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The Endangered Species Act was relevant to the case because the "Big Bend" area of the Platte River is used extensively by whooping cranes during their annua 1 spring and fall migrations. The whooping crane is perhaps the best- known endangered species in the United States; its continued existence is a powerful symbol of the nation's commitment to endangered species protection. Pursuant to the 1973 Amendments, a "critical habitat" designation for the whooping crane was proposed in 1975, which included the Platte River bottoms from Lexington to Grand Island, Nebraska, and the wet meadows to the south, almost to the Republican River. The affected area included 2600 square miles in eight counties, bringing forth a strenuous protest from some citizens and Congressmen from Nebraska. In part, because of this storm of opposition, the final rule was not promulgated until May 15, 1978. The critical habitat area was only 3 miles wide--considerably smaller than the area proposed. In October 1977, even before the critical habitat designation was promul- gated, the Corps of Engineers (after some prompting by the Fish and Wildlife Service) requested a consultation on the effects of MBPP on the whooping crane and its critical habitat. Two months later the FWS responded that the project could jeopardize the critical habitat and cited the need for further study before a final biological opinion could be issued. It was estimated that this would take about 3 years. The Corps regarded this delay as unreasonable and went ahead with the 404 permit issuance in March 1978. It was immediately sued by Nebraska and a number of environmental groups, and this suit was com- bined with the REA suit to speed resolution of the issues. The case was finally heard in August 1978, by which time the project was approximately half complete. The court decision, rendered on October 1, 1978, was a stunning victory for the plaintiffs. Both the loan guarantee and the 404 permit were set aside, and REA and the Corps were respectively enjoined from issuing a new loan guar- antee or 404 permit until the defects of the EIS have been remedied and the requirements of the Endangered Species Act have been met. Finally, MBPP was enjoined from proceeding with the construction of the Grayrocks Dam until a new permit had been issued. The Court's decision thus created some serious obstacles to the completion of MBPP, the most serious of which was clearly the Endangered Species Act requirements. After all, the Fish and Wildlife Service had said that the com- pletion of studies necessary to render a Biological Opinion would take at least 30