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Although some take may occur, the action itself is expected to ultimately have <br />beneficial effects and move the species closer toward recovery. <br />Because of the difficulty in estimating the number pallid sturgeon taken through <br />habitat modification by the activities of the Program and covered water related <br />activities, the Service has identified a surrogate measure for take tied to the <br />performance of the Program's IMRP (Milestone 6) and of the following language <br />from section III E.l.c of the Program document: <br />...during the first Program increment, impacts to the pallid <br />sturgeon that are caused by Program activities or by new water <br />related activities covered by the states or federal depletions <br />plans will be assessed. The assessment will be conducted <br />through the pallid sturgeon research and monitoring activities <br />described in the Program Integrated Monitoring and Research <br />Plan (Attachment 3) and complimentary research conducted by <br />others in the Missouri River and its tributaries. If such impacts <br />are deemed to adversely affect the pallid sturgeon, the <br />Governance Committee will develop and implement an <br />appropriate conservation measure that either negates or offsets <br />the occurrence of adverse impacts on the pallid sturgeon. The <br />appropriate conservation measures will be funded through <br />available Program funds or as otherwise deternuned by the <br />Governance Committee. The expenditure of any funds <br />proposed to be redirected is subject to approval by the <br />Governance Committee. <br />Reinitiation of consultation related to impacts of peak flow changes on pallid <br />sturgeon will be required if the conclusion of the IV.E process is that Milestone 6 <br />and this provision of the Program document have not been performed and neither <br />the Governance Committee nor Oversight Committee can restore the ability of the <br />Program to provide ESA compliance. <br />2. Individuals of all life stages of pallid sturgeon could be killed or injured from <br />stress of capture and handling for monitoring and research activities. Researchers <br />will be required to apply for and obtain section 10(a)(1)(A) pernuts that will <br />contain measures to minimize the effects of research on endangered species. <br />Despite the recognition that some take may be unavoidable during implementation of <br />the Program, efforts to avoid and minimize take are warranted. The following RPMs <br />will minimize incidental take. If new information becomes available that reveals a <br />proposed Program activity may affect the species in a manner or to an extent not <br />previously considered, section 7 consultation must be reinitiated on that Program <br />activity.