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o.~ ~ "J::::) ... ~ -' '-' CHAPTER I - BACKGROUND State and Federal interests expressed a continual and strong desire for effective coordination and meaningful communication as an integra1 part of conducting the Upper P1atte River studies, and this theme was preva1ent throughout the study process. This chapter out1 ines study organization and touches on the areas of responsibil ity for study conduct. The major portion is devoted to a concise description of the physical setting with emphasis on the hydro1 ogi c systan and the economi c and envi ronmenta 1 parameters of the study area. STUDY ORGANIZATION A State-Federal Committee carried out coordination oversight of the technical studies for most of the study period. This committee, cochaired by the Secretary of the Interior's Regional Representative and the chainnan of the Missouri River Basin Commission, was instru- mental in developing the pI an for overall study conduct, study organization, and study products. Its membership included a repre- sentative from each of the three Interior agencies - Fish and Wildlife Service, Geological Survey, Bureau of Reclamation - and a representative from each of the three affected States - Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado. Overall organization is illustrated in figure I, Upper Platte River Study Organization Chart. STUDY RESPONSIBILITIES Each of the three Interior agencies had leadership responsibilities for certain technical studies. The Fish and Wildlife Service, in carrying out the Ecology Technical Study, focused primarily on the area of the Platte River from the town of Chapman, Nebraska, which is east of Grand Island, westward to the city of North Platte, and along the North Platte River westward to Kingsley Dam. The most intensive efforts have been directed at migratory birds, especially the sandhill crane. Base1ine information has been gained for defining habitat needs. Staging areas, roosting sites, feeding areas, dietary needs, and tolerances of the midcontinent sandhill crane populations to a variety of factors have been evaluated. Other migratory waterfowl and other species, including raptors, federally listed endangered species, and shore birds, making use of the Platte River in this area, have also been studied. The Geological Survey directed its attention to defining the amount and distribution of streamflow and ground water and relating these hydrologic events and conditions to the parameters of migratory bird habitat. Boundaries for Geological Survey studies were Duncan, Nebr aska, on the 10wer end, upstream to near Kersey, Co 1 orado, on the South P1 atte, and to the upper end of Lake McConaughy on the North Platte River. 3