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would be found by the Service to likely jeopardize the continued existence of the target <br />species or adversely modify designated critical habitat; and <br />help prevent the need to list more basin associated species pursuant to the Endangered <br />Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). <br />The long -term objectives of the Program are: 1) to provide sufficient water to and through the <br />central Platte River (via reregulation and water conservation/supply projects) to improve and <br />maintain habitats associated with the target species; and 2) to perpetually protect and, where <br />appropriate, restore approximately 29,000 acres of suitable habitat in the central Platte River area <br />in ten habitat complexes located between Lexington and Chapman, Nebraska. <br />The Program will be implemented on an incremental basis, the first increment being 10 -13 years <br />in length. The goals for the first increment include: 1) improve the occurrence of Platte River <br />flows relative to the present occurrence of Service target flows by an average of 130,000 to <br />150,000 acre -feet per year as measured at Grand Island, through reregulation and water <br />conservation supply projects; and 2) protect and, where appropriate, restore at least 10,000 acres <br />in habitat complexes located between Lexington and Chapman. <br />This proposed Program will be reviewed pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, and <br />a preferred alternative may be identified in the subsequent Environmental Impact Statement. The <br />proposed Program (and preferred alternative, if different) will also be reviewed by the Service via <br />a programmatic consultation pursuant to the ESA. <br />The Evaluation Process <br />The following process will be used by the Service to evaluate Program benefits to the target <br />species in order to determine whether the Program can continue to comply with requirements of <br />the ESA at the end of the first increment. The process assumes the Service determined the <br />Program (or preferred alternative) will adequately offset the effects of water development <br />projects on the target species during the first increment. <br />Prior to Program Implementation: <br />1. Suitable habitat will be defined based on current knowledge (e.g., Joint Study, revised <br />models, input by species experts), recognizing that future data may alter that definition. <br />A preliminary definition of suitable habitat is attached. <br />2. A preliminary habitat baseline based on current knowledge (Rl -1) will be developed. <br />The baseline is currently being generated by the Service with input from the TC. <br />Anticipated components include the 1998 central Platte River GIS developed by the <br />Service and Bureau of Reclamation, maps of Private Lands Program activities, and <br />various models, including the sediment/vegetation model. <br />2 <br />