Effects of the Wetlands Reserve Program on Waterfowl Carrying Capacity in the Rainwater Basin Region of South-Central Nebraska A Conservation Effects Assessment Project Wildlife Component assessment Submitted to: Charlie Rewa, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Diane Eckles, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Skip Hyberg, USDA Farm Service Agency Sally Benjamin, USDA Farm Service Agency Submitted by: Andrew A. Bishop U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Habitat and Population Evaluation Team 203 West 2nd Street Grand Island, Ne 68801
[email protected] and Mark Vrtiska Waterfowl Program Manager Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 2200 North 33rd Street Lincoln, Ne 68503 May 8, 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 2 Background......................................................................................................................... 2 Justification..................................................................................................................... 4 METHODS ........................................................................................................................ 5 Data Development and Analysis..................................................................................... 6 Component 1: Deliniate easement boundary ............................................................