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CENTRAL PLATTE NRD TESTIMONY <br />U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Resources <br />Field Hearing - Endangered Species Act: The Platte River Cooperative <br />Agreement and Critical Habitats <br />Respectfully Submitted by Ron Bishop, General Manager <br />Central Platte Natural Resources District <br />215 North Kaufman Ave. <br />Grand Island, Nebraska 68803 <br />February 16, 2002 <br />College Park, Grand Island, Nebraska <br />Committee Members, <br />My name is Ron Bishop. I am the General Manager of the Central Platte Natural <br />Resources District headquartered here in Grand Island. I am here today not only because <br />of my personal interest in and commitment to the conservation of our natural resources, <br />but am here at the specific direction of Central Platte NRD's Board of Directors who <br />share my commitment to conserve these valuable resources. <br />Central Platte NRD is a Nebraska political subdivision responsible for, among other <br />things, the development and execution of plans, facilities, works and programs relating to <br />the development and management of fish and wildlife habitat. We have long been <br />involved in ESA issues including the Platte River Cooperative Agreement (CA), instream <br />flows, and critical habitat. Central Platte NRD is the holder of instream flow water rights <br />on the central Platte River, including instream flows for the endangered and threatened <br />piping plover, interior least tern and whooping crane. We are involved in a variety of <br />endangered species matters in the Platte River basin including the Pallid <br />Sturgeon/Sturgeon Chub Task Force (a coalition of entities involved in the study and <br />management of these two endangered fishes), the Platte River Cooperative Agreement, <br />and the Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition. <br />Platte River Cooperative Agreement - <br />Central Platte NRD is an active participant in the efforts of the "Cooperative Agreement <br />for Platte River Research and Other Efforts Relating to Endangered Species Habitats on <br />the Central Platte River in Nebraska (July 1997) ". Under the terms of the CA, signatories <br />are undertaking activities to plan, acquire, restore and manage land and interests in land <br />to provide habitat for the designated target species. Our long -term involvement in this <br />effort, through not only attending meetings but also serving on numerous committees, has <br />provided us with insight into the process and has also given us reason for concern. We <br />are committed to staying involved in the effort in order to keep up to speed on the <br />process; evaluate what's going on and how it could affect Central Platte NRD and our <br />