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N <br />0 <br />COMMENTS OF CENTRAL NEBRASKA PUBLIC POWER AND <br />IRRIGATION DISTRICT <br />enhance conditions for the same endangered species to use <br />nearby areas. Such recommendations include the Lake <br />McConaughy tern and plover programs, at least a portion of <br />the Rainwater Basin efforts, and the construction of eagle <br />perches. By FERC Staff's estimate, carrying out these <br />programs would cost $3.0 million.1' <br />The cost of all land -based enhancement programs for <br />endangered species as estimated by the Staff is $25.9 <br />{ millionw compared with the $5.5 million that DOI's Front <br />Range methodology suggests represents the Districts' fair <br />s <br />t share for the basin. In Central's view, all measures <br />r <br />'a (...continued) <br />conditions in the Platte River basin. As discussed in <br />section III.B. and Vol. 2, Ch. II, the cost estimates for <br />FERC Staff's monitoring program are extremely low. Thus, <br />although monitoring directed at non - endangered species is <br />also included in the Staff's recommended program, the <br />Staff's cost estimate for the full program is included here. <br />L11 These costs include $45,000 initially, then <br />$15,000 /year to enhance and protect sandpit habitat for <br />least terns and piping plovers; $24,000 /year to protect <br />terns and plovers using Lake McConaughy beaches; $50,000 to <br />divert excess flows from the river to the Rainwater Basin; <br />$1.34 million initially, then $20,000 /year to enhance 2,750 <br />additional acres in the Rainwater Basin; and $60,000 <br />initially and $15,000 /year for bald eagle habitat <br />protection. RDEIS at E -16, Table E -8. Escalating annual <br />costs at St and discounting them at 8t, the Staff - estimated <br />total of initial and annual costs is $3.0 million. Most of <br />these costs are associated with Rainwater Basin land <br />purchase and development; as shown in Vol. 2, Ch. IV at 2, <br />these costs are underestimated by approximately 3001. Thus, <br />even though the Rainwater Basin program is directed at both <br />endangered and non - endangered species, FERC Staff's full <br />cost estimate is included here. <br />1' $21.9 million if the habitat complex above J -2 is <br />excluded. <br />- 18 - <br />RESPONSES TO CENTRAL NEBRASKA PUBLIC POWER AND <br />IRRIGATION DISTRICT <br />