PRRIP Purposes and Overview Draft (2)

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Platte River flows (Sec III. E. 1. c.). c. Lower Platte River Flows. FWS believes that water related activities at times have reduced the quantity or rate of flow in the lower Platte River during the months of February through July. Consistent with the April 28, 2004 finding of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), it is now agreed that current habitat conditions on the lower Platte River do not adversely affect the likelihood of survival and recovery of the pallid sturgeon because that reach of the river appears to retain several habitat characteristics apparently preferred by the species. However, NAS and FWS believe that further alterations of discharge patterns or channel features that modify those characteristics might irreparably alter this habitat for pallid sturgeon use, loss of Platte River habitat would probably result in a catastrophic reduction in the pallid sturgeon population, and any recovery effort for the pallid sturgeon will most likely included the lower Platte River. As stated by the NAS, the Governance Committee agrees that there are many questions about the biology of the pallid sturgeon and the role of the lower Platte River in the species recovery. While the states have not agreed with the NAS and FWS conclusions, the states and the FWS do agree that, during the first Program increment, impacts to the pallid sturgeon that are caused by Program activities or by new water related activities covered by the states or federal depletions plans will be assessed. The assessment will be conducted through the pallid sturgeon research and monitoring activities described in the Program's Integrated Monitoring and Research Plan (Attachment 3, Section V) and complimentary research conducted by others in the Missouri River and its tributaries. The assessment stage change study (Attachment 3, Section V) will be completed by the end of year 3 of the Program's First Increment. If such impacts are deemed to adversely affect the pallid sturgeon, the Governance Committee will develop and implement appropriate conservation measures that either negate or offset the occurrence of adverse impacts on the pallid sturgeon. The appropriate conservation measures will be funded through available Program funds or as otherwise determined by the Governance Committee. The expenditure of any funds proposed to be redirected is subject to approval by the Governance Committee. d. Impact of Program Activities on FWS Recommended Flows. During Program formulation, FWS evaluated the three initial Program projects, the projects proposed in the Reconnaissance- Level Water Action Plan (Attachment 5, Section 6), the state and federal depletions plans relative to their projected impacts on the occurrence of target flows, peak flows and other flows in the c°prNovember -129 2005 Program Document 13