Implementing Cooperative Agreement Among States of Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, and the Department of the Interior

• Description: South Platte Basin Declining Species
• State: CO
• State: NE
• State: WY
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 2/2/1998
• Author: Platte River Endangered Species Partnership
• Title: Implementing Cooperative Agreement Among States of Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, and the Department of the Interior
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

Matte River Endangered
k
ci Partnership
Implementing the Cooperatigreement
among the States of Nebraska,
and the United States Department of e
The states of Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado, and the U.S. Department of the Interior (Interior) have
entered into a partnership to address endangered species issues affecting the Platte River Basin. The initiative
has two main purposes:
1. To develop and implement a "recovery implementation program" (Program) to improve and conserve
habitat for four threatened and endangered species that use the Platte River in Nebraska: the whoop-
ing crane, piping plover, least tern, and pallid sturgeon.
2. To enable existing and new water uses in the Platte River Basin to proceed without additional actions
required (beyond the Program) for the four species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
A Cooperative Agreement, signed by the three states and Interior, guides the effort.' A Governance Committee
with members from the three states, water users, environmental groups, and two federal agencies has been
established to implement the Cooperative Agreement (see the list of Governance Committee members on
page 7).
Over the next 3 years, an evaluation will be conducted of the impacts of the proposed Program and a range
of alternatives, as required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). At that point, the parties
intend that a final Program will be selected and they
will enter into an agreement for its implementation.
The Governance Committee wants the views of all
stakeholders to be considered in this process. This
brochure has been developed as part of its effort to
ensure full public information and participation in the
effort.
'Cooperative Agreement for Platte River Research and Other
Efforts Relating to Endangered Species Habitat Along the Central
Platte River, Nebraska. Signed July 1, 1997, by the Governors of
Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska, and the Secretary of the
Interior.