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IV. Reports and Supporting Documents <br />a. Evaluation Report of Platte River Reclamation Projects <br />The evaluation and report preparation will be performed in <br />The first stage will evaluate the operation of existing Reclamation <br />projects located on the North Platte River for the potential to affect <br />threatened and endangered species. The second stage will evaluate the <br />operation of Reclamation's South Platte River Colorado -Big Thompson <br />Project for the potential to affect threatened and endangered species. <br />The first stage evaluation will lead to a report on the operation of <br />Reclamation's North Platte River Projects and their relationship to <br />threatened and endangered species. Using existing and newly developed <br />data and incorporating it into scientific models, the evaluation report <br />will examine and display: <br />1. Hydrologic Operations - How does the river system and man -made <br />facilities within the basin operate? Using him " _' a and <br />current operating,: -"da a, the evaluation will examine river and <br />tributary flows, diversions, return flows, ground water effects, <br />climate, and land uses. It will consider irrigation, power <br />production, fish and wildlife, municipal and industrial demands, <br />flood control, and other water uses. <br />2. River Hydraulic and Sediment characteristics - What are the <br />relationships between sediment loads, flow characteristics, and <br />the river channel? This portion of the evaluation will examine <br />how thl river responds under different flows and sediment <br />yields. <br />3. Species Habitat Characteristics and Goals - How do threatened <br />and endangered species use the river system and what are the <br />goals for habitat management inthe basin? In addition this- - <br />section will describe current habitat characteristics- ,&nd:.tuture <br />ne;jgos for other fish and wildlife resources. <br />4. Evaluation of Project Operations - Does the existing and /or <br />discretionary operation of Reclamation facilities in the Platte <br />River Basin" pm tLV*ly or, negatively threatened or <br />en s? This analysis will be consistent with legal <br />requirements under which the facilities are operated (laws, <br />compacts, rules, decrees). It will include evaluation of the <br />positive and negative affects the operations have'- + <br />and WIMlife resources. .1 <br />5. Evaluation of - -&1"m*tive Operations If the analysis <br />performed in 4. shows negative affects on listed species, are <br />there reasonable and prudent alternatives available that would <br />avoid adversely affecting listed species or their habitat? This <br />section will identify and discuss these alternatives. Plus <br />0 7 <br />