Species Recovery Objectives for Four Target Species in the Central and Lower Platte River

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negative results. In January 2000, there were 187 individuals in the AWP. Fifty pairs nested in May and another eight pairs did not attempt to nest in 2000. Therefore, at that time, there were 58 potential nesting pairs. Only 9 chicks hatched in Canada made it to Aransas. There were 22 known mortalities from the spring of 2000 to the spring of 2001. Therefore, it was essentially a declining population in 2000 to 174 individuals in spring 2001. This is exactly the same number as of February 2002. Although 161 adults and 15 chicks arrived at Aransas in fall 2001, for a peak population of 176, one adult and one chick subsequently died on the wintering grounds. The migration pathway of whooping cranes through Nebraska is approximately 150 miles wide, with a north -south orientation, approximately 15 degrees west of "true" north. The 150 -mile corridor along the Platte River extends from roughly North Platte to Grand Island, although the "central" Platte River covers only 80 miles at the eastern end of the 150 -mile corridor. About 83 percent of the sightings in Nebraska occurred within the 150 -mile corridor, with the remaining (17 percent) occurring west of that corridor. In the 80 -mile migration corridor from Lexington to Grand Island, 74 percent of the confirmed statewide sightings from 1942 -2001 occurred. Observer effort is greater along the Platte River between Lexington and Grand Island than in any other area of Nebraska. Observer effort in the corridor lying north and south of the Platte River is similar to efforts in the areas east and west of the 80 -mile corridor.59 Other important stopover sites in Nebraska are the western Rainwater Basins, North and Middle Loup Rivers, wetlands in Central Custer County, Sandhills wetlands, and the Niobrara River. According to FWS records, at the end of the year 2000, there had been 340 confirmed whooping crane sightings reported in Nebraska since 1940. Fifty -six of these sightings were on the central Platte River. All of these Platte River sightings were between the towns of Overton and Chapman. There have been no confirmed whooping crane sightings using the Platte River upstream of Overton since 1942. Of the 340 confirmed sightings, 201 occurred in the spring. Twelve of the 56 Platte River sightings occurred in the fall, and 44 occurred in the spring. Most sightings are reported during April and October. B.4. Whooping Crane Habitat and Population Management on the Platte River Various organizations and agencies have improved and are improving and managing habitat along the central Platte River to benefit whooping cranes. In addition, habitat along the central Platte River would be improved under the proposed Recovery Program resulting from the Platte River Cooperative Agreement. Long -term habitat protection scenarios being evaluated under the Cooperative Agreement incorporate 59 FWS records, Grand Island, Nebraska. 20