WSP10509

• File Number: 8460.400
• Description: Platte River Basin-Platte River Basin Endangered Species Issues-Platte River Management Joint Study
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 10/1/1991
• Title: Management Alternative Work Group Status Report for Fiscal Year 1991-Draft 3
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Management Alternatives Work Group
status Report For
Fiscal Year 1991

Introduction

In 1983, the issuance of a jeopardy biological opinion under
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for the proposed Narrows
Unit on the South Platte River in Colorado led the Regional
Directors of the Fish and wildlife service (Service) and the

Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to initiate the Platte River

Management Joint study (Joint Study). In 1984, the Regional

Directors established a coordinating committee including the

States of Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado to organize the Joint

Study. The purpose of the Joint studY is "...to cooperate in

discussions seeking ways to develop and implement recovery plans

and programs which will enable Federal agency actions associated

with water project development and depletions in the Platte River
basin to proceed in compliance with the Endangered Species Act
while avoiding conflicts between the Endangered Species Act and

state water rights systems and the use of water apportioned to a

state pursuant to the compact and decrees concerning the waters

of the Platte River and its tributaries." The Coordinating

Committee created three working groups: the Biology, Hydrology,

and Management Alternatives Work Groups. These work groups were

charged with developing a habitat plan for the Platte River in

central Nebraska. The resulting information and reports from the

Biology and Hydrology Work Groups are being used by the
Management Alternatives Work Group (Work Group) in formulating a

habitat management plan for the Platte River. Upon completion,

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