Laserfiche WebLink
S.P 'r • <br />Wyoming-July 19, 2006 <br />? <br />WYOMING PLATTE RECOVERY AGREEMENT ?`Vu ?ff <br />This RECOVERY AGREEMENT is entered into this day of , 2006, by and <br />between the Wyoming State Engineer (State Engineer), acting on behalf of the State of Wyoining <br />and name of Water User ("Water User"). <br />WHEREAS, in 2006, the Secretary of Interior and the Governors of Wyoming, Nebraska and <br />Colorado signed a Cooperative Agreement to implement the Platte River Recovery Implementation <br />Program ("Program"); and WHEREAS, the Program implements certain aspects of the Service's recovery plans for four species <br />(interior least tern, whooping crane, piping plover and pallid sturgeon) (collectively the "target <br />species") listed as threatened or endangered pursuant to the Endangered Species Act ("ESA"). The <br />Prograrn is intended to provide defined benefits for the target species and their associated habitats <br />while providing for water development in the Platte River Basin to proceed in compliance with state <br />law, interstate compacts and decrees, and the ESA; and <br />WHEREAS, on June 16, 2006, the Service issued a programmatic Biological Opinion concluding <br />that implementation of the Program, along with existing and a specified amount of new depletions,, <br />are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the tazget species or adversely modify their <br />designated critical habitat in Nebraska; and <br />WHEREAS, Water User is the choose one: owner/operator/contractor of name of water project or <br />projects (Water Project), which causes or will cause depletions to the Platte River system within <br />Wyoming; and <br />WHEREAS, the State of Wyoming has prepazed and the Governance Committee of the Program has <br />approved the Depletions Plan, Platte River, Wyoming (Wyoming's Depletions Plan), which defines <br />the existing water related activities and certain specific new water related activities that are covered . <br />by the Program; <br />WHEREAS, Water User's Water Project is covered by the Biological Opinion; and <br />WHEREAS, Water User desires certainty that its depletions can occur consistent with Section 7 and <br />Section 9 of the ESA and therefore its Biological Opinion through participation in the Program; and <br />WHEREAS, the existing water related activity will operated on behalf of Wyoming water users.