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b. Document the phenology for pallid sturgeon and the relative abundance of <br />larvae for pallid sturgeon and associated species in the lower Platte River. <br />c. Determine if changes in ambient river habitat conditions influence habitat use <br />by pallid sturgeon in the lower Platte River. <br />d. Document the catch by anglers in the lower Platte River. <br />4. Develop Quantifiable Population Recovery Objectives. Criteria addressing <br />minimum viable population size and demography for Recovery Priority <br />Management Area 4 must be determined to guide and monitor recovery actions. <br />5. Monitoring. Develop effective habitat assessment tools and effective <br />sampling techniques for pallid sturgeon. Design an appropriate long -term <br />monitoring program to collect baseline data and quantify biological responses and <br />habitat changes in response to recovery actions. <br />6. Information Management and Education. Develop and distribute <br />information and educational materials on the pallid sturgeon and its ecosystem. <br />Encourage and support communication and publication of pallid sturgeon data <br />and research. <br />Dr. Edward Peters, University of Nebraska- Lincoln, submitted a proposed study <br />entitled "Ecology and management of the pallid sturgeon and sturgeon chub in the <br />lower Platte River." The study has been funded and permitted and is being <br />implemented. This is intended to be a 5 -year study, and when completed in May <br />2005, should provide data to answer many of the data and study needs identified <br />above. <br />IV. SUMMARY OF RED O11Z1VIENDATIONS <br />A. INTERIOR LEAST TERN AND PIPING PLOVER <br />1. The FWS should continue to recognize that the population goals for least <br />terns and piping plovers in Nebraska as stated in the current recovery plans are valid <br />unless changed through the FWS recovery planning process. <br />2. Although the recovery goals in the existing recovery plans for the Platte <br />River exclude North and South Platte River birds, birds on the North Platte River <br />(including Lake McConaughy) and the South Platte River should not be ignored for <br />their potential contribution to the overall species recovery goals. <br />3. For the purpose of this report, the central Platte River for least terns and <br />piping plovers should be defined as from Lexington to Columbus, Nebraska because <br />33 <br />