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/:. <br />Dale Strickland 2 <br />activities on a five-year basis, or more frequently if needed to evaluate the effectiveness of <br />the first increment of the Recovery Program. <br />3. Conduct an analysis for the South Platte Basin parallel to the May 2003 report: "Impact of <br />Forest Service Activities on the Stream Flow Regime in the Platte River" (Troendle, <br />Nankervis, and Porth). This study is anticipated to be completed by September, 2006. <br />4. Work with the Governance Committee to conduct a renewed basin-wide analysis of water <br />yield from National Forests in the Platte River Basin, using the most currently available <br />vegetation data, at least once in twenty years or one year prior the end of the first increment, <br />whichever occurs first, or as may be agreed to in writing by the Forest Service and the <br />Governance Committee. In addition, this analysis will include a comparison with the 1997 <br />basin-wide water yields modeled in the May 2003 report by Troendle, Nankervis, and Porth, <br />and in the report from item #3 (above), and a proj ection into the future for at least one <br />program increment. <br />Analyze the predicted changes in water yield from the 2003 North Platte study and the <br />planned 2006 South Platte study to determine when the simulated effects of the forest <br />regrowth, if actualized, would be reflected in stream gage data, using the reference gages <br />identified in Troendle et al (2003). This analysis is anticipated to be completed by <br />December, 2006. <br />6. Work with the Governance Committee, the USGS, and the NRCS to ensure that the reference <br />stream flow and precipitation monitoring sites identified in Troendle et al, 2003, remain in <br />operation. <br />7. Provide support to the National Academy of Sciences study titled: "The Hydrologic Impacts <br />of Forest ManagemenY", which has been contracted by the Department of the Interior. <br />8. Work on an ongoing basis with the Water Management Committee to determine what <br />additional studies may be needed to inform these issues, and develop appropriate timeframes <br />for funding, contracting, and completing any needed studies. <br />The development of the Platte River Recovery Program is an important achievement. The Forest <br />Service is committed to contributing to the successful implementation of the first increment of <br />the Program. <br />Sincerely, <br />/s/ Rick D. Cables <br />RICK D. CABLES <br />Regional Forester