Endangered and Threatened Species of the Platte River

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• This report presents the findings of the National Research Council Committee on Threatened and Endangered Species in the Platte River Basin. The committee addressed specific questions about the quality of the science that decision - makers have used in administering the Platte River to meet requirements of the ESA for the four listed species. The committee investigated only the scientific aspects of species and river management and sought to evaluate the quality of the research objectively. It adhered to the highest scientific principles in its evaluations. • The committee's work was greatly aided by the hospitality of many Nebraskans during our two visits to the Platte River. Persons from Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming provided their views and experiences with the river and its resources in valuable public hearings. Federal, state, and privately supported researchers were generous in sharing with the committee the fruits of their professional labor, and they took valuable time from their own schedules to help us with their testimony and to supply us with necessary but elusive documents and data. The committee benefited appreciably from a report, produced at its request by J. Michael Reed, on viability issues for listed bird species in the Platte River Basin. The committee's work was immeasurably enhanced by the marvelous support of the National Research Council staff. James Reisa (director of the Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology), David Policansky (scholar of the Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology), and Stephen Parker (director of the Water Science and Technology Board) created a vision for the committee, and their guidance and wise council were exceptionally important. Suzanne van Drunick (project director and senior program officer) was a central figure in the deliberations and the production of this report, which would not have reached fruition without her good judgment and hard work. Lauren Alexander (program officer) was a helpful participant in committee deliberations. Staff members Bryan Shipley (research associate) and Liza Hamilton (program assistant) were true partners in the study processes, and their skills, from arranging initial public hearings to assembling the final report, were pivotal in our success. Our report benefited from important help from Norman Grossblatt (senior editor), Mirsada Karalic- Loncarevic (research assistant), and Sammy Bardley (library assistant). To all the fine Research Council personnel, a sincere thank you. This report is not only the product of the efforts of committee members and National Research Council staff members; it reflects the input of the Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology, especially Patrick O'Brien of Chevron Research and Technology who had the responsibility of report oversight; 13 independent external reviewers, listed in the acknowledgments; and Stanley V. Gregory, Oregon State University, and Frank H. Stillinger, Princeton University, who oversaw the external review. Those scientists and professionals provided us with sage reflections and remarkable insights into the complexities of the research underpinning decisions for the Platte River and its listed species. The committee is under no illusions about the use of this report. We will not end all the controversies surrounding the Platte River Basin and its listed species but we hope to contribute to resolving some of the questions related to the science of the matter. In this process, committee members share an overriding vision with decision - makers and citizens: to have a sustainable river ecosystem that is a social, economic, and environmental bequest for future generations. William L. Graf, Chair Committee on Endangered and Threatened Species in the Platte River Basin xiv