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outlined in the Instream Flow Recommendations Document (see FWS Meeting <br />Notes in Appendix 1). <br />3. Evaluate how the 13 alternatives in the Program Final Environmental Impact <br />Statement (FEIS) (USDOI, 2006) may contribute to the 5,000 and 800 cfs flows, <br />as opposed to the average annual reduction determined in prior studies. <br />4. Provide initially required modeling tools and initial characterization of the <br />projects to guide further assessments in Phase II of the study. <br />The objective of Phase II is to evaluate additional alternatives and combinations of <br />alternatives for meeting the target flows of 5,000 cfs and 800 cfs of Program water (6,000 cfs <br />total flow in two of three years) including revisions to these solutions and updated <br />operational scenarios as identified in the Phase I participant interviews. <br />The development of the Program was authorized with the signing of the Cooperative <br />Agreement on July l, 1997. The Governance Committee's Alternative was selected as the <br />Preferred Alternative for meeting the goals of the Program when the Record of Decision was <br />signed on September 27, 2006 by the Secretary of the Interior and subsequently the <br />governors of Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado. <br />The Program was initiated on January 1, 2007 between Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado <br />and the Department of the Interior (DOI) (the parties) to address endangered species issues in <br />the Platte River Basin. The target species are the whooping crane, piping plover, interior least <br />tern, and pallid sturgeon. <br />2.0 GUIDANCE OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS <br />The Program Document Water Plan defines the Program's water management process, <br />describes the initial projects to be implemented to meet Program water supply objectives, and <br />identifies additional projects to be considered in the Program's first increment. The focus of <br />this study is to quantify how these projects are able to reduce shortages to the target flows at <br />Overton and to assist the Governance Committee in the selection of projects capable of <br />meeting the Program's water supply goals. The Program Document Water Plan (PRRIP, <br />2006) and the FEIS provided the basis for the analysis. <br />130WLE Page 2 of 58 January 29, 2008 <br />PRRIP - Draft Water Management Study, Phase I