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2004 Biological Assessment and Opinions for Operations and Maintenance of Reclamation Projects in the Snake River Basin above Brownlee Reservoir
Overview

In November 2004, Reclamation submitted a biological assessment to NOAA Fisheries and US Fish and Wildlife Service for operations and maintenance actions at 12 federal projects in the upper Snake River basin. The biological assessment, prepared in compliance with Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act, evaluated and described potential effects of the actions on endangered or threatened species.

Reclamation received biological opinions from both agencies in March 2005. The biological opinions are consistent with the terms of the Nez Perce Settlement Agreement to address Reclamation’s continued operation of Upper Snake projects through the year 2035, including the continued provision of water to augment flows in the lower Snake River to benefit salmon and steelhead.
Biological Assessment Entire Document
(not including the physa amendment)

 PDF 10.8 mb
Cover PDF 178 kb
Map PDF 589 kb
Intro, Acronyms, TOC PDF 145 kb
Chapter 1 Overview PDF 750 kb
Chapter 2 Proposed Actions PDF 732 kb
Chapter 3 Hydrologic Conditions PDF 261 kb
Chapter 4 Aquatic Snails PDF 1.1 mb
Chapter 5 Bald Eagle PDF 162 kb
Chapter 6 Bull Trout PDF 939 kb
Chapter 7 Gray Wolf PDF 14 kb
Chapter 8 Ute Ladies'-Tresses PDF 191 kb
Chapter 9 Salmon and Steelhead PDF 2.2 mb
Chapter 10 Essential Fish Habitat PDF 381 kb
Appendices A-E PDF 259 kb

Amendment Regarding Snake River Physa

 PDF 31 kb
National Marine Fisheries Service Consultation

NOAA Fisheries’ 2005 Biological Opinion concludes that Reclamation’s proposed actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of twelve listed, and one proposed-for-listing, Columbia basin anadromous salmonids. The biological opinion includes an incidental take statement containing reasonable and prudent measures and terms and conditions with respect to implementation of Reclamation's salmon flow augmentation program. NOAA Fisheries 2005 Biological Opinion is the subject of litigation; information regarding litigation status can be obtained from the contact person listed below.
03/2005 NOAA Fisheries 2005 Biological Opinion (NMFS web site)
05/2005 Reclamation Decision Document PDF 80 kb
12/2005 Reclamation Annual Progress Report PDF 117 kb

USFWS Consultation

The Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2005 Biological Opinion concludes that Reclamation’s proposed actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of bald eagle, bull trout, Ute ladies’-tresses (an orchid), and three snails (Utah valvata, Snake River physa, and Bliss Rapids snail). The Biological Opinion also includes an incidental take statement containing reasonable and prudent measures and associated terms and conditions to minimize incidental take to bull trout and the Utah valvata that might result from Reclamation's proposed actions.
03/2005 Fish and Wildlife Service 2005 Biological Opinion (FWS web site)
03/2006 Utah Valvata and Bull Trout Monitoring and Implementation Plan PDF 616 kb

08/2005 Implementation Plan for Proposed Snake River Physa Surveys PDF 85 kb
11/2005 Reclamation Decision Document PDF 241 kb
Bull trout projects and reports>>

Related Links

NOAA: Northwest Regional Office
Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region
www.salmonrecovery.gov

Contact A CD-ROM containing the documents may be requested by contacting Lesa Stark, Endangered Species Program Manager, at ljstark@pn.usbr.gov or calling (208) 383-2260.
 

Last Update: September 6, 2007 11:06 AM