Endangered Species Cooperative Agreement & Water Action Plan

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III. Status of Cooperative Agreement Activities Over the past several months several interesting land and endangered species habitat related activities took place. A land ownership entity workshop was held, a draft habitat protection plan was completed, and a draft habitat criteria document was completed. In addition, the Water Management Committee made progress in developing procedures for monitaring and tracking of program water, but still has some work ahead of them, especially in regard to what is considered new program water, and how program water will be protected to and through the critical habitat. Some of the more interesting issues are briefly summarized below. • The Land Entity workshop was held in North Platte, Nebraska. The purpose of the facilitated workshop was to develop the structure for land ownership to meet the program goal of 10,000 protected acres in the first increment (the program has a total goal of protecting 29,000 acres for its duration). In attendance at the workshop were negotiators for the three states, the Department of Interiar, water users and Nebraska landowners. There are several different concepts regarding the quantity and types of land that the proposed program might acquire. There is still strong consensus that land be acquired based on the principle of willing buyer/willing seller and that third party impacts be carefully considered. The options for acquiring land (fee simple, short and long-term leases, conservation easement) all have advantages and disadvantages, and we will continue to evaluate what makes the most sense once more detail of the proposed program is developed. Colorado's primary goals in this area are to: 1) Preserve equity for our investment. Nebraska landowners have been very vocal, and they prefer that the program obtain land via short-term leases or conservation easements. Our preference (as far as equity for our investment) would be to obtain fee title to lands in Nebraska or some reversionary interest to fee title should the program fail; and 2) Secure adequate representation on any land entity created for the program to ensure that our investments are wisely made, and to ensure that the land component adheres to the program budget. Overall the workshop was a good first step and we will continue to keep the board informed as further progress is made. A very interesting challenge for the proposed program will be faced as we decide what type of habitatlhabitat management will provide the best balance between benefits to the species, cost, ease of implementation, and will have the least social and environmental impacts. Colorado would very much like to have a thorough consideration of these factors as we acquire and manage program lands. However, there are some species experts that believe only riverine habitat should be acquired and managed. Other species experts seem to have the same view as Colarado and would also fo, consider acquiring off-river habitat, which may provide a better overall balance of the factors describes above. This is an important issue because management of habitat on the river may be more difficult, expensive, and may drive the debate for more program water. If adequate habitat can be acquired off-river, that is less expensive and easier to manage and maintain, then it should be considered of value to the program. This issue is going to be a challenge for Colorado over the next several months.