PUB00152 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

associated with the proposed project significant enough for this project to receive Federal funding? I Ecosystem restoration is one of the primary missiohs of the Corps' Civil Works program. The purpose of Civil Works ecosystem restoration ~activities is to restore significant ecosystem function, structure, and dynamic processes that have been degraded. The intent of restoration is to partially or fully reestabli~h the attributes of a natural, functioning, and self-regulating system. Those res~oration opportunities that are associated with wetlands, riparian, and other floodRlain 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 th~ South Platte River, which are consistent with Corps ecosystem restoration policy. In-stream flows will help improve a diverse fishery in the South Platte River. The decliJ,le of biodiversity is a major problem in the United States. The threatened bald eagle andits food chain should benefit from the restored areas along the South Platte. Migratory bi~ds should benefit from the alternative plans through increased shallow water, improved fopd chains, and improved riparian habitat conditions. These birds are of great ecological and economic value to the nation. They contribute to biological diversity and bring tremendous enjoyment to millions of Americans who study, watch, feed, or hunt these birds throughout the United States. The United States has recognized the critical importanceofthis resource by ratifying international conventions 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 furtl1er 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 the plan. A plan must provide and account for all necessary investments or other actions needed to ens\1re the realization of the planned restoration outputs. Real estate, O&M, monitoring, and 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 The Study Team will document the assumptions made and uncertainties encountered during the course of the analysis. Restoration of some types of ecosystems may have relatively low risk. When it comes time to identify the NER plan, the associated risk and uncertainty of achieving the proposed level of outputs must have been considered. 11