BIOLOGY COMMITTEE CONFERENCE CALL SUMMARY
12/17/99

Biology Committee Conference Call Summary

December 17, 1999

Participants: Art Roybal, Tim Modde, Kevin Christopherson, John Hawkins, Angela Kantola, Tom Czapla, Tom Chart, Paul Dey, Pat Nelson, John Pitlick, and Frank Pfeifer

Convene: 9:10 a.m.

• Additions/Revisions to the agenda - The agenda was modified as it appears below.
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• Final Report Review - Longitudinal Trends in Channel Characteristics of the Upper Colorado River and Implications for Food-Web Dynamics (Pitlick and Cress) - Tom Chart asked about an apparent contradiction between the statements on page 18 and an earlier statement in the report that cites no appreciable change. >John Pitlick will clarify the difference between concentration and load early in the report. Tom Chart noted that on page 7 under "GIS analysis" Quartarone is cited, but it probably could cite harder data. >Frank Pfeifer will send John a better reference for historic razorback distribution. Tim Modde suggested that >John work with Frank's staff to reword some of the recommendations in terms that relate to habitat formation and maintenance. On the last recommendation, include a reference to Table 7 on page 23 (which shows the actual flow values). John also will check the source for the parenthetical in recommendation 5. John will reword the statement at the bottom of page 24 that suggests focusing recovery efforts in the diverse alluvial reaches (as opposed to canyonbound reaches), since we don't want to discount the importance of canyon reaches to other species like humpback chub. Also on page 24, clarify whether the Stanford et. al. citation is 1997 or 1996. The Committee approved the report as final with the foregoing changes. >John Pitlick will make the minor revisions and finalize the report.
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• Price River Gage - Art Roybal said he attended the WAC meeting on Monday, and they asked who originally sponsored the gage. Tom Chart said that USGS thought it was Bureau-funded, but apparently it was not. It was likely funded by the water users in the Price River Basin. Tom Chart said there's no funding available in Reclamation. It should cost 4.5 to 5k to install the gage (with matching funds). Ideally, we should try to get USGS matching funds. The Committee discussed the gage and generally supported it, but would like to consider the results of the tributary white paper (by Tyus). Since USGS is unlikely to install a gage mid-winter, this decision can be deferred until the tributary report is released. >Tom Chart will check to see if Reclamation would fund the first year (since it involves start-up and construction costs) out of capital funds. The Biology Committee deferred any recommendation until their February meeting (after tributary discussion at Researcher's meeting).
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• Land Acquisition Criteria - Just for clarification purposes in light of Tom Nesler's submittal to the list server on Dec. 1^st (which expressed concern that land acquisition criteria puts higher priority on adding new habitat than protecting existing habitat). Pat Nelson said he agrees that we don't currently know what will be the best habitat (existing or newly restored), but we need to remember that land acquisition is opportunity-based and we have yet to be faced with making a choice between protecting existing or acquiring new habitat. Pat agrees that protecting existing habitat is important. > If Tom Nesler has further concerns, he can request a discussion at the next meeting. Kevin agreed that if we are ever in a position where we need to make a choice, then protecting existing habitat is a higher priority. Pat suggested that if we ever face that choice, then it should come to the Biology Committee for discussion. John Hawkins suggested saying that at this time our priority is acquiring new habitat, but we should keep our eye on the need to protect existing habitat. >Pat will formalize the criteria passed out at the last BC meeting to reflect that new habitat doesn't have priority over existing habitat.
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• Escalante State Wildlife Area Floodability Enhancement Proposal - The Committee discussed the draft scope of work. The Committee expressed concern about control of nonnatives (John Hawkins was particularly concerned about creating northern pike spawning habitat). The Committee noted that restoring this oxbow habitat would need some follow up monitoring on use of the area by stocked fish. Several people hadn't seen the proposal (e.g., Tim Modde, Frank Pfeifer). >Pat will send the SOW to them and then talk about it at the next meeting. Pat will simultaneously send it to people in CDOW and others who would need to approve it. Based on information that John Hawkins got from a game warden regarding proposed wetland creation at Yampa SWA, the Biology Committee needs >Tom Nesler to tell them if there's incompatibility between the Program's nonnative fish management activities and this proposed wetland creation (which might create northern pike spawning habitat). Nesler should update the Committee on SWA activities.
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• Pikeminnow Population Estimate - Tom Czapla and Angela Kantola reported that the Green River Colorado pikeminnow population estimate will be funded at the requested $165,000 (The Program Director's office found carry-over funds sufficient to cover the additional cost).
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• Upper Colorado River Researcher's Meeting/Conference - > Kevin Christophersen will send out a tentative schedule by early next week. There will be sections on tributaries, nonnatives, and instream flows. The abstracts will be published with the program schedule.
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• Next BC Meeting: The next meeting will be February 8 (10 a.m.) and go thru the 9th (adjourn around 11- 11:30a.m.) in Grand Junction. A later start on the 8th and an additional 1/2 day was added to accommodate all agenda items. Agenda items will include:
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- Review of recommended revisions to the RIPRAP and draft FY 2001 Program Guidance

- NPS proposal on razorback sucker radiotelemetry

- Bonytail stocking in the Yampa River

- Flaming Gorge and Lodore Canyon Reports

- Revised Colorado Pikeminnow population estimate scope of work (Bestgen, et.al.)

- Options to meet facilities needs (the revised facility needs document)

- Price River gage

- Escalante State Wildlife Area Floodability Enhancement Proposal

- Importance of the15-mile Reach Report - Osmundson Addresses BC Member's Comments

ADJOURN (~11:00 am)

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