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<br />Approximately 60,000 lesser sandhill cranes use the North <br />Valley near Hershey, Nebraska, as a spring staging area. <br />several thousand lesser sandhill cranes also use the North <br />Valley near Lewellen, Nebraska (Miller, 1981). <br /> <br />Threatened and Endan ered Species.--The bald eagle is the only federally <br />isted en angere specles w ic commonly occurs along the North Pl atte <br />River. Bald eagles are common winter residents and migrants along the <br />river, being attracted by the open water and large numbers of waterfowl <br />(Fisher, 19808). <br /> <br />Pl atte River <br />In addition, <br />Pl atte River <br /> <br />The peregrine falcon historically nested in Wyoming. Although no <br />recent eyrie has been recorded along the North Pl atte, several canyons <br />in Wyoming offer excellent potential nesting habitat and are being <br />monitored by Bureau of Reclamation zoologists (Fisher, 1980B). <br /> <br />Two other federally 1 isted endangered species, which have occurred <br />historically along the North Pl atte River, are the whooping crane and <br />the bl ack-footed ferret. Neither of these species has been sighted <br />along the North Platte in recent years (Fisher, 1980B). <br /> <br />The State of Nebraska lists several species which may occur along the <br />North Platte as threatened or endangered, including the mountain plover <br />and least tern, which are 1 isted as threatened species, and the swift <br />fox, classified as being endangered in Nebraska (table 4). Wyoming has <br />no legi sl ative authority for determi nat ion of state threatened and <br />endangered species (Miller, 1981). <br /> <br />State and Federal Wildlife Areas.--Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge <br />(PNWR) was acquired primarily for waterfowl production. Management <br />activities include construction of artificial nesting structures, <br />waterfowl counts, and maintenance of boundary posts and fences. The <br />North Platte National Wildlife Refuge was acquired primarily to provide <br />migratory habitat for waterfowl. Management activities are similar to <br />those at PNWR. <br /> <br />Lands administered by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission include <br />wi ldl ife refuges, game management areas, access sites to reservoirs or <br />rivers, natu.ral areas, and reservoirs with only minimal development. <br />These areas are managed to produce fish, wildlife, and associated <br />recreational activities on public lands for the general public benefit. <br /> <br />14 <br />