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REVISED DRAFT <br />is August 8, 2002 <br />PLATTE RIVER RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM <br />COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT <br />Pursuant to the authorities set forth in Paragraph I below, the signatories hereby agree to <br />participate in and implement the attached "Platte River Recovery Implementation Program" <br />( "Program "). This Program Agreement succeeds and replaces the July 1, 1997 Cooperative <br />Agreement for Platte River Research and Other Efforts Relating to Endangered Species Habitats <br />Along the Central Platte River, Nebraska ( "July 1997 Cooperative Agreement ") under which the <br />Program was developed. <br />The signatories also hereby agree to participate in the Governance Committee which is hereby <br />established pursuant to Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act ( "ESA ") (16 U.S.C. 1531 et <br />• seq.) to oversee implementation of the Program. The Program implements certain aspects of the <br />U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's recovery plans for four target species (interior 'least tern, <br />whooping crane, piping plover and pallid sturgeon) listed as threatened or endangered pursuant <br />to the ESA. The Program provides for a range of measures relating to the four target species in <br />their associated habitats as defined in the Program. <br />I. AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES <br />A. Federal Cooperation with States. Section 2(c)(2) of the ESA, 16 U.S.C. § <br />1531(c)(2), states that "the policy of Congress is that federal agencies shall <br />cooperate with state and local agencies to resolve water resource issues in concert <br />with conservation of endangered species." Under Section 6 of the ESA, the <br />Secretary of the Interior is directed to cooperate to the maximum extent <br />practicable with the states in carrying out the program authorized by the ESA and <br />to consult with the affected states before acquiring any land and water, or interest <br />therein, for the purpose of conserving listed species. Under 31 U.S.C. § 6305, an <br />executive agency should enter a cooperative agreement when anything of value <br />will be transferred to a state or local government to carry out a public purpose <br />authorized by federal statute. <br />B. Recovery Plans and Teams. Under Section 4(f) of the ESA, 16 U.S.C. § <br />. 1536(f), the Secretary of the Interior is directed to develop and implement plans <br />