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2 <br />praeclara). In addition, the Service does not concur with the Commission's <br />finding that the proposed action will not result in an adverse modification of <br />federally designated whooping crane critical habitat in Nebraska. Nor does <br />the Service concur with the Commission's conclusion that the proposed action <br />would not likely adversely affect the sturgeon chub (Macrhybopsis gelida). <br />The Service disagrees with the Commission's conclusion regarding these species <br />and designated whooping crane critical habitat and, therefore, has addressed <br />them in this biological opinion. <br />The Service concurs with the Commission's determination that the proposed <br />action "is not likely to adversely affect" the endangered American peregrine <br />falcon (Falco peregrinus). <br />BIOLOGICAL OPINION <br />This biological opinion is based upon information regarding cumulative <br />effects, conditions forming the environmental baseline, the species' <br />ecological status, and the importance of their habitats within and adjacent to <br />the Platte River which are essential for their survival and recovery. The <br />information used in the preparation of this biological opinion constitutes the <br />best scientific and commercial information currently available and includes <br />information from: the Commission's biological assessment (Federal Energy <br />Regulatory Commission 1995a), previous draft environmental impact statements <br />and supporting information (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 1992a, 1992b, <br />1992c, 1994a, and 1994b), information in Service files, recognized authorities <br />on the species under consultation, information from the applicants and <br />intervenors, and other reliable sources. <br />The Service's biological opinion is as follows: <br />• The effects associated with the proposed action (i.e., the Commission's <br />Preferred Alternative), along with the criteria described by the <br />Commission for implementing the proposed action, are likely to <br />jeopardize the continued existence of the whooping crane, least tern, <br />piping plover, and the pallid sturgeon, and likely will destroy or <br />adversely modify designated critical habitat of the whooping crane. <br />Because the ecological circumstances of the whooping crane, least tern, <br />piping plover, and pallid sturgeon are tenuous, the survival of these <br />species in conjunction with future effects to Platte River habitats that <br />are likely to result from the Commission's proposed action cannot be <br />ensured. In determining the effects of the proposed action, the Service <br />took into account the effects of activities which are interrelated and <br />