Laserfiche WebLink
Chapter 1 – Purpose of and Need for Action <br />M. Program Elements <br />A. General Description <br />(1) Elements —The Program has three elements: (1) increasing streamflows in the Central <br />Platte River during relevant time periods through re- regulation and water <br />conservation /supply projects; (2) enhancing, restoring, and protecting habitat lands for <br />the target species; and (3) accommodating new water- related activities in a manner <br />consistent with long -term Program goals. <br />(2) Increments —The Program will be implemented in increments. The First Increment of <br />the Program begins with the signing of the Program Agreement by the Interior and the <br />three States and shall continue for 13 years from that date or until any later date agreed <br />upon by the Governance Committee in approval of an extension, subject to <br />appropriations as described in the Program Agreement. Subsequent increments, if agreed <br />to by the Secretary of the Interior and Governors of the three States, will be implemented <br />for such periods of time as may be set forth in a replacement or extended Cooperative <br />Agreement. <br />(3) Objectives— <br />(a) Long -Term Objectives. The long -term objectives of the Program are: <br />(1) To provide sufficient water to and through the Central Platte River habitat <br />area to meet the general goal set forth in paragraph II, above, by re- regulation <br />and water conservation/supply projects. <br />(2) To perpetually protect; restore, where appropriate; and maintain <br />approximately 29,000 acres of suitable habitat primarily in habitat complexes <br />in the Central Platte River area located between Lexington and Chapman, <br />Nebraska." * <br />"Non- complex habitat approved for acquisition by the Governance Committee will count toward the 29,000 -acre <br />objective because it will provide demonstrable benefits to target species. The definitions of complex and non - complex habitat <br />may be changed by the Governance Committee, but are initially set forth in the Land Action Plan (see attachment, Land <br />Action Plan). <br />* [Note: The long -term land objectives were based on recommendations of the Platte River Habitat Conservation Report <br />(Management Alternatives Work Group, 1993).] <br />December 2003 <br />1( <br />