PRRIP Draft Environmental Impact Statement Summary

• Description: Summary of Platte River Recovery Implementation Program ‎(PRRIP)‎ Draft Environmental Impact Statement ‎(EIS)‎ Assessing Alternatives for Implementation of a Basinwide, Cooperative, Endangered Species Recovery Program
• State: CO
• State: NE
• State: WY
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 12/1/2003
• Author: Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Title: Summary of Platte River Recovery Implementation Program ‎(PRRIP)‎ Draft Environmental Impact Statement ‎(EIS)‎
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

Platte River Draft Environmental Impact Statement
STUDY AREA
The study area and the affected environment for the report are the mainstem and tributaries and associated
water projects of the Platte River' in Nebraska; the South Platte River and tributaries in Colorado,
Nebraska, and Wyoming; and the North Platte River and tributaries in Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming
(see map of the Basin, figure E -1). Some effects may occur in the Missouri River close to the mouth of
the Platte River. The study area also includes irrigated lands in the Basin, where water may be leased or
sold to the Program, thus affecting land use and farming operations.
While elements of the action alternatives are located throughout the entire Basin, the intent of these
actions is to improve habitat conditions in two habitat areas —the Central Platte River between Lexington,
Nebraska, and Chapman, Nebraska (shown as the "Central Platte Habitat Area" in figure E -2) (for the
whooping crane, piping plover, and interior least tern) and that reach in the Lower Platte River from the
Elkhorn to the confluence with the Missouri River (for the pallid sturgeon). Potentially significant
impacts are examined wherever they occur.
PURPOSE OF ACTION
The signatories to the Cooperative Agreement believe that the best approach for addressing the ESA
issues in the central and lower Platte region is a Basinwide, cooperative effort to improve and maintain
these habitats for the target species (the proposed Program). The signatories believe that an incremental,
Basinwide, cooperative approach is the most effective, efficient, and equitable method, and that it will
provide greater certainty for water users regarding compliance with the ESA. The purposes of the
cooperative effort are to:
Improve land and water habitat for the target species to assist in their conservation
and recovery.
Ensure that the effects of future water development activities are offset so that they are not
likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species.
Provide greater regulatory certainty for water users by providing ESA compliance for existing
and new water development projects.
2 I the DEIS, "North Platte River" refers to the river from its headwaters in northern Colorado through Wyoming, and
through Nebraska to Lake McConaughy. "South Platte River" refers to the river from its headwaters in Colorado to its junction
with the North Platte River in Nebraska. The "Central Platte River" refers to the river from Lake McConaughy to Chapman,
Nebraska (this includes part of the North Platte River). The river from this point to its confluence with the Missouri River near
Omaha, Nebraska, is referred to as the "Lower Platte River."