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3. Data needs and parameters to be measured via the Integrated Monitoring and Research <br />Component (IMRC) of the proposed Program will be determined. This step, the primary <br />focus of the remainder of this document; ensures the Program will collect, during the first <br />increment, the information needed to evaluate the effectiveness on the Program at the end <br />of that period. <br />4. Long -range species and habitat objectives for the Program will be developed. This is an <br />internal task of the Service, that the Service believes is required to assess the significance <br />of the progress made during the first increment and aid in development of milestones for <br />the subsequent increments of the Program. The long range objectives will be developed <br />with input from a variety of species experts, including people involved in the <br />development of the species recovery plans. <br />At the end of the First Increment: <br />The Service will use information gathered via the IMRC and other available sources to evaluate <br />Program benefits to the target species and their habitats based on: <br />Changes from baseline conditions and trends in quantity, quality, and distribution of <br />species habitat and species habitat use <br />Sustainability of improvements in quantitiy, quality and distribution of target species <br />habitat <br />Comparison of species /habitat condition and long -range species /habitat objectives ( #4, <br />above) <br />Rationale for Determining Data Needs <br />The Cooperative Agreement arose from concerns about the effects of water development in the <br />Platte River basin on endangered species using the Platte River. The Service determined <br />(pursuant to section 7a(2) of the ESA) that existing and new depletions to the Platte river likely <br />jeopardize the continued existence of the whooping crane, piping plover, interior least tern and <br />pallid sturgeon, and adversely modify designated critical habitat. In order to avoid jeopardy to <br />the target species, the Program must address the causes of jeopardy resulting from Platte <br />River depletions. The jeopardy opinions issued by the Service since 1994, are based on two <br />types of adverse effects resulting from depletions to Platte River flows. <br />1) The first type is the immediate and direct effect on aquatic river habitats used by listed <br />species. Aquatic habitat characteristics, such as water depth, velocity, temperature, width <br />of water in the channel, and wetted surface area, are related to discharge and river stage. <br />Changes in these variables affect the amount and distribution of roost habitat available for <br />migrating whooping cranes. These variables also determine the extent of riverine nesting <br />habitat to terns and plovers and quality of foraging habitat available to the species. <br />2) The second type is the effect on the interrelated biological, physical, and temporal <br />properties of the river system. Since 1992, the Service and ecologists have emphasized <br />