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2. serve as the reasonable and prudent alternative to offset the effects of existing and new water - related activities in the Platte River basin that, in the absence of such a Program, would be found by the Service to likely jeopardize the continued existence of the target species or adversely modify designated critical habitat; and 3. 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 I he e\ahialion process addresses the effects of the first. increment "mitigation measures" as identified M the CA. As additional 1?rogra.n1 activities for habitat innprovements are identified.. the. Service \H ill provide procedures to evaluate the effects of those activities on species and their habitats. consistent Nvith the intent of Milestone M)-], 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 ineretnerxt, l hat evaluation Nvill be based, as required by the 1 SA, on the best scientific information a�.rilable. inclE1(l_in1.1 resists ol'studies pursuant to the 11rogrann's Integrated Monitoring acid 1�c e<:rrch Component (1MRC) or other research. new or revised models incorporating thos e results. etc.). The process assumes the Service determines via their ESA review prior to Pro,_rain implementation that the Program (or preferred alternative) will adequately offset the effects of water development projects on the target species during the first increment. 2