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-3- <br />Note: Governance Committee 1 and 2 differ in how land and water are managed. The primary <br />difference is in the amount of sediment introduced, and the routing and magnitude of peak/pulse <br />flows. <br />Chapter 4 Affected Environment and Present Condition <br />This Chapter describes the environmental conditions and resources that may be affected by the <br />action alternatives and describes present conditions. The following resources are summarized: water <br />resources and river hydraulics, water quality, terrestrial vegetation, target species and critical habitat, <br />other listed species, fisheries, hydropower, recreation, agricultural economics, regional economics, <br />social environment, cultural resources, Indian trust assets and environmental justice. <br />Chapter S Environmental Consequences <br />This chapter is the primary analysis of the action alternatives. Projected outcomes of the action <br />alternatives are described in relation to species habitats and needs. The effects of the action <br />alternatives on the resources outline in the description of Chapter 4 are described. <br />The following information summarizes how the DEIS viewed the action alternatives. In essence the <br />DEIS establish "performance criteria" for fluvial processes which were analyzed using a Sediment <br />Vegetation Model (Sed Veg). They DEIS team related these processes to habitat hypothesis for the <br />species to come up with their results. <br />Peak/Pulse flows were linked to habitat forming processes and channel width. The DEIS <br />states: <br />"The 1.5-year flow values indicate that Governance Committee Alternative, Scenario l, has a <br />negligible pulse flow in comparison to the remaining alternatives. The peak flow percent differences <br />from the Present Condition are greatest at Cozad, Nebraska, and are attenuating in the downstream <br />direction. The smallest percent differences in peak flow are at Grand Island, Nebraska, at the <br />downstream end of the Central Platte Habitat Area. The Wet Meadow Alternative has marginally <br />smaller peaks than Governance Committee, Scenario 2; Water Leasing; or Water Emphasis <br />Alternatives". <br />Flood Protection • Water Project Planning and Finance • Stream and Lake Protection <br />Water Supply Protection • Conservation Planning