Platte River Habitat Conservation Program

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Committee. To support the Program in this manner it is expected that each state will contribute approximately $50,000 per year of in-kind services. If additional activities are to be required of states to support Program activities, such as specific water management or land management activities, it is expected that those costs will be funded directly by the Program. 5.1.4 Water Project Contribution New water depletions in the Platte River Basin upstream or within the Habitat Conservation Program (Big Bend Area) that are subject to Section 7 consultation will pay a one-time water depletion charge of (charge to be determined) per acre-foot following implementation of the cooperative agreement establishing the Program. These funds will be used solely to implement "`- the Program pursuant to the direction of the Conservation Committee. Existing water depletions to the Platte River Basin upstream of and within the Big Bend area from existing water projects will be exempt from any depletion charge even if Section 7 consultation is required for non- depleting federal action. However, any new water depletions by existing projects upstream of or with the Big Bend area that are subject to Section 7 consultation will also pay the above one- time depletion charge. The service will determine if a new water depletion will result in a jeopardy condition in the Big Bend area. The water depletion charge will be assessed baseti on the net depletions found by the Service to adversely affect threatened and endangered species habitat in the Big Bend area. In addition to the one-time depletion charge by the individual water projects, the water organizations will provide in-kind services for participation in the Conservation Committee, for review of Program activities, and for participation in ad hoc or standing committees as needed. The estimated cost to the water organizations as shown in Section 4.2 is $40,000 per year. 42