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.

Related Documents
06/2018 Two-Dimensional Water Quality Modeling of Arrowrock Reservoir 2013-14 PDF 2.63 mb
12/2013 Biological Assessment for Bull Trout Critical Habitat for Upper Snake River Basin PDF 16.09 mb
03/2005 Amendment Regarding Snake River Physa PDF 35 kb
11/2004 Biological Assessment and Opinions for Operations and Maintenance of Reclamation Projects in the Snake River Basin above Brownlee Reservoir PDF 7.87 mb

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 HTML
05/2005 Reclamation Decision Document PDF 76 kb
12/2005 Reclamation Annual Progress Report PDF 130 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.

09/2014 Biological Assessment for Operations & Maintenance in the Snake River Basin above Brownlee Reservoir on Snake River Physa PDF 5.62 mb
03/2005 Fish and Wildlife Service 2005 Biological Opinion HTML
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 287 kb
Annual Reports >>
Bull Trout Projects and Reports >>
Related Links
NOAA: West Coast Regional Office
Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region
www.salmonrecovery.gov

Contact

Jim Taylor
Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist
(208) 383-2260
jbtaylor@usbr.gov

Bureau of Reclamation
Snake River Area Office
230 Collins Road
Boise, ID 83702-4520


Last Updated: 10/11/23