Colorado River Management Section

Overview - Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program

The Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, or LCR MSCP, is a cooperative effort to address the needs of threatened and endangered species that may be affected by the operation and maintenance of the river from Lake Mead downstream to the Southern International Border.  The Program has three goals:

• To conserve habitat and work toward the recovery of threatened and endangered species within the Lower Colorado River Basin, as well as reduce the likelihood of additional species listing under the Endangered Species Act,
• To accommodate current water diversions and power production and optimize opportunities for future water and power development consistent with the law,
• To provide a basis for incidental take permits under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act.

To accomplish these goals a Program Steering Committee including federal agencies; water, power, and wildlife agencies from Arizona, California, and Nevada; irrigation districts and municipalities; power providers; conservation groups; and other affected interests developed a 50-year Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).  Official documents for the program were signed on April 4, 2005 during a ceremony at Hoover Dam.  The HCP includes the creation of approximately 8,000 acres of new habitat, augmentation of fish populations, research and adaptive management.

Power and water supplies from the Colorado River benefit the entire state. Colorado River water is the largest renewable water supply in Arizona and hydroelectric power generated by the river is used in every county in Arizona.  The LCR MSCP provides assurance that the benefits provided by the river to Colorado River communities, Central Arizona Project subcontractors, power users, recreational and environmental interests are not unnecessarily reduced in amount or increased in cost.  The LCR MSCP provides a framework for Endangered Species Act compliance that supports the State’s continued economic growth and development.

 

<< Back to the main Colorado River Management Section.