Final Programmatic Biological Opinion for Bureau of Reclamation's

odies. Signing of the Recovery Agreement will indicate support for the implementation ofrecovery actions identified in this opinion, and will provide immediate coverage to those waterusers for incidental take. If water users choose not to sign a recovery agreement, they could notrely on the Recovery Program for Endangered Species Act compliance. Reasonable and prudentalternatives outside the Recovery Program would have to be developed.Monetary charges for projects to fund Recovery Actions which choose to rely on the RecoveryProgram will be assessed consistent with documents establishing the Recovery Program (USFWS1987). Existing and future Reclamation projects remain exempt from the charge because theycontribute annually to the Recovery Program. All other new project proponents undergoingindividual section 7 consultations for depletions greater than 100 acre-feet/year are to pay the 1-time charge. New projects pay 10 percent at the time Federal funds or authorizations areobtained and the remainder prior to depletions occurring. Existing projects are to pay the chargefor new depletions which have occurred since January 22, 1988. As additional new depletionsoccur from existing facilities that will have undergone section 7 in accordance with this biologicalopinion, a depletion charge will be assessed and paid prior to the actual depletion.The Service will continue to work with proponents of new water projects to minimize projectimpacts and look for mutually agreeable opportunities to provide conditions that benefit theendangered fishes. The Service intends to coordinate with the lead Federal Agency during theNational Environmental Policy Act process and conduct informal section 7 consultation, asappropriate. This will reduce the likelihood of reinitiation of consultation on existing and othernew projects that precede the subject project.STATUS OF THE SPECIES AND CRITICAL HABITATColorado PikeminnowSpecies/Critical Habitat DescriptionThe Colorado pikeminnow is the largest cyprinid fish (minnow family) native to North Americaand it evolved as the main predator in the Colorado River system. It is an elongated pike-like fishthat during predevelopment times, may have grown as large as 6 feet in length and weighed nearly100 pounds (Behnke and Benson 1983). Today, fish rarely exceed 3 feet in length or weigh morethan 18 pounds; such fish are estimated to be 45-55 years old (Osmundson et al. 1997). Themouth of this species is large and nearly horizontal with long slender pharyngeal teeth (located inthe throat), adapted for grasping and holding prey. The diet of Colorado pikeminnow longer than3 or 4 inches consists almost entirely of other fishes (Vanicek and Kramer 1969). Males becomesexually mature earlier and at a smaller size than do females, though all are mature by about age 7and 500 mm (20 inches) in length (Vanicek and Kramer 1969, Seethaler 1978, Hamman 1981).Adults are strongly countershaded with a dark, olive back, and a white belly. Young are silveryand usually have a dark, wedge-shaped spot at the base of the caudal fin.19