News Release Archive

Multi-Species Conservation Program Documents Available

Media Contact: Robert Walsh, 702.293.8421, rwalsh@lc.usbr.gov
Elizabeth Slown, 505.248.6909, elizabeth_slown@fws.gov

For Release: December 17, 2004

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, documents related to the proposed adoption of the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (MSCP) are now available for public review.

The documents include the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Final Environmental Impact Report, Final Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan, Final Biological Assessment, Draft Implementing Agreement, and Draft Funding and Management Agreement.

The proposed program is a 50-year initiative to recover endangered species and protect wildlife habitat on the lower Colorado River in the United States, and ensure the certainty of continued water and power operations on the lower river. Development of the program has occurred over the past seven years in a public process that included six federal agencies; six lower Colorado River Tribes; the states of Arizona, California, and Nevada; and other interested stakeholders.

The MSCP would create more than 8,100 acres of riparian, marsh and backwater habitat along the lower Colorado River. It will protect six federally listed endangered species (the southwestern willow flycatcher, Yuma clapper rail, desert tortoise, bonytail, humpback chub, and razorback sucker); two candidate species (the yellow-billed cuckoo and relict leopard frog); and 19 other rare plant and animal species of animal and plant species. Fifty percent of the program's estimated $620 million cost over 50 years would be provided by the Federal government, and the states of and entities within Arizona, California and Nevada would jointly provide the remaining 50 percent.

The documents released today identify conservation measures proposed for implementation through the MSCP, evaluate the effects of specific ongoing and potential future federal actions, and evaluate the impacts of, and alternatives for, the possible issuance of an Incidental Take Permit for the affected species. They also identify other potential alternatives being considered.

The documents will be available for review for a period of 30 days.

The documents are available for public inspection and review at the locations listed on the attachment. Electronic versions of the documents are also available, at www.lcrmscp.org.

Copies can also be requested from: Mr. Steve Spangle, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ, 85021, telephone (602) 242-0210; or,

Mr. Glen Gould, Bureau of Reclamation, P.O. Box 61470, LC-2011, Boulder City, NV, 89006-1470, telephone (702) 293-8702.

Mr. Spangle and Mr. Gould can also be contacted for further information.

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Copies of the FEIS/FEIR, Final HCP, Final BA, ITP Application, Draft IA, and Draft FMA are available for public inspection and review at the following locations (by appointment at government offices):

* Department of the Interior, Natural Resources Library, 1849 C. St. NW, Washington, DC, 20240.

* Fish and Wildlife Service, 500 Gold Avenue SW, Room 4012, Albuquerque, NM, 87102.

* Fish and Wildlife Service, 2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ, 85021.

* Bureau of Reclamation, Lower Colorado Region, 500 Date Street, Boulder City, NV, 86009-1470.

* Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Region, 125 South State Street, Room 6107, Salt Lake City, UT, 84138-1102.

* Bureau of Reclamation Library, Denver Federal Center, 6th Avenue and Kipling, Building 67, Room 167, Denver, CO, 80225.

* Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office, 2222 W. Dunlap Ave., Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ, 85021.

* Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, 700 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA, 90017.

* Government Document Service, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287.

* Yuma County Library, 350 S. 3rd Ave., Yuma, AZ, 85384.

* Palo Verde Valley Library, 125 W. Chanslor Way, Blythe, CA, 92225.

* Mohave County Library, 1170 Hancock Rd., Bullhead City, AZ, 86442.

* Laughlin Library, 2840 South Needles Hwy., Laughlin, NV, 89029.

* Clark County Library, 1401 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV, 89119.

* James I. Gibson Library, 280 Water Street, Henderson, NV, 89015.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.