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<br />n. RECOVERY <br /> <br />Recoverv ob1ective <br />The purpose of this plan is to describe actions necessary to achieve <br />recovery of interior least terns. The first step in this approach is to <br />set a quantifiable goal (i. e., ,recovery objective) that, when reached, <br />will assure populations remain stable. The remainder of this plan <br />outlines steps necessary to achieve the recovery obj ective. Recovery <br />goals ,objectives and tasks may change as we learn more about the interior <br />least terns. <br /> <br />, <br />Recognizing that the interior:least tern has a broad distribution, the <br />recovery objective was set by t~king into account: 1) current data on <br />distribution and abundance of interior least terns in each 'river system; <br />2) knowledge of how thoroughly each river system has been surveyed; 3) <br />historic population data, when available; 4) loss of viable habitat; 5) an <br />assessment of the potential to increase breeding pairs at currently <br />occupied sites; 6) assessment of l:he potential to establish breeding pairs <br />at unoccupied sites. Technical,. experts and state and federal resource' <br />agencies were consulted to dete~ine the status of current populations and <br />habitats, as well as the potential for population increase. <br /> <br />Therefore, in order to be considered for removal from the endangered <br />species list, interior least tern essential habitat will be properly <br />protected and managed and populations will have increased to 7,000 birds: <br /> <br />I. Missouri River System <br />A. Number of birds in the, Missouri River system will increase to <br />2,100 adults. <br />B. Essential breeding habitat (Appendix 4) will be protected, <br />enhanced and restored. <br />C. The breeding pairs wi:ll be maintained in the following <br />distribution for 10 years (assuming at least four major censuses <br />will have been conducte~ during this time): <br />Montana - 50 adults <br />North Dakota - 250 adults <br />South Dakota - 680 adults (includes 400 shared with Nebraska <br />on the Missouri Rive~). <br />Missouri River below; Gavin's Pt. Dam - 400 adults <br />Lake Oahe - 100 adults <br />Missouri River below Ft. Randall - 80 adults <br />Other Missouri River! sites - 20 adults <br />Cheyenne River - 80 adults <br />Nebraska - 1520 adults (includes 400 adults shared with South <br />Dakota on the Missouri River). <br />Missouri River - 400 adults <br />Niobrara River - 2001 adults <br />Loup River - 170 adwlts <br />Platte River - 750 adults <br />Missouri and Iowa - Qpportunities for habitat restoration and <br />reestablishment of breeding pairs will be determined. <br /> <br />28 <br />