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e e e Key Issues: The Cooperative Agreement identifies many ofthe actions the participating parties will take to offset the effects to endangered species habitat in Nebraska of new and existing water development in the Platte River Basin. However, some actions have not yet been fully defined. For example, the parties have agreed to protect 10,000 acres of land to provide habitat for target species over a 13 to 16 year period. But, the parties have not agreed on which lands to buy or whether the willing-seller transactions will be in fee title or less than fee title, on how the lands will be managed. The parties have also agreed to develop projects capable ofre-regulating an annual average of 130,000 to 150,00 acre-feet of Platte River flows from times when they are less biologically beneficial to times when they are more helpful to the target species. However, the Cooperative Agreement only lists projects capable of re-regulating 70,000 acre-feet on average each year, leaving the parties with the need to identifY water conservation and water supply projects capable ofre-regulating an additional 60,000 - 80,000 acre-feet of flows per year. Work is ongoing to resolve these issues via a water action plan committee. Anticipated Long-term Costs: In 1997, to address the impacts of existing depletions, the Platte River Basin effort was expected to cost about $75 million dollars over a 13 to 16 year period. Of this amount, Colorado's share would be $15 million. Colorado is also responsible for an additional $3 to $5 million for actions necessary to offset the effects of future water development in the South Platte and North Platte Basins in Colorado, for a total Colorado obligation of $18 to 20 million over a 13 to 16 period. The balance will be the obligation of our partners, the federal government, and the states of Wyoming and Nebraska. Colorado strenuously objects to exceeding this budget and that position has been clear in recent negotiations. However, many participants continue to push for more and more activities under the Cooperative Agreement. Status of Activities and Expenditures from the HB 98-1006 Fund in FY 1999-2000: An allocation of $300,000 from the Fund toward Colorado's obligations under the Platte River Basin Cooperative Agreement in FY 1999-2000 was made. This was combined with $378,036 from the Water Conservation Board Construction Fund - Severance Tax Trust Account - Fish and Wildlife Resources Account to fund Colorado's share of on-going planning costs and one FTE to coordinate those activities. The Colorado Water Conservation Board also contributed $300,000 in FY 1998-1999. The 3-year planning phase of the Cooperative Agreement is necessary to develop the capital expenditures related to land and water conservation required upon inception ofthe Program. Colorado had no fulfilled their full obligation, $900,000, required to completed the 3-year development phase ofthe Program. Recommended Expenditure from the HB 98-1006 Fund in FY 2000-2001: The DNR recommends allocating $225,000 from the fund towards the construction of a new pumping network at the Tamarack State Wildlife Area. The Tamarack Project is an integral part of Colorado's plan to re-regulate flows in the South Platte River for the benefit of critical habitat on the Central Platte. The expanded network includes $165,000 for three additional wells and pipelines, $20,000 for a stream connecting two ponds, and the extension of an additional stream (all fully lined). The design would allow recharge at the peripheries of the ponds, while also providing approximately 15 additional acres of suitable habitat for South Platte native fish species. $20,000 would also be allocated for pumping costs (electricity) as well as $20,000 for additional equipment, supplies, vehicle mileage and the construction of stream corridors and sloughs at Pony Express State Wildlife Area. 8