BOARD00498

• Board Meeting Date: 3/10/1998
• Description: South Platte River Basin Issues - Endangered Species Issues - 3 State MOU Implementation - Status Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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This will be accomplished by implementing certain aspects of the Fish and

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Wildlife Service recovery plans for the target species and their associated habitats so that

Central Platte habitat is not a limitin~ factor in the survival and recovery of the species.

This requires efforts to:

, . Improve and maintain the migrational habitat for the whooping cranes.

. Improve and maintain the reproductive habitat for the interior least tern and the

piping plover.

. Test the assumption that it is possible to improve habitat for the pallid sturgeon by

managing flows in the Central Platte River that may also affect the sturgeon's

habitat in the Lower Platte Ri-vet'.

2. Ensure that the effects of fUture water activities in the Platte River Basin are

offset and therefore are not likely to jt=opardize the continued existence of the target .

species or adversely modify critical hllbitat. Mitigate new water related activities. in the

States of Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska in a manner that will not increase the

mitigation responsibilities of the other states, with the intent that mitigation will be

implemented in the state where the activity occurs.

3. Pro"ide greater regulatory certainty for water users regarding compliance with

section 7 of the ESA, by serving as the reasonable and prudent alternative under the ESA

2 ''New water related activities" are neW surface water or hydrologically connected
groundwater activities including both new projects and expansion of existing projects, both those
subject to and not subject to section 7(a)(2)ofthe ESA which may affect quantity, timing,
sediment, or temperature of water reaching the associated habitats and which are implemented
after the effective date of the Cooperative Agreement, July I, 1997.

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