In addition to water acquisition, Reclamation's recovery efforts include design and construction of fish screen and passage facilities at numerous facilities. Reclamation is also taking action to satisfy the requirements of the Northwest Power Planning Council Fish and Wildlife Program by ensuring that Reclamation facilities meet current criteria for effective protection of juvenile anadromous fish. Preparation of a new Biological Opinion on the Federal Columbia River Power System is underway. Reclamation's major facilities in this consultation are the Hungry Horse Dam in Montana and Grand Coulee Dam in Washington. The essential challenge facing Reclamation is to adhere to the biological opinion by minimizing adverse effects on listed or candidate species from the operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System while continuing to meet our existing obligations.
Straightforward solutions are elusive.
The risk of unintended consequences is high. Proposals are being considered to modify the operation of Lake Roosevelt to assume a greater burden of flood control now assumed by other reservoirs. If implemented, this will result in a greater volume of flow augmentation water at times that would benefit the listed species. However, this modification also may have impacts on Reclamation's ability to provide project benefits. Currently, Reclamation is working to fulfill ESA requirements in a manner consistent with our other obligations.