NEBRASKA, COLORADO SENATORS INTRODUCE BILL
TO BENEFIT ENDANGERED & THREATENED PLATTE
RIVER WILDLIFE
March 2, 2007 – United States Senators Ben Nelson, Wayne
Allard, Ken Salazar and Chuck Hagel have introduced
bi-partisan legislation that will protect water use by farmers, ranchers and
local communities and at the same time improve habitat on the Platte River
for four threatened and endangered species, the interior least tern, whooping
crane, pallid sturgeon and piping plover.
“The Platte River
is one of Nebraska’s
most valuable resources and the lifeblood for communities, farmers and
ranchers throughout the state. This program will protect their water
rights while providing benefits for species recovery,” said Nebraska’s Senator Ben
Nelson. “The Platte River
Recovery Implementation Act of 2007 is an effort to improve and maintain
habitat for threatened and endangered species while allowing water use and
development along the Platte
River.”
“This legislation
is the culmination of years of negotiations between the states of Colorado, Nebraska and
Wyoming,” said
U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard. “At a
time when every drop of water has become extremely important to the many
communities and residents who rely on the Platte River for their water, this
kind of program will allow them to carry out necessary water use and
development while working to recover endangered species.”
“The Platte River
originates in Colorado and ends in Nebraska; our farmers, ranchers and
communities depend on its water for their livelihoods – balancing their needs
with a conservation ethic that protects threatened wildlife is a must,” said
Senator Salazar. “I am proud to
sponsor this bill which will ensure both interests are secured.”
“Nebraskans are
well aware of how important water resources are to our state. I applaud
Governor Heineman for working with the Governors of
Wyoming and Colorado,
the U.S. Department of
Interior and local stakeholders to develop the Platte River
Recovery Implementation Program. I look forward to working with Senator
Nelson and the Nebraska
Congressional delegation in supporting this program,” Senator Hagel said.
In late 2006 the Governors of Nebraska, Colorado, and
Wyoming and the Department of Interior signed the final program agreement
after working together since 1997 to develop a recovery plan that benefits
certain species yet allows continued water use and development along the
Platte.
This legislation will authorize the Secretary of Interior
to proceed with the program and includes $157 million to carry it out.
The cost will be shared 50/50 by the states and federal government.
Through the program the states will provide benefits for
the endangered and threatened species as well as land, water, and scientific
monitoring and research to evaluate benefits of the program.
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