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t <br />32 <br />The Aransas-Wood Buffalo popu:Lation of whooping cranes declined <br />from a level of 700 - 1300 inciividuals in the late 1800's (Banks <br />1978, Allen 1952) to 16 indiv:Lduals in 1941 (USFWS 1986). <br />Habitat modification throughout its range was identified as one <br />of the factors contributing to endangerment of the whooping crane <br />(U5FWS 1986). Conversely, thE: identification, management, and <br />enhancement of whooping crane habitat along the migration route <br />was identitied as one of the factors necessary to affect species <br />recovery (USFWS 1986). . Recognizing the importance of migrational habitat to spec'ies <br />recovery, four migration -stopover areas regularly used by <br />whooping cranes were designated as critical habitat in 1978 (43 <br />Fed. Register: 20938-20942). The designated areas included Salt <br />Plains NWR, Oklahoma; CheyennE:., Bottoms State Waterfowl Management <br />Area and Quivira NWR, Kansas; and the Platte River between <br />Lexington and Denman, NebraskEi. In making its designation, the <br />Department of the Interior stated that loss of the critical <br />habitat areas "would appreciably decrease the likelihood of the <br />survival and recovery of these cranes." <br />Bald eagle roost habitat on and adjacent to the Platte River has <br />been enhanced in many areas by the establishment of wooded <br />vegetation. The operation of electric power generating plants <br />provides ice-free foraging habitat in downstream areas adjacent <br />to the power plants. Although localized, habitat changes on the <br />platte River are contributing incrementally to recovery of the <br />bald eagle. The discussion.above suggests that habitat changes which have <br />occurred on the Platte River have not singularly caused the least <br />tern, piping plover or whooping crane to become threatened or <br />endangered. Changes on the Platte River may have increased the <br />availability of winter.habitat for bald eagles. Platte River <br />habitat alterations have been an increment of.the changes that <br />have occurred through the ranges of those species. Ultimately <br />those changes may influence species recovery. The chapters that <br />follow describe the habitat needs of endangered and threatened <br />species occupying Platte River habitats, and lay out suggested <br />strategies for managing.thqse habitats to enhance- species <br />recovery.