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piping plover, and pallid sturgeon, but are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the <br />bald eagle. <br />To avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of the tern, plover, and sturgeon, it is necessary to 1 <br />(A) restore a portion of suitable riverine aquatic habitats and hydrologic conditions necessary for <br />successful reproduction and recruitment of the three species, and (B) provide culturin and / <br />population augmentation (in the near -term) for the pallid sturgeon to ensure genetic viab7iity of <br />the species until the necessary habitat and hydrologic conditions are restored. To achieve that <br />while continuing Missouri and Kansas River operations and maintenance of the BSNP, it is <br />necessary to: (a) implement flow (i.e., variability, volume, timing, and temperature) enhancement <br />with the goal of providing the hydrologic conditions necessary for species reproduction and <br />recruitment; (b) implement a concurrent habitat restoration program with the goal of restoring <br />habitat quality, quantity, and diversity so that the benefits of adequate dynamic natural river <br />processes are restored; (c) conduct a comprehensive endangered species habitat and monitoring <br />program to better characterize habitat use (by all life stages), longevity, and availability in the <br />Missouri River to facilitate and guide habitat restoration and flow modifica ion; and (d) establish <br />an adaptive management framework to implement, evaluate, and modify the actions in response D <br />to variable river conditions, species responses, and increasing knowledge base. The Service <br />believes that those actions will assist in restoring and maintaining the functional ecosystem, and <br />will ensure that the likelihood of survival and recovery of the pallid sturgeon, interior least tern, <br />and the piping plover are not appreciably reduced. <br />The Service, working with the Corps, has developed a Reasonable and Prudent Alternative <br />(RPA), that includes actions for the least tern, piping plover, and the pallid sturgeon, and the <br />ecosystem in general, that we believe will avoid the likelihood of jeopardizing the continued <br />existence of the three species. This alternative is designed to return some semblance of practical <br />"form and function" of a river system to appropriate sections of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers. <br />It is the combination of all parts of the alternative, working in concert, that will eliminate <br />jeopardy to the species. The primary actions of the RPA include four parts that apply to the least <br />tern, the piping plover, and the pallid sturgeon. A fifth action is designed for the pallid sturgeon. <br />These actions can generally be described as follows: <br />Flow enhancement: The Service has determined that a spring rise and summer drawdown <br />must be implemented from Gavins Point Daji to restore, in part, spawning cues for fish, <br />maintain and develop sandbar ai"� bitat for birds and fish, enhance aquatic habitat through <br />connection of the main channel to backwaters and side channels, and improve habitat <br />conditions for summer nesting terns and plovers, forage availability, and fish productivity. A <br />spring release from Fort Peck Dam will provide spawning cues and increase the amount of <br />warm water habitat available to pallid sturgeon and native river fish. <br />2. Habitat restoration /creation/acquisition: The Service has determined that a portion of the <br />historic habitat base must be restored, enhanced, and conserved in riverine sections that will <br />benefit the listed birds and fish. Habitat restoration goals are 20 -30 acres of shallow water <br />2 <br />