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months depending upon conditions along regulate excess flows, environmental per-
<br /> the river and the need for water. Unlike typ- mits from the federal government, and pos-
<br /> ical reservoirs,water will not be impounded sible modifications to Central's Federal Ener-
<br /> for longer periods and the reservoirs levels gy Regulatory Commission operating license.
<br /> will fluctuate, making them unsuitable for In addition, negotiations with landowners to
<br /> recreational purposes. acquire the necessary property must be
<br /> The existing J-2 Return to the river, immedi completed. Construction will most likely
<br /> ately upstream of the facilities, will be sel-
<br /> dom commence in late 2017 and take up to two
<br /> dom used after the reservoirs are operation Years to complete. The three party agree
<br /> al. ment is in effect for 50 years with an option
<br /> to renew the agreement for another 20
<br /> Schedule years.
<br /> An agreement between Central, the Platte
<br /> Costs and Funding
<br /> River Program, and the State of Nebraska The estimated cost of the project is$75 mil-
<br /> was finalized in July 2013 following several lion. Central will contribute 5%of that cost,
<br /> years of feasibility studies and preliminary up to a maximum of$2.5 million. Of the re-
<br /> design work. It is likely that it will take an maining costs, 75%will be provided by the
<br /> additional two to three years to complete Platte River Program and 25%will be paid by
<br /> final designs and obtain the necessary state the State of Nebraska through the Depart-
<br /> and federal permits, including a permit to ment of Natural Resources and the NRDs.
<br /> 3?¢'S � “�, Yfs t vt 4 e,R *l't` U I tr,.
<br /> ` I V-1',l i t t 4't ' 'i 4 I a 1 _ r `1 Z
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<br /> a
<br /> ! .; ,, A} . ' at"�\„'!"-: d 4 , 1 , *;'''N ,y i' s F'''4,,„4'.$.:.• i,, it. &,. K: ea , ,wc v < �.;: ! app,'fS !X4.i' } �j '}sy,4,,...._,., '.4....„ , tt_.. ,,..., \•k., . ,, • ..., •,.. ,y 04 A.., ,.,,..,•, •,V „jolt,4.,s(,..1:1 i.j,I+, ,..V.A... . i - ..I.01 I • ,
<br /> • '; fly 14 J4'w .r , � S_ { i 1 (y r,. ; M <
<br /> A lone whooping crane shares habitat with sandhill cranes along the Platte River in south-central Nebraska for a brief stopover
<br /> during its spring migration north to Canada.(Photo courtesy of the Crane Trust.)
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