Nick Lee

Held IN PERSON at the Executive Director's Office, Kearney, NE, with virtual attendance option.

This second quarter Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting is centered on reviewing monitoring results, evaluating science questions (EBQs), and guiding management decisions for the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program.

Items of focus include:

• Species monitoring (cranes, sturgeon)
• Predation and habitat management strategies
• Sediment and hydrology processes
• Prioritization of future research and actions within the Program

Day 1 (April 21)

• Administrative items: introductions, agenda updates, and approval of January 2026 minutes.
• Target species updates:
  • Review and discussion of the 2025 Whooping Crane fall monitoring report (with recommendation for approval).
  • Brief update on bat monitoring.
• Predator management discussion:
  • Focus on reducing predation using nest furniture, chick shelters, and vegetation, including experimental design considerations.
• Science (Extension Big Questions):
  • Updates on germination suppression and sediment augmentation.
  • Major discussion on sediment augmentation, J2 channel, and habitat restoration obligations.
  • Initial results on Whooping Crane stopover vs. flyover behavior.
  • Pallid sturgeon update, including timelines and implications for the Program.

Day 2 (April 22)

• Predation impacts modeling:
  • Consider shifting from evaluating management effectiveness to predictive modeling of predation impacts.
• Wet meadow hydrology:
  • Peer review updates, policy discussion, and a proposed EPA-funded monitoring effort.
• Program prioritization:
  • Discussion of Extension Science Plan priorities.
• Land management updates:
  • Nesting site rehabilitation progress.
  • Moving Complex Approach (MCA) island strategy review and future direction.
• Concludes with final wrap-up and action items.

Kickoff meeting for the PRRIP Water Negotiation Workgroup.

The meeting will include a review of the history of CPNRD and NPPD surface water leases.  The primary purpose will be to review any comments or suggested changes provided by workgroup members on the draft multi-year agreements and to explore what terms and conditions the parties would like to see included in the multi-year agreements.

An agenda will be distributed two weeks in advance of the meeting.

Virtual Meeting Only

Held IN-PERSON in Kearney, NE; location TBD

July 7^th is planned as a field day focused on ISAC learning more about PRRIP land management, water management, target species, and PRRIP science.

July 8^th is planned as an Open Session at a location TBD in Kearney, NE. All PRRIP participants are invited to attend.

July 9th is planned as a Closed Session at a location TBD in Kearney, NE. The Closed Session will be for the ISAC and PRRIP EDO staff only.

This will be a VIRTUAL meeting via Microsoft TEAMS. Those interested in attending in person are welcome at the Executive Director's Office in Kearney, NE.

Virtual Meeting Only

Held IN PERSON at Executive Director’s Office, Kearney, NE with virtual attendance option.