DOCSLIB.ORG

Delta Smelt Fall Habitat Action in 2019

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Delta Smelt Fall Habitat Action in 2019 Environmental Assessment Delta Smelt Fall Habitat Action in 2019 U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Interior Region 10 ∙ California-Great Basin SEPTEMBER 2019 Mission Statements The Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation's natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities. 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. U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Interior Region 10 ∙ California-Great Basin SEPTEMBER 2019 Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... iii List of Figures .................................................................................................................... iii List of Tables .................................................................................................................... iv List of Appendices ............................................................................................................. iv List of Acronyms and Abbreviations .................................................................................. v Section 1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 7 1.1 Background ................................................................................................. 7 1.2 Need for the Proposal................................................................................ 13 Section 2 Alternatives Including the Proposed Action ............................................. 15 2.1 No Action Alternative ............................................................................... 15 2.2 Proposed Action Alternative ..................................................................... 15 Section 3 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ....................... 16 3.1 Water Resources ....................................................................................... 17 3.1.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................17 3.1.2 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................19 3.2 Biological Resources ................................................................................ 23 3.2.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................23 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................32 3.3 Cumulative Effects.................................................................................... 37 3.3.1 Water Resources ........................................................................................38 3.3.2 Biological Resources .................................................................................39 Section 4 Consultation & Coordination .................................................................... 40 4.1 Public Review Period ................................................................................ 40 4.2 Federal Laws, Regulations, and Policies .................................................. 40 Section 5 References ................................................................................................. 42 List of Figures Figure 1. Delta water quality locations of interest and distances from Golden Gate in km ...................................................................................................................14 Figure 2. Distance (km) from the Golden Gate for Mallard Slough and Collinsville .......18 Figure 3. Forecasted Daily X2 Location ............................................................................21 Figure 4. The selected juvenile recruitment model fit to (a) the fall midwater trawl index, and (b) mean location of X2 in the months from September to December. ..........................................................................................................26 Figure 5. Regression coefficients for the five models fit to the original data used in Feyrer et al. 2007 (1987–2004) and updated data (1987–2018). .......................27 Figure 6. Posterior Density Distributions from 10,000 Simulations of the Change in Delta Smelt Fall to Summer Recruitment when Mean September-October X2 is Moved from 80 km to 74 km. ...................................................................30 Figure 7. Percentage of time with salinity <6 for X2 = 80 km. .........................................34 iii List of Tables Table 1. Location of X2 for 2017 (no more eastward than) ..............................................20 Table 2. Monthly Mean X2 from Mean Daily Forecast, September – November 2017 .....................................................................................................................21 Table 3. End of Month Storage in San Luis (State) (TAF) (50% exceedance) .................21 Table 4. End of Month Storage in San Luis (Federal) (TAF) (50% exceedance) .............21 Table 5. No Action Alternative Monthly Average Releases from Shasta, Folsom, and Oroville dams (cfs) (50% exceedance) .........................................................22 Table 6. Proposed Action Alternative Monthly Average Releases from Shasta, Folsom, and Oroville dams (cfs) (50% exceedance) ...........................................28 Table 7. Proposed Action Alternative Monthly Average Releases from Shasta, Folsom, and Oroville dams (cfs) (50% exceedance) ...........................................28 List of Appendices Appendix A – Effects Analysis for the Delta Smelt Fall Habitat Action in 2019 Appendix B – Exceedance Forecasts (50% and 90% for SWP and CVP) Appendix C – Combined Comments Appendix D – Response to Comments iv List of Acronyms and Abbreviations 2008 BO 2008 Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion on the Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project 2016 ROD Record of Decision from the Long-Term Operations Environmental Impact Statement 2017 Action Delta Smelt Outflow Action in 2017 Action 4 RPA Component 3 - Action 4: Estuarine Habitat During Fall AMP Adaptive Management of Fall Outflow for Delta Smelt and Water Supply Reliability BO Biological opinion CAMT Collaborative Adaptive Management Team CDEC California Data Exchange Center CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife CFR Code of Federal Regulations cfs cubic feet per second COA Coordinated Operation Agreement CSAMP Collaborative Science and Adaptive Management Program CVP Central Valley Project CVPIA Central Valley Project Improvement Act D-1641 SWRCB Decision 1641 Delta Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary DOP Directed Outflow Project DPS Distinct Population Segment DSRS Delta Smelt Resiliency Strategy DSM2 Delta Simulation Model II DWR California Department of Water Resources EA Environmental Assessment EC electrical conductivity EDSM Enhanced Delta Smelt Monitoring EFH Essential Fish Habitat EIS Environmental Impact Statement EMP Environmental Monitoring Program ESA Endangered Species Act ESU Evolutionarily Significant Unit FLaSH Fall Low Salinity Habitat Studies and Adaptive Management FLOAT-MAST Flow-Alteration-Management, Analysis, and Synthesis Team FMWT Fall Mid-water Trawl FONNSI Finding of No New Significant Impact FR Federal Register IEP Interagency Ecological Program JPOD Joint Point of Diversion km kilometer LTO Long-Term Operations LTO EIS 2015 Long-Term Operations Environmental Impact Statement v LSZ Low-salinity zone MAST Management, Analysis, and Synthesis Team mg/l milligrams per liter umhos/cm micromhos per centimeter mmhos/cm millimhos per centimeter NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units PCE Primary Constituent Elements ppt parts per thousand salinity Proposed Action Proposed Delta Smelt Fall Habitat Action in 2019 psu practical salinity units Reclamation Bureau of Reclamation Reclamation 2017 Delta Smelt Fall Outflow in 2017 Environmental Assessment ROC on LTO Reinitiation of Consultation RPA Reasonable and Prudent Alternative Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service STN Summer Tow Net SWP State Water Project SWRCB California State Water Resources Control Board TAF Thousand acre-feet TDS Total Dissolved Solids USC U.S. Code WY Water Year X2 two parts per thousand salinity isohaline vi Section 1 Introduction In conformance with the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. § 4431 et seq. (NEPA), as amended, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has prepared this Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate and disclose potential environmental impacts associated with implementation of the Delta Smelt Fall Habitat Action in 2019 (Proposed Action). This EA describes the existing environmental resources in the project area and evaluates the impacts of the No Action and Proposed Action alternatives. This EA was prepared in accordance with NEPA, Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1500-1508), and Department of the Interior Regulations (43 CFR Part 46). Compliance with NEPA is a Federal responsibility and involves the participation of Federal, State, tribal,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • LONGFIN SMELT Spirinchus Thaleichthys USFWS: None CDFG: Threatened
    LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. PUBLIC DRAFT SOLANO HCP JULY 2012 SOLANO COUNTY WATER AGENCY NATURAL COMMUNITY AND SPECIES ACCOUNTS LONGFIN SMELT Spirinchus thaleichthys USFWS: None CDFG: Threatened Species Account Status and Description. The longfin smelt is listed as a threatened species by the California Fish and Game Commission. Abundance of the longfin smelt has reached record lows in the San Francisco-Delta population, and the species may already be extinct in some northern California estuarine populations, resulting in an overall threat of extinction to the species within California (Federal Register 2008). The longfin smelt was also proposed for federal listing, but on April 8, 2009 the USFWS determined that the San Francisco Bay Estuary population does not qualify for listing as a distinct population segment under federal regulations. Further assessment of the entire population is being conducted, however, and future listing may be considered. Photo courtesy of California Department of Fish and Game Longfin smelt, once mature, are slim, silver fish in the family Osmeridae (true smelts). Moyle (2002) describes the species as being 90-110 mm (standard length) at maturity, with a translucent silver appearance along the sides of the body, and an olive to iridescent pinkish hue on the back. Mature males are often darker than females, with enlarged and stiffened dorsal and anal fins, a dilated lateral line region, and breeding tubercles on paired fins and scares. Longfin smelt can be distinguished from other California smelt by their long pectoral fins (which reach or nearly reach the bases of the pelvic fins), incomplete lateral line, weak or absent striations on the opercular bones, low number of scales in the lateral line (54-65) and long maxillary bones (which in adults extent just short of the posterior margin of the eye).
    [Show full text]
  • Effectiveness of Larger-Area Exclusion Booming to Protect Sensitive Sites in San Francisco Bay
    Effectiveness of Larger-Area Exclusion Booming to Protect Sensitive Sites in San Francisco Bay Final Report Prepared for California Department of Fish & Game Oil Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) 425 G Executive Court North Fairfield, CA 94534-4019 Prepared by Dagmar Schmidt Etkin, PhD Environmental Research Consulting 41 Croft Lane Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567-1160 SSEP Contract No. P0775013 30 September 2009 Effectiveness of Larger-Area Exclusion Booming to Protect Sensitive Sites in San Francisco Bay Final Report Prepared by Dagmar Schmidt Etkin, PhD Environmental Research Consulting 41 Croft Lane Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567-1160 USA Prepared at the Request of Carl Jochums California Department of Fish & Game Oil Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) 425 G Executive Court North Fairfield, CA 94534-4019 Submitted to Bruce Joab, SSEP Coordinator and Contract Manager Office of Spill Prevention and Response CA Department of Fish and Game 1700 K Street, Suite 250 Sacramento, CA 95811 Phone 916-322-7561 SSEP Contract No. PO775013 Note: This study was conducted in collaboration with Applied Science Associates (ASA), Inc., of South Kingston, RI, under SSEP Contract No. PO775010. ASA submitted a separate Final Report entitled Transport and Impacts of Oil Spills in San Francisco Bay – Implications for Response. i Effectiveness of Larger-Area Exclusion Booming to Protect Sensitive Sites in San Francisco Bay Contents Contents .......................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Questions and Answers About Water Diversions and Delta Smelt Protections
    Questions and Answers about Water Diversions and Delta Smelt Protections California Natural Resources Agency February 12, 2013 What’s the problem? Over the course of the last decade, populations of several fish species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta have declined to extremely low levels. In some cases, particularly Delta smelt, these declines have triggered requirements under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and California Endangered Species Act to curtail pumping rates at the federal and state water project pumping facilities in the south Delta. Starting in mid-December, the appearance of smelt at the fish-salvage operations near the pumping plants has triggered a significant reduction in the volume of water the water projects can convey to farms and cities in Southern California, the Central Valley, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Significant winter storms in the next couple of months could change the situation, but the pumping curtailment of recent weeks makes it more likely that in the coming year, many urban and farm water districts will have to either rely more heavily on other water sources or make do with a reduced supply by, for example, planting fewer acres of crops. How are decisions regarding pumping cuts made? Operations of the water project pumps are regulated to comply with endangered species law through “biological opinions” issued by federal regulatory agencies. In 2007, a federal court found that existing biological opinions written to protect Delta smelt and several runs of anadromous fish were inadequate. As a result, two new biological opinions were written. The biological opinion that is controlling pumping rates now is a 2008 biological opinion by the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Methyl and Total Mercury Spatial and Temporal Trends in Surficial Sediments of the San Francisco Bay-Delta
    Methyl and Total Mercury Spatial and Temporal Trends in Surficial Sediments of the San Francisco Bay-Delta Assessment of Ecological and Human Health Impacts of Mercury in the Bay-Delta Watershed CALFED Bay-Delta Mercury Project Final Report Submitted to: Mark Stephenson California Department of Fish and Game Moss Landing Marine Labs 7544 Sandholdt Road Moss Landing, CA 95039 Submitted by: Wesley A. Heim Moss Landing Marine Laboratories 8272 Moss Landing Rd Moss Landing, CA 95039 [email protected] (email) 831-771-4459 (voice) Dr. Kenneth Coale Moss Landing Marine Laboratories 8272 Moss Landing Rd Moss Landing, CA 95039 Mark Stephenson California Department of Fish and Game Moss Landing Marine Labs 7544 Sandholdt Road Moss Landing, CA 95039 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Recent studies indicate significant amounts of mercury are transported into the Bay-Delta from the Coastal and Sierra mountain ranges. In response to mercury contamination of the Bay-Delta and potential risks to humans, health advisories have been posted in the estuary, recommending no consumption of large striped bass and limited consumption of other sport fish. The major objective of the CALFED Bay-Delta Mercury Project “Assessment of Ecological and Human Health Impacts of Mercury in the Bay-Delta Watershed” is to reduce mercury levels in fish tissue to levels that do not pose a health threat to humans or wildlife. This report summarizes the accomplishments of the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) and California Department of Fish and Game (CDF&G) at Moss Landing as participants in the CALFED Bay-Delta Mercury Project. Specific objectives of MLML and CDF&G include: 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix B: CNDDB, CNPS, and USFWS Database Searches
    City of Hercules—Willow Avenue Commercial Center Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Appendix B: CNDDB, CNPS, and USFWS Database Searches FirstCarbon Solutions Y:\Publications\Client (PN-JN)\4673\46730012\ISMND\46730012 Hercules Willow Ave ISMND.docx THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Selected Elements by Scientific Name California Department of Fish and Wildlife California Natural Diversity Database Query Criteria: Quad<span style='color:Red'> IS </span>(Mare Island (3812213))<br /><span style='color:Red'> AND </span>County<span style='color:Red'> IS </span>(Contra Costa) Rare Plant Rank/CDFW Species Element Code Federal Status State Status Global Rank State Rank SSC or FP Antrozous pallidus AMACC10010 None None G5 S3 SSC pallid bat Bombus occidentalis IIHYM24250 None None G2G3 S1 western bumble bee Chloropyron molle ssp. molle PDSCR0J0D2 Endangered Rare G2T1 S1 1B.2 soft salty bird's-beak Danaus plexippus pop. 1 IILEPP2012 None None G4T2T3 S2S3 monarch - California overwintering population Hypomesus transpacificus AFCHB01040 Threatened Endangered G1 S1 Delta smelt Isocoma arguta PDAST57050 None None G1 S1 1B.1 Carquinez goldenbush Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus ABNME03041 None Threatened G3G4T1 S1 FP California black rail Melospiza melodia samuelis ABPBXA301W None None G5T2 S2 SSC San Pablo song sparrow Northern Coastal Salt Marsh CTT52110CA None None G3 S3.2 Northern Coastal Salt Marsh Pandion haliaetus ABNKC01010 None None G5 S4 WL osprey Rallus obsoletus obsoletus ABNME05016 Endangered Endangered G5T1 S1 FP California Ridgway's rail Rana draytonii AAABH01022 Threatened None G2G3 S2S3 SSC California red-legged frog Spirinchus thaleichthys AFCHB03010 Candidate Threatened G5 S1 SSC longfin smelt Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus ABPBXB3010 None None G5 S3 SSC yellow-headed blackbird Record Count: 14 Commercial Version -- Dated December, 1 2017 -- Biogeographic Data Branch Page 1 of 1 Report Printed on Thursday, December 21, 2017 Information Expires 6/1/2018 Plant List Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants 8 matches found.
    [Show full text]
  • Overview of The: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Where Is the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta?
    Overview of the: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Where is the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta? To San Francisco Stockton Clifton Court Forebay / California Aqueduct The Delta Protecting California from a Catastrophic Loss of Water California depends on fresh water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta)to: Supply more than 25 million Californians, plus industry and agriculture Support $400 billion of the state’s economy A catastrophic loss of water from the Delta would impact the economy: Total costs to California’s economy could be $30-40 billion in the first five years Total job loss could exceed 30,000 Delta Inflow Sacramento River Delta Cross Channel San Joaquin River State Water Project Pumps Central Valley Project Pumps How Water Gets to the California Economy Land Subsidence Due to Farming and Peat Soil Oxidation - 30 ft. - 20 ft. - 5 ft. Subsidence ~ 1.5 ft. per decade Total of 30 ft. in some areas - 30 feet Sea Level 6.5 Earthquake—Resulting in 20 Islands Being Flooded Aerial view of the Delta while flying southwest over Sacramento 6.5 Earthquake—Resulting in 20 Islands Being Flooded Aerial view of the Delta while flying southwest over Sacramento 6.5 Earthquake—Resulting in 20 Islands Being Flooded Aerial view of the Delta while flying southwest over Sacramento 6.5 Earthquake—Resulting in 20 Islands Being Flooded Aerial view of the Delta while flying southwest over Sacramento 6.5 Earthquake—Resulting in 20 Islands Being Flooded Aerial view of the Delta while flying southwest over Sacramento 6.5 Earthquake—Resulting in 20 Islands Being Flooded Aerial view of the Delta while flying southwest over Sacramento 6.5 Earthquake—Resulting in 20 Islands Being Flooded Aerial view of the Delta while flying southwest over Sacramento The Importance of the Delta Water flowing through the Delta supplies water to the Bay Area, the Central Valley and Southern California.
    [Show full text]
  • San Francisco Bay Plan
    San Francisco Bay Plan San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission In memory of Senator J. Eugene McAteer, a leader in efforts to plan for the conservation of San Francisco Bay and the development of its shoreline. Photo Credits: Michael Bry: Inside front cover, facing Part I, facing Part II Richard Persoff: Facing Part III Rondal Partridge: Facing Part V, Inside back cover Mike Schweizer: Page 34 Port of Oakland: Page 11 Port of San Francisco: Page 68 Commission Staff: Facing Part IV, Page 59 Map Source: Tidal features, salt ponds, and other diked areas, derived from the EcoAtlas Version 1.0bc, 1996, San Francisco Estuary Institute. STATE OF CALIFORNIA GRAY DAVIS, Governor SAN FRANCISCO BAY CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION 50 CALIFORNIA STREET, SUITE 2600 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94111 PHONE: (415) 352-3600 January 2008 To the Citizens of the San Francisco Bay Region and Friends of San Francisco Bay Everywhere: The San Francisco Bay Plan was completed and adopted by the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission in 1968 and submitted to the California Legislature and Governor in January 1969. The Bay Plan was prepared by the Commission over a three-year period pursuant to the McAteer-Petris Act of 1965 which established the Commission as a temporary agency to prepare an enforceable plan to guide the future protection and use of San Francisco Bay and its shoreline. In 1969, the Legislature acted upon the Commission’s recommendations in the Bay Plan and revised the McAteer-Petris Act by designating the Commission as the agency responsible for maintaining and carrying out the provisions of the Act and the Bay Plan for the protection of the Bay and its great natural resources and the development of the Bay and shore- line to their highest potential with a minimum of Bay fill.
    [Show full text]
  • Delta Smelt fin) Sitsatopthebackbetweendorsal Deltasmeltarefoundonlyinthesacramento- Threatened,Listedmarch5,1993
    Endangered SpecU.S. Environmental iesFacts Protection Agency Delta Smelt Hypomes us transpacificus Description and Ecology Status Threatened, listed March 5, 1993. large geographic area such as Suisun Bay, which has shoals, sloughs, wetland edges, and suitable spawning substrate at Critical Habitat Designated December 19, 1994. depths less than 13 feet. Low outflows keep adult delta smelt Appearance The delta smelt typically grows to 2.4–2.8 and their larvae upstream in the deep, narrow channels of inches in length. Except for the steel-blue sheen on its sides, the rivers and delta, where food production is limited by the Photo source: B. Moose Peterson/USFWS Digital Library its delicate, slender body appears nearly transparent. Its eyes inability of sunlight to penetrate water depths. appear large. Its relatively small mouth has little, pointed Reproduction and Life Cycle While spawning teeth on the upper and lower jaws. A small, fl eshy fi n (adi- can occur from January through July, low outfl ow tends The delta smelt is a threatened pose fin) sits atop the back between the dorsal fin and the to eclipse the season from March to mid-May. Spawning species. Threatened species tail. are plants and animals whose occurs in sloughs and shallow, edge-waters of channels in Range Delta smelt are found only in the Sacramento- population numbers are so the upper Delta. Each female broadcasts 1,200–2,600 eggs. San Joaquin estuary in California. Historically, populations Eggs sink to the bottom and adhere to rocks, gravel, tree low that they may become were found from Suisun Bay, east to the Delta area, and roots, and submerged vegetation or branches.
    [Show full text]
  • (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) in Streams of the San Francisco Estuary, California
    Historical Distribution and Current Status of Steelhead/Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Streams of the San Francisco Estuary, California Robert A. Leidy, Environmental Protection Agency, San Francisco, CA Gordon S. Becker, Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration, Oakland, CA Brett N. Harvey, John Muir Institute of the Environment, University of California, Davis, CA This report should be cited as: Leidy, R.A., G.S. Becker, B.N. Harvey. 2005. Historical distribution and current status of steelhead/rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in streams of the San Francisco Estuary, California. Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration, Oakland, CA. Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration TABLE OF CONTENTS Forward p. 3 Introduction p. 5 Methods p. 7 Determining Historical Distribution and Current Status; Information Presented in the Report; Table Headings and Terms Defined; Mapping Methods Contra Costa County p. 13 Marsh Creek Watershed; Mt. Diablo Creek Watershed; Walnut Creek Watershed; Rodeo Creek Watershed; Refugio Creek Watershed; Pinole Creek Watershed; Garrity Creek Watershed; San Pablo Creek Watershed; Wildcat Creek Watershed; Cerrito Creek Watershed Contra Costa County Maps: Historical Status, Current Status p. 39 Alameda County p. 45 Codornices Creek Watershed; Strawberry Creek Watershed; Temescal Creek Watershed; Glen Echo Creek Watershed; Sausal Creek Watershed; Peralta Creek Watershed; Lion Creek Watershed; Arroyo Viejo Watershed; San Leandro Creek Watershed; San Lorenzo Creek Watershed; Alameda Creek Watershed; Laguna Creek (Arroyo de la Laguna) Watershed Alameda County Maps: Historical Status, Current Status p. 91 Santa Clara County p. 97 Coyote Creek Watershed; Guadalupe River Watershed; San Tomas Aquino Creek/Saratoga Creek Watershed; Calabazas Creek Watershed; Stevens Creek Watershed; Permanente Creek Watershed; Adobe Creek Watershed; Matadero Creek/Barron Creek Watershed Santa Clara County Maps: Historical Status, Current Status p.
    [Show full text]
  • Emergency Action to Help Delta Smelt
    Emergency Action to Help Delta Smelt State and Federal agencies team up with farmers to help save an iconic endangered species Background. Delta smelt – an endangered fish species found nowhere else but the Sacramento- San Joaquin Delta (Delta) – remain perilously close to extinction following several years of extreme drought conditions. This summer, State and Federal agencies are pursuing several efforts that aim to improve habitat conditions for these imperiled fish. One of these emergency efforts focuses on a critically important component of Delta smelt survival: food abundance and availability. Habitat loss and the introduction of nonnative competitors, such as the overbite clam, have decimated food supplies across the Delta. Food web impacts are thought to be one of the major factors responsible for the decline of Delta smelt and other native fish species. Changes in food abundance have ecosystem-wide implications which can affect water supplies for the state’s communities and agricultural economies. Zooplankton In 2011 and 2012, following larger-than-normal agricultural return-flows from the Yolo bypass, scientists observed an unusual phytoplankton bloom in the Rio Vista area of the lower Sacramento River. It has since been theorized that this production could benefit Delta smelt if it could be replicated annually. Emergency Action. From July 1st through July 21st, State and Federal agencies will work with Glen Colusa Irrigation District, Reclamation District 108, Knaggs Ranch LLC, and other local partners to convey ~ 400 cfs of Sacramento River water down the Colusa Basin Drain, through the Knights Landing Ridge Cut, past the Wallace Weir, through the Yolo Bypass, and into the Delta.
    [Show full text]
  • \1 ·{;'-\:0"---'T:: From: Field Supervisor, U.S
    United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE San Francisco Bay-Delta Fish and Wildlife Office 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 8-300 Sacramento, California 95814 In reply refer to: 08FBDT00-2016-F-0153 & 08ESMF00-2012-F-0062 JUN 13 2016 MEMORANDUM To: Area Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, Bay-Delta Office I .. \1 ·{;'-\:0"---'t:: From: Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Francfsco Bay- De ta Fish and Wildlife Office, Sacramento, California Subject: Amendment to the Biological Opinion for the Suisun Marsh Habitat Management, Preservation, and Restoration Plan and the Project-Level Actions in Solano County, California (Service File Number 08ESMF00-2012-F-0062) This memorandum is in response to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's (Reclamation) April 6, 2015, request to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to include three new wetland maintenance activities to the Project-Level Actions in the June 10, 2013 Biological Opinion for the Suisun Marsh Habitat Management, Preservation, and Restoration Plan and the Project-Level Actions in Solano County, California (Service File Number 08ESMF00-2012-F-0062) (2013 BO). The 2013 BO included program-level analysis for marsh restoration and project-level analysis for managed wetland operations and maintenance activities on endangered California clapper rail (Rallus longirostris obsoletus), endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris raviventris), endangered California least tern (Sternula antillarum browni), endangered soft bird's-beak (Chloropyron molle ssp. molle) and its designated critical habitat, endangered Suisun thistle (Cirsium hydrophilum var. hydrophilum) and its designated critical habitat, and threatened delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) and its designated critical habitat.
    [Show full text]
  • Deconstructing Mare Island Reconnaissance in the Ruins
    Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/boom/article-pdf/2/2/55/381274/boom_2012_2_2_55.pdf by guest on 29 September 2021 richard white Photographs by Jesse White Deconstructing Mare Island Reconnaissance in the ruins The detritus still he Carquinez Strait has become driveover country. Beginning around Vallejo and running roughly six miles to Suisun Bay, Grizzly Bay, and the Sacramento possesses a T River Delta, the Strait has, in the daily life of California, reduced down to the Carquinez and Benicia-Martinez bridges. Motorists are as likely to be searching for grim grandeur. their toll as looking at the land and water below. Few will exit the interstates. Why stop at Martinez, Benicia, Vallejo, Crockett, or Port Costa? They are going west to Napa or San Francisco or east to Sacramento. Like travelers’ destinations, California’s future also appears to lie elsewhere. Once, much of what moved out of Northern California came through these communities, but now the Strait seems left with only the detritus of California’s past. The detritus still possesses a grim grandeur. To the east, the Mothball Fleet— originally composed of transports and battleships that helped win World War II— cluster tightly together, toxic and rusting, in Suisun Bay. Just west of the bridges, Mare Island (really a peninsula with a slough running through it) sits across the mouth of the Napa River. The United States established a naval base and shipyard there in 1854, and the island remained central to US military efforts from the Civil Boom: A Journal of California, Vol. 2, Number 2, pps 55–69.
    [Show full text]