Agenda Item: PRRIP EIS and National Academy of Science Update

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-2- The DEIS has seven Chapters and several technical appendices (staff has not reviewed all technical appendices). A general summary of the Chapters and comments are provided below. Chapter 1 Purpose and Need The DEIS examines the purpose and need far a basin wide cooperative endangered species program. The proposed program is the federal action that is being analyzed. There is no preferred alternative at this time. The study area is defined and the history of water development is provided. The goals and objective of the program are described and an overview of the species is summarized. The no action alternative is introduced as being a qualitative assessment of life without the action alternatives. The DEIS explains that since it is not known how and when future consultations will occur and it is unclear what the mitigation measures might be for past and future depletions; the no action alternative receives only a qualitative analysis. Chapter 2 History of Habitat Use and Habitat Trends for the Target Species A more detailed description of the target species is provided and a description of habitat features that are used by the species is summarized. Data on population trends is presented and considerable time is devoted to describing the configuration of the Platte River channel, fluvial processes, and some land use cover data is introduced. A more detailed summary of water development is provided outlining major features of diversion structures and major project development. Chapter 3 Description of Alternatives Present conditions and four action alternatives are described. A screening report is included in an appendix describing actions considered but "screened from further consideration" (mainly due to cost of water exceeding the screening level of $5000.00 acre foot). Action Alternatives Governance Governance Water Leasing Wet Meadow Water Emphasis Committee 1 Committee 2 Water 142 KAF Water 142 KAF Water 148 KAF Water 118 KAF Water 185 KAF 80 KAF from 80 KAF from 80 KAF from 80 KAF from 80 KAF from Tamarack, Lake Tamarack, Lake Tamarack, Lake Tamarack, Lake Tamarack, Lake Mac EA and Mac EA and Mac EA and Mac EA and Mac EA and Pathfinder Mod Pathfinder Mod Pathfinder Mod Pathfinder Mod Pathfinder Mod Colorado 27 KAF Colorado 27 KAF Water leasing in 38 KAF New 105 KAF from water each state Glendo Reservoir leasing in each state Colorado 27 KAF Water Right WI' and Glendo water Plus leasing of 60- right and 70 KAF groundwater management, riverside drains and h dro rere NE Land 10,000 acres Land 10,000 acres Land 10,000 acres Land 16,854 acres Land 6,200 acres with the 7,000 additional acres focused on wet meadow Flood Protection • Water Project Planning and Finance • Stream and Lake Protection Water Supply Protection • Conservation Planning