WASHINGTON, D.C. – Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett will join U.S. Representative John Salazar, local leaders and other Interior officials at a July 1 dedication ceremony to celebrate the recent completion of a fish passage at the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam and other capital projects in western Colorado to improve habitat for endangered fish.
The fish passage at the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam will enable imperiled species to overcome the last remaining barrier to fish migration on the Colorado River from Utah’s Lake Powell to the upper end of critical habitat near Rifle, Colo. Other projects that are part of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program include fish passages and screens at three privately owned diversion dams, a hatchery, canal check structures and 2,700 acres of restored floodplain habitat.
| Who: | Lynn Scarlett, Deputy Secretary of the Interior John Salazar, Member of Congress, U.S. House of Representatives Kris Polly, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation Jennifer Gimbel, Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board Jay Slack, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Deputy Director Greg Trainor, Director, City of Grand Junction Utility and Street Systems |
| What: | Dedication of Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program projects to recover four species of endangered fish (Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, humpback chub and bonytail). Following a short reception during which speakers are available for media interviews, there will be a tour of a fish passage and screen at Redlands Water and Power Diversion Dam and a restored floodplain wetland at the Grand Valley Audubon Society’s Lucy Ferril Ela Wildlife Sanctuary. (Media are welcome to attend. Transportation is provided. Please RSVP to (970) 248-0625 for the tour.) |
| When: | Tuesday, July 1: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Dedication Ceremony 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Reception during which speakers are available for media interviews 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Tour |
| Where: | Price-Stubb Diversion Dam parking lot east of Palisade in western Colorado |
| Why: | The Recovery Program is a cooperative program established in 1988 to recover endangered fish while water development proceeds in accordance with state and federal laws. For more information, call 303-969-7322, ext. 227 or visit the Recovery Program’s website: coloradoriverrecovery.fws.gov. |