Proposal for Monitoring and Research Demonstration (2)

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known as the Cottonwood Ranch Property. This property will count towards the Program's first increment goal of 10,000 acres. A conceptual plan for development and enhancement of the Cottonwood Ranch Property was developed by NPPD in consultation with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC), the Governance Committee and their representatives, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (Central) and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Development and enhancement of NPPD's Cottonwood Ranch Property will begin in late July or early August of this calendar year. NPPD's implementation of the Cottonwood Ranch Development and Enhancement Plan will help fulfill milestones L3-1, L1-2 and L1-3 of the Cooperative Agreement. The Development and Enhancement Plan is also consistent with the direction given in Section III.C.2 of the Proposed Program (e.g., restoration initially based on recommendations in the Platte River Management Joint Study). The major components of the Development and Enhancement Plan are to modify existing channel structure to improve nesting conditions for least terns and piping plovers and roosting habitat for whooping cranes. At this time the conceptual basis of the plan is to remove approximately 600 acres of riparian woodland; approximately 300 acres of this will be seeded to wet meadow plant species and the remainder will be active channel, nesting habitat or backwaters and sloughs. Purposes of the woodland removal are to improve unobstructed views within the channels and to promote channel widening. In addition, NPPD will excavate 7000 linear feet of `pilot' channels in abandoned channels of accretion land. Pilot channels are intended to convey river flows and promote channel expansion by increasing the amount of bankline exposed to river erosion. Section 1 Budget NPPD is obligated to spend $1.3 million (1997 dollars) implementing the Development and Enhancement Plan. Of this $13 million, $214,000 to $241,000 is estimated for Phase 2, development of wetlands, grasslands, and wet meadows on the south side of the property. The remaining $1.059 to $1.086 million is estimated for Phases 1 and 3-6, channel development and enhancement through vegetation clearing and other activities. These activities will occur regardless of funding related to this proposal. SECTION 2. MONITORING PROPOSAL Problem and Need for Monitoring NPPD's implementation of the Cottonwood Ranch development and enhancement plan will help fulfill milestones L3-1, L1-2 and L1-3 of the Cooperative Agreement. The Development and Enhancement Plan is also consistent with the direction given in Section III.C.2 of the Proposed Program (e.g., restoration initially based on recommendations in the Platte River Management Joint Study). The major components of the Development and Enhancement Plan are to modify existing channel structure to improve nesting conditions for least terns and piping plovers and roosting habitat for whooping cranes. At this time the conceptual basis of the plan is to remove approximately 600 acres of riparian woodland; approximately 300 acres of this will be seeded to wet meadow plant species and the remainder will be active channel, nesting habitat or backwaters and sloughs. Purposes of the woodland removal are to improve unobstructed view within the channels and to promote channel widening. Page 2 of 15