NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD

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The Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) is a federal and non-federal partnership responding to the need to balance use of lower Colorado River (LCR) water resources and the conservation of native species and their habitats in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This is a long term (50-year) program to conserve at least 26 species of plants and animals (including razorback sucker Xyrauchen texanus (RASU) along the LCR from Lake Mead to the Southerly International Boundary with Mexico through the implementation of a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). RASU is listed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) as a species of special concern and was listed federally in 1991 as endangered under the ESA. Reclamation is the implementing agency for the LCR MSCP and the AZGFD is a committed signatory and partner to the program and the HCP. This project is a partnership between Reclamation and AZGFD for the principal purpose of maintaining viable RASU populations in the lower Colorado River and associated drainages pursuant to goals set forth in the LCR MSCP. Objectives include annual production of between 5,000 and 15,000 RASU, transportation and stocking of RASU throughout LCR drainages, and ongoing hatchery maintenance and repair.

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