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- - - ----r , __ <br />BO Assumptions that Hardwire FWS Views on Disputed Issues under Program <br />Delivery of Pulse Flows. <br />BO assumes Program will increase North Platte channel conveyance capacity and use <br />operational flexibility in NPPD/CNPPID systems to achieve short duration bankfull flows <br />during irrigation season. [BO pp. 192, 319] <br />Under the June 14 Agreement, concerns re: delivery of pulse flows were addressed <br />through a commitment to study by year 2 the feasibility of delivering 5000 cfs for 3 days <br />at Overton and 800 cfs at the habitat during the irrigation season. The ultimate plan is to <br />include measures expected to deliver those flows "unless the feasibility study and the <br />IlVIItP's evaluations suggest these deliveries are infeasible or unnecessary." The BO <br />assumes that the agreed-upon feasibility study "proves out." <br />2. Pallid Sturgeon conservation measures. <br />The BO assumes that "appropriate conservation measures will be defined and <br />implemented during the first Program increment that either negates or offsets adverse <br />impacts to the pallid sturgeon...." [BO p. 318] <br />LTnder the June 14-15 Agreement, the states documented their questions about the biology <br />of the pallid sturgeon and the role of the lower Platte River in the species' recovery. It <br />was agreed that the IlVIRP is to assess potential impacts to the sturgeon. Appropriate <br />measures will be addressed only if impacts are deemed to "adversely affect" the species. <br />The BO assumes that offsetting measures will have to tie implemented. <br />? <br />3. Primary focus upon "habitat restoxation." <br />The BO assumes that habitat restoration "is the primary focus for land management <br />activities." [BO pp. 317, 193] <br />Under the 7une 14-15 Agreement, preferred segments for land management include those <br />with habitat that can be most reasonably improved, those with existing habitat that is not <br />already being protected and is likely to be lost, and those that do not currently have any <br />protected habitat. The BO assumption is more restrictive than the negotiated criteria <br />under the Land Management Plan. <br />In addition, FWS assumes that long-term maintenance of habitat lands will be done by <br />water, not through mechanical means or a combination of water/mechanical means. <br />4. Substantial clearing and leveling of river islands.