The Bureau of Reclamation, on behalf of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fishes Recovery Program, has prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) to evaluate the proposed floodplain habitat restoration project at the Grand Valley Audubon Society's Ela Wildlife Sanctuary in Grand Junction, CO. The project will enhance river bottomland habitats that are critical to the endangered Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker.

The project's river bottomlands will be enhanced by constructing a notch in the flood control dike at the Ela Wildlife Sanctuary to seasonally reconnect existing ponds to the Colorado River. The purpose for notching the dike is to provide access to pond environments that will capture drifting razorback sucker larvae during spring runoff, increase the flow through the ponds, and maintain the ponds for nursery habitat.

To receive a copy of the draft EA call Terence Stroh at (970) 248-0608. Written comments can be faxed to (970) 248-0601, emailed to tstroh@uc.usbr.gov, or mailed to Terence Stroh, Bureau of Reclamation, 2764 Compass Drive, Suite 106, Grand Junction, CO. Comments must be received on or before Friday, November 7, 2003.