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Habitat Protection Plan Comments <br />2 <br />for acquisition, any restoration costs should be scrutinized. What are bridge segments <br />and why are they given such a high priority under the Habitat Protection Plan? Habitat <br />buffer zones should be counted towards the acreage goals enumerated in the Proposed <br />Program's first increment as well as the long term habitat objectives. <br />While secondary benefits to other species of concern may result from habitat <br />protection, we have real concerns that the needs of other species do not influence <br />decisions that should be made to benefit the whooping crane, least tern and piping plover. <br />Benefits to other species of concern should be given the lowest priority in identifying <br />lands for acquisition due to the many other important factors outlined in the Habitat <br />Protection Plan. We agree that the Plan should attempt to first protect the habitat that has <br />the most value to the target bird species. <br />Long term habitat protection should be preferred to less permanent options. <br />While landowner willingness to participate is a real concern, leases provide little <br />certainty and require more effort to maintain than other options. Management of <br />acquired lands or interests in lands should be performed as efficiently as possible. It is <br />important to remember that private landowners must not only pay their own expenses but <br />make a profit from their land. To the extent possible, lands acquired by the Program <br />should strive towards those same goals. For example, private landowners receive up to <br />$3000 a season for waterfowl hunting blinds on the river. Cooperative efforts with <br />hunting groups and/or national organizations such as Ducks Unlimited on Program lands <br />may provide multiple benefits and good public relations. <br />Monitoring and research should concentrate on the three target bird species. <br />There is no basis for monitoring and research for other species and Colorado strenuously <br />objects to any such action. Moreover, adaptive management should affect operations and <br />maintenance only when adequate data supports it--after the completion of the first <br />increment. ' <br />Sincerely, <br />Greg Walcher <br />Executive Director