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Introduction <br />• BOX 1 -2 (CONTINUED) <br />2. Is the current designation of central Platte River habitat as "critical habitat" for the whooping <br />crane supported by existing science? <br />3. Do current central Platte habitat conditions affect the likelihood of survival of the piping <br />plover? Do they limit its recovery? <br />4. Is the current designation of central Platte River habitat as "critical habitat" for the piping <br />plover supported by existing science? <br />5. Do current central Platte habitat conditions affect the likelihood of survival of the interior least <br />tern? Do they limit its recovery? <br />6. Do current habitat conditions in the lower Platte (below the mouth of the Elkhorn River) affect <br />the likelihood of survival of the pallid sturgeon? Do they limit its recovery? <br />7. Were the processes and methodologies used by the USFWS in developing its central Platte <br />River Instream Flow Recommendations (i.e., species, annual pulse flows, and peak flows) <br />scientifically valid? <br />8. Are the characteristics described in the USFWS habitat suitability guidelines for the central <br />Platte River supported by the existing science and are they essential to the survival of the listed <br />avian species? To the recovery of those species? Are there other Platte River habitats that <br />provide the same values that are essential to the survival of the listed avian species and their <br />recovery? <br />9. Are the conclusions of the Department of Interior about the interrelationships of sediment, <br />flow, vegetation, and channel morphology in the central Platte River supported by the existing <br />science? <br />10. What were the key information and data gaps that the NAS identified in the review? <br />BOX 1 -3 <br />Definitions of Terms Used in this Report <br />CRITICAL HABITAT: Defined in the Endangered Species Act to mean the specific areas <br />within the range occupied by the species at the time of listing on which are found physical or <br />biologic features essential to the conservation of the species that may require special <br />management considerations or protection, and areas outside the range occupied at the time of <br />listing if the secretary of the interior determines that the areas are essential to the conservation of <br />the species (16 U.S.C. 1532(5)). <br />LIMIT: Adversely affect or influence. <br />23 <br />