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Platte River Basin Study I I I I I 1. The Platte River Management Joint Study was ongoing from 1985 through 1993. This joint effort had the objective of recovering endangered species within the Platte River basin and is presented herein because of its importance as a precursor to the Memorandum of Agreement process. 2. The Memorandum of Agreement process to establish a recovery program for the endangered species on the Platte, thereby avoiding continued conflicts over jeopardy opinions resulting from Section 7(a)(2) consultations for individual projects. The MOA process involves the states of Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming and the federal government. I I 3. FERC relicensing of Kingsley Dam on the North Platte River. The operation of this reservoir can playa role in preserving the wildlife habitat for the endangered species. I I I I I I I I I I 4. Management of tributary wells in Nebraska. This is another important effort to preserve habitat because of the depletive effects these wells may have on water being conveyed to the critical habitat reach. 5. The Colorado Senate Bill 74 planning study. This effort, currently underway, includes provisions for providing water to the critical reach of the Platte for wildlife habitat preservation. 6. The Nebraska v. Wyoming litigation. The court action could potentially affect the endangered species wildlife habitat issues, but to date has not directly addressed these issues. 7. Efforts to resolve the "by-pass flow" issue. This has involved the issuance of permits for existing water diversion and water storage . facilities on federal lands and is affecting resolution of the endangered species habitat issues. The by-pass flow issue is discussed further below. Platte River Management Joint Study The Platte River Management Joint Study originated in 1984-1985 and continued through 1993. The joint study originated from the jeopardy opinion on the Narrows Project on the South Platte River. The objective of the joint I 8