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Endangered Species Recovery Implementation Program
<br />(Platte River Recovery Implementation Program)
<br />LOCATION: This activity is located in the Platte River Basin in Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska.
<br />DESCRIPTION/JUSTIFICATION: On July 1, 1997, the Department of the Interior, and the States of
<br />Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska signed a 3-year Cooperative Agreement (Agreernent) to develop a
<br />Federal/State recovery implementation program for endangered species in the central Platte River and
<br />complete the necessary National Environmental Policy Act analysis. The Agreement addressed recovery of
<br />four species: the Whooping Crane, Piping Plover, Least Tern, and Pallid Sturgeon. The Agreement provides
<br />for the development and implementation of a basin wide Platte River Recovery Implementation Program
<br />(Program) for the Central Platte River in Nebraska. During the Agreement, Reclamation is receiving
<br />significant and essential interim compliance under the Endangered Species Act for continued operations of the
<br />Colorado-Big Thompson and North Platte projects which supply water to Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming
<br />irrigators and municipalities. The existing Agreement was initially extended through December 31, 2003. In
<br />addition, on December 9, 2003, the Governance Committee approved an additional extension to June 30,
<br />2005, with the option to extend the Agreement through December 31, 2005, if necessary. The Governors of
<br />Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming and the Secretary of the Interior have concurred with the extension as of
<br />December 31, 2003, and the Cooperative Agreement has been extended to June 30, 2005. The extension
<br />occurred to allow an examination of the scientific aspects of the processes and methods used by the U.S. Fish
<br />and Wildlife Service in determining the hydrologic flow needs for the Central Platte River. This examination
<br />was conducted by the National Academies who are advisors to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and
<br />Medicine. The Academies' findings were provided Apri12004, during the period that the draft Environmental
<br />Impact Statement was out for review. The review period was extended through August 20, 2004 to allow
<br />consideration of the Academies' conclusions. The Academies' findings will assist in the finalization of
<br />Environmental Impact Statement by the end of calendar year 2005.
<br />The Department of the Interior, and the States of Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska are developing the
<br />framework for a Program consisting of ineasures to manage and restore the endangered or threatened species,
<br />while providing for existing and new water projects in the basin to continue under the Endangered Species
<br />Act. This Program will be implemented over a 13-year period. The Program will provide ESA compliance
<br />for Reclamation water projects in the Platte River basin, for their impacts on the four target species.
<br />The original Agreement contained a cost estimate of $75,000,000; however, most recent information indicates
<br />that the cost may be closer to $150,000,000. The original Agreement stipulated that the Federal government
<br />would provide 50% of Program costs, with the states sharing the remaining 50%.
<br />Presently Federal funding to conduct the activities of the Agreement is being provided under the authorities
<br />set forth in the Endangered Species Act for the purpose of developing a Recovery Implementation Program.
<br />Agreement activities currently under way include the development of a Program document, a programmatic
<br />environmental impact statement, biological assessment, biological opinion, and a record of decision.
<br />Following completion of these activities, a Program Implementation Agreement is to be entered into by the
<br />three States and Interior in early 2006. Discussions are ongoing regarding the need for a specific authorization
<br />to implement a Program that would provide clear guidance for the expenditure of Federal funds, as well as
<br />cost sharing for each entity. Any specific authorization that may be sought will be addressed prior to
<br />proceeding with implementation of the Program in calendar year 2005.
<br />AUTHORIZATION: P.L. 93-205, Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
<br />Great Plains Region - 11
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