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.. . . Ecosystem restoratio~is one of the priniary. missions ofthe Corps' Civil Works program. The purpose ofCivit.Works ecQsystem r~storation activities is to restore significant ecosystem. function. str~cture. and dynamic processes that Ilave been degraded. The intent of restoration is to partially or fully reestablish tile attributes of a natural. functioning. and self-regulating system. Those restoration opportunities that are associated with wetlandst riparian..and othedloodplain and aquatic systems are most appropriate for Corps involvement. The alternative plans for this study will involve the partial restoration of the degraded reaches along the South Platte River.' . which are consistent with Corpsecosystem restoration policy. In-stream flows willllelp improve. a diverse fishery in the South Platte River. The decline of biodiVersity isa maior problem in the United States. The threatened bald eagle and its food chain should benefit from the restored areas along the South Platte. Migratory birds should benefit from the alternative plans through. increased shallow water~ improved food chains. and improved riparian habitat conditions. These.. birds are of great ecological and economic value to_thenation.They contribute to biological: ~'d iversity and bring tremendous enjoyment to miUioris 'of Americans who study. watch. feed. or hunt these birds throughput the United States. The United States has recognized the critical . importance of this resourCtl by ratifyingintem~tionalconventions for the conservation of migratory birds. .. Acceptability. Completeness. Effectiveness. and Efficiency...... . -- - . . .. . Alternatives considered feasible will be documented to meet minimum subjective standards of these criteria in order to qualify for further consideration and comparison with other plans. An.. . ecosystem restoration plan should be acceptable to State and Federal resource agencies. and local government. There should be evidence of broad based public consensus and support for tile plan. A plan must provide and account for all necessary investments or other actions needed to ensure. the realization of the planned.restoration outputs... Real estate. O&M,monitoring. an4 .. sponsorship factors must be considered. Where there is uncertainty concerning the functioning of certain restoration features and an adaptive management plan is needed. it must be accounted for. in the plan. . An ecosystem restoration plan must make a significant contribution to addressing the . specified restoration problems or opportunities (i.e., restore important ecosystem structure or.. . function to some meaningful degree). . . Risk and Uncertainty Considerations . .. . . . Tile Study Team will document the assumption~ made and uncertainties encountered during the . course of the analysis. Restoration of some types ofecosystems may have relatively low risk. When it comes time to. identitY the NER plan. the associated risk and i.nicertainty of achieving the . proposed level of outputs must havet>eenconsidered. . Environmental Evaluation . . . , . . Environmental resources evaluation during this :step of pianning will be of suffiCiimt scope and. . detail to effectively quantify the impacts the alternatives will have on the resources. and to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act. This will include any impacts tcdlood stages by recognizing and relating to the analysis accomplished for the water supply planning. . . . . .. The Corps will also comply with the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act by giving full . ....consideration to reports and recommendations furnished by the US Fish and Wildlife'Service. and the appropriate head of the State agency exercising administration over the fish and wildlife resources; will also comply with the Endangered Species Act by giving special consideration to the reports and recommendations of the US Fish and Wildlife Service on the conservation of 9