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<br />". "., <br /> <br />. , <br />" <br /> <br />need fOljeopardy biological opinions when .federal actions associated .with,future'water use are <br />subjected to Seetion',7 consultation;, ' "" <br /> <br />, ~. ,~ <br /> <br />,I,> r ., <br /> <br />........ -~ <br /> <br />Specifically"the'Program will'do two things: l)<&ith participation ~d,a2reementby tl!.~ <br />~ the Program ,will plan and provide 'endangered ,species'habitatS,cincluding' necessary' <br />instream flows, in the Big Bend area of the Platte River sufficient to insure that the Platte River <br />does not limit the survival and recovery of endangered species which use the Platte River; 2) <br />ment the ervtce 'the'Program will develop and apply the best <br />t ~ available scientific and commercial information for ongoing 'Program implementation. The <br />~1- Service ~i1l use this information, and the accomplishments of the Program, in conducting the <br />t ~ Section 7 consultation process, including formulation of biological opinions. For example, the <br />~ f' Platte River Management Jomt Study developed information describmg the habitat requirements <br />~ of four threatened and endangered species (bald eagle, whooping crane, interior least tern, and <br />piping plover), an analytical model for measuring changes in the relationship between instream <br />flows and whooping crane habitat, methods and techniques for managing habitat, and criteria for <br />comparing alternatives for acquiring and managing land and water resources necessary to <br />~ implement the Program (see Appendix 6.2). This information and new information developed <br />ltbY the Program will be used as the basis for the Program actions and by the Serv\ce in <br />..d.l:,~~\ <br />~:'lformUlating .Section 7 biological opinions. If the Service determines that OOEW.~ <br />\~ <br />~information are- needed for future Section 7 consultatio~ the Program will be asked to provide , <br />lthat information. All relevant informatioil,tnduding information.from other sources outside the .' ~..;.. <br />~ progra~ will be ftevlewed, verified, and incorporat@into the Program as applicable. S""". t <br />t ...a-...~ w:ll ~k"{ ~~ <br /> <br />, The Program will provide reasonable and prudent alternatives for both historic water projects <br />and new water projects. The Program will provide the reasonable and prudent alternatives for <br />@impacts of historic water projects that may be subject to Section 7 consultation due to a future <br />federal action (permit, FERC relicensing, permit renewal, loan, right-of-way permit, etc.). In <br />conducting the Section 7 consultations, the Service will define the impact of the project, and <br />identify completed ,Program actions - or actions'to be completed in accordance with an agreed <br />upon schedule - that provide reasonable and prudent alternatives to avoid jeopardy. For new <br /> <br /> <br />22 <br />