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H I S T O R I C A G R E E M E N T E N S U R E S F U T U R E O F T H E N I O B R A R A R I V E R On Sept. 16, 2015, an historic agreement was signed by the Commission, Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District (NRD), Middle Niobrara NRD, Lower Niobrara NRD, Upper Elkhorn NRD, and Upper Loup NRD. Under the memorandum of understanding, the Commission and NRDs will work to transfer assets from NPPD's Spencer Hydro Dam, including NPPD's water appropriations on the Niobrara River, to protect river flows in the Niobrara River. The partners are also seeking an instream flow from below Spencer Dam to the confluence with the Missouri River to protect flows for fish, wildlife, and recreation. This proactive and cooperative approach to jointly manage water will benefit all users and fish, wildlife, and recreational benefits throughout the basin, with a focus on meeting local needs and providing benefits for all Nebraska citizens. A Q U A T I C I N V A S I V E S P E C I E S P R O G R A M C R E A T E D The Nebraska Legislature passed LB 142 in 2015 that increased the three-year resident boat registration fee by $5 and created a $15 annual nonresident boat stamp to fund the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program. The program aims to prevent the introduction and/or spread of aquatic invasive species in Nebraska. Owners of 130 bait shops in Nebraska were surveyed in 2015 to assess their operations and their awareness of invasive species issues. That was followed up with visits by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission staff to all bait shops to see their operations and to determine what is being sold in Nebraska as fishing bait. AIS are exotic or non-native aquatic organisms that pose a significant threat to the aquatic resources, water supplies or water infrastructure of this state. These organisms can be plants, fish, mussels, crayfish, invertebrates or pathogens. M I L K W E E D P L A N T E D F O R M O N A R C H S Monarch populations have declined at alarming rates in recent years, and habitat loss across the Midwest (specifically loss of milkweed) has been identified as one factor limiting populations. Monarchs rely on milkweeds for egg deposition and caterpillar survival. The Commission has partnered with multiple agencies and organizations to improve monarch habitat and increase milkweed plantings on public and private land. The Commission has already started planting milkweed across the state and plans for milkweed production plots on more than two dozen wildlife management areas, which will served as a seed source for future habitat work. CANOEING THE NIOBRARA RIVER NEAR VALENTINE IN CHERRY COUNTY 10 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission • 2015 Annual Report