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United States Forest Rocky P.O. Sox 25127 Department of Service Mountain Lakewood, CO 80225-0127 Agriculture Region Delivery: 740 Simms Street Golden, CO 80401 Voice: 303-275-5350 TDD: 303-275-5367 File Code: 2500/2670 Date: December 2, 2005 Dale Strickland Executive Director Platte River Endangered Species Partnership 2003 Central Avenue Cheyenne, WY 82001 Dear Mr. Strickland and Members of the Governance Committee: I understand that after many years of hard work under the framework of the July 1997 Cooperative Agreement, a Recovery Program for endangered species on the central Platte River may soon be in place. One issue that was investigated as part of the development of the Recovery Program is the relationship between forest condition and water yield on forested lands in the Platte River Basin. The Forest Service was able to make substantial contributions to understanding this issue in the Platte River Basin, and provided data and funding towards the completion of two reports that were used in the NEPA analysis for the development of the Recovery Program. It is clear that the relationship between forest condition and water yield will continue to be important to understanding and evaluating the effectiveness of the Recovery Program as the first increment is implemented. As the manager for a significant proportion of the forested lands in the Platte River Basin, the Forest Service will continue to manage National Forest System lands to include support for goals of the Recovery Program. We will continue to aggressively manage for healthy forest conditions, consistent with the National Forest Management Act, and using tools available under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act, the Healthy Forest Initiative, and other Forest Service programs and authorities. We will also continue to provide data and analysis towards a more complete understanding of the relationships between forested landscapes and water yield. In addition to being responsive to questions and concerns as they arise during the implementation and evaluation of the first increment of the Recovery Program, the Forest Service will be moving forward with the following specific contributions: 1. Actively participate in the implementation of the Federal Depletions Plan, and consult separately on any depletions which are not covered by the Federal Depletions Plan. 2. Track Forest Service vegetation management activities (timber harvest and fuels treatment) in the Platte River Basin on an annual basis. Analyze changes to water yield from these U?is ? Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper