Report on the Platte River Basin, Nebraska Level B Study

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John W. Neuberger Chairman I. V 0 104 M I S S 1011 Keith S. Krause, Kansas Vice- Chairman Suite 403 • 10050 Regency Circle • Omaha, Nebraska 68114 Warren D. Fairchild, Director U.S. Water Resources Council 2120 L Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037 Dear Warren: On behalf of the Missouri River Basin Commission I am pleased to transmit the Report on the Platte River Basin, Nebraska Level B Study. The report is concurrently being transmitted to the Governor and Legislature of Nebraska and the Governors of the remaining nine Missouri River Basin states. Please advise me when the Water Resources Council has completed its review and transmitted the report to the President for his review and transmittal to the Congress. The report presents a recommended plan for water resources management in the Platte River Basin of Nebraska which includes recommendations for plan implementation. The plan and all recommendations in the report, except those relating to national law or policy changes, were adopted by the Missouri River Basin Commission as part of the Commission's Comprehensive, Coordinated Joint Plan (CCJP) in February 1976. The excluded recommendations are being considered further by the Commission. This is the first Level B Study completed in the Missouri River Basin. The study was conducted over a three and one -half year period beginning in early 1972 and ending in mid -1975. The MRBC plan for the Platte River Basin in Nebraska will serve as a valuable guide for conservation and management of the water and related land resources in that basin. The plan will be kept up to date through the CCJP process of the Missouri River Basin Commission. The U.S. Water Resources Council's "Principles and Standards for Planning Water and Related Land Resources" were utilized in plan formulation. Environmental and socio- economic aspects of water management and conservation were considered and evaluated throughout the planning process. An environmental assessment has been prepared and is on file, but since adoption of the plan does not constitute a major federal action, an environmental impact statement will not be prepared. Properly implemented,the plan will provide needed guidance for a balanced program of water development and management in the Platte River Basin of Nebraska. Sincerely, C;Zll� John W. Neuberger Chairman Colorado; Iowa; Kansas; Minnesota; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; North Dakota; South Dakota; Wyoming; Department of Agricul- ture; Department of the Army; Department of Commerce; Energy Research and Development Administration; Enviromental Pro- tection Agency; Federal Power Commission; Department of Health, Education and Welfare; Department of Housing and Urban Development; Department of the Interior; Department of Transportation; Yellowstone River Compact Commission; Big Blue River Compact Administration.