The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on Tuesday released a plan to balance demands among Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming over the Platte River – the drinking water supply for more than 3 million people.
The plan calls for increased flows on the Platte and more land set aside for wildlife in Nebraska.
It also attempts to deal with needs of the growing cities along the river, agricultural irrigation, and four threatened or endangered species.
“Built into this plan is an insurance policy for Colorado water users – these endangered species at Grand Isle, Nebraska have now been taken care of,” said Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Don Ament, who helped negotiate the plan.
The Platte River is a major migration stop for whooping cranes in central Nebraska and is home to the piping plover, least tern and pallid sturgeon.
Dams and other water diversions have narrowed the river’s channels over time, making it more difficult for the species to survive.
The final environmental impact statement – which took nine years to complete – recommends acquiring at least 10,000 acres in central Nebraska for wildlife habitat and increasing flows in the Platte at key times by 130,000 acre-feet to 150,000 acre-feet.
An acre-foot of water is enough water to supply one or two families for a year.
Colorado’s contribution to the plan won’t require river users to curtail their consumption, said Curt Brown, the bureau’s plan manager.
Instead, excess flows in the winter time would be pumped and stored into recharge areas, he said.
“By re-timing those flows, you put water in the river at a time when it can help the species in the Central Platte,” Brown said.
Environmental groups involved in the project said they generally supported the plan, although they initially had hoped the river’s flows could be increased even more.
“The Platte is the lifeblood of this region, and both our economy and our quality of life depend on it,” said Chad Smith, director of American Rivers’ Nebraska field office.
The plan will cost an estimated $317.3 million, with $157 million coming from the federal government and the rest from the states.
Colorado expects to pay $24 million for its share.
The final plan must be approved by the secretary of the Interior and the governors of the three states.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also must issue a biological opinion, which is expected in June.
“We’re hoping all the parties can sign off on it by Oct. 1, and work could begin as quickly as possible,” Brown said.
Staff writer Kim McGuire can be reached at 303-820-1240 or kmcguire@denverpost.com.
