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Program Elements <br />The Program has three main elements: (1) increasing streamflows in the central Platte River during relevant time <br />periods through retiming and water conservation/supply projects; (2) enhancing, restoring and protecting habitat <br />lands for the target bird species; and (3) accommodating certain new water related activities. The Program will <br />achieve these elements through an adaptive management approach employing rigorous scientific monitoring and research to <br />evaluate the management actions and species habitat needs. These elements will be implemented according to underlying <br />principles that require interests in land to be acquired only from willing participants and avoid increasing tax burdens to local <br />citizens by paying taxes or their equivalent on Program lands. Program lands will be held by a land holding entity (rather than <br />by the federal or state governments) and will be managed under a"good neighbor" policy. <br />Water <br />The Program's long-term objective for water is to provide sufficient water to and through the central Platte River <br />habitat area to assist in improving and maintaining habitat for the target species using incentive based water projects. <br />During the First Increment (13 years) the Program's objective is to retime and improve flows in the central Platte River by an <br />average of 130,000 to 150,000 acre-feet per year at Grand Island. <br />Land <br />During the First Increment the Program's objective is to protect, restore, and maintain 10,000 acres of habitat. The <br />Program's long-term objective for land is to acquire land interests, restore where appropriate, and maintain and manage <br />approximately 29,000 acres of suitable habitat along the central Platte River between Lexington and Chapman, Nebraska. <br />Land acquired during the Program's First Increment will be credited to this long-term objective as will certain lands that meet <br />criteria established by the Govemance Committee but are managed by other entities such as environmental organizations or <br />utility and irrigation districts. <br />Future Water Development Projects and New Depletions <br />One of the Program's purposes is to mitigate the adverse impacts of certain new water related activities through the <br />implementation of state and federal depletions plans. This will allow continued growth and water development to occur in the <br />Platte River basin along with improving conditions for the target species. <br />Cost and Cost Sharing <br />The monetary cost of the Program is estimated at $187 Million (2005). In addition to monetary contribtuions, the <br />States plan to contribute water and land to the Program. The total burden of the Program in terms of monetary, water, <br />and land contributions will be shared equally by the United States and the three States (50% Federal/50% States).