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<br />Background <br />In 1997, Interior and the States siQned a Cooperative Agreement for Platte River Research and <br />Other Efforts Relating to Endangered Species Habitats Along the Central Platte River, Nebraska <br />(Cooperative Agreement). The Cooperative Agreement established a GC composed of the <br />Siates, water users, environmental organizations, and Federal agencies to develop a Program and <br />the means for its implementation. In accordance with this Cooperative Agreement, the <br />participants have pursued a basin-wide, cooperative effort to improve and maintain habitat for <br />the target species. <br />The Cooperative Agreement provided that the Service "will evaluate whether the activiiies under <br />the Proposed Alternative and, if different, under the prefened alternative, can serve as a <br />reasonable and prudent alternative under section 7(b)(3) of the ESA for water-related activities in <br />thz nlatte River Basiia." (Sce pagz 8) <br />The purpose of the proposed Prob am is to improve land and water habitat for the target species; <br />offset the effects of existing water development; ensure that the effects of future water <br />development activities are offset so that they are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence <br />of the target species or adversely modify designated critical habitats; provide greater re?ulatory <br />certainty for water users by providing E5A compliance for existing and certain new water <br />development projects that are covered by a state's new depletion plan; and reduce the need to list <br />more species. As defined for the Program, "ESA compliance" means: (1) Serving as the <br />reasonable and prudent alternative to offset the effects of water-related activities that FWS found <br />were likely to cause jeopardy to one or more of the target species or to adversely znodify critical <br />habitat before the Program was in place; (2) providing offsetting measures to avoid the likelihood <br />of jeopardy to one or more of the target species or adverse modification of the critical habitat for <br />new or existing water-related activities evaluated under the ESA after the Progz-am was in place; <br />and (3) avoiding any proluUited take uf teraet species. <br />The proposed Program contains three elements: (1) Increasing stream flows (reducing shortages <br />to Service target flows) in the central Platte River during relevant time periods through <br />re-regulation and water conservationlsupplyprojects; (2) enhancina, restoring, and protecting <br />habitat lands for the target species; and (3) accommodating new water-related activities in a <br />manner consistent with long-term Program goals. <br />The Program will be implemented in phases, or increments, with only the initial 13 )-year <br />increment under review at this time. The results of Program implementation will be tracked and <br />evaluated so the Program can be adjusted over time. The adaptive management process will <br />include documenting baseline data for the target species' habitat, monitorinc, target species and <br />their habitats, setting objectives and timetables for review, developing specific milestones and <br />research activities, evaluating species' and habitat responses to Program activities, incorporatina