Laserfiche WebLink
<br />RECEIVED: 2-24-97; 16:05; 3076323909 r> WY AG WATER DIVISION; <br />FEB-24-97 18.14 FROM.GOVERNOR GERINGER WYOMING <br /> <br />"" <br />10.3078323908 <br /> <br />PAGE <br /> <br />31'3 <br /> <br />Governor Nelson <br />Page 2 <br />February 24, 1997 <br /> <br />I continue to support the principle that future water development actiOI1$ in our mutual states <br />should not increase the species and habitat mitigation obligatiol1$ in the other Slates. But the draft <br />Nebraska stipulation does Dot provide the assurances that you and 1 both agreed were necessary to <br />link the MOA and the litigation issues <br /> <br />The final stipulation must clearly document that eocecution of the Memorandum of <br />Agreement's cooperative approach resolves the species and environmeutal issues pertaining to the <br />whooping crane, least tern, piping plover and pallid sturgeon, along with any othel" wildlife and <br />environmental issues within the geographic limits of the federally designated critical' habitat area in <br />the Central Platte. The stipulation must clearly provide that those issues are to be dismissed from <br />Nebrnskll v. Wyoming concurrently with execution of the cooperative agreement. <br /> <br />Obviously, we have agreed that the issues are linked, AccordingIy, we wouldn't agree to <br />resolve the issues in the cooperative agreement only to remain adversaries on the very same wildlife <br />and environmental issues in the litigation. <br /> <br />Ben. we've come a long way in our mutuaI understanding of the issues on the Platte and I join <br />you in being encouraged that we are potentially very near partial success in reaching a mutually <br />beneficial remedy. Wyoming's participation in the basin-wide cooperative effort relative to <br />endangered species and critical habitat must have the assurance of comparable settlement of the <br />litigation. <br /> <br />Given that the time is short for resolving this principle, I would be pleased to discuss the <br />necessaxy strategies with you ~naDy at your earfiest convenience- WIth best regards, I am <br /> <br /> <br />SincereIy, <br /> <br />c:-- <br /> <br />JG:ah <br />