Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC ... · Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee focuses on recovery strategic plan . OMAHA, Neb. - The Missouri River

601 E 12th Street • Kansas City, Missouri 64106 • 816-389-3837 • [email protected] • www.MRRIC.org

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Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC) Post-Plenary Communications Materials

March 2018

Table of Contents

Highlights and Accomplishments from MRRIC’s March 27-29, 2018 Plenary Meeting ...........................2

News Releases ...................................................................................................................................5

Missouri River Recovery Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement Process Flow Chart .......9

Status of the Species ........................................................................................................................ 10

Upcoming Meetings & Webinars ...................................................................................................... 14

About the Missouri River Implementation Committee (MRRIC) ......................................................... 16

Summary of MRRIC’s Key Accomplishments ..................................................................................... 19


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Highlights and Accomplishments from MRRIC’s March 27-29, 2017 Plenary Meeting

Omaha, Nebraska The Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC) met in March 2018 to learn more about and discuss the next steps in the Missouri River Recovery Management Plan development process, including the draft strategic plan for recovery actions. At this meeting, MRRIC heard about the USACE and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s planned completion of the Missouri River Recovery Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement, which includes an Adaptive Management Plan intended to guide implementation of recovery actions to benefit the pallid sturgeon, piping plover, and interior least tern while meeting authorized purposes. Building on outcomes from the February AM Workshop and associated Bird, Fish, and Human Considerations Team meetings, MRRIC also discussed the Missouri River Recovery Program’s draft strategic plan for recovery actions over the next few years, and the implications of the Fiscal Year 2019 President’s Budget. MRRIC’s Independent Science Advisory Panel provided comments on the USFWS’s draft Biological Opinion, and USFWS Regional Director Noreen Walsh announced a grant to provide seed money to study alternative piping plover habitat in addition to emergent sandbar habitat in the river channel. MRRIC is a 70-member committee made up of federal, state, tribal, and stakeholder representatives from throughout the basin, which extends over 529,350 square miles and affects the lives of millions of people. Established in the fall of 2008, MRRIC serves as a collaborative forum developing a shared vision and comprehensive plan for the recovery and restoration of the Missouri River ecosystem. Substantive Decisions

• The Committee reached final consensus on the following recommendations: (Available at the following links: https://community.apan.org/wg/mrric/m/mrric-documents-2018/226106; https://community.apan.org/wg/mrric/m/mrric-documents-2018/226105) o MRRIC recommends that USACE consider the results of the piping plover U.S. Geological

Survey (“Spatial variation in population dynamics of northern Great Plains Piping Plovers”, to be completed) and Virginia Tech metapopulation studies in MRRMP Adaptive Management (Relevant citations can be found at the following link: http://vtshorebirds.fishwild.vt.edu/publications.html).

o MRRIC recommends that the USACE assess the impacts from aquatic invasive species on the pallid sturgeon, and invasive species (in general) on the piping plover in the AM process.

o MRRIC recommends that the ISAP review the science used by USACE and USFWS for the Biological Assessment and the Biological Opinion (in addition to the Effects Analysis and Conceptual models already reviewed by the ISAP).

https://community.apan.org/wg/mrric/m/mrric-documents-2018/226106




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• The committee reached tentative consensus on the following recommendations: (Available at the following links: https://community.apan.org/wg/mrric/m/mrric-documents-2018/226109; https://community.apan.org/wg/mrric/m/mrric-documents-2018/226107; https://community.apan.org/wg/mrric/m/mrric-documents-2018/226108) o MRRIC recommends the Lead Agencies (and MRRIC) utilize an approach to the Fall Science

Meeting in 2018 that combines technical webinars and face-to-face Team meetings to effectively support decision making through the AM governance process.

o MRRIC supports USACE and USFWS’s continued funding of and efforts to improve the quality of the pallid sturgeon stocking program. Quality Criteria should include physiological and ecological factors such as overall health of fish when stocked, the ability of newly stocked pallid sturgeon to be adaptive to Missouri River conditions (e.g., feeding, positioning in current, and habitat selection) and grow and perform as well as wild fish. MRRIC also supports USFWS efforts to preserve the genetic diversity of local pallid sturgeon populations.

o MRRIC supports science informed decisions through Adaptive Management and the NEPA process to meet the needs of the listed species while minimizing impacts on human uses of the river, utilizing an independent science review process.

o MRRIC supports USACE’s inclusion of science from the middle Mississippi in the scientific efforts to understand pallid sturgeon recruitment.

o MRRIC recommends that the USACE continue to utilize MRRIC as the best venue for sharing concerns and pursuing solutions to benefit species and stakeholders and provide funding, staff support and scientific information to guide management plan actions with the understanding that the MRRIC process does not supersede the need for the USACE to consult with local, state, and tribal nations’ jurisdictions regarding implementation of site-specific actions (with the engagement of the MRRIC Independent Science Advisory Panel).

Process Decisions During the meeting, the Committee also approved a number of process recommendations, including:

• Approved MRRIC Consent Agenda: October/November 2017 meeting summary, Work Group membership, and MRRIC Annual Work Plan.

• Recommendation to have the Chair work with the Corps to invite the new Assistant Secretary of the Army Mr. R.D. James to MRRIC to celebrate Committee's 10th Anniversary.

• Approved changes to the Operating Procedures to clarify and update the POC and Vice Chair selection processes.

• Approved updated Work Group and Ad Hoc Group charges. • Approved co-Points of Contact for the Tribal Interests Work Group. • Approved changes to Work Group and Ad Hoc Group membership.

Information Exchange MRRIC also is a forum for shared learning. During this meeting, MRRIC, agency representatives, and the public learned about:

• The USACE’s anticipated set of activities and associated timeline leading up to the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision, including the Section 7 consultation and draft Biological Opinion (BiOp).

• The information and conclusions contained in the USFWS draft BiOp for the Operation of the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System, the Operation and Maintenance of the Bank Stabilization and Navigation Project, the Operation of Kansas River Reservoir System, and the






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Implementation of the Missouri River Recovery Management Plan and the Independent Science Advisory Panel’s review of the BiOp.

• Results of the Adaptive Management (AM) Workshop, including the decision making context (FY+2 focus on the Strategic Plan)

• The USACE takeaways from the AM Workshop and Team Meetings on key strategic issues, as well as the contents of the draft Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP) Strategic Plan and Fiscal Year 2019 President’s Budget.

• Bird, Fish, and Human Considerations (HC) Work Group considerations on key strategic issues coming out of the AM Workshop and Team Meetings and the next steps those groups will take to develop draft recommendations on the MRRP Strategic Plan.

• The status of the pallid sturgeon, piping plover, and interior least tern. • Pre-meeting Agencies’ Updates Webinar topics, including clarification of the Environmental

Protection Agency’s comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and updates on the Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP), water management, and the Yellowstone Intake Project.

• The USFWS grant of $43,000 for alternative plover habitat related projects. • The activities of the Committee’s Work Groups and Ad Hoc Groups, including:

o Efforts of the Plover Habitat Ad Hoc Group to screen alternative plover habitat locations, update a suite of decision-making tools, and track funding opportunities;

o The AM Governance Planning Ad Hoc Group’s efforts related to the AM governance process;

o The Membership, Process, and Procedures (MP2) Ad Hoc Group’s recommendations for changes in the Operating Procedures and Ground Rules regarding the Vice Chair and Work Group Point of Contact selection process;

o The Tribal Interests Work Group’s efforts to increase tribal participation in MRRIC and to identify technical training for tribes on issues relevant to MRRIC’s work; and

o The Communications Work Group’s activities relating to the development of the Annual Report, preparations for MRRIC’s 10th Anniversary, and ongoing activities related to external outreach and internal communications.

Meeting Summary When finalized and approved by MRRIC, a summary of this meeting will be posted with other information about previous and upcoming meetings on the MRRIC website: http://moriverrecovery.usace.army.mil/mrrp/f?p=136:3:0::NO.

http://moriverrecovery.usace.army.mil/mrrp/f?p=136:3:0::NO


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News Release For information contact: [email protected]

For Immediate Release March 29, 2018

Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee focuses on recovery strategic plan

OMAHA, Neb. - The Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee held the first meeting of its 10th anniversary year here March 27-29. This was the committee’s 40th meeting since it was established by the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 and chartered in 2008. At this meeting, MRRIC heard about the USACE and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s planned completion of the Missouri River Recovery Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement. This includes an Adaptive Management Plan, which will guide implementation of recovery actions to benefit the pallid sturgeon, piping plover, and interior least tern while meeting authorized purposes. MRRIC’s Independent Science Advisory Panel provided comments on the USFWS’s draft Biological Opinion. “An independent review of the science is very valuable to the Missouri River Recovery Program and contributes to the committee’s confidence in this collaborative process,” said MRRIC Chair Gail Bingham. “MRRIC requested this review and appreciates the willingness of the Corps and the USFWS to having the BiOp reviewed by independent scientists.” The USFWS is scheduled to provide the final BiOp to USACE in April 2018. USFWS Regional Director Noreen Walsh also announced a grant to provide seed money to study alternative piping plover habitat in addition to emergent sandbar habitat in the river channel. Members approved recommendations asking that the Corps assess the impacts from invasive species on recovery efforts and that the Corps consider the results of piping plover population dynamics studies across the northern Great Plains as part of the adaptive management process. The Corps and USFWS concurred. In addition, MRRIC discussed the Missouri River Recovery Program’s draft strategic plan for recovery actions over the next few years, along with implications of the Fiscal Year 2019 President’s Budget. MRRIC is a 70-member committee that comprises stakeholders and representatives of tribal, state, and federal governments throughout the Missouri River Basin. MRRIC was authorized by Congress in the 2007 Water Resources Development Act and was established in 2008 by the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works). It provides recommendations to the Corps and other Federal agencies and serves as a basin-wide collaborative forum for developing a shared vision and plan for the MRRP. The committee makes decisions by consensus.

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The next MRRIC meeting will be held May 22-24, 2018, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. For more information on MRRIC, please contact the committee chair at [email protected]. Additional information on Missouri River recovery efforts is available online at www.mrric.org and www.moriverrecovery.org.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.mrric.org/

http://www.moriverrecovery.org/


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News Release For information contact: [email protected]

For Immediate Release March 29, 2018

MRRIC Tribal members focus on recovery strategic plan OMAHA, Neb. - The Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee held the first meeting of its 10th anniversary year here March 27-29. This was the committee’s 40th meeting since it was established by the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 and chartered in 2008. Tribes were represented by Pascha Enzi, Osage Nation; Tim Grant, Omaha Tribe of Nebraska; Randy Teboe, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska; Elizabeth Wakeman, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe; and Shannon Wright, Ponca Tribe. At this meeting, MRRIC heard about the USACE and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s planned completion of the Missouri River Recovery Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement. This includes an Adaptive Management Plan, which will guide implementation of recovery actions to benefit the pallid sturgeon, piping plover, and interior least tern while meeting authorized purposes. MRRIC’s Independent Science Advisory Panel provided comments on the USFWS’s draft Biological Opinion. “An independent review of the science is very valuable to the Missouri River Recovery Program and contributes to the committee’s confidence in this collaborative process,” said MRRIC Chair Gail Bingham. “MRRIC requested this review and appreciates the willingness of the Corps and the USFWS to having the BiOp reviewed by independent scientists.” The USFWS is scheduled to provide the final BiOp to USACE in April 2018. USFWS Regional Director Noreen Walsh also announced a grant to provide seed money to study alternative piping plover habitat in addition to emergent sandbar habitat in the river channel. Members approved recommendations asking that the Corps assess the impacts from invasive species on recovery efforts and that the Corps consider the results of piping plover population dynamics studies across the northern Great Plains as part of the adaptive management process. The Corps and USFWS concurred. In addition, MRRIC discussed the Missouri River Recovery Program’s draft strategic plan for recovery actions over the next few years, along with implications of the Fiscal Year 2019 President’s Budget. On March 26, MRRIC’s Tribal Interests Work Group hosted a training session on the HydroViz tool for all committee members. As part of the EIS development, USACE modeled and examined a number of alternative courses of action to support the three threatened and endangered species. HydroViz is a tool that helps MRRIC visualize some of the predicted changes that might result from




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each of the alternatives. The Tribal Interests Work Group organized the training to help members gain technical skills to support their participation in MRRIC's work. MRRIC is a 70-member committee that comprises stakeholders and representatives of tribal, state, and federal governments throughout the Missouri River Basin. MRRIC was authorized by Congress in the 2007 Water Resources Development Act and was established in 2008 by the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works). It provides recommendations to the Corps and other Federal agencies and serves as a basin-wide collaborative forum for developing a shared vision and plan for the MRRP. The committee makes decisions by consensus. The next MRRIC meeting will be held May 22-24, 2018, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. For more information on MRRIC, please contact the committee chair at [email protected]. Additional information on Missouri River recovery efforts is available online at www.mrric.org and www.moriverrecovery.org.



http://www.moriverrecovery.org/

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Missouri River Recovery Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement Process Flow Chart The following flow chart was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to demonstrate where the MRRMP-EIS is in the overall NEPA process. This chart is updated as appropriate and shared with the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC) during each of the Committee’s plenary meetings.


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Status of the Species The following updates were provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the status of the species in conjunction with the March 2018 MRRIC plenary meeting:

Status of the Species Updates Follow up Documentation to Plenary Presentation Provided to MRRIC by Casey Kruse, Missouri River Coordinator, US Fish and Wildlife Service April 6, 2018

DELISTING OF THE INTERIOR LEAST TERN In 2013 the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) completed a 5-year status review for the Interior Least Tern (ILT). The review concluded that the ILT be considered for delisting upon completion of the following recommended actions. 1. Development of a range-wide population model (2014) 2. Completion of conservation agreements with land management agencies (Initiated 2013) 3. Development of a range-wide monitoring strategy and conservation plan (2015) Number one is completed and two will be complete with the finalization of the MRRMP. The Service is currently seeking comments from the states and other federal agencies on the range-wide monitoring strategy and conservation plan. The proposed rule to delist the ILT is anticipated to be published in the Federal Register in June 2018.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS PIPING PLOVER RECOVERY PLAN The Service’s North Dakota Ecological Services Office is leading the effort to update the piping plover recovery plan. The Service anticipates having a completed revision to the 2016 draft by July 2018. Current efforts include re-examining the recovery criteria utilizing the latest scientific information. They are also looking forward to a meeting with the MRRMP technical team to address the ISAP recommendation regarding differences in habitat targets.

INTERNATIONAL PIPING PLOVER CENSUS The International Piping Plover Census was last conducted in 2016 by the USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center in Corvallis, OR. The Service has recently learned that USGS does not have funding to complete the analysis and reporting of the census results. While the Service contemplates how to resolve this situation, we are also evaluating the future role of the international census in piping plover recovery.

RESPONSE TO FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS REGARDING BIRD WHITE PAPER No update. With the conclusion of the Biological Opinion process, we hope to have time to consolidate remaining questions and prepare responses in the near future.


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NEOSHO NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY The Service is anticipating bringing Neosho National Fish Hatchery (Neosho) back online in 2018 to support pallid sturgeon propagation and conservation stocking efforts on the lower Missouri River. Neosho has completed the facility and procedural upgrades recommended by the interagency hatchery review team. The Service is also preparing a Hatchery Decision Support Process and a Family Lot Health Assessment tool to support the pallid sturgeon conservation stocking effort, and to ensure we are stocking quality and healthy fish to the river.

RANGEWIDE SPECIES STATUS UPDATES (DASHBOARD) No progress on preparing a species status “dashboard”. The respective Adaptive Management Teams did an excellent job showing the status of terns, plovers and sturgeon on the Missouri River during the AM Workshop. It is the Services intent through this dashboard effort to show the Missouri River information within the context of the range-wide information. This effort will continue as time allows.

UPDATE ON THE LISTING PROPOSAL FOR SICKLEFIN AND STURGEON CHUBS The Service did a positive 90 day finding for these species in Dec. 2017. This 90 day findings was then placed on a National Work-plan and as of yet it has not been scheduled when we will do the 12 month detailed finding. This may not occur until 2023 or so following our National Work-plan guidance and parameters. See attachment for more details.


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The USFWS previously provided the following additional information on the status of the species during the May 2017 MRRIC plenary meeting:


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Upcoming Meetings & Webinars Plenary Meetings and Related Webinars MRRIC Draft Strategic Plan Review Plenary – May 22-24, 2018 (anticipated for Sioux Falls, SD)

Potential Agenda Items: • Final consensus on the Common Ground recommendations that reached tentative

consensus during the fall plenary meeting • Final consensus on the recommended approach to Fall Science Meeting in 2018 • Draft recommendations from the Fish, Bird, and HC Work Groups on the draft Strategic

Plan • Draft recommendations on an engagement strategy with the Independent Advisory

Panel from the AM Governance Planning Ad Hoc Group • Report from the Communications Work Group, including an update on plans for the

10th Anniversary celebration • The work of the MP2 to develop recommended changes to the Operating Procedures

around suspending the operating procedures • An overview of the final Biological Opinion, including how ISAP recommendations were

considered • Review and discuss the activities of other Work Groups and Ad Hoc Groups, including

the Plover Habitat Ad Hoc Group and Tribal Interests Work Group • Discussion of agencies’ updates (which will be provided via pre-meeting webinar) • Status of the Species Report • Member interest presentation • Chair’s Hour (to include time for members to raise issues) • Work Group breakout sessions as needed

Anticipated Pre-Meeting Agency Webinar Topics:

• MRRP update • Water management • Yellowstone Intake Project

MRRIC Draft Strategic Plan Review Plenary – May 22-24, 2018 (anticipated for Sioux Falls, SD) [Tentative] – MRRIC Plenary Webinar for Final Consensus – June 27th, 2018, 10-12 Central MRRIC Fall Plenary – November 27-29, 2018 (anticipated for Kansas City, MO)


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Other Meetings • Joint Bird, Fish, and HC Work Group Meeting – April 17-18, 2018 (Omaha, NE) • Bird, Fish, and HC Team Meetings – Monday, November 26 – Tentative, pending MRRIC finalized

recommendation Additional Anticipated Webinars

• Webinar to present Fort Peck hypotheses and hydrographs that have been developed to date and initial proxy analysis of HC impacts (early May 2018)

• Webinar to present revisions to Fort Peck hydrographs and alternative hydrographs (if any) (July 2018)

• Webinar for oral presentations with TPSN candidates (October 2018) • Fall Science Meeting webinars (October 2018)


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About the Missouri River Implementation

Committee (MRRIC) What/Who is MRRIC? The Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC) is a 70-member committee made up of federal, state, tribal, and stakeholder representatives from throughout the basin. MRRIC serves as a collaborative forum developing a shared vision and comprehensive plan for the restoration of the Missouri River ecosystem. The Committee provides guidance and recommendations to federal, tribal, state, local and private entities in the basin on the current Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP) for the river’s threatened and endangered species while sustaining the river’s many uses. MRRIC was established by Section 5018 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 under the authority of the Secretary of the Army. MRRIC stakeholders represent a wide range of interests, ensuring that the public’s values are considered and incorporated into the restoration plans. Federal agencies do not participate in decisions regarding recommendations from MRRIC, but the federal agencies support and inform the MRRIC. A Federal Working Group of agency representatives has been appointed by the federal executives of the Missouri River Basin Interagency Roundtable. These agencies advise the MRRIC as the committee considers recommendations. What is the Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP)? The MRRP is an effort to replace lost habitat and avoid a finding of jeopardy to threatened and endangered species (pallid sturgeon, least tern, and piping plover) resulting from USACE projects on the Missouri River. These actions are being taken pursuant to the 2000 Biological Opinion, amended in 2003 (BiOp) and various Water Resource Development Acts (WRDA) currently focused on activities which contribute to jeopardy avoidance. For additional information regarding the MRRP, please visit: http://moriverrecovery.usace.army.mil/mrrp/f?p=136:1:0::NO. Fact sheets on the following items can be found by visiting http://moriverrecovery.usace.army.mil/mrrp/f?p=136:70#FactSheets:

• Missouri River Recovery Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement • Relationship between the Missouri River Recovery Management Plan and Environmental Impact

Statement Alternatives and the Adaptive Management Plan • Incorporating Human Considerations into MRRP Planning and Decision Making • Emergent Sandbar Habitat Creation • Interception-Rearing Complexes on the Lower Missouri River • Lower Missouri Spring Pallid Sturgeon Flow Release

MRRIC Charter On July 1, 2008, then Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, the Honorable John Paul Woodley, Jr., approved the Charter for the MRRIC. Approval of the MRRIC Charter was the culmination of over a year of intense work by the MRRIC Planning Group. The Planning Group was comprised of

http://moriverrecovery.usace.army.mil/mrrp/f?p=136:1:0::NO

http://moriverrecovery.usace.army.mil/mrrp/f?p=136:70#FactSheets


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representatives of Missouri River basin Tribes, states, and a wide range of stakeholder interests that were asked by the Corps and other federal agencies to develop a Recommended Charter for the MRRIC. MRRIC meets approximately four times per year. Membership of the MRRIC is comprised of representatives of federal agencies, Tribes, states, and stakeholders from throughout the Missouri River basin. Each federal agency head, tribal chairman and state governor may appoint one representative to the MRRIC. Stakeholder representatives apply for membership by identifying their interest in one of the 16 interest categories. See the next page for the list of the seats available on the MRRIC. More information, including a roster of current members, may be found at www.mrric.org. Additional Information For additional information about MRRIC please visit www.mrric.org. For questions about MRRIC or for a stakeholder group, please contact Ms. Gail Bingham, Committee Chair ([email protected]). MRRIC Members

Stakeholder Interests: The Committee has 29 stakeholder seats for members representing 16 non- governmental categories. • Agriculture • Conservation Districts • Environmental/Conservation

Organizations • Fish and Wildlife • Flood Control • Hydropower • Irrigation • Local Government

• Major Tributaries • Navigation • Recreation • Thermal Power • Water Quality • Water Supply • Waterway Industries • Other “At Large” Interests

States: Eight states in the basin are eligible to appoint representatives to the MRRIC. • Iowa • Kansas • Missouri • Montana

• Nebraska • North Dakota • South Dakota • Wyoming

Tribes: Twenty-nine American Indian Tribes with historical ties to the basin have a seat reserved for them in the MRRIC. • Blackfeet Tribe • Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe • Chippewa Cree Trobe of Rocky

Boy's Reservation • Crow Creek Sioux Tribe • Crow Nation • Eastern Shoshone Tribe of the Wind

River Reservation • Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe • Fort Belknap Indian Community

• Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes

• Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska • Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas • Lower Brule Sioux Tribe • Northern Arapaho Tribe • Northern Cheyenne Tribe • Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Pine Ridge

Reservation • Omaha Tribe of Nebraska





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• Osage Nation • Ponca Tribe of Nebraska • Prairie Band of Potawatomi of

Kansas • Rosebud Sioux Tribe • Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in

Kansas and Nebraska • Santee Sioux Nation • Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate

• Spirit Lake Sioux Nation • Standing Rock Sioux Tribe • Three Affiliated Tribes of Mandan,

Hidatsa and Arikara Nation • Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa

Indians • Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska • Yankton Sioux Tribe

Federal Agencies: Fifteen federal agencies have appointed representatives to the MRRIC.• Bureau of Indian Affairs • Bureau of Land Management • Bureau of Reclamation • Federal Highway Administration • Maritime Administration • National Park Service • National Weather Service/National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

• Natural Resources Conservation Service

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • U.S. Coast Guard • U.S. Department of Agriculture • U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • U.S. Geological Survey • Western Area Power

Administration


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Summary of MRRIC’s Key Accomplishments

The Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC or Committee) was established by Congress under Section 5018 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 to provide advice to Federal Agencies on the operations of the Missouri River. Since its

initial meeting in September 2008, MRRIC has achieved consensus of its diverse membership on nearly 30 substantive recommendations to the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Through these recommendations, the Committee has significantly influenced the content of a Missouri River Recovery Management Plan (Plan) that will guide Corps operations of the River for the foreseeable future. The Plan will be released as an Environmental Impact Statement anticipated for completion by the end of calendar year 2017. MRRIC actions that have informed the Plan include the development of:

• A set of Human Considerations Objectives and Metrics that define a set of uses of the river that must be considered when evaluating potential impacts of management actions;

• A recommendation to use an Adaptive Management strategy that enables a “learning by doing” approach to adapt management actions that benefit the listed species as we learn more about their habitat needs; and

• A governance strategy that specifies a formal role for MRRIC to participate with the federal agencies in the Adaptive Management Plan.

MRRIC recommendations also formed the basis of prescribed management actions to help recover the listed species, such as:

• The formation of an independent panel to review the scientific foundation for an understanding of the Missouri River system and the needs of species, including developing specific review topics that led to a list of seven proposed actions;

• The establishment of an independent socioeconomic review panel to ensure the technical soundness of the evaluations of management alternatives on the Human Considerations; and

• The recommendation to conduct an Effects Analysis that would compile information on the listed species and their habitats learned since the Biological Opinion of 2003. This information also aided in the creation of conceptual ecological models for estimating species responses to management actions.

MRRIC took action on other river issues that were not necessarily part of the Plan, including:

• Development of a “Good Neighbor” policy that addressed local communities’ concerns about activities on Corps’ purchased lands and actively pursued options for using property easements;

• An annual recommendation on the Corps’ Missouri River Recovery Program work plan that included spending priorities; and

• Emphasizing the importance of habitats outside the main river channel for nesting birds. The dedication of members to using MRRIC as a forum for voicing concerns regarding Missouri River management persisted through the challenges of significant budget reductions and the worst flood in the history of the river. The Committee has succeeded in having many of the concerns of states, tribes and stakeholders addressed in the future Plan.

Documents

Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC ... · Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee focuses on recovery strategic plan . OMAHA, Neb. - The Missouri River