PRRIP Purposes and Overview Draft (2)

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associated habitats. Methods to evaluate the effectiveness of such flows in providing the benefits desired by FWS are described in the Adaptive Management Plan. The states have not agreed that the peak flows, "pulses" or such other FWS identified flows are biologically or hydrologically necessary to benefit or recover target species. The Program has a First Increment objective of providing water capable of improving the occurrence of Platte River flows in the central Platte associated habitats relative to the present occurrence of species and annual pulse target flows by an average of 130,000 to 150,000 acre-feet per year at Grand Island, through reregulation and water conservation/supply projects. Creation, protection or improvement of peak flows, pulse flows (other than annual pulse flows) and other FWS identified flows are not part of the first increment water objective. However, the Program will integrate the Progam's land and water management activities consistent with the Program's Adaptive Management Plan and system constraints (storage capacity, water rights and the need to avoid property damage). Such integration will enable evaluation of, and FWS believes that such integration may enhance, the Program's ability to utilize flows to (1) avoid loss of existing associated habitats due to channel narrowing, incision, and vegetation encroachment and (2) maintain Program improvements in channel and wet meadow habitats. Consistent with such evaluations, the states agree that FWS may use Program water that is subject to release at its direction to reduce shortages to FWS's recommended peak, pulse, or other flows in the central Platte River as part of an attempt to achieve a more normalized flow regime (one closer to the former structure of the hydrograph) given system constraints. Any such use of Program water is subject to limitations described in the document "An Environmental Account for Storage Reservoirs on the Platte River System in Nebraska" (EA Document) in the Program Water Plan (Attachment 5, Section 5) to prevent such releases from causing or exacerbating floods. To enhance a peak, pulse, or other flows as described in Attachment 5, Section 1, subsection 3, the Environmental Account (EA) Mana e?mav request CNPPID and NPPD to bypass water that the EA Document allows them to divert at their diversion structures. In such an event, the Program will provide compensation for lost power production, increased nower acc uisition costs, and other associated costs in accordance with Attachment 6, para.raph VIII. To the extent that FWS uses Program water to produce or augment peak, pulse, or other flows, such use shall not decrease the target flow shortage reduction credited to the Program's initial three water projects or to any subsequently approved Program water project. In the case of the pallid sturgeon, peak flows are dealt with in the section on lower Septeriib?November -129 2005 Program Document 12 1