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Plarte River Basin Study I I additional investigations to develop more adequate quantitative linkages between flow levels and species and habitat conditions should be based on sound science rather than political horse trading. I I I Development of more certain quantitative linkages would help resolve some of the conflicts and controversy over the flow rates, flow duration and flow frequencies required for recovery of the endangered species in the Platte River. This would be helpful in resolving interstate conflicts over instream flows for the endangered species, as well as the intrastate conflicts in Nebraska over instream flows for wildlife in the lower reach of the Platte River below Columbus. Having a more precise and certain indication of the volume, frequency, and duration of flows required to maintain wildlife habitat at survival or higher levels should help resolve conflicts between Nebraska agricultural and wildlife interests over establishment of instream flows in the lower Platte. I I I I I The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service could contribute significantly to the establishment of a Platte River Basin Recovery Program by assisting in the development and/or refining of these necessary quantitative linkages. It will not be possible to develop a perfect quantitative relationship between species requirements and flows, but if a set of functional relationships could be developed that were acceptable to the stakeholders for planning purposes, this would expedite development of a practical recovery program with a higher probability of successfully recovering the species, while minimizing or avoiding injury to existing water users. I I I I I I 4. Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming must establish necessary governance structures to administer the Platte River Basin Endangered Species Recovery Program. The states together with the federal agencies must establish a governance structure that will ensure appropriate state government and stakeholder involvement in developing and implementing the recovery program for the Platte River basin. The states and federal agencies must ensure that sufficient authority is transferred to this governance structure to allow for successful implementation of the recovery program. The governance structure should not be a river basin commission, but rather should have necessary authority and responsibility required to ensure successful development and implementation of the Platte River Basin Endangered Species Recovery Program. The Cooperative Agreement agreed to in principle by the three states and the I I xii