Annual Report

FY14 Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program Annual Report

URL: https://webapps.usgs.gov/mrgescp/documents/GenQuest%2C%20Inc._MRGESCP%20Annual%20Report%20FY2014.pdf

Date: 2015/01/01

Author(s): GenQuest, Inc.

Publication: Prepared for Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program. Prepared by GenQuest, Inc., 22 p.

Abstract:

In 2009, the Executive Committee (EC) of the Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program (Collaborative Program, Program, or MRGESCP) directed efforts to pursue advancement of the Collaborative Program through a recovery implementation program (RIP). This effort will enhance the Collaborative Program’s focus on recovery activities, and serve as an Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance vehicle using a new Long Term Plan (LTP) as a mechanism for advancing the Collaborative Program based on the framework of the Rio Grande silvery minnow and Southwestern willow flycatcher recovery plans.

The general purpose of the RIP is:

• To protect and improve the status of species listed pursuant to the ESA within the Middle Rio Grande (MRG) by implementing certain recovery activities to benefit and work toward recovery of those species and their designated critical habitats, with special emphasis on the Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus; silvery minnow) and the Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus; flycatcher);

and, simultaneously,

• To protect existing and future water uses while complying with applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations, and to serve as the ESA coverage vehicle for entities that rely on the RIP as the ESA conservation measure for the effects of water uses and management actions in the Program area (Figure 1.1).