Independent Review Panel (IRP) Report for the 2017 Long-term Operations Biological Opinions (LOBO) Biennial Science Review (January 24, 2018)

Delta Stewardship Council (Delta Council) | January 31st, 2018

Independent Review Panel Report for the 2016 California WaterFix Aquatic Science Peer Review

Delta Stewardship Council (Delta Council) | May 12th, 2016

This report presents the findings of the 2016 California WaterFix Aquatic Science Peer Review. An Independent Review Panel was convened by the Delta Science Program to pr

This report presents the findings of the 2016 California WaterFix Aquatic Science Peer Review. An Independent Review Panel was convened by the Delta Science Program to provide the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) with an independent scientific evaluation of the methods and approaches for developing the joint Biological Opinion requirements and analyses prepared for the CDFW 2081(b) Incidental Take Permit application for the California WaterFix. The Panel was charged with reviewing: (1) selected sections of the Biological Assessment (BA) that seeks to predict the effects of the WaterFix project on Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed species and their designated critical habitats, (2) the draft Analytical Approach to developing the joint Biological Opinion (AABO) and (3) the proposed methods for assessing project effects on Longfin Smelt. After reviewing a set of documents (Appendix 1), the Panel participated in a public meeting in Sacramento, CA on April 5-6, 2016. On the first day of this meeting, the Panel interacted with agency representatives following their presentations on the three topics above. On day 2, the Panel communicated and discussed its preliminary findings to agency representatives and the public. This report summarizes the Panel’s findings and recommendations in full detail.

Indicators of Climate Change in California

California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) | May 16th, 2018

From record temperatures to proliferating wildfires and rising seas, climate change poses an immediate and escalating threat to California’s environment, public health,

From record temperatures to proliferating wildfires and rising seas, climate change poses an immediate and escalating threat to California’s environment, public health, and economic vitality. Recent climate-related events – such as the devastating 2017 wildfires and the record-setting 2012-16 drought – have highlighted the challenges that confront the state as its climate continues to evolve.  California has been a pioneer in addressing climate change. This report helps support policy decisions and facilitates communication about climate change by providing, in a single document, indicators characterizing its multiple aspects in California.  Indicators are scientifically-based measurements that track trends in various aspects of climate change. Many indicators reveal discernable evidence that climate change is occurring in California and is having significant, measurable impacts in the state.  The report’s 36 indicators are grouped into four categories, as listed below. The report discusses what these indicators show, why they are important, and the factors that may be influencing them.  * Human-influenced (anthropogenic) drivers of climate change, such as greenhouse gas emissions * Changes in the state’s climate * Impacts of climate change on physical systems, such as oceans, lakes and snowpack * Impacts of climate change on biological systems – humans, vegetation and wildlife

Inhabiting the Delta: A Landscape Approach to Transformative Socio-Ecological Restoration

University of California, Davis (UC Davis) | September 19th, 2017

Current legislation and plans for the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Delta) call for large-scale restoration of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, which will require sign

Current legislation and plans for the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Delta) call for large-scale restoration of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, which will require significant changes in waterways, land uses, and cultural patterns. These re-made landscapes will be subject to a variety of new human uses, which Delta planning and adaptive management literature has yet to adequately consider. Failing to account for human uses and evolving place values can lead to diminished performance and public support for Delta restoration efforts. Our empirical study examined restored and naturalized Delta landscapes using an integrative landscape approach that seeks to reconcile multiple goals and land-use agendas that span ecological, social, economic, and political domains. The research design consisted of six overlapping methods that included a planning, policy, and law review specific to the Delta; surveys and interviews with approximately 100 land managers, scientists, land-owners, law-enforcement personnel, agency representatives, and Delta residents; nine case studies of restored and naturalized delta landscapes; GIS mapping; and extensive field work. Findings derived from the synthesis of these methods show that human uses of the Delta’s re-wilded landscapes are diverse and pervasive. Given the infrastructural and urbanized context of the region, these environments are subject to multiple and sometimes conflicting uses, perceptions, and place values. Though these myriad uses cannot be fully predicted or controlled (nor should they be), findings showed that more proactive and inclusive planning for human uses can encourage or discourage particular uses while also building constituency, support, and active engagement in ecological restoration efforts. We conclude that reconciling human uses with ecological recovery in the Delta will require a more localized, multi-functional, and creative approach to designing and adaptively managing these emergent landscapes. We recommend that more resources and experimental prototyping be dedicated to such work.

Innovation in Monitoring: The U.S. Geological Survey Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, California, Flow-Station Network

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | January 1st, 2016

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) installed the first gage to measure the flow of water into California’s Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta from the Sacramento River

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) installed the first gage to measure the flow of water into California’s Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta from the Sacramento River in the late 1800s. Today, a network of 35 hydro-acoustic meters measure flow throughout the delta. This region is a critical part of California’s freshwater supply and conveyance system. With the data provided by this flow-station network—sampled every 15 minutes and updated to the web every hour—state and federal water managers make daily decisions about how much freshwater can be pumped for human use, at which locations, and when. Fish and wildlife scientists, working with water managers, also use this information to protect fish species affected by pumping and loss of habitat. The data are also used to help determine the success or failure of efforts to restore ecosystem processes in what has been called the “most managed and highly altered” watershed in the country.

Instream flow evaluation: Temperature and passage assessment for salmonids in Mill Creek, Tehama County

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) | May 8th, 2017

Mill Creek is among the essential streams for recovery and perpetuation of wild stocks of Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and support

Mill Creek is among the essential streams for recovery and perpetuation of wild stocks of Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and supports Central Valley steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss; Armentrout et al. 1998). In addition, Mill Creek is utilized by fall-run Chinook salmon, late fall-run Chinook salmon, and Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus). The Recovery Plan for Central Valley Chinook Salmon and Steelhead (NMFS 2014) classified Mill Creek as a high priority Core 1 watershed because of its potential to support independent viable populations. Mill Creek is also identified as a priority stream in the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Instream Flow Studies for the Protection of the Public Trust Resources: A Prioritized Schedule and Estimate of Cost (SWRCB 2010), and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Final Restoration Plan for the Anadromous Fish Restoration Program: A Plan to Increase Natural Production of Anadromous Fish in the Central Valley of California (USFWS 2001). The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) has interest in ensuring that water flows within streams are maintained at levels which are adequate for long-term protection, maintenance, and proper stewardship of fish and wildlife resources. The Department’s Instream Flow Program develops scientific information to determine what flows are needed to maintain healthy conditions for fish and wildlife. For each species of interest, life stage, and stream, relationships between flow and habitat are developed. The Department recommends using the federal Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) to evaluate and develop instream flow criteria for projects which may affect California’s aquatic resources. The IFIM process, and instream flow evaluations, in general, should include broad consideration of the structure and function of riverine systems while also providing examination of five core components (i.e., hydrology, biology, geomorphology, water quality, and connectivity) of the riverine system. The Public Resources Code (PRC) §10000-10005 outlines the Department’s responsibilities for developing and transmitting flow criteria to the SWRCB for consideration as set forth in 1257.5 of the Water Code. The results from this study are intended to be used, along with other supporting information and data, to identify stream flow requirements necessary for upstream passage of adult Chinook salmon and steelhead into the upper Mill Creek watershed pursuant to the Department’s PRC mandate. Flow criteria for lower Mill Creek will be developed by the Department in a future document.

Instream Flow Regime Recommendations, Big Sur River, Monterey County

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) | September 23rd, 2016

The Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) has interest in assuring that water flows within streams are maintained at levels which are adequate for long-term protec

The Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) has interest in assuring that water flows within streams are maintained at levels which are adequate for long-term protection, maintenance and proper stewardship of fish and wildlife resources. The Department has developed recommended instream flow regimes for the Big Sur River, Monterey County for transmittal to the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) and consideration as set forth in 1257.5 of the Water Code. Submission of these flow recommendations to the Water Board complies with Public Resources Code (PRC) §10001-10002. The Department is recommending instream flow regimes for the lower Big Sur River from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park at U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gage 11143000 downstream through Molera State Park. The recommendations are separated into six monthly hydrological condition types (i.e., critically dry, dry, below median, above median, wet, and extremely wet) and are presented in the form of an annual schedule for each of three mainstem river reaches (i.e., Lower Molera, Molera, and Campground). The recommended instream flow regimes are summarized in the current document, along with justification for the recommendations and reference to the data sources. The Department files the enclosed set of instream flow regime recommendations for the Big Sur River that we believe to be comprehensive and substantially complete. The recommendations were based upon information developed through recent PRC instream flow evaluations by the Department, and earlier information. The Department may revise its recommended instream flow regimes for the Big Sur River at a later date based upon any new scientific information that may become available.

Integrated Management of Delta Stressors: Institutional and Legal Options

Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) | April 22nd, 2013

Despite some recent progress, the current institutional landscape for regulation and management of stressors in the in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta is highly fragme

Despite some recent progress, the current institutional landscape for regulation and management of stressors in the in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta is highly fragmented. A modest but powerful set of institutional changes can help produce better environmental outcomes while containing management costs—which are likely to exceed several hundred million dollars annually. This report lays out proposals for institutional reform.

Integrated Water Management Plan Evaluation: A review of the Salton Sea Authority's preferred project concept for rehabilitating the Salton Sea

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | March 11th, 2005

The USGS Salton Sea Science Office convened an experts workshop, from November 15-17 in Riverside, California, to evaluate a Salton Sea rehabilitation proposal known as t

The USGS Salton Sea Science Office convened an experts workshop, from November 15-17 in Riverside, California, to evaluate a Salton Sea rehabilitation proposal known as the Integrated Water Management Plan (IWMP) (also known as the ‘North Lake Plan’). Salton Sea Restoration: Preferred Project Report (Salton Sea Authority 2004) describes the IWMP and provided the basis for this evaluation. As described further in the following, the IWMP would build a causeway across the middle of the current Salton Sea, creating a smaller north lake that discharges into a proposed 20,000 acres of shallow-water wetlands in the southern portion of the Sea, and a terminal brine pool, as well as various treatment wetlands. A recently implemented water conservation and transfer agreement, along with several unrelated actions, will significantly decrease the volume of water flowing into southeastern California’s Salton Sea in the next 20 years, shrinking the Sea and increasing salinity beyond the tolerances of most of the species currently present. Future conditions at the Sea will be very different from current conditions, whether or not the IWMP is implemented. The surface elevation of the Salton Sea fluctuates by more than 0.3 meter (one foot) annually, primarily in response to agricultural irrigation patterns in the Imperial Valley. On January 1, 2005, the surface elevation of the Salton Sea was ~69.8 meters (228.86 feet) below mean sea level. The Sea is a terminal lake; the only outlet for its waters is via evaporation. The Sea is an officially-designated sump for the water draining from fields in the adjacent Coachella and Imperial Valleys; the Sea also receives agricultural and municipal drainage from the Mexicali Valley, in Baja California. The Sea is currently 33% saltier than the ocean and getting saltier each year. The Sea is also eutrophic, with extremely high levels of biological productivity, fed by fertilizers draining off of the fields in the basin. This productivity has attracted more than 400 species of birds to the area, including large numbers of breeding birds and special status species. The objective of the experts workshop evaluation process was to develop a credible description of the future physical and biological conditions created by implementation of the IWMP. The objective of the evaluation process was not to support or reject the proposal. This was a scientific review process. Economic and recreational impacts generated by implementation of the proposal, although important, were beyond the scope of this evaluation process and were not addressed. The evaluation did not concern itself with regulatory, policy, political or agency positions. Based on the scientific expertise of the participants, the evaluation sought to identify any critical flaws in the proposal, as well as major beneficial outcomes, major questions to be resolved, and considerations of importance in judging the effectiveness of the proposal. The views and opinions reflected in this report are those of the participants and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of their agencies or affiliations, nor do they necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation or U.S. Geological Survey.

Inter-population differences in salinity tolerance of adult wild Sacramento splittail: osmoregulatory and metabolic responses to salinity

Conservation Physiology (Society of Experimental Biology) | December 10th, 2020

The Sacramento splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus) is composed of two genetically distinct populations endemic to the San Francisco Estuary (SFE). The allop

The Sacramento splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus) is composed of two genetically distinct populations endemic to the San Francisco Estuary (SFE). The allopatric upstream spawning habitat of the Central Valley (CV) population connects with the sympatric rearing grounds via relatively low salinity waters, whereas the San Pablo (SP) population must pass through the relatively high-salinity Upper SFE to reach its allopatric downstream spawning habitat. We hypothesize that if migration through SFE salinities to SP spawning grounds is more challenging for adult CV than SP splittail, then salinity tolerance, osmoregulatory capacity, and metabolic responses to salinity will differ between populations. Osmoregulatory disturbances, assessed by measuring plasma osmolality and ions, muscle moisture and Na+-K+-ATPase activity after 168 to 336 h at 11 salinity, showed evidence for a more robust osmoregulatory capacity in adult SP relative to CV splittail. While both resting and maximum metabolic rates were elevated in SP splittail in response to increased salinity, CV splittail metabolic rates were unaffected by salinity. Further, the calculated difference between resting and maximum metabolic values, aerobic scope, did not differ significantly between populations. Therefore, improved osmoregulation came at a metabolic cost for SP splittail but was not associated with negative impacts on scope for aerobic metabolism. These results suggest that SP splittail may be physiologically adjusted to allow for migration through higher-salinity waters. The trends in interpopulation variation in osmoregulatory and metabolic responses to salinity exposures support our hypothesis of greater salinity-related challenges to adult CV than SP splittail migration and are consistent with our previous findings for juvenile splittail populations, further supporting our recommendation of population-specific management.