Questions Posed by the Management Alternatives Group

• File Number: 8461.100
• Description: Adaptive Management Workgroup
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 8/8/1990
• Author: Chairperson, Biology Workgroup
• Title: Questions Posed by the Management Alternatives Group
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Correspondence

_.1. C.: .
United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
FISH AND WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT
NEBRASKA/KANSAS FIELD OFFICE
203 WEST SECOND STREET
GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA 68801
August 8, 1990
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PRDEN=W

COMM: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Memorandum copy
To: Chairperson, Management Alterntiv Workgroup
/
From: Chairperson, Biology Workgroupa
.
Subject: Questions Posed by the Management Alternatives
Workgroup
Earlier this year the Management Alternatives Workgroup asked
Biology to provide answers to 5 questions related to future
management of Platte River habitats. We developed answers to the
first two questions at the February 7, 1990, Biology Workgroup
meeting. Answers to the remaining three questions were developed
on August 7, 1990. Below are the five questions and our
response. 1. Based on the recovery plans, what is the targeted number of
individuals of each endangered species that is important in the
Central Platte River -- The Piping Plover recovery plan has a
goal of 140 nesting pairs in-the Platte River system maintained
for 10.years. Ross Lock examined the Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission (NGPC) survey data on plovers during the 1987 to 1989
nesting seasons. Data prior to 1987 were not considered
comparable because of different survey methods used. The NGPC
data for the lower Platte River (below the confluence of the Loup
River) revealed that 62, 85, and 93 pairs of piping plovers were
present in the 3 years examined. Data from the same three years
on the central Platte River were 40, 22, and 42 pairs. Based on
these data, the Biology Workgroup recommended a population goal
o•f 55 piping plover pairs annually in the central Platte River.
This would represent an increase of 15 to 33 pairs over current
numbers. Ross' analysis assumes that the birds have to be
nesting on riverine sandbars. This assumption is consistent with
the published recovery plan which recognizes only alkali wetlands
and riverine sandbars as essential habitat. Using this
assumption, any birds produced on adjacent sandbars would be
considered "frosting" and not be included in accomplishing the
goal of 55 breeding pairs in the central Platte River.
The recovery plan goal for least terns includes 400 breeding
pairs for 15'years in the Platte River system. Again, looking at
NGPC data from 1987 to 1989 revealed that 225, 267 and 216
breeding pairs were present those years in the lower Platte
River. A population goal of 240 pairs was recommended for this
reach. This would represent an increase of about 25 breeding