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- SONNARY This planning report with integrated draft environmental statement presents the results of the current investigations on the Prairie Bend Unit located in central Nebraska, This document, prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), is a product of joint efforts of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Central Platte Natural Resources District (Project Sponsor), and the public values group (PVG).l The Prairie Bend Unit proposes to manage fish and wildlife habitat critical to endangered species and migratory birds, to assist in conservation and recovery of these species, to provide streamflow augmentation to the Platte River, to stabilize ground- water levels, to maintain historic private irrigation, to enhance water quality, to provide other fish and wildlife habitat management, and to provide increased opportunity for public outdoor recreation. Public Law 98-63 on July 30, 1983, authorized a study for irrigation, stabilization of ground-water levels, enhancement of water quality, small community and rural domestic water supplies, management of fish and wildlife habitat, public outdoor recreation, flood control, and other purposes determined to be appropriate, In addition, the authorization act specifically states: "Such feasibility study shall include a detailed report of any effects the proposed project may have on wildlife habitat, including habitat of the sandhill crane and the endangered whooping crane." Alternative water management plans are also to be consistent with the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. During the planning process, numerous options were examined to meet the identified goals. Many single purpose plans were dropped because they failed to address both the environmental and ground-water recharge goals. Two plans evolved during the planning process that best met the goals and Objectives set forth in the legislation authorizing the project, The two plans, which are displayed in this report, are titled the National Economic Development (NED) plan and the Project Sponsor's plan, which was originally called the preferred plan, The NED plan is the plan formulated to reasonably maximize national economic development benefits, consistent with the Federal objective. The Project Sponsor's plan contains the NED plan plus an additional ground- water recharge increment in the Twin Valley area. During the early plan formulation stages, Reclamation's region and projects' offices, the Project Sponsor, and many but not all of the PVG supported the Project Sponsor's plan. Later, 1 About 60 individuals representing various agencies, groups, and interests, and technical consultation group members which involved other agencies and public technical expertise in all study disciplines.