Biological Opinion on the Effects of Proposed Klamath Project Operations from April 1, 2019, through March 31, 2024, on the Lost River Sucker and the Shortnose Sucker

This document transmits the biological opinion (BiOp) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS, Service) based on our review of the proposed operations of the Klamath Project (Project) by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) in Klamath County in Oregon and Siskiyou and Modoc Counties in California. The federally-listed species (hereafter referred to as listed species) and critical habitats considered in this document are Lost River sucker (Deltistes luxatus, LRS) and shortnose sucker (Chasmistes brevirostris; SNS), which were both listed as endangered in 1988 and have designated critical habitat. There are also listed species that fall under the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that are present in the action area. The effects of the Project on these species was considered in a separate, but coordinated, BiOp prepared by NMFS.

This document was prepared in accordance with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.). Reclamation’s request for formal consultation was received by the USFWS on December 21, 2018. Reclamation provided an addendum to their December 21 Biological Assessment on February 15, 2019.

This BiOp and the concurrence determinations are based on information provided in Reclamation’s Final Biological Assessment (BA; USBR 2018a), including the addenda and clarifications received on February 15, 2019 and March 22, 2019, and other sources of information. A complete record of this consultation is on file at the USFWS office in Klamath Falls, Oregon.