Number: 1988-16
WHEREAS, as a major part of the Missouri River Basin, the Platte River and its tributaries provide critical habitat for endangered and threatened species and supply water resources essential for municipal and agricultural uses, including the recharge of underground aquifers; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Reclamation, the cities of Denver, Colorado, and Casper, Wyoming, and irrigation interests in Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming, have proposed and are planning the following water projects:
The Deer Creek Project, Wyoming; The Two Forks Project, Colorado; The Prairie Bend Project, Nebraska; The Narrows Project, Colorado; The Catherland Project, Nebraska; Re-licensing of Kingsley Dam, Nebraska; Other projects in Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming; and
WHEREAS, studies have shown that further reduction of river flows and sediment would render the Platte Valley unable to properly sustain endangered species and migratory waterfowl; and
WHEREAS, governmental studies have shown that the above projects would have a harmful effect on critical habitat essential to endangered species and migratory waterfowl and would deplete flows and sediment;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 17-20, 1988, in New Orleans, Louisiana recognizes the Platte River as a unique regional and national resource and opposes additional State and Federal approvals, appropriations and expenditures for any new water or hydroelectric projects that would result in further depletion of water or sediment along the Platte River and its tributaries in Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to develop terms and conditions for the operation of Kingsley Dam promptly, to carry out the wildlife protection provisions of the Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986 and the Endangered Species Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation calls on federal and state officials to undertake coordinated operation of the six federal reservoirs on the North Platte River. A detailed evaluation is needed to better accommodate current water users, as well as instream releases needed to protect and maintain habitat in the Platte River basin used by endangered, as well as non-endangered birds. Such a study should enable state and federal officials to require appropriate modifications in these and other projects in order to comply with the federal Endangered Species Act, the Federal Power Act, NEPA, the Public Trust, and other applicable law.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the designation of the upper reach of the South Platte River, where the Two Forks Dam has been proposed, as a National Wild and Scenic River; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the State and Federal governments to evaluate the restoration of the Big Bend reach and other outstanding reaches of the Platte River to a status deserving of protection under the Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers program.