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Jason Peltier <br />Department of the Interior <br />Page 1 <br />The bill authorizes the "First Increment" of the recovery program. Assuming things go <br />well in the First Increment, then what happens? How long will it take to complete the <br />First Increment? How much money might further implementation of the program <br />require? Is it possible to full comply with ESA by implementing only the First <br />Increment? <br />Sec. 102. of H.R. 1462 appears to makes this program discretionary by stating that the <br />Secretary "may" participate and carry out the program. What happens if the bill isn't <br />implemented fully because the secretary chooses not to? <br />Exactly how does this bill resolve ESA issues? How does the record of decision make <br />the ESA process easier or more efficient? Will implementation satisfy /fully comply with <br />ESA in your opinion? What if that doesn't work? <br />Sec. 101(6) subsection (f) of the bill defines the project as "any other activity that is <br />determined to be necessary by the Secretary to carry out the Program." Does this include <br />new water projects? <br />Have studies been done on how climate change might affect runoff in the basin and thus <br />the success of the program? What effect might climate change have on ESA compliance? <br />How confident are you that you can curtail speculation during land acquisition for this <br />program? This has become a problem with the Everglades restoration, is it possible it <br />could happen with the Platte program as well? <br />How does the program define success? How will you know whether the program is <br />really working? <br />To what extent will you be monitoring the actual water released as well as the success in <br />recovering species? <br />The non - Federal cost -share is adjusted for inflation, but the Federal share is not. Can you <br />please explain this? <br />Will the expansion of Pathfinder Dam back the full pool of the reservoir up the North <br />Platte River? What will be the consequences of that? Does the Bureau already own the <br />lands that would be inundated? <br />Sec 105(a)(1) of the bill refers to Reclamation law and repayment of project costs — can <br />you explain what this means? What is intended by this? <br />How many species of birds currently utilize this portion of the Central Flyway? <br />