Request for Formal Consultation Process

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__._. _.._ . . ..---.. ---.... ---------._..._...._...._._ .. -----......___ _.._..__ ?____... dependent on the proposed Program for ESA compliance during the first increment for the target species and other listed species inhabiting the Central and Lower Platte River. (Descriptions of the covered Reclamation projects are attached). We believe that the non-Federal components of the proposed Program, such as certain existing and new non-Federal water-related activities (i.e., those with no Federal nexus) and the States' new depletion plans, should be included in this consultation as interrelated with the proposed Federal action. This joint request is intended to satisfy Reclamation and Service ESA consultation requirements for the proposed Program and for Reclamation and Service water-related activities as defined in the proposed Federal action that may affect the target species and other listed s.pecies inhabiting the Central and Lower Platte River. This memorandum confirms that Reclamation ana ihe Service have agreea that a ciraTt programmatic BO will be issued as soon as possible after incorporating results of the recent negotiations between Interior and the States on portions of the Program document and prior to closure of the DEIS public comment period (August 20, 2004). We also have agreed that the timeline for completing this consultation will be extended pursuant to 50 CFR §402.14(e). We intend that a final programmatic BO will be issued within 45 days following publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed Prob am. June 14-15 Negotiations and Supporting Documents _41so attached are recent Program document changes a;reed to by the Governance Committee (GC) during the June 14-15, 2004 negotiating meeting between the panies. These versions of the Program documents supercede earlier versions. The attachments ineiude: (1) Changes made and agreed upon during GC Negotiating Team Meeting, June 14-15, 2004, (2) draft Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, December 22, 2003, and (3) Draft Land Plan, December 9, 2003. Please note that although attachments 2 and 3 above have dates of December 9 and expansion of existing projects, both those subject to and not subject to section 7(a)(2) of the ESA, which may affect the quantity or timing of water reaching the associated habitats and which are implemented after July 1, 1997. ExistinQ water-related activities for Reclamation refer to water projects in the Platte River basin upstream of the confluence with the Loup River near Columbus, Nebraska including the Colorado-Big Thompson, North Platte, and Kendrick Projects and the Kortes and Glendo Units of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Prugrain. Exislin-, Service water-related activities or projects include various Federal ?.id Projects, Partners far Wildlife Program Projects, and water-related activities at _Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge.