottomlands has been further reduced by decreased peak spring flows due to upstream impoundments. Numerous studies have suggested the importance of seasonal flooding to river productivity, and flooded bottomlands have been shown to contain large numbers of zooplankton and benthic organisms. Floodplain areas inundated and temporarily connected to the main channel by spring flows appear to be important habitats for all life stages of razorback sucker, and the seasonal timing of razorback sucker reproduction suggests an adaptation for utilizing these habitats. Restoring access to these warm and productive habitats would provide the growth and conditioning environments that appear crucial for recovery of self-sustaining razorback sucker populations. In addition, Colorado pikeminnow also use these areas for feeding prior to migrating to spawning areas. Inundation of floodplain habitats, although most important for razorback sucker, would benefit other native fishes by providing growth and conditioning environments and by restoring ecological processes dependent on periodic river-floodplain connections. Restoration of floodplain habitats could be achieved through a combination of increased peak flows, prolonged peak-flow duration, lower bank or levee heights, and constructed inlets. Studies have shown that full utilization of these floodplain habitats has been hampered by the presence of large numbers of predacious and competing nonnative fish. Studies are underway to determine how this interaction may be reduced to enhance use of these habitats by endangered fish. For example, additional evaluation of the floodplain reset theory will be needed to determine if nonnative fish can be reduced or eliminated during low-flow years. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to identify and restore important flooded bottomland habitats. During 1994, the Recovery Program completed an inventory of floodplain habitats for 870 miles of the Colorado, Green, Gunnison, Yampa, and White rivers. From the list of inventoried habitats, high-priority sites were have been screened for restoration potential. Site acquisition began in 1994 and continued through 2003. Since In 2003, the Program has completed the razorback sucker floodplain habitat model and drafted floodplain management plans for the Green and Colorado River sub-basins (subject to revision as new information is gathered)rivers. Based on the model and these management plans, the Program has shifted from screening additional floodplain sites for potential restoration/acquisition to focusing on sites already acquired or otherwise available for management. management Success will be measured by the response of the endangered fish populations. The General Recovery Program Support Action Plan contains tasks to develop an issue paper on floodplain restoration and protection. This paper identified legal, institutional, and political strategies to enhance and protect floodplain habitats for the endangered fishes and ameliorate the effects of levees, diking, rip-rap, gravel mining, and other forms of floodplain development. Phase 1 of the issue paper identified what floodplain restoration and protection is needed for the endangered fishes; Phase 2 determined how to accomplish that restoration and protection. The issue paper evaluated responsibilities of the Recovery Program, Recovery Program participants, and other agencies involved in floodplain development, regulation, and management, and their roles and responsibilities with respect to endangered species. Passage barriers have fragmented endangered fish populations and their habitats, resulting in confinement of the fishes to 20 percent of their former range. Blockage of Colorado pikeminnow movement by dams and water-diversion structures has been suggested as an important cause of the decline of this species in the Upper Basin (Xxxx 1984; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). Restoring access to historically occupied habitats via fish passage ways was identified in the Colorado Squawfish [Pikeminnow] Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991) and in the recovery goals (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002c) as one of several means to aid in Colorado pikeminnow recovery. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to assess and make recommendations for fish passage at various dams and diversion structures. The need for passage already has been determined at four sites: Redlands, Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC), Price Stubb, and the Grand Valley Project. The need for passage at Hartland is being reassessed. Passage has been restored at the Redlands Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River and at the GVIC and GVP diversions diversion on the mainstem Colorado River near Palisade, Colorado. Activities are underway to restore passage at Price-StubbStubb and the Grand Valley Project. Diversion canals have been found to entrain native and endangered fishes. Construction of fish screens to prevent entrainment of adult and subadult fish is in the planning and design stage at Tusher Wash and Redlands and construction was completed is underway at the Grand Valley Project and Redlands during 2005Project. Construction of a screen at the GVIC diversion canal was completed in 2002, but additional improvements to this screen are anticipated. Potential entrainment of Colorado pikeminnow in diversion structures on the Yampa River may be evaluated beginning in 2007The need for screening at Hartland is being reassessed. A number of potentially harmful contaminants (including selenium, petroleum derivatives, heavy metals, ammonia, and uranium) and suspected contaminant "hot spots" have been identified in the Upper Basin. It is the intent of the Recovery Program to support and encourage the activities of entities outside the Recovery Program that are working to identify problem sites, evaluate contaminant impacts, and reduce or eliminate those impacts.

RESTORE AND PROTECT HABITAT. Important elements of habitat protection include restoring and managing in-channel habitat and historically flooded bottomland areas, restoring passage to historically occupied river reaches, preventing fish entrainment at diversion structures (if warranted), enhancing water temperatures, and reducing or eliminating the impacts of contaminants. Historically, Upper Colorado River Basin floodplains were frequently inundated by spring runoff, but today much many of the river is rivers are channelized by levees, dikes, rip-rap, and tamarisk. Fish access to these flooded bottomlands has been further reduced by decreased peak spring flows due to upstream impoundments. Numerous studies have suggested the importance of seasonal flooding to river productivity, and flooded bottomlands have been shown to contain large numbers of zooplankton and benthic organisms. Floodplain areas inundated and temporarily connected to the main channel by spring flows appear to be important habitats for all life stages of razorback suckersucker and bonytail, and the seasonal timing of razorback sucker reproduction suggests an adaptation for utilizing these habitats. Restoring access to these warm and productive habitats would is intended to provide the growth and conditioning environments that appear crucial for recovery of self-sustaining razorback sucker populations. In addition, Colorado pikeminnow also use these areas for feeding prior to migrating to spawning areas. Inundation of floodplain habitats, although most important for razorback sucker, would will benefit bonytail and other native fishes by providing growth and conditioning environments and by restoring ecological processes dependent on periodic river-river- floodplain connections. Restoration of floodplain habitats could be is achieved through a combination of increased peak flows, prolonged peak-flow duration, lower bank or levee heights, levee removal, and constructed inlets. Studies have shown that a full utilization benefit of these floodplain habitats has been hampered reduced by the presence of large numbers of predacious and competing nonnative fishfish (Galat and Xxxxxxxxxx 2001; Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx et al. 2004; Xxxxx and Xxxxxx 2005).. Studies are underway (e.g. #164, #165) to determine how this interaction may be reduced to enhance use of these habitats by endangered fish. For example, additional evaluation of the floodplain reset theory will be needed to determine if nonnative fish can be reduced or eliminated during low-flow years. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to identify and restore important flooded bottomland habitats. During 1994, the Recovery Program completed an inventory of floodplain habitats for 870 miles of the Colorado, Green, Gunnison, Yampa, and White rivers. From the list of inventoried habitats, high-priority sites were screened for restoration potential. Site acquisition began in 1994 and continued through 2003. Since 2003, the Program has completed the razorback sucker floodplain habitat model and floodplain management plans for the Green and Colorado River sub-basins (subject to revision as new information is gathered). Based on the model and these management plans, the Program has shifted from screening additional floodplain sites for potential restoration/acquisition to focusing on sites already acquired or otherwise available for management. Success will be measured by the response of the endangered fish populations. The General Recovery Program Support Action Plan contains includes tasks to develop an issue paper on floodplain restoration and protection. This paper identified legal, institutional, and political strategies to enhance and protect floodplain habitats for the endangered fishes and ameliorate the effects of levees, diking, rip-rap, gravel mining, and other forms of floodplain development. Phase 1 of the issue paper identified what floodplain restoration and protection is needed for the endangered fishesfishes (Xxxxxx 1998); Phase 2 determined how to accomplish that restoration and protectionprotection (Tetra Tech 2000). The issue paper evaluated responsibilities of the Recovery Program, Recovery Program participants, and other agencies involved in floodplain development, regulation, and management, and their roles and responsibilities with respect to endangered species. Passage barriers have fragmented endangered fish populations and their habitats, resulting in confinement of the fishes to 20 percent of their former rangerange in the Upper Basin. Blockage of Colorado pikeminnow movement by dams and water-diversion structures has been suggested as an important cause of the decline of this species in the Upper Basin (Xxxx 1984; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). Restoring access to historically occupied habitats via fish passage ways was identified in the Colorado Squawfish [Pikeminnow] Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991) and in the recovery goals (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002c) as one of several means to aid in Colorado pikeminnow recovery. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to assess and make recommendations for fish passage at various dams and diversion structures. The need for passage already has been was determined at four sites: Redlands, Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC), Price Stubb, and the Grand Valley Project. Passage has been restored at all four locations. A fish passage was completed in 2012 on the Redlands Hartland Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River near Delta by NRCS and at the GVIC local interests which benefits both endangered and GVP diversions on the mainstem Colorado River near Palisade, Colorado. Activities are underway to restore passage at Price-Stubbnative fishes. Diversion canals have been found to entrain native and endangered fishes. Construction of an electrical fish screens barrier to prevent entrainment of adult and subadult fish is in the planning and design stage at Tusher Wash and construction Wash. Construction of fish screens was completed at the Grand Valley Project and Redlands Water and Power Company diversion during 2005. Construction of a screen at the GVIC Grand Valley Irrigation Company diversion canal was completed in 2002, but 2002 and additional improvements to this screen are anticipated. Potential Evaluation of potential entrainment of Colorado pikeminnow in diversion structures on the Yampa River may be evaluated beginning began in 20072007 (Xxxxxxx 2009), and continued in 2011- 2012. No endangered fish were encountered in the canal in 2011; one Colorado pikeminnow was detected in 2012. A number of potentially harmful contaminants (including selenium, petroleum derivatives, heavy metals, ammonia, and uranium) and suspected contaminant "hot spots" have been identified in the Upper Basin. It is the intent of the Recovery Program to support and encourage the activities of entities outside the Recovery Program that are working to identify problem sites, evaluate contaminant impacts, and reduce or eliminate those impacts. Specifically, the Service will identify actions needed to reduce selenium contamination to levels that will not impede recovery and identify existing pipeline river crossings that need to have spill-control devices installed.

RESTORE AND PROTECT HABITAT. Important elements of habitat protection include restoring and managing in-channel habitat and historically flooded bottomland areas, restoring passage to historically occupied river reaches, preventing fish entrainment at diversion structures (if warranted), enhancing water temperatures, and reducing or eliminating the impacts of contaminants. Historically, Upper Colorado River Basin floodplains were frequently inundated by spring runoff, but today much of the river is channelized by levees, dikes, rip-rap, and tamarisk. Fish access to these flooded bottomlands has been further reduced by decreased peak spring flows due to upstream impoundments. Numerous studies have suggested the importance of seasonal flooding to river productivity, and flooded bottomlands have been shown to contain large numbers of zooplankton and benthic organisms. Floodplain areas inundated and temporarily connected to the main channel by spring flows appear to be important habitats for all life stages of razorback sucker, and the seasonal timing of razorback sucker reproduction suggests an adaptation for utilizing these habitats. Restoring access to these warm and productive habitats would provide the growth and conditioning environments that appear crucial for recovery of self-self- sustaining razorback sucker populations. In addition, Colorado pikeminnow also use these areas for feeding prior to migrating to spawning areas. Inundation of floodplain habitats, although most important for razorback sucker, would benefit other native fishes by providing growth and conditioning environments and by restoring ecological processes dependent on periodic river-floodplain connections. Restoration of floodplain habitats could be achieved through a combination of increased peak flows, prolonged peak-flow duration, lower bank or levee heights, and constructed inlets. Studies have shown that full utilization of these floodplain habitats has been hampered by the presence of large numbers of predacious and competing nonnative fish. Studies are underway to determine how this interaction may be reduced to enhance use of these habitats by endangered fish. For example, additional evaluation of the floodplain reset theory will be needed to determine if nonnative fish can be reduced or eliminated during low-flow years. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to identify and restore important flooded bottomland habitats. During 1994, the Recovery Program completed an inventory of floodplain habitats for 870 miles of the Colorado, Green, Gunnison, Yampa, and White rivers. From the list of inventoried habitats, high-priority sites were screened for restoration potential. Site acquisition began in 1994 and continued through 2003. Since 2003, the Program has completed the razorback sucker floodplain habitat model and floodplain management plans for the Green and Colorado River sub-basins (subject to revision as new information is gathered). Based on the model and these management plans, the Program has shifted from screening additional floodplain sites for potential restoration/acquisition to focusing on sites already acquired or otherwise available for management. Success will be measured by the response of the endangered fish populations. The General Recovery Program Support Action Plan contains tasks to develop an issue paper on floodplain restoration and protection. This paper identified legal, institutional, and political strategies to enhance and protect floodplain habitats for the endangered fishes and ameliorate the effects of levees, diking, rip-rap, gravel mining, and other forms of floodplain development. Phase 1 of the issue paper identified what floodplain restoration and protection is needed for the endangered fishes; Phase 2 determined how to accomplish that restoration and protection. The issue paper evaluated responsibilities of the Recovery Program, Recovery Program participants, and other agencies involved in floodplain development, regulation, and management, and their roles and responsibilities with respect to endangered species. Passage barriers have fragmented endangered fish populations and their habitats, resulting in confinement of the fishes to 20 percent of their former range. Blockage of Colorado pikeminnow movement by dams and water-diversion structures has been suggested as an important cause of the decline of this species in the Upper Basin (Xxxx 1984; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). Restoring access to historically occupied habitats via fish passage ways was identified in the Colorado Squawfish [Pikeminnow] Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991) and in the recovery goals (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002c) as one of several means to aid in Colorado pikeminnow recovery. The Recovery Action Plans contain tasks to assess and make recommendations for fish passage at various dams and diversion structures. The need for passage already has been was determined at four sites: Redlands, Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC), Price Stubb, and the Grand Valley Project. Passage has been restored at the Redlands Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River and at the GVIC GVIC, Price-Stubb and GVP diversions on the mainstem Colorado River near Palisade, Colorado. Activities are underway to restore passage at Price-Stubb. Diversion canals have been found to entrain native and endangered fishes. Construction of fish screens to prevent entrainment of adult and subadult fish is in the planning and design stage at Tusher Wash and construction was completed at the Grand Valley Project and Redlands during 2005. Construction of a screen at the GVIC diversion canal was completed in 2002, but additional improvements to this screen are anticipated. Potential Evaluation of potential entrainment of Colorado pikeminnow in diversion structures on the Yampa River may be evaluated beginning began in 20072007 (Xxxxxxx 2009), and will continue in 2011 and 2012. A number of potentially harmful contaminants (including selenium, petroleum derivatives, heavy metals, ammonia, and uranium) and suspected contaminant "hot spots" have been identified in the Upper Basin. It is the intent of the Recovery Program to support and encourage the activities of entities outside the Recovery Program that are working to identify problem sites, evaluate contaminant impacts, and reduce or eliminate those impacts. Specifically, the Service will identify actions needed to reduce selenium contamination to levels that will not impede recovery.

RESTORE AND PROTECT HABITAT. ‌ Important elements of habitat protection include restoring and managing in-channel habitat and historically flooded bottomland areas, restoring passage to historically occupied river reaches, preventing fish entrainment at diversion structures (if warranted), enhancing water temperatures, and reducing or eliminating the impacts of contaminants. Historically, Upper Colorado River Basin floodplains were frequently inundated by spring runoff, but today much many of the river is rivers are channelized by levees, dikes, rip-rapriprap, and tamarisk. Fish access to these flooded bottomlands has been further reduced by decreased peak spring flows due to upstream impoundments. Numerous studies have suggested the importance of seasonal flooding to river productivity, and flooded bottomlands have been shown to contain large numbers of zooplankton and benthic organisms. Floodplain areas inundated and temporarily connected to the main channel by spring flows appear to be important habitats for all life stages of razorback suckersucker and bonytail, and the seasonal timing of razorback sucker reproduction suggests an adaptation for utilizing these habitats. Restoring access to these warm and productive habitats would is intended to provide the growth and conditioning environments that appear crucial for recovery of self-sustaining razorback sucker populations. In addition, juvenile Colorado pikeminnow also use these areas for feeding and adults stage in these habitats prior to migrating to spawning areas. Inundation of floodplain habitats, although most important for razorback sucker, would will benefit bonytail and other native fishes by providing growth and conditioning environments and by restoring ecological processes dependent on periodic river-floodplain connections. Restoration of floodplain habitats could be is achieved through a combination of increased peak flows, prolonged peak-flow duration, lower bank or levee heights, levee removal, and constructed inlets. Studies have shown that a full utilization benefit of these floodplain habitats has been hampered reduced by the presence of large numbers of predacious and competing nonnative fishfish (Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx et al. Studies are underway to determine how this interaction may be reduced to enhance use of these habitats by endangered fish. For example, additional evaluation of the floodplain reset theory will be needed to determine if nonnative fish can be reduced or eliminated during low-flow years2004; Xxxxx and Xxxxxx 2005). The Recovery Action Plans Plan tables contain tasks to identify and restore important flooded bottomland habitats. During 1994, the Recovery Program completed an inventory of floodplain habitats for 870 miles of the Colorado, Green, Gunnison, Yampa, and White rivers. From the list of inventoried habitats, high-priority sites were screened evaluated for restoration potential. Site acquisition began in 1994 and continued through 2003. Since 2003, the Recovery Program has completed the razorback sucker floodplain habitat model and floodplain management plans for the Green and Colorado River sub-sub- basins (Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx 2004a; 2004b; subject to revision as new information is gathered). Based on the model and these management plans, the Recovery Program has shifted from screening acquisition of additional floodplain sites for potential restoration/acquisition to focusing on better management of sites already acquired or otherwise available for managementavailable. Success will be measured by the response of the endangered fish populations. The General Recovery Program Support Action Plan contains table includes tasks to develop an issue paper on floodplain restoration and protection. This paper identified legal, institutional, and political strategies to enhance and protect floodplain habitats for the endangered fishes and ameliorate the effects of levees, diking, rip-rapriprap, gravel mining, and other forms of floodplain development. Phase 1 of the issue paper identified what floodplain restoration and protection is needed for the endangered fishesfishes (Xxxxxx 1998); Phase 2 determined how to accomplish that restoration and protectionprotection (Tetra Tech 2000). The issue paper evaluated responsibilities of the Recovery Program, Recovery Program participants, and other agencies involved in floodplain development, regulation, and management, and their roles and responsibilities with respect to endangered species. Xxxxx et al. (2017) reviewed the Recovery Program’s state of knowledge relative to floodplain management. They recommended that successful rearing of razorback sucker larvae to the YOY stage will require: 1) the ability to exclude large-bodied nonnative fish from the wetland during the larval entrainment period; 2) maintenance of water levels using water control structures and external water sources; and 3) capture, enumeration and release of YOY fish into the main channel Green River as the wetland is drained in the fall months. Passage barriers have fragmented endangered fish populations and their habitats, resulting in confinement of the fishes to 20 percent of their former rangerange in the Upper Basin. Blockage of Colorado pikeminnow movement by dams and water-diversion structures has been suggested as an important cause of the decline of this species in the Upper Basin (Xxxx 1984; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). Restoring access to historically occupied habitats via fish passage ways was identified in the Colorado Squawfish [Pikeminnow] Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991) and in the recovery goals (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002c) as one of several means to aid in Colorado pikeminnow recovery. The Recovery Action Plans Plan tables contain tasks to assess and make recommendations for fish passage at various dams and diversion structures. The need for passage already has been was determined at four sitessites in Colorado’s Grand Valley: Redlands, Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC), Price Stubb, and the Grand Valley ProjectProject (GVP). Passage has been restored at all four locations. In addition, a fish passage was completed in 2012 on the Redlands Hartland Diversion Dam on the Gunnison River near Delta by NRCS and at local interests that benefits both endangered and native fishes. On the GVIC and GVP diversions on the mainstem Colorado Green River near PalisadeGreen River, ColoradoUtah, a newly rebuilt Tusher Diversion includes a fish passage component, designed similarly to the Price Stubb fish passage. Activities are underway to restore The Tusher rebuild was completed in 2016, and an O&M contract was finalized in 2018. Long-term effectiveness of these fish passages will require upstream sediment management (GVP and Redlands passages); in-passage at Price-Stubbdebris removal (Price Stubb and Tusher Diversion passages); and continued operation of selective fish passage structures (GVP and Redlands passages). Diversion canals have been found to entrain native and endangered fishes. The Recovery Program has constructed fish screens on major diversions on the Colorado and Gunnison rivers. Construction of fish screens to prevent entrainment of adult and subadult fish is in the planning and design stage at Tusher Wash and construction was completed at the Grand Valley Project and Redlands Water and Power Company diversion during 2005. Construction of a screen at the GVIC Grand Valley Irrigation Company diversion canal was completed in 2002, but 2002 and additional improvements to this screen are anticipated. Potential The Grand Valley screens on the Colorado and Gunnison rivers are operated as much as feasible through the irrigation season, though debris and other concerns sometimes interrupt operation. Evaluation of potential entrainment into irrigation canals is an important part of the Recovery Program’s decision-making process for screening canals. Studies of Colorado pikeminnow in entrainment into diversion structures on the Yampa River may determined the Xxxxxxx Xxxxx was not a significant source of entrainment. Evaluation of potential entrainment of endangered fishes at the Green River Canal near Green River, Utah has been considered by the Recovery Program for many years, Recent studies have documented high levels of entrainment. All four endangered species continue to be evaluated beginning documented in 2007the canal through 2018. Based on these findings, the Program has begun construction of a vertical xxxx wall paired with a fish screen in the Green River Canal below the Xxxxx Hydro facility to reduce entrainment at this site (instead of the wedge wire screens used in Grand Valley fish screens). A number of potentially harmful contaminants (including selenium, petroleum derivatives, heavy metals, ammonia, and uranium) and suspected contaminant "hot spots" have been identified in the Upper Basin. It is the intent of the Recovery Program to support and encourage the activities of entities outside the Recovery Program (e.g. Reclamation’s participation in the Gunnison River Basin Selenium Management Program) that are working to identify problem sites, evaluate contaminant impacts, and reduce or eliminate those impacts. Specifically, the Service will identify actions needed to reduce selenium contamination to levels that will not impede recovery and identify existing pipeline river crossings that need to have spill-control devices installed. New petroleum pipelines with a Federal nexus are required by the Service through the Section 7 process to have shutoff valves. Not all pipelines have a Federal nexus; therefore, the Program Director’s office discussed concerns with existing and future pipelines with the States’ oil and gas divisions. The Service also is working with EPA, BLM, and USDOT to identify existing pipeline crossings that may need shutoff valves. Additionally, the Service and UDWR have worked with EPA on spill response contingency planning.