Evaluation of Effects of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program

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would be found by the Service to likely jeopardize the continued existence of the target species or adversely modify designated critical habitat; and help prevent the need to list more basin associated species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The long -term objectives of the Program are: 1) to provide sufficient water to and through the central Platte River (via reregulation and water conservation/supply projects) to improve and maintain habitats associated with the target species; and 2) to perpetually protect and, where appropriate, restore approximately 29,000 acres of suitable habitat in the central Platte River area in ten habitat complexes located between Lexington and Chapman, Nebraska. The Program will be implemented on an incremental basis, the first increment being 10 -13 years in length. The goals for the first increment include: 1) improve the occurrence of Platte River flows relative to the present occurrence of Service target flows by an average of 130,000 to 150,000 acre - feet per year as measured at Grand Island, through reregulation and water conservation supply projects; and 2) protect and, where appropriate, restore at least 10,000 acres in habitat complexes located between Lexington and Chapman. This proposed Program will be reviewed pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, and a preferred alternative may be identified in the subsequent Environmental Impact Statement. The proposed Program (and preferred alternative, if different) will also be reviewed by the Service via a programmatic consultation pursuant to the ESA. The Evaluation Process for Determining Program Benefits The evaluation process addresses the effects of the first increment "mitigation measures" as identified in the CA. As additional Program activities for habitat improvements are identified, the Service will provide procedures to evaluate the effects of those activities on species and their habitats, consistent with the intent of Milestone R3 -1. The following process will be used by the Service to evaluate Program benefits to the target species and their habitats by the end of the first increment. That evaluation will be based, as required by the ESA, on the best scientific information available, including results of studies pursuant to the Program's Integrated Monitoring and Research Component (IMRC) or other research, new or revised models incorporating those results, etc.). The process assumes the Service determines via their ESA review prior to Program implementation that the Program (or preferred alternative) will adequately offset the effects of water development projects on the target species during the first increment. Prior to Pro rg; am Implementation: -- 1. Suitable habitat for each target species will be defined based on current knowledge (e.g., Joint Study, revised models, input by species experts), recognizing that future data may alter or refine that definition. A preliminary definition of suitable habitat is attached. 2