News Release Archive

The Bureau of Reclamation Requests Comments about the Draft Environmental Assessment for
Floodplain Habitat Restoration at Ela Wildlife Sanctuary

Media Contact: Justyn Hock, (970) 248-0625, jhock@uc.usbr.gov

For Release: October 07, 2003

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.

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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.