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

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.

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.

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.

08/2005

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

Lesa Stark
Program Manager
(208) 383-2260
lstark@usbr.gov

Bureau of Reclamation
Snake River Area Office
Attention: SRA-1200 (Stark)
230 Collins Road
Boise, ID 83702-4520