Environmental Assessment
Oakdale Irrigation District and South San Joaquin Irrigation District Reservoir Water Transfer
California Great Basin - Interior Region 10
CGB-EA-2021-48
U.S. Department of the Interior Interior Region 10 – California Great Basin Central California Area Office August 2021
Mission Statements The Department of the Interior (DOI) conserves and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people, provides scientific and other information about natural resources and natural hazards to address societal challenges and create opportunities for the American people, and honors the Nation’s trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities to help them prosper.
The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.
Contents Chapter 1 Introduction ...... 1-1 1.1 Background ...... 1-1 1.2 Purpose and Need ...... 1-2 Chapter 2 Alternatives ...... 2-1 2.1 No Action ...... 2-1 2.2 Proposed Action ...... 2-1 2.3 Environmental Commitments ...... 2-3 Chapter 3 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ...... 3-1 3.1 Resources Not Analyzed in Detail ...... 3-1 3.1.1 Indian Trust Assets (ITAs) ...... 3-1 3.1.2 Indian Sacred Sites ...... 3-1 3.1.3 Cultural Resources ...... 3-1 3.1.4 Environmental Justice ...... 3-1 3.1.5 Air Quality ...... 3-2 3.2 Water Resources ...... 3-2 3.2.1 Affected Environment ...... 3-2 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences ...... 3-0 3.3 Biological Resources ...... 3-1 3.3.1 Affected Environment ...... 3-1 3.3.2 Environmental Consequences ...... 3-3 3.4 Recreation ...... 3-7 3.4.1 Affected Environment ...... 3-7 3.4.2 Environmental Consequences ...... 3-8 3.5 Power ...... 3-8 3.5.1 Affected Environment ...... 3-8 3.5.2 Environmental Consequences ...... 3-9 3.6 Cumulative Impacts ...... 3-9 3.6.1 Cumulative Projects ...... 3-10 3.6.2 Water Resources ...... 3-11 3.6.3 Biological Resources ...... 3-11 Chapter 4 Consultation and Coordination ...... 4-1 4.1 Public Review Period ...... 4-1 4.2 Endangered Species Act (16 USC § 1531 et seq.) ...... 4-1 4.3 Agency Involvement ...... 4-1 Chapter 5 References ...... 5-1
i DRAFT – August 2021 Oakdale Irrigation District and South San Joaquin Irrigation District Reservoir Release Water Transfer Draft Environmental Assessment Tables Table 3-1. Biological Resources of Concern with Potential to Occur in the Project Area ...... 3-2
Figures
Figure 1-1. Project Location ...... 1-2 Figure 2-1. Projected flow releases through Stanislaus River under No Action and Proposed Action (Scenario 1), and Proposed Action (Scenario 2) ...... 2-2 Figure 3-1. Crop Mapping ...... 3-0 Figure 3-2. New Melones Reservoir storage under No Action and Proposed Action ...... 3-0
Appendices Appendix A Indian Trust Assets Appendix Appendix B Cultural Resources Compliance Appendix C Groundwater Monitoring Appendix Appendix D Biological Resources Appendix
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Chapter 1 Introduction In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has prepared this Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate and disclose any potential environmental impacts associated with the actions related to approving water transfer between Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) and South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID), collectively known as the districts, and the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA) for use by its participating member agencies (Participating Members) for water year (WY) 2021. In this proposed water transfer, OID and SSJID would make water available for transfer from New Melones Reservoir that otherwise would have remained in storage.
1.1 Background Due to the critical dry conditions in WY 2021, the Participating Members have not received adequate water supply allocations to meet their water demand, and through SLDMWA, the Participating Members are soliciting a water transfer from OID and SSJID. In 1988, OID and SSJID entered into an Agreement and Stipulation with Reclamation that recognizes and protects the water rights of OID and SSJID. This 1988 Agreement and Stipulation committed Reclamation to deliver water to the districts in recognition of the districts’ pre-1914 water rights1. Under an operations agreement between Reclamation and the districts, the districts operate Goodwin Dam. Historically, Reclamation has released water from Goodwin Dam to the Stanislaus River to meet Reclamation’s instream flow and water quality commitments, and water quality and flow objectives at Vernalis. Reclamation delivers water to the districts for diversion at Goodwin Dam. The districts have a maximum annual entitlement of up to 600,000 acre-feet (AF) (OID, 2005). Under the terms of the 1988 Agreement, the districts may carry over unused water into subsequent water years by leaving the “conserved water” in storage in New Melones Reservoir up to a cumulative total amount of 200,000 AF).
SLDMWA consists of 27 member agencies representing water service contractors and San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors. The SLDMWA service area consists primarily of agricultural lands on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley (Figure 1-1). Agricultural water use occurs on approximately 850,000 irrigated acres. Water for habitat management occurs on approximately 120,000 acres of refuge lands. Relative to agricultural uses, there is limited municipal and industrial (M&I) water use in the San Joaquin Valley area. The SLDMWA does not directly supply water, but it assists its participating member agencies to secure transfers when needed and in scheduling and managing the transferred water.
1 Pre-1914 water rights are acquired by diverting and applying water to beneficial use prior to 1914. Pre-1914 water rights do not require a permit from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) or any statewide permitting authority, but the Water Code does require that statements of diversion are to be filed with the SWRCB each year. A pre-1914 water rights holder may change the place and/or purpose of use without approval from the SWRCB as long as changes do not injure other users.
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Figure 1-1. Project Location
1.2 Purpose and Need Critically dry hydrologic conditions in WY 2021 and the resulting reduced water supply allocations have increased the necessity for water transfers in 2021. In March 2021, Reclamation announced south-of-Delta agricultural water service and repayment contractors’ allocation of 5 percent of their contract supply. In addition, as of February 2021, SLDMWA’s Municipal and Industrial (M&I) water users were allocated 55 percent of their historic use (Reclamation 2021a). Subsequent to the March 2021 announcement, on May 28, 2021, the 5 percent allocation for Central Valley Project (CVP) agricultural water service and repayment contractors was reduced to 0 percent and M&I contractors’ allocations were reduced from 55 percent to 25 percent.
SLDMWA has purchased transfer water from other sellers (certain Sacramento River Settlement Contractors) located north of the Delta. However, this transfer supply will not be available for delivery until October as this water is being stored in Shasta Reservoir to assist in maintaining a cold water pool due to historic low water levels at Shasta Reservoir. Under current allocations, SLDMWA’s Participating Members would not receive adequate supplies to meet water demand for this year and SLDMWA is considering water transfers to address this shortage. OID and SSJID propose to transfer up to 100,000 AF of their pre-1914 water rights supply, made available through stored reservoir release from New Melones Reservoir, to SLDMWA’s Participating Members. The OID/SSJID transfer water would provide much needed irrigation water to the SLDMWA Participating Members in the August/September period. Any excess water may be stored as carryover water in the San Luis Reservoir.
1-2 DRAFT – August 2021 Chapter 1 Introduction Reclamation is facilitating the transfer of water between SLDMWA and the districts as CVP facilities are involved in the transfer. Reclamation is using this EA to evaluate the potential environmental effects of the proposed action and determine whether it may result in adverse environmental impacts.
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Chapter 2 Alternatives This EA considers two possible actions: the No Action Alternative and the Proposed Action. The No Action Alternative reflects future conditions without the Proposed Action and serves as a basis of comparison for determining potential effects to the human environment.
2.1 No Action Under the No Action Alternative, SLDMWA, on behalf of the Participating Members, would not purchase transfer water made available through stored reservoir releases from OID and SSJID. Reclamation would not enter into a Warren Act Contract with SLDMWA to convey the transferred water using CVP facilities. Additionally, a Conveyance Agreement with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to provide for conveyance of the transfer water through DWR facilities would also not be required. The water identified in the Proposed Action would continue to be stored in New Melones Reservoir. OID and SSJID would not be able to convey the water from New Melones Reservoir to SLDMWA’s Participating Members to meet water demands.
Under the No Action Alternative, some water users will face shortages in the absence of water transfers. These shortages will likely be met by increasing groundwater pumping, idling cropland, reducing landscape irrigation, land retirement, rationing water, and/or pursuing supplemental water supplies.
2.2 Proposed Action Reclamation would approve a water transfer between the sellers and SLDMWA’s Participating Members. The sellers (OID and SSJID) would provide up to 100,000 AF of their “conserved stored water” through reservoir release from New Melones Reservoir to SLDMWA between August 1, 2021 through October 15, 2021. Transfer water would be offered to all of SLDMWA’s member agencies and distributed to the Participating Members. Releases from New Melones Reservoir to Stanislaus River would be up to 1,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) in August with a proposed ramp down in releases the first week of September to accommodate installation of the Stanislaus River weir. Flows will be increased back to 1,500 cfs after the installation and monitoring activities. Two flow scenarios were developed for the Proposed Action with the scenario 1 extending from August 1, 2021 through October 1, 2021 and the scenario 2 extending from August 15, 2021 through October 15, 2021, see Figure 2-1 for projected flow released through Stanislaus River under the Proposed Action. During the transfer period (August through October), water elevations in New Melones Reservoir would be lower than conditions without the transfer until the reservoir is refilled through inflows to the reservoir.
Under the Proposed Action, the SLDMWA will purchase the transfer water on behalf of the Participating Members.
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Figure 2-1. Projected flow releases through Stanislaus River under No Action and Proposed Action (Scenario 1), and Proposed Action (Scenario 2)
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The water made available for transfer from New Melones Reservoir would be conveyed down the Stanislaus River, through the San Joaquin River, and would be diverted at Jones Pumping Plant in the Delta into the Delta-Mendota Canal (DMC) and/or at Banks Pumping Plant into the California Aqueduct to O’Neill Reservoir. Transfer water would be delivered and/or stored in the San Luis Reservoir and eventually conveyed to the Participating Members via the DMC or the San Luis Canal (see Figure 1-1). Transfers would be in compliance with regulatory requirements, including but not limited to the Reinitiation of Consultation for Long-Term Operations of CVP and State Water Project (SWP) Biological Opinions (2019 BiOp) (USFWS 2019 and NOAA Fisheries 2019) and the Incidental Take Permit (ITP) issued to DWR from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW 2020). SLDMWA’s Participating Members would require a Warren Act2 Contract with Reclamation to provide for conveyance of non-CVP water through CVP facilities. SLDMWA would require a Conveyance Agreement with DWR to provide for conveyance of the transfer water through DWR facilities, if any. This document also analyzes the impacts of conveying non-CVP water in CVP facilities to address compliance needs for transfers facilitated by execution of a contract pursuant to the Warren Act of February 21, 1911 (36 Stat. 925).
2.3 Environmental Commitments Several environmental commitments are included in the Proposed Action to avoid potential environmental impacts from water transfers.
1. Conduct the early portion of the Proposed Action (August 1 – August 30) prior to the: (1) initiation of upstream migration of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and fall-run (FR) Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha); (2) initiation of spawning of spring-run (SR) Chinook salmon, FR Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss); and (3) the period in early September for the installation of the Stanislaus River Weir
2. Reduce the daily discharge of the Proposed Action to a maximum of 400 cfs from about August 30 to about September 5 to allow important fisheries monitoring to be conducted. This will allow the installation of the Stanislaus River Weir to collect information on escapement and migration timing of FR Chinook salmon and steelhead (as required for Reclamation’s Steelhead Monitoring Program).
3. Increase the daily discharge of the Proposed Action from about September 5 to September 30 to complete the later portion of the Proposed Action. The timing of this environmental commitment will occur prior to the majority of spawning activity by FR Chinook salmon, which peaks in November.
4. During the second portion of the Proposed Action (about September 5 to October 1 (under scenario 1)/October 15 (under scenario 2)), the release timing would discourage spawning to avoid the potential for redd dewatering when discharge levels decrease in late October and November as redds would be unlikely to be deposited.
2 The Warren Act of February 21, 1911 authorized the United States to execute contracts for the conveyance and storage of non-project water in Federal facilities when excess capacity exists.
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o Note that the timing (environmental commitment 3) of the later portion of the Proposed Action should serve as an additional managed pulse flow for listed species along with the expected managed pulse flow as required under the Stepped Release Plan in the 2019 BiOp (NOAA 2019).
5. Ramping rates (daily change in discharge) of the Proposed Action follow the New Melones Stepped Release Plan guidance documents. This will minimize the potential for stranding of adult and juvenile listed species, particularly at restored side channels throughout the upper Stanislaus River (i.e., Honolulu Bar, Lancaster Road, among others).
6. For Scenario #1 of the Proposed Action, water storage levels in New Melones Reservoir are anticipated to be maintained at approximately 0.88, 0.74, and 0.70 million acre-feet (MAF) at the end of August, September, and October, respectively, under the Proposed Action. Downstream water temperatures (daily maximum over the entire month) predicted at Goodwin Dam will be 14.3ºC (57.7ºF), 14. 5ºC (58.1ºF), and 14.8ºC (58.6ºF) for the months of August, September, and October, respectively. Under Scenario #2, water storage levels would be approximately 0.89, 0.79, and 0.70 MAF at the end of August – September. Predicted water temperatures would be 14.2ºC (57.6ºF), 14. 2ºC (57.6ºF), and 14.8ºC (58.6ºF) for the same time period. Under either scenario, these predicted water temperatures are lower than those recommended water temperatures for preserving the health of salmonids (Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] 2003).
7. The timing of the Proposed Action would avoid any effects to spawning of Delta smelt and green sturgeon as those species both spawn in the spring.
8. The upper discharge limit of the Proposed Action will be no more than 1,500 cfs for the duration to prevent interruptions to weir monitoring, which is part of the data collection for Reclamation’s recently implemented Steelhead Monitoring Program on the Stanislaus River.
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Chapter 3 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences This section identifies the potentially affected environmental resources and the environmental consequences that could result from the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative.
3.1 Resources Not Analyzed in Detail Department of Interior Regulations, Executive Orders, and Reclamation guidelines require a discussion of Indian sacred sites, Indian Trust Assets (ITAs), and Environmental Justice when preparing environmental documentation. Impacts to cultural resources, air quality, and climate change were considered and found to be minor or absent. A brief explanation supporting the minor or absent impacts is provided below:
3.1.1 Indian Trust Assets (ITAs) ITAs are legal interests in assets that are held in trust by the U.S. for federally recognized Indian tribes or individuals. The closest ITA to the Proposed Action is the Chicken Ranch Rancheria (see Appendix A). Based on the nature of the planned work, the Proposed Action is not in an area that would impact Indian hunting or fishing resources or water rights. It is reasonable to assume that the Proposed Action would not have any impacts on ITAs.
3.1.2 Indian Sacred Sites Sacred sites are defined in Executive Order 13007 (May 24, 1996) as “any specific, discrete, narrowly delineated location on Federal land that is identified by an Indian tribe, or Indian individual determined to be an appropriately authoritative representative of an Indian religion, as sacred by virtue of its established religious significance to, or ceremonial use by, and Indian religion; provided that the tribe or appropriately authoritative representative of an Indian religion has informed the agency of the existence of such a site.” There are no known Indian Sacred Sites within the Proposed Action area, and the nature of the proposed action, the transfer of water through existing facilities, will not impact any Indian Sacred Sites even if they were present within the project area; therefore, this Proposed Action would not inhibit use or access to any Indian Sacred Sites.
3.1.3 Cultural Resources Reclamation determined that the proposed action is the type of activity that does not have the potential to cause effects on historic properties, should such properties be present, pursuant to Title 54 U.S.C § 306108 (see Appendix B). As such, Reclamation has no further obligations under National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 pursuant to 36 CFR § 800.3 (a)(1).
3.1.4 Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898 requires each Federal agency to identify and address disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental impacts, including social and economic effects of its program, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations. The
3-1 DRAFT – August 2021 Oakdale Irrigation District and South San Joaquin Irrigation District Reservoir Release Water Transfer Draft Environmental Assessment Proposed Action would not have adverse economic or social effects on any individuals or populations within the vicinity of the project. Therefore, the Proposed Action would not have disproportionately negative impacts on low-income or minority populations.
Under the No Action Alternative, SLDMWA may take alternative water supply actions in response to shortages, but these actions would generally follow the pattern of actions during previous dry periods under existing conditions. However, any reductions in water supply would affect all water users and would not be directed at minority or low-income populations. The water transfer under the Proposed Action would provide water to SLDMWA’s Participating Members that are agricultural water service and repayment contractors. Similar to the No Action Alternative, any benefits from increased water supplies would affect all water users and would not be directed at minority or low-income populations. The Proposed Action would not exceed 1,500 cfs because these exceeding 1,500 cfs could result in property and safety issues (e.g., crop damage through seepage, impacts rafting businesses, and other recreational uses; described in further detail in Section 3.2.1.2).
3.1.5 Air Quality Calaveras County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and Tuolumne County APCD regulate air quality within the region of New Melones Reservoir. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District and San Joaquin Valley APCD regulate air quality within the region of the Delta and San Luis Reservoir. No emissions of criteria pollutants that exceed federal, state, or local thresholds are anticipated under the Proposed Action as reservoir releases are part of normal operations and do not require new construction.
3.2 Water Resources
3.2.1 Affected Environment
3.2.1.1 Stanislaus River The Stanislaus River is approximately 161 miles long and covers an area of approximately 1,195 square miles. The Stanislaus River originates in the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountains and flows into the San Joaquin River approximately 3 miles upstream of Vernalis. The Stanislaus River receives most of its flow from late spring and early summer snowmelt; however, peak flows generally occur during winter rain events (California State Water Resources Control Board [SWRCB] 2012).
3.2.1.2 New Melones Reservoir New Melones Reservoir serves Calaveras, Tuolumne, Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. Water released from New Melones Reservoir and through the power plant is re-regulated at Tulloch Reservoir, and is either diverted at Goodwin Dam or released from Goodwin Reservoir to the lower Stanislaus River. Releases into the lower Stanislaus River provide water for riparian water rights, instream fishery flow objectives [Central Valley Project Improvement Act 3406(b)(2) or (b)(3) fishery flows], and water quality improvement (water temperature and instream dissolved oxygen). Upon entering the San Joaquin River, the water contributes to flow and water quality conditions at Vernalis (Reclamation 2005).
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SSJID and OID divert water from the Stanislaus River for use within their service districts. Stockton East Water District and Central San Joaquin Water Conservation District both have contracts with Reclamation to receive water from the New Melones Reservoir through the CVP.
The operating criteria for New Melones Reservoir area are primarily governed by Stanislaus River water rights, instream fish and wildlife flow requirements, temperature and dissolved oxygen requirements, Vernalis water quality and flow requirements from the SWRCB Water Right Decision 1641, and CVP contracts. Flood control operations are conducted in conformance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ operational guidelines, however, since it is large reservoir relative to its annual inflow, flood control is relatively infrequent.
3.2.1.3 San Joaquin River The Lower San Joaquin River is considered the portion of the San Joaquin River extending from the confluence of the Merced River downstream to Vernalis. It receives flow from the three eastside tributaries, the Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and Merced Rivers. These tributaries provide the primary sources of surface water to the Lower San Joaquin River together with flow from the Upper San Joaquin River. The Lower San Joaquin River extends through San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Merced Counties (SWRCB 2012).
3.2.1.4 Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta The Delta consists of a 738,000-acre area generally bordered by the cities of Sacramento, West Sacramento, Stockton, Tracy, Antioch, and Pittsburg. This former wetland area has been reclaimed into more than 60 islands and tracts, 700 miles of waterways, and roughly 520,000 acres devoted primarily to farming (CALFED Bay Delta Program 2005). The largest source of fresh water for the Delta is the Sacramento River, which transports an average of about 18.3 MAF per year into the Delta (DWR 2012). Additional flows from the Yolo Bypass, the Lower San Joaquin River, the Mokelumne River, and the Cosumnes River bring in an average of 5.8 MAF, with Delta precipitation adding about another 1.0 MAF (DWR 2012). During low-flow periods, the hydrodynamics of the channels within the Delta are influenced primarily by the tides, with secondary effects from inflows and exports (SWRCB 2012).
Major diversions in the southern Delta include the SWP at Banks Pumping Plant into Bethany Reservoir and the CVP at Jones Pumping Plant into the DMC. Both the CVP and the SWP use Delta channels to convey water released from the upstream Sacramento River Basin reservoirs to pumping stations in the southern Delta. The DMC conveys water from the southern Delta to the Mendota Pool. The California Aqueduct delivers water from Bethany Reservoir south to the Central Valley and Southern California (SWRCB 2012).
3.2.1.5 San Luis Reservoir San Luis Reservoir is an off-stream storage reservoir in Merced County. Reclamation owns and jointly operates San Luis Reservoir with DWR to provide seasonal storage for the CVP and the SWP. San Luis Reservoir is capable of receiving water from both the DMC and the California Aqueduct, which enables the CVP and SWP to pump water into the reservoir during the wet season (October through March) and release water into the conveyance facilities during the dry season (April through September) when demands are higher. Deliveries from San Luis Reservoir also flow west through Pacheco Pumping Plant and Conduit to the San Felipe Division of the CVP. The CVP
3-3 DRAFT – August 2021 Oakdale Irrigation District and South San Joaquin Irrigation District Reservoir Release Water Transfer Draft Environmental Assessment contractors that receive water from San Luis Reservoir include the San Felipe Division and the Central Valley Region CVP Contractors.
3.2.1.6 Groundwater In 1982, Reclamation found that there was a potential for damage to crops downstream from Goodwin Diversion Dam on the Stanislaus River when flows at the Ripon Gaging Station exceeded 1,250 cfs. The investigation found flows greater than 1,250 cfs would result in groundwater levels damaging sugar beet crops. However, post-harvest of sugar beet crops in early September, non- damaging flow at Ripon Gaging Station would be in excess of 1,500 cfs. When flows were greater than 1,500 cfs it would create water tables high enough to potentially damage almond and walnut orchards adjacent to the river (Reclamation 1982, as cited in Reclamation 2013). Root zone depth of almond is typically 6-7 feet below ground surface (Reclamation 2017). Reclamation, except in flood years, has typically operated Goodwin Dam releases up to 1,500 cfs to avoid impacts to crops in the area. There have been some short-term releases above 1,500 cfs in April and May to achieve the flow requirements under Appendix 2E of the 2009 Biological Opinion/Stepped Release Plan of the 2019 Biological Opinion (Reclamation 2013). Reclamation conducted a detailed evaluation of the relationship of river discharge to groundwater levels downstream of the Ripon Station Gage between 2006 and 2012. The study noted at a sustained flow of 4,000 cfs (winter/spring 2006 information) groundwater levels dropped to below 10 feet below ground surface at piezometer approximately 300 feet from the river. At another piezometer approximately 700 feet from the river groundwater levels remained greater than 10 feet below ground surface even at a sustained flow of 4,000 cfs. The evaluation concluded groundwater levels respond to increases in river stage within 1,500 feet of the river with average groundwater levels increasing 1.5 to 2 feet for every 500 cfs (Reclamation 2012, as cited in Reclamation 2013).
Historically, groundwater depth along the Stanislaus River, particularly downstream of Ripon Gaging Station, has been shallow. However, comparisons of Fall 2019 and Fall 2020 groundwater depth contours show that groundwater depth downstream of the Ripon Gaging Station have deepened due to the persistent dry conditions (DWR 2021a). In Fall 2019, areas immediately downstream of the Ripon Station were between 20-30 feet below ground surface. The area approximately 3 miles downstream of the Ripon Station, groundwater levels were shallower at approximately 20 feet below ground surface. In Fall 2020, groundwater levels 3 miles downstream of the Ripon Station dropped to between 20 to 30 feet below ground surface. Figure A-1 and A-2 in Appendix A show Fall 2019 and Fall 2020 depth contours in the area of analysis. Additional groundwater monitoring data is presented in Appendix A.
According to the 2018 crop mapping done by DWR, land within a 1,500-foot buffer from the Stanislaus River is mostly classified as natural vegetation and pasture. Agricultural land within 1,500 feet of the river includes mostly annual field crops as well as some deciduous fruit and nut orchards, as shown in Figure 3-1 (DWR 2018). Overall, most land use adjacent to the Stanislaus River is not adversely impacted by changing groundwater levels. The land which is impacted is agricultural lands, some of which are planted in annual crops, and some of which are deciduous fruit and nut orchards. These agricultural land uses are not typically damaged by flood releases of 1500 cfs or greater due to the timing of those releases (typically before annual crops are planted, and while deciduous trees are essentially dormant). However, summertime releases of 1500 cfs have been anecdotally noted to have negative impacts to both annual crops and permanent orchards planted within the 1500 foot buffer of the Stanislaus River. Reduced production from those fields is a cost impact to the farmers that needs to be noted.
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Figure 3-1. Crop Mapping
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3.2.2 Environmental Consequences
3.2.2.1 No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, SLDMWA’s Participating Members would continue to experience shortages. They may take alternative water supply actions in response to potential shortages, including increased groundwater pumping, cropland idling, reduction of landscape irrigation, land retirement, water rationing, and/or pursuing supplemental water supplies. Impacts to surface water supplies would be the same as the existing conditions.
3.2.2.2 Proposed Action The Proposed Action would allow up to 100,000 AF of stored reservoir release transfers. The SWRCB intends to issue curtailment orders for all appropriative water right holders in the Delta watershed, including the Stanislaus River. It is unclear at this time how the SWRCB’s curtailment orders might affect the Proposed Action. Proposed Action would result in lower reservoir storage levels following the transfer (see Figure 3-2 showing the reservoir volume under scenario 1 and scenario 2 of Proposed Action).. As noted previously, storage requirements for New Melones Reservoir and flow requirements for Stanislaus River are governed by Stanislaus River water rights, instream fish and wildlife flow requirements, temperature and dissolved oxygen requirements, Vernalis water quality and flow requirements from the SWRCB Water Right Decision 1641, CVP contracts, and flood control requirements.
Figure 3-2. New Melones Reservoir storage under No Action and Proposed Action
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Increased pumping at Jones Pumping Plant and/or Banks Pumping Plant under the Proposed Action, in comparison to No Action, could affect water levels in the south Delta around the pumping facilities. Decreased Delta water levels could have the potential to affect water supplies in this area if local users’ diversion pumps did not remain underwater. Reclamation and DWR operate a series of temporary barriers during this period to minimize potential water level impacts to south Delta water users. These barriers would help maintain water levels under Proposed Action.
Under the Proposed Action, additional water supply would benefit water users who receive the transferred water. The transfer water would help provide supplemental water to lands that are experiencing substantial shortages. For transfers to agricultural users, water would only be delivered to lands that were previously irrigated. Any water transferred to buyers would need to be used for beneficial uses. The increased water supply to buyers would be a beneficial effect.
Based on the 2012 Reclamation study The Affect of Stanislaus River Discharge on Groundwater Depth Adjacent to the River (as cited in Reclamation 2013), releases from Goodwin Dam have the potential to impact groundwater levels adjacent to the river. Forecasted releases under the Proposed Action from New Melones Reservoir would be limited to 1,500 cfs, which is much higher than typical August and September releases would be. When Stanislaus River releases of 1500 cfs in August and September are considered on their own, there would be a definite negative impact due to ground water seepage on low lying fields. However this proposed action is occurring in a year when Stanislaus River releases have been at 1500 cfs since the beginning of June to assist with meeting Delta outflow requirements. As a result, it is likely that the low lying fields have already been impacted by ground water seepage from the elevated releases. Continuing those releases for another two months should have only a minimal additional negative impact.
3.3 Biological Resources
3.3.1 Affected Environment The project area (i.e., the area of analysis) for the Biological Resources evaluation encompasses the following rivers, water bodies, and natural communities: (1) the Stanislaus River mainstem channel from New Melones Reservoir down to its confluence with the San Joaquin River; (2) the San Joaquin River mainstem channel from its confluence with the Stanislaus River downstream; (3) the south Delta, i.e. reaches of Old River and Grant Line Canal that lead to the Jones and Banks Pumping Plants; and (4) riparian/wetland communities occurring directly adjacent to waters that may be affected by fluctuations in groundwater levels associated with proposed water releases. Terrestrial biological resources associated with upland areas occurring in the vicinity of waters that would be affected by the proposed action are not discussed in this section because the Proposed Action would not affect such areas. Additionally, the DMC, San Luis Canal/California Aqueduct, and San Luis Reservoir are also not discussed in this section because the Proposed Action would not affect habitat in these water bodies.
A desktop review was completed to collect information on biological resources, including federally and state-listed species, with potential to occur in the area of analysis. The desktop review involved
3-1 DRAFT – August 2021 Oakdale Irrigation District and South San Joaquin Irrigation District Reservoir Release Water Transfer Draft Environmental Assessment an assessment of the focal rivers, water bodies, and natural communities indicated above using the following resources:
• California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB) (California Department of Fish and Wildlife [CDFW] 2021) • U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) Information for Planning and Consultation System (IPaC) (USFWS 2021a) • USFWS critical habitat mapper (USFWS 2021b) • National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) California Species List Tool (NMFS 2021)
Table 3-1 summarizes the species identified by the desktop review with potential to occur in the area of analysis and to be affected by the Proposed Action. All other special status species were dismissed from further consideration because no suitable habitat for the species occurs within the area of analysis and/or it was determined that there is no mechanism by which the Proposed Action could have an effect on the species (see Appendix B).
Table 3-1. Biological Resources of Concern with Potential to Occur in the Project Area Species Status Distribution within the Project Area FISH Sacramento River Winter-run (SRWR) Chinook Salmon FE Delta (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) Central Valley Spring-run (CVSR) Chinook Salmon ESU FT Stanislaus River, San Joaquin River, and Delta California Central Valley (CCV) Steelhead FT Stanislaus River, San Joaquin River, and (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Distinct Population Segment Delta (DPS) Central Valley Fall Run (CVFR) Chinook Salmon FSC, Stanislaus River, San Joaquin River, and SSC Delta Green Sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) Southern DPS FT Stanislaus River, San Joaquin River, and Delta Delta Smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) FT, SE Delta Longfin Smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) FC, ST Delta MAMMALS Riparian Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) FE, SE Stanislaus River and San Joaquin River Riparian Woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes FE Stanislaus River and San Joaquin River riparia) BIRDS Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) FE, SE Stanislaus River and San Joaquin River Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) Western FT, SE Stanislaus River, San Joaquin River, and DPS Delta
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Species Status Distribution within the Project Area REPTILES Giant Garter Snake (Thamnophis gigas) FT, ST Stanislaus River, San Joaquin River, and Delta AMPHIBIANS California Red-legged Frog (Rana draytonii) FT Stanislaus River and Delta California Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma californiense) FT, ST Stanislaus River, San Joaquin River, and Central California DPS Delta INSECTS Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (Desmocerus FT Stanislaus River, San Joaquin River, and californicus) Delta Source: USFWS 2021a; CDFW 2021 Key: FE = Federal endangered FT = Federal threatened FC = Federal candidate FSC: Federal species of concern SE: State endangered ST: State threatened SSC: State Species of Concern
3.3.2 Environmental Consequences
3.3.2.1 No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, water would not be made available through stored reservoir releases, and water would continue to be stored in New Melones Reservoir. Consequently, additional water would not be conveyed downstream of New Melones Reservoir via the Stanislaus and San Joaquin Rivers to the Delta region.
Under the No Action Alternative, CVP and SWP operations in the proposed project area would continue to be managed in an adaptive manner to meet environmental and water quality standards that are in place throughout the water year. Therefore, the No Action Alternative would not: (1) change flows in the Stanislaus River and San Joaquin River, (2) alter flows through the Delta region, or (3) impact groundwater levels relative to existing conditions. Consequently, there would be no impacts on existing aquatic habitats, surrounding natural communities (e.g., wetland and riparian habitats), or any special status species that rely on such areas to provide habitat and/or forage.
3.3.2.2 Proposed Action Under the Proposed Action, up to 100,000 AF of water would be released from New Melones Reservoir and conveyed down the Stanislaus and San Joaquin Rivers, before being diverted at Jones and/or Banks Pumping Plants located in the Delta. Under the two scenarios of Proposed Action, there would be three general release periods (early, middle, and late). Discharge rates during the early period (August 1-30 under scenario 1; August 15-30 under scenario 2) would be approximately 1,500 cfs. During the middle period (August 31-September 5 under both scenarios), flow rates would be reduced to accommodate ongoing fish monitoring programs and ongoing restoration (i.e., spawning gravel injections). During the late period (approximately September 6-October 1 under scenario 1;
3-3 DRAFT – August 2021 Oakdale Irrigation District and South San Joaquin Irrigation District Reservoir Release Water Transfer Draft Environmental Assessment September 6-October 15 under scenario 2) flow rates would be increased to a maximum of 1,500 cfs.
A discussion of the potential effects of the Proposed Action on the species identified in Table 3-1 is provided in the following sections.
Aquatic Biota
SRWR Chinook Salmon Within the area of analysis SRWR Chinook salmon distribution is restricted to the Delta. Further, neither adult nor juvenile SRWR Chinook salmon are likely to be present in the Delta during the proposed water transfer window. Therefore, it is expected that the Proposed Action would have no impact on SRWR Chinook salmon.
CVSR Chinook Salmon CVSR Chinook salmon primarily reside in the Sacramento River system throughout the freshwater portion of their lifecycle. However, in recent years, the San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP) has made efforts to reintroduce CVSR Chinook salmon to the San Joaquin River, and low numbers of adult CVSR have been regularly documented in the Stanislaus River. The timing of the migration period of CVSR Chinook salmon is March through June which does not overlap with the timing of Proposed Action.
The late period of the Proposed Action (i.e. transfer released from September 5 to September 30 [scenario 1] and September 5 to October 15 [scenario 2]) slightly overlaps with the spawning period of CVSR Chinook salmon that may be present in the Stanislaus River. Therefore, there is some potential to affect the timing of spawning of CVSR Chinook salmon in the Stanislaus River. However, this effect would be minor since very limited number of CVSR Chinook salmon is potentially present in the Stanislaus River. Additionally, some potential for dewatering of CVSR Chinook salmon redds if flows in the Stanislaus River were to rapidly decrease during the months of September and October under the Proposed Action. However, timing, duration, and variability of releases during the late period of the Proposed Action, under both scenarios, are expected to be similar to managed flows under the 2019 BiOp (USFWS 2019 and NOAA Fisheries 2019) (see Environmental Commitment 1, Environmental Commitment 3, Environmental Commitment 4, and Environmental Commitment 5 in Section 2.3). Therefore, no impacts on CVSR Chinook salmon redds are expected and overall effects of the Proposed Action on CVSR Chinook salmon would be short-term and minor.
CVFR Chinook Salmon CVFR Chinook salmon spawning typically occurs October–November, with approximately 5 percent of the spawning occurring in October (Peterson et al. 2020). Juveniles emerge from spawning gravels from December through March and fry and smolts typically out-migrate in spring before water temperatures become too warm. In the Stanislaus River, the majority of CVFR Chinook salmon typically emigrate to the Delta from January through May. Therefore, the Proposed Action, under both scenarios, is expected to have minimal impacts on juvenile CVFR Chinook salmon since relatively few individuals are expected to occupy riverine habitats that would be measurably affected by the Proposed Action.
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Early CVFR Chinook salmon spawning could also be affected. As noted for CVSR Chinook salmon, any sudden reductions in flow during the late period of the Proposed Action could dewater CVFR redds. However, based on the timing of late-period releases relative to the overall CVFR spawning period it is expected that such releases would only affect approximately 5 percent of CVFR Chinook activity (Peterson et al. 2020). Additionally, discharge, ramping rates, and timing of releases would be managed to discourage spawning during lower flow periods and to avoid potential dewatering of CVFR redds (see Environmental Commitment 1, Environmental Commitment 3, Environmental Commitment 4, and Environmental Commitment 5 in Section 2.3).
Given that the proposed water transfer window would overlap with the early migration period for adult CVFR Chinook salmon, there is some potential for water releases to affect upstream migration in the San Joaquin and Stanislaus Rivers. However, it is expected that the effects of increased flows on CVFR Chinook salmon migration would be beneficial in nature. The increased discharge from the Proposed Action would serve as a behavioral cue for continued upstream migration and would result in slightly lower water temperatures, thereby improving migration conditions. Overall, the Proposed Action is expected to have minor short-term impacts on CVFR Chinook salmon.
CCV Steelhead Because the Proposed Action would avoid the CCV steelhead spawning and incubation period (November through April), no impacts on spawning behavior or spawning habitat functions are expected. However, adults are known to enter fresh water beginning in August and elevated flows may provide improved migration conditions for early upstream migrants, as described for CVFR Chinook salmon above. Additionally, elevated flows may affect juvenile rearing behavior and habitat availability and quality in the Stanislaus River, although such effects are expected to be minor to moderately beneficial in nature. Juvenile steelhead may be exposed to stranding risks if side channels or streamside benches were to be suddenly disconnected from mainstem channels during flow ramp down. However, it is expected that the Proposed Action, under both scenarios, would adhere to ramping rates that would avoid any risk of stranding juvenile steelhead (see Environmental Commitment 5 in Section 2.3).
The Proposed Action could also negatively impact CCV steelhead rearing in the Stanislaus River if reduced water levels in New Melones Reservoir, resulting from the Proposed Action, were to raise reservoir water temperatures to the extent that downstream waters fed by reservoir releases would also experience a substantial increase in temperature. However, it is expected that post-release water levels in New Melones Reservoir would be consistent with those described in Environmental Commitment 6 (see Section 2.3), and thus, would not have an appreciable effect on downstream water temperatures. In terms of beneficial effects, Proposed Action water releases are likely to improve rearing conditions for juvenile steelhead by slightly reducing water temperatures leading to improved habitat conditions and by increasing access to off-channel habitats through elevated water levels. Overall, the Proposed Action, under both scenarios, is expected to have negligible impacts on CCV steelhead.
In addition to effects on individual fish, the Proposed Action has the potential to impact approximately 80 linear miles of designated critical habitat for CCV steelhead occurring within the Old, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus rivers. However, it is expected that detectable effects of the Proposed Action would be limited to critical habitat within the Stanislaus River. Such effects would be consistent with those described above and would include increased water velocity, decreased water temperatures, and improved habitat connectivity. Given that CCV steelhead critical habitat
3-5 DRAFT – August 2021 Oakdale Irrigation District and South San Joaquin Irrigation District Reservoir Release Water Transfer Draft Environmental Assessment within the area of analysis would constitute freshwater migration corridors and freshwater rearing habitat during the project period, such effects are expected to be beneficial as they would likely improve habitat conditions. Therefore, the project is expected to have minor short-term beneficial impacts on CCV steelhead critical habitat.
Green Sturgeon A single adult southern DPS (sDPS) green sturgeon was recently observed in the upper Stanislaus River (observed by FISHBIO staff, November 2017); this sighting was confirmed by Cramer Fish Sciences using eDNA analysis (Anderson et al. 2018). However, it is believed that sDPS green sturgeon only use the San Joaquin River and its tributaries for rearing and the Proposed Action is not expected to adversely affect suitable sturgeon rearing habitat. The Proposed Action would occur outside the species’ spawning season (late season/early summer), in accordance with Environmental Commitment 7; however, juvenile green sturgeon are expected to be present in the southern Delta during the proposed water transfer period and have been observed in extremely low numbers at the Tracy Fish Collection Facility upstream of the Jones Pumping Plant (USFWS and NOAA Fisheries 2019). Increased levels of water exports to accommodate the proposed water transfer would involve some risk of entraining juvenile green sturgeon present in the channels leading to the Jones Pumping Plant; however, such risks would be minimal because very few juveniles are likely to be present and pumping activities would adhere to operational parameters specified in the 2019 BiOp (USFWS 2019 and NOAA Fisheries 2019). Therefore, it is expected that effects of the Proposed Action on sDPS green sturgeon would be negligible.
In addition to the potential effects on individuals described above, the Proposed Action has the potential to affect approximately 28 linear miles of designated critical habitat for sDPS green sturgeon in the Old and San Joaquin Rivers and the Grant Line Canal. However, slightly increased discharges related to the Proposed Action are not expected to appreciably alter existing sturgeon habitat functions in affected areas. Therefore, it is anticipated that the Proposed Action may affect, but not adversely affect sDPS green sturgeon critical habitat.
Delta Smelt and Longfin Smelt Delta smelt typically begin spawning movements into the San Joaquin River and associated channels in approximately December (USFWS 2019 and NOAA Fisheries 2019). From July to November, most delta smelt are rearing juveniles that occupy Delta waters east of Antioch (USFWS 2019 and NOAA Fisheries 2019). Thus, during project implementation the species is expected to primarily occupy areas that would be unaffected by the Proposed Action. Longfin smelt are expected to be similarly outside the influence of effects of the activities associated with the Proposed Action, as the species is typically found in bays and nearshore areas during the proposed water release period. Therefore, the Proposed Action is expected to have a no impact on delta smelt and longfin smelt.
Although a substantial portion of the area that may be affected by the Proposed Action coincides with critical habitat for delta smelt, the Proposed Action would not appreciably alter existing habitat conditions. Therefore, the Proposed Action is expected to not adversely impact delta smelt critical habitat.
Terrestrial Biota The Proposed Action has the potential to impact stream adjacent habitats along the Stanislaus and San Joaquin Rivers through temporary changes in groundwater levels that could affect riparian
3-6 DRAFT – August 2021 Chapter 3 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences vegetation. Increased flows in the Stanislaus and San Joaquin Rivers under Proposed Action may increase groundwater levels through surface water and groundwater interaction. However, as discussed in Section 3.2, where changes in groundwater levels do occur it is likely that such fluctuations would be within the range of annual variation typical to the region. Thus, it is anticipated that any changes to groundwater levels resulting from the Proposed Action would be too small in magnitude to have a measurable effect on overlaying riparian vegetation communities. Therefore, it is expected that the Proposed Action would have no effect on riparian-associated special status species—including riparian brush rabbit, riparian woodrat, least Bell’s vireo, yellow- billed cuckoo, giant garter snake, California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, and valley elderberry longhorn beetle—because resultant changes in groundwater levels would not alter the quality or quantity of riparian habitat within the area of analysis.
3.4 Recreation
3.4.1 Affected Environment The Knights Ferry to Orange Blossom Park (outside of Oakdale, California) is a popular, 8.5-mile rafting section of the Stanislaus River. Commercial rafting trips are run daily April through October (Stanislaus River 2021). When flows exceed 2,000 cfs on the Stanislaus River, conditions can be dangerous for the general public and rafting trips may be cancelled (Sunshine Rafting 2021). Optimum flows for rafting are between 800 cfs and 2,500 cfs (Armstrong 2012). Other rafting companies feel that flows over 1000 cfs are dangerous for the public and limit rafting to more experienced rafters only (Raft Adventures, 2021)
The lower Stanislaus River has an extensive local park system that is open to public use. In addition, Caswell Memorial State Park is located along the Stanislaus River near the town of Ripon. The park offers fishing, swimming, hiking and boating opportunities, as well as campground facilities and day use areas (California Parks and Recreation 2021).
New Melones Lake offers fishing and boating opportunities. Boat launch ramps are located at Glory Hole Recreation Area and Tuttletown Recreation Area, as well as Angels Creek Boat Launch at the northern shore of New Melones Lake. Boating at New Melones Reservoir is dependent on water surface elevation. At elevation 975 feet (1,250,000 AF storage), the Angels Creek Boat Ramp becomes unusable and below elevation 900 feet (720,000 AF storage), most of the other boat ramps become unusable (Reclamation 2013). New Melones Reservoir storage levels were lower than 975 feet as of July 23, 2021, therefore, the Angels Creek Boat Ramp is closed for public use (Reclamation 2021b).
With over 700 miles of waterways, the Delta provides a variety of recreational opportunities. Several parks are located throughout the Delta region that offer opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, boating, hunting, and fishing (Visit CA Delta 2021).
The San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area (SRA) spans approximately 27,000 acres and includes major facilities such as the San Luis Reservoir, O'Neill Forebay, and Los Banos Reservoir, as well as several other Federal and State owned lands and facilities. San Luis Reservoir SRA provides opportunities for boating, swimming, windsurfing, camping, and fishing (Reclamation and California Department of Parks and Recreation 2013).
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3.4.2 Environmental Consequences
3.4.2.1 No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, no additional water would be released from New Melones, down the Stanislaus and San Joaquin Rivers, and ultimately delivered to the San Luis Reservoir for use by SLDMWA’s member agencies. Conditions for river rafting and boating at New Melones and San Luis Reservoir would be unchanged.
3.4.2.2 Proposed Action The Proposed Action would allow additional water to be released down the Stanislaus River beginning in August 2021. As the maximum daily flows under the Proposed Action would be limited to 1,500 cfs and would therefore continue the same impact to rafting that has existing from the beginning of June 2021. Experienced rafters may have an enhanced experience due to the increased flows down the Stanislaus River as compared to the No Action.
During the Labor Day holiday weekend (September 4th through 6th), one of the busiest weekends for recreational activities along the Stanislaus River, discharges will be ramped down to approximately 400 cfs, providing for safer conditions for all recreationalists. Recreational activities along the Stanislaus River, including fishing, hiking, and swimming, would not be impacted by the Proposed Action.
Due to the critically dry conditions for this water year, the Angels Creek Boat Ramp at New Melones is currently unusable. Additional releases necessary under the Proposed Action may result in storage levels in New Melones Reservoir decreasing below 720 thousand acre-feet (TAF). This could result in all boat ramps in New Melones Reservoir becoming unusable causing boaters to either move to another lake/reservoir or forgo boating altogether. Reductions in boating capacity is already anticipated to occur to some degree, due to the critically dry conditions.
The Proposed Action is not expected to substantially change water levels in the Delta or in San Luis Reservoir. Therefore, there would be no impact to water-based recreation activities at the Delta or at San Luis Reservoir.
3.5 Power
3.5.1 Affected Environment OID and SSJID own and operate the downstream Goodwin Dam, which diverts Stanislaus River water into the district’s canal, and Tulloch Dam, Reservoir and Powerplant, located immediately downstream from New Melones Dam. Tulloch Reservoir provides afterbay storage for reregulating power releases from New Melones Powerplant under a contract between Reclamation and the two districts. The powerplant has a total installed capacity of 300,000 kilowatts (kW) (Reclamation 2021c).
Export pumping from the south Delta is done through the Banks Pumping Plant and Jones Pumping Plant. The Delta Field Division of DWR operates and maintains the Banks Pumping Plant. The Banks Pumping Plant uses 11 pumps, that can pump up to 10,300 cfs of water, and lifts the water 244 feet from the Delta into the California Aqueduct (DWR 2021b). Jones Pumping Plant,
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operated by SLDMWA for Reclamation, lifts water nearly 200 feet from the Delta into the DMC with six pumps capable of pumping a total of 8,500 acre-feet per day (Reclamation 2021d).
Gianelli Pumping Plant is a joint Federal/State facility that lifts water from O’Neill Forebay to San Luis Reservoir. During the irrigation season, water released from San Luis Reservoir through B.F. Sisk Dam generates energy as it flows back through the pump turbines to the forebay. Each of the eight pumping-generating units has a 63,000-horsepower (hp) motor and a capacity of 53,000 kW as a generator, for a total installed capacity of 424,000 kW (Reclamation 1994).
3.5.2 Environmental Consequences
3.5.2.1 No Action Alternative There would no impacts to power generation under the No Action Alternative.
3.5.2.2 Proposed Action Under the Proposed Action an additional 100,000 AF would be released from New Melones Reservoir, which would generate additional power at the New Melones powerplant.
The Proposed Action would increase demand on the Banks Pumping Plant and Jones Pumping Plant. Together the Banks Pumping Plant and Jones Pumping Plant can pump up to 28,500 acre-feet per day and both have the capacity to pump the additional 100,000 AF of water under the Proposed Action. Additional pumping under Proposed Action is estimated to be approximately 23.8 to 29.7 gigawatt-hour based on energy factors presented in Appendix U1 of the Reinitiation of Consultation on the Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the CVP and SWP Final Environmental Impact Statement (Reclamation 2019). Increased pumping under the Proposed Action would be minor and less than one percent of the average annual CVP energy generation. With the increased pumping demand, average annual CVP net energy generation would remain at approximately 3,187 GWh. Therefore, the Proposed Action is not expected to adversely affect local or regional energy supplies.
The Proposed Action would increase demand on the existing pumps at the Gianelli Pumping Plant to store transfer water in San Luis Reservoir. Overall, changes in operation of the Gianelli Pumping Plant resulting from the storage of additional water in the San Luis Reservoir would result in the need for additional energy supplies. However, this energy could be recaptured when water is released back into the forebay.
3.6 Cumulative Impacts This cumulative analysis identifies past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects with the potential to contribute to cumulative effects, when combined with the Proposed Action. Information used in this cumulative impact analysis is based on the best information available at this time. The Proposed Action could have potentially cumulative impacts to biological resources and water resources. The Proposed Action would not have cumulative impacts to other resources evaluated in this EA and is not discussed further.
In the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ’s) July 16, 2020 “Update to Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act” (85 FR 43304)
3-9 DRAFT – August 2021 Oakdale Irrigation District and South San Joaquin Irrigation District Reservoir Release Water Transfer Draft Environmental Assessment the definition of cumulative impacts provided in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 15087 was repealed. The CEQ conveyed the position that the analysis of cumulative effects, as defined in the 1978 regulations, is not required under NEPA. This regulation update does not preclude the analysis of cumulative effects, but identifies that all analyses of environmental effects, including cumulative effects, should focus on those effects that are reasonably foreseeable and have a reasonably close causal relationship to the proposed action.
Reclamation has made the determination that the effects of the Proposed Action evaluated in this EA, combined with other reasonably foreseeable projects, could combine to create a cumulative effect on CVP and SWP operations. Reclamation has also determined that there is a sufficiently close causal relationship between the Proposed Action and the cumulative effect to warrant conducting the analysis. Therefore, an analysis of this cumulative effect is provided here. In addition, since certification of the Program EIR, which included an analysis of cumulative effects that addressed CVP and SWP operations, additional information has been developed that is relevant to this cumulative impact analysis. Reclamation wishes to document this additional information in this EA.
3.6.1 Cumulative Projects
3.6.1.1 Water Transfers Water transfers occur in many dry years to move water to agencies that may be experiencing shortages. The cumulative analysis considers other potential water transfers that have some overlap associated with moving water through the Delta during the same transfer period as the Proposed Action.
Stockton East Water District (Stockton East) is proposing the transfer of up to 7,500 AF of their 2021 allocated CVP water. The transfer water would be released from New Melones Reservoir and diverted at Jones Pumping Plant for delivery to the Recipients by way of the DMC. The delivery of the transferred water is anticipated to take place between July and October 2021. The transfer of water can only be conducted when flows are below 1,500 cfs on the Stanislaus River.
SLDMWA has also executed purchase agreements with several Sacramento River Settlement Contractors to purchase up to 180,000 AF of transfer water through the Delta. However, deliveries of this water from Shasta Reservoir in WY 2021 will not occur until October 2021 due to the critical dry conditions and the desire to retain higher storage in Shasta through the end of September to help the cold water pool. (Reclamation 2021e). At the time of deliveries, the transfer release schedule would depend on the availability of Delta export capacity and would be in compliance with regulatory requirements, including but not limited to the 2019 BiOp (USFWS 2019 and NOAA Fisheries 2019). The delivery of the OID/SSJID transfer water will provide the much needed supplemental supply in the August through September period to SLDMWA’s Participating Members due to the delay of delivery of this transfer water until October.
3.6.1.2 Stanislaus River Fish Weir The Stanislaus River Weir Project, initiated in 2002, installs a weir along the Stanislaus River on a yearly basis for the purpose of collecting detailed information about adult migration characteristics of Central Valley fall-run Chinook salmon and Central Valley Steelhead. Weir monitoring also provides data to evaluate the influence of environmental conditions on fall-run Chinook run timing (S.P. Cramer & Associates, Inc. 2004). Installation of the weir can only be conducted at discharge
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levels of 400 cfs or less over a period of two days, preferably in late August or September. The absolute upper limit of monitoring occurs at flows around 2,000 cfs (FISHBIO 2014 and 2016).
3.6.1.3 Monitoring Actions on the Stanislaus River Annual snorkel surveys in the Stanislaus River, conducted since 2009 during late August and early September, estimate abundance of O. mykiss. Flows must be no higher than 400 cfs from August to September to ensure safe and stable conditions for snorkel surveys throughout the upper Stanislaus River. Aerial surveys of injected gravel transport, adult Chinook, and redds are also more difficult to implement under higher flows when visibility is reduced.
3.6.2 Water Resources The Proposed Action would allow up to 100,000 AF of stored reservoir release transfers, resulting in lower reservoir storage levels following the transfer. The Stockton East transfer would transfer up to 7,500 AF from New Melones Reservoir resulting in an additional lowering of storage levels. Operational requirements for New Melones Reservoir (including instream fish and wildlife flow requirements, temperature and dissolved oxygen requirements, Vernalis water quality and flow requirements from the SWRCB Water Right Decision 1641) could affect carryover storage and combined with the water transfers actions under Proposed Action and Stockton East transfers, there could be cumulative impacts from the action. Given that this is a critically dry year, reductions in storage could be exacerbated if the dry hydrologic pattern continues. Impacts to CVP contract supply (SEWD and CSHWSD) and OID/SSJID supplies could occur in the following year if the dry conditions persist. Any potential cumulative impacts to storage depend on the recurrence of dry conditions into the future.
Water released under Proposed Action would increase exports through the Delta, and the other water transfers (Stockton East transfer and transfer of water from Sacramento Settlement Contractors to SLDMWA) would also increase exports through the Delta. These efforts would increase Delta diversion and potentially decrease Delta water levels. Reclamation and DWR install temporary barriers each year during this time period to reduce effects to Delta water levels.
The Proposed Action would release up to 100,000 AF through stored reservoir release from New Melones Reservoir to SLDMWA’s Participating Members between August 1, 2021 and October 31, 2021. The Stockton East transfer would also transfer water through the Stanislaus River during the same period. However, transfer releases would only be conducted when flows are below 1,500 cfs on the Stanislaus River. Therefore, both the Proposed Action and Stockton East transfers will be operated in such a manner that daily flows along the Stanislaus River would not exceed 1,500 cfs. The cumulative flows on the Stanislaus River would not exceed the 1,500 cfs threshold. Therefore, impacts to groundwater levels adjacent to the river would not be increased over the existing level given that releases have been at 1500 cfs since the beginning of June.
3.6.3 Biological Resources Under the Proposed Action, flows released along the Stanislaus River would be in three release periods: the early period ((August 1-30 under scenario 1; August 15-30 under scenario 2)) would be approximately 1,500 cfs, the middle period (August 31-September 5 under both scenarios) would ramp down flows to approximately 400 cfs, and the late period (approximately September 6- October 1 under scenario 1; September 6-October 15 under scenario 2) with a ramp up to 1,500 cfs.
3-11 DRAFT – August 2021 Oakdale Irrigation District and South San Joaquin Irrigation District Reservoir Release Water Transfer Draft Environmental Assessment The ramp down flows in middle period would accommodate fisheries monitoring activities on the Stanislaus River, including installation of the Stanislaus River fish weir.
Minor short-term impacts on special-status fish species may occur under the Proposed Action; however, environmental commitments would be implemented to ensure that any such impacts would be minimized to the maximum extent practicable. Water releases under the Stockton East transfer would also result in flow increases through Stanislaus River and increased exports through the Delta, however, these releases would be in compliance with the 2019 BiOp (USFWS 2019 and NOAA Fisheries 2019) and are not expected to result in adverse effects on listed fish species. Therefore, cumulative impacts on listed fish species from Proposed Action and Stockton East transfers would be minimal.
Water released under Proposed Action would increase exports through the Delta, and the other water transfers (Stockton East transfer and transfer of water from Sacramento Settlement Contractors to SLDMWA) would also increase exports through the Delta. All water transfers actions would be in compliance with the 2019 BiOp (USFWS 2019 and NOAA Fisheries 2019) and are not expected to result in adverse effects on listed fish species. Therefore, cumulative impacts on listed fish species in the Delta from Proposed Action and other transfers would be minimal.
Proposed Action in combination with Stockton East water transfers and other operational requirements for New Melones Reservoir (including instream fish and wildlife flow requirements, temperature and dissolved oxygen requirements, Vernalis water quality and flow requirements from the SWRCB Water Right Decision 1641) could affect carryover storage. Given that this is a critically dry year, reductions in storage could be exacerbated if the dry hydrologic pattern continues. If dry conditions persist, operational flow requirements (including instream fish and wildlife flow requirements, temperature and dissolved oxygen requirements, Vernalis water quality, flow requirements from the SWRCB Water Right Decision 1641 and CVP contracts) would be impacted. Any potential cumulative impacts to operational flow requirements depend on the recurrence of dry conditions into the future.
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Chapter 4 Consultation and Coordination
4.1 Public Review Period Reclamation is releasing the EA for a seven-day public review period. All comments received during this review period will be addressed in the Finding of No Significant Impact FONSI. If there are substantive comments that identify impacts that were not previously analyzed or considered, additional analysis will be prepared.
4.2 Endangered Species Act (16 USC § 1531 et seq.) Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act requires Federal agencies, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, to ensure that their actions do not jeopardize continued endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of the critical habitat of these species. Consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act was requested for the Proposed Action. Coordination with the United State Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service is ongoing. Consultation will be completed with the resource agencies prior to signing the FONSI.
4.3 Agency Involvement Reclamation consulted and coordinated with the following agencies during the preparation of this EA:
• Oakdale Irrigation District • South San Joaquin Irrigation District • San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority • United States Fish and Wildlife Service • National Marine Fisheries Service • California Department of Water Resources
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Chapter 5 References Anderson, J., Schumer, G., Anders, P.J., Horvath, K., and Merz, J. 2018. Confirmed observation: A North America green sturgeon recorded in the Stanislaus River, California. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 9 (2): e1944-687X.
Armstrong, Gregg. 2012. Email from Gregg Armstrong (from Stanislaus River rafting company) September 17, 2012 regarding optimum flows on the Stanislaus River
Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). 1994. San Luis Unit West San Joaquin Division Central Valley Project. Available at: https://www.usbr.gov/projects/pdf.php?id=109 [Accessed on July 24, 2021]
_____. 2005. Plan of Action New Melones Revised Plan of Operations, October 2005. Available at: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/nmrpo/docs/plan-action-10-25-05.pdf [Accessed on July 24, 2021]
_____. 2013. Final Environmental Assessment- Release of Oakdale Irrigation District’s and South San Joaquin Irrigation District’s Pre1914 Water Rights Water from New Melones Reservoir. Available at: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/includes/documentShow.php?Doc_ID=13090 [Accessed on July 24, 2021]
_____. 2017. Seepage Management Actions Final Environmental Assessment. Available at: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/includes/documentShow.php?Doc_ID=29204 [Accessed on July 24, 2021]
_____. 2019. Reinitiation of Consultation on the Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project Final Environmental Impact Statement, Appendix U Power and Energy. Available at: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=39181 [Accessed on July 29, 2021]
_____. 2020. Press Release on New Melones Revised Plan of Operation. Available at: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/nmrpo/index.html [Accessed on July 24, 2021]
_____. 2021a. Central Valley Project (CVP) Water Quantities for Delivery 2021. Available at: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvp-water/docs/cvp-allocation.pdf [Accessed on July 28, 2021]
_____. 2021b. New Melones- Plan your visit. Available at: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/planning-visit/index.html [Accessed on July 24, 2021]
_____. 2021c. New Melones Powerplant. Available at: https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=569 [Accessed on July 24, 2021]
5-1 DRAFT – August 2021 Oakdale Irrigation District and South San Joaquin Irrigation District Reservoir Release Water Transfer Draft Environmental Assessment _____. 2021d. Jones Pumping Plant Fact Sheet. Available at: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/mpr- news/docs/factsheets/jones-pumping-plant.pdf [Accessed on July 24, 2021]
_____. 2021e. Reclamation outlines Central Valley Project initial 2021 water allocation. Available at: https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsroomold/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=73745 [Accessed on July 24, 2021]
Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and California Department of Parks and Recreation. 2013. Final Resource Management Plan/General Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report. June 2013. Available at: https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/21299/files/sanluisrmp-gp_feis- feir_cover_thru_chap_1.pdf. [Accessed on July 24, 2021]
CALFED Bay Delta Program. 2005. Delta Region Drinking Water Quality Management Plan. Available at: https://www.ccwater.com/DocumentCenter/View/384/Delta-Region-Water- Quality-Management-Plan-PDF?bidId=. [Accessed on July 22, 2021]
California Department of Water Resources (DWR). Central Valley Flood Management Planning Program, 2012 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. Available at: https://cawaterlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2012-CVFPP_June.pdf. [Accessed on July 22, 2021]
_____. 2018. 2018 Statewide Crop Mapping. Available at: https://data.cnra.ca.gov/dataset/statewide-crop-mapping/resource/898a116e-53ae-4d71- b17e-2d8b0146f143. [Accessed on July 22, 2021]
_____. 2021a. Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Data Viewer. Available at: https://sgma.water.ca.gov/webgis/?appid=SGMADataViewer [Accessed on July 24, 2021]
_____. 2021b. SWP Facilities, Delta. Available at: https://water.ca.gov/Programs/State-Water- Project/SWP-Facilities/Delta [Accessed on July 22, 2021]
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). 2021. California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) – Commercial version dated July 3, 2021.Available at: https://wildlife.ca.gov/data/cnddb/maps-and-data#43018407-rarefind-5 [Accessed on July 28, 2021]
California Parks and Recreation. 2021.Caswell Memorial State Park. Available at: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=557 [Accessed on July 24, 2021]
California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). Evaluation of San Joaquin River Flow and Southern Delta Water Quality Objectives and Implementation, Chapter 2 Water Resources. Available at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/bay_delta/bay_delta_ plan/water_quality_control_planning/2012_sed/docs/2012ch_02.pdf [Accessed on July 28, 2021]
5-2 DRAFT – August 2021 Chapter 5 References
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2003. EPA Region 10 Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal temperature water quality standards. Available at: https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P1004IUI.PDF?Dockey=P1004IUI.PDF [Accessed on July 28, 2021]
FISHBIO. 2014. Fish Counting Weirs. May 15, 2014. Available at: https://fishbio.com/projects/fish-counting-weirs. [Accessed on July 28, 2021].
_____. 2016. Photo Friday: Weir Installation. October 21, 2016. Available at: https://fishbio.com/field-notes/inside-fishbio/photo-friday-weir-installation [Accessed on July 28, 2021].
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2021. California Species List Tools. Available at: https://archive.fisheries.noaa.gov/wcr/maps_data/california_species_list_tools.html [Accessed on July 28, 2021]
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries. 2019. Reinitiation of Coordination for Long-Term Operation of the CVP and SWP Biological Opinion. October 21, 2019.
Oakdale Irrigation District (OID). 2005. Water Resources Inventory Report. Available at: http://www.oidwaterresources.org/_pdf/OID_tech_App_B.pdf [Accessed on July 24, 2021]
_____. 2015. History of OID. Available at: https://www.oakdaleirrigation.com/history-of-oid [Accessed on July 28, 2021]
Peterson, M., Lee, D., Montgomery, J., Hellmair, M., Fuller, A., and Demko, D. 2020. Stability in reproductive timing and habitat usage of Chinook salmon across six years of varying environmental conditions and abundance. Fisheries Management and Ecology 27(4), 399- 416.
S.P. Cramer & Associates, Inc. 2004. Summary Information: Tri-Dam Project Stanislaus River Chinook Salmon and Steelhead escapement evaluation.
San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA). 2018. Before the California State Water Resources Control Board Written Testimony of Frances Mizuno. Available at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/bay_delta/california_ waterfix/exhibits/docs/SLDMWA/SLDMWA-19.pdf [Accessed on July 28, 2021]
South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID). n.d. About Us. Available at: https://www.ssjid.com/about-us/ [Accessed on July 28, 2021]
_____. 2021. 2020 Agricultural Water Management Plan. Available at: https://www.ssjid.com/wp- content/uploads/2020-Ag-Water-Management-Plan.pdf [July 28, 2021].
Stanislaus River. 2021. http://www.stanislausriver.com/rafting.html. [Accessed July 28, 2021]
5-3 DRAFT – August 2021 Oakdale Irrigation District and South San Joaquin Irrigation District Reservoir Release Water Transfer Draft Environmental Assessment Sunshine Rafting. 2021. A guide to flows. Available at: https://www.raftadventure.com/stanislaus- river-flows/ [Accessed on July 24, 2021]
United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2019. Biological Opinion for the Reinitiation of Consultation on the Coordinated Operations of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project. Available at: https://www.fws.gov/sfbaydelta/cvp- swp/documents/10182019_ROC_BO_final.pdf [Accessed on July 28, 2021]
_____. 2021a. Information for Planning and Consultation search of the project vicinity. Available at: https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/ [Accessed on July 21, 2021]
_____. 2021b. “Critical Habitat for Threatened and Endangered Species Online Mapper.” Available at: https://fws.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=9d8de5e265ad4fe0989 3cf75b8dbfb77. [Accessed on July 28, 2021]
Visit CA Delta. Visit CA Delta Website, What To Do. Available at: https://visitcadelta.com/what- to-do/ [Accessed on July 28, 2021]
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Appendix A: Indian Trust Assets Request Form Indian Trust Assets Request Form (California Great Basin)
Submit your request to your office’s ITA designee:
William DeGrush at [email protected]
Date: July 28, 2021
Requested by (office/program): Sarah Perrin, Central California Area Office
Fund: 21XR0680A1
WBS: RX035389413322400
Region Number (if other than MP): N/A
Project Name: Oakdale Irrigation District and South San Joaquin Irrigation District Reservoir Release Water Transfer
Categorical Exclusion Checklist (CEC) or Environmental Assessment (EA) Number: CGB-EA-2021-48
Project Description: OID and SSJID would provide up to 100,000 acre-feet of their “conserved water” through stored reservoir release from New Melones Reservoir to SLDMWA between August 1, 2021 through October 15, 2021. Releases from New Melones Reservoir to Stanislaus River would be up to 1,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) in August with a proposed ramp down in releases the first week of September to accommodate installation of the Stanislaus River weir and to conduct some important fisheries monitoring activities. Flows will be increased back to 1,500 cfs after the installation and monitoring activities. Two flow scenarios were developed for the Proposed Action with the scenario 1 extending from August 1, 2021 through October 1, 2021 and the scenario 2 extending from August 15, 2021 through October 15, 2021. During the transfer period (August through October), water elevations in New Melones Reservoir would be lower than conditions without the transfer until the reservoir is refilled through inflows to the reservoir.
Under the Proposed Action, the SLDMWA will purchase the transfer water on behalf of the Participating Member Agencies.
Project Location: Map attached
ITA Determination: CGB-EA-2021-48
The closest ITAs to the proposed Oakdale Irrigation District and South San Joaquin Irrigation District Reservoir Release Water Transfer Project activity are the Chicken Ranch Rancheria about 4.6 miles to the southeast and the (See attached images).
Based on the nature of the planned work it does not appear to be in an area that will impact Indian hunting or fishing resources or water rights nor is the proposed activity on actual Indian lands. It is reasonable to assume that the proposed action will not have any impacts on ITAs.
Sarah Perrin Sarah Perrin July 28, 2021 Signature Printed Name of Approver Date
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Appendix B: Cultural Resources Compliance
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Appendix C: Groundwater Monitoring
Appendix C Groundwater Monitoring
Appendix C Groundwater Monitoring This appendix contains groundwater monitoring data near Stanislaus River.
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Data Viewer shows that most recently, due to persistent dry conditions, groundwater depths along the Stanislaus River downstream of Ripon have been lower. Figure C-1 shows groundwater depths along the Stanislaus River in Fall 2019 and Figure C-2 shows groundwater depths along the Stanislaus River in Fall 2020.
The California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM) System lists several groundwater wells near the Stanislaus River near Ripon. These wells appear to be actively monitored. Average groundwater levels over the period of record near Ripon range from approximately 40 feet below the ground surface to approximately 10 feet below the ground surface, as shown in Table C-1. Overall, the CASGEM wells show that groundwater levels become shallower the further downstream of Ripon. The location of these wells are shown in Figure C-3. Hydrographs for these wells are shown in Figure C-4 through Figure C-11.
Table C-1. CASGEM Groundwater Monitoring Wells Average Depth to Approximate Groundwater from Distance to State Well Ground Surface Total Well Stanislaus River Number Period of Record (feet) Depth (feet) (feet) September 1967 - 02S09E19B002M 31.0 305 900 July 2021 July 1961 - February 02S08E25P001M 41.5 320 3,800 2021 March 1963 - 02S08E27N001M 30.8 302 3,000 February 2021 March 1963 - 02S08E33F001M 25.2 393 4,900 February 2021 March 1963 - 03S08E04M001M 20.2 374 8,300 February 2021 March 1963 - 03S08E08D001M 13.5 130 9,800 February 2021 March 1963 - 03S08E18C001M 11.1 200 11,400 February 2021 March 1963 - 03S07E13H001M 11.0 75 11,300 February 2021 Source: California Department of Water Resources 2021
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Figure C-1. Fall 2019 Groundwater Depth Contours
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Figure C-2. Fall 2020 Groundwater Depth Contours
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Figure C-3. Monitoring Stations
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California Department of Water Resources’ CASGEM website was used to obtain monitoring data. The process to query out the groundwater level data is explained below.
Direction to manually lookup groundwater level data from DWR’s CASGEM website:
Example Well 29N04W15E002M
1. Go to CASGEM Public Login website: http://www.water.ca.gov/groundwater/casgem/online_system.cfm (setup login if not previously done)
2. Select Well Information> State Well Number. Input well number (29N04W15E002M for this example)
3. Go to Well Details: View> View Hydrograph
Figure C-4. State Well ID 02S09E19B002M Source: DWR’s CASGEM website. Note: Well number in the title of the figure is the CASGEM Well Number.
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Figure C-5. State Well ID 02S08E25P001M Source: DWR’s CASGEM website. Note: Well number in the title of the figure is the CASGEM Well Number.
Figure C-6. State Well ID 02S08E27N001M Source: DWR’s CASGEM website. Note: Well number in the title of the figure is the CASGEM Well Number.
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Figure C-7. State Well ID 02S08E33F001M Source: DWR’s CASGEM website. Note: Well number in the title of the figure is the CASGEM Well Number.
Figure C-8. State Well ID 03S08E04M001M Source: DWR’s CASGEM website. Note: Well number in the title of the figure is the CASGEM Well Number.
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Figure C-9. State Well ID 03S08E08D001M Source: DWR’s CASGEM website. Note: Well number in the title of the figure is the CASGEM Well Number.
Figure C-10. State Well ID 03S08E18C001M Source: DWR’s CASGEM website. Note: Well number in the title of the figure is the CASGEM Well Number.
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Figure C-11. State Well ID 03S07E13H001M Source: DWR’s CASGEM website. Note: Well number in the title of the figure is the CASGEM Well Number.
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Appendix D: Biological Resources Appendix D Biological Resources
Appendix D Biological Resources This appendix contains species lists obtained using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) Information for Planning and Consultation System (IPaC) and the California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB) maintained by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The location used to generate IPaC list (Figure D-1) included: (1) the Stanislaus River mainstem channel from New Melones Reservoir down to its confluence with the San Joaquin River; (2) the San Joaquin River mainstem channel from its confluence with the Stanislaus River downstream; (3) the reaches of Old River and Grant Line Canal that lead to the Jones Pumping Station; and (4) riparian/wetland communities occurring directly adjacent (within 50 feet) of these waters. The CNDDB species list (Figure D-2) was generated by querying CNDDB for state and federally listed and candidate species occurrences mapped in U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute quadrangles that intersect with the proposed project area.
A subsequent in-depth desktop review was completed involving the review of recovery plans and other published literature for further details concerning species occurrence and status in the region, habitat preferences, documented historical and current ranges, and life histories. Based on the desktop review, the 15 species discussed in Section 3.3 (highlighted where shown in Figure D-1 and Figure D-2) were identified as having the potential to occur in the project area and be affected by the Proposed Action. All other special status species were dismissed from further consideration because no suitable habitat for the species occurs within the area of analysis, the area of analysis occurs outside the known range of the species, and/or it was determined that there is no mechanism by which the Proposed Action could have an effect on the species.
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Figure D-1. IPaC Species List Source: USFWS. Information for Planning and Consultation search of the project vicinity. Accessed July 2021, https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/.
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Figure D-2. CNDDB Species List Source: CDFW. 2021. California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) – Commercial version dated July 3, 2021. Accessed July 2023, https://wildlife.ca.gov/data/cnddb/maps-and-data#43
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