Off-Lake Sources of Airborne Dust in Owens Valley, California

National Academy of Sciences (NAS) | June 17th, 2025

Since 2017, the District has used additional information to attribute PM10 exceedances to specific sources within the Owens Valley Planning Area. This information include

Since 2017, the District has used additional information to attribute PM10 exceedances to specific sources within the Owens Valley Planning Area. This information includes particulate and meteorological data, modeling, cameras, field observations, and media reports of dust storms. These data are compiled into the District’s exceedance database. Based on these data, the District classifies each exceedance as one of the following: 1) dust—primarily on-lake sources, 2) dust—primarily local off-lake sources, 3) dust—primarily regional event, 4) wildfire smoke, or 5) mixed—dust and wildfire sources.

One-quarter of freshwater fauna threatened with extinction

Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature) | January 8th, 2025

Oppose the Twin Tunnels Project: A C-­WIN Policy Brief

California Water Impact Network (C-WIN) | October 1st, 2012

It is the policy of the California Water Impact Network to: • Oppose and work to defeat the construction of the Twin Tunnels Project which would divert water from th

It is the policy of the California Water Impact Network to: • Oppose and work to defeat the construction of the Twin Tunnels Project which would divert water from the Sacramento River to the South Delta pumps before it gets to the Bay-­Delta. • Support and work to achieve the reduction in Delta exports to a maximum of 3 million acre-­feet per year.  Oppose any increased Delta exports to Central and Southern California. • Support and work to achieve the elimination of paper water from State Water Project and Central Valley Project contracts. • Support regional water self-­sufficiency through conservation, recycling, storm water capture and other “soft path” means. • Support upgrading Delta levees to withstand both sea level rise and the risk of a major earthquake. •  Support increased water supply reliability for State Water Project urban areas by reinstatement of the Urban Water Preference in State Water contracts and returning the Kern Water Bank to the public to store the Urban Preference south of the Delta as a drought supply.

Order Approving Temporary Urgency Changes to Water Right License and Permit Terms Relating to Delta Water Quality Objectives

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) | February 21st, 2023

Outmigration survival of wild Chinook salmon smolts through the Sacramento River during historic drought and high water conditions

Environmental Biology of Fishes (Springer) | January 27th, 2020

Overview of Management and Restoration Activities in the Salton Sea

Congressional Research Service (CRS) | November 24th, 2013

Efforts to restore the Salton Sea ecosystem have been discussed and initiated through state and federal actions. Several studies by state and federal agencies have provid

Efforts to restore the Salton Sea ecosystem have been discussed and initiated through state and federal actions. Several studies by state and federal agencies have provided baseline data about the Sea, and some restoration plans have been proposed. The State of California, the Salton Sea Authority, and the federal government through the Bureau of Reclamation have devised plans for restoring the Sea. However, none of these plans are being fully implemented. Federal authorities that address restoration of the Salton Sea are generally based on creating and evaluating proposals for restoration, rather than implementing restoration activities in a comprehensive manner similar to other initiatives in the Everglades and Great Lakes. California is pursuing restoration options, but funding for implementing them is lacking. Whether or not to restore the Salton Sea remains controversial. Proponents of restoration contend that the Salton Sea ecosystem is valuable from an ecological standpoint because it is one of the few remaining large-scale wetland habitats in California for migratory birds and fish. Further, some argue that keeping the Salton Sea intact will stimulate economic development, recreation, and tourism in the region. They note that losing the Sea could cause economic and environmental decline, and could lead to air quality problems from exposed seabeds. Others contend that the Sea should not be restored. They argue that the Salton Sea is naturally declining, as it has throughout its geological history. Further, they note that countering this process will be costly and ultimately not worth the expense. They state that limited restoration funds should be used to restore other natural wetlands in California, such as the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta. The decline of the Salton Sea ecosystem is accelerating due to water transfers from agricultural lands to municipal water districts in San Diego under the terms of the Quantification Settlement Agreement, an agreement on how to share California’s apportionment of Colorado River water. The water transfers have resulted in less water flowing into the Salton Sea and accelerated increases in salinity and shoreline recession. According to some scientists, salinity levels may reach lethal levels for most fish and wildlife as soon as 2018. These predictions, along with the steadily declining ecosystem might provoke Congress to consider a larger role in restoration for the federal government. Congress may decide to address restoration by increasing the federal role in restoration efforts.  This could be done by funding existing federal authorities that address, or could address, restoring the ecosystem; authorizing federal participation and appropriations for implementing existing restoration plans; or authorizing a new comprehensive plan to be created that might involve participation from federal and non-federal stakeholders, similar to other restoration initiatives around the country. Congress might also decide not to address restoration of the Salton Sea ecosystem, or simply maintain the status quo of federal participation.

Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan

Pacific Fishery Management Council | March 1st, 2016

Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations et al v. Wilbur Ross et al

U.S. District Court, Northern District of California | December 12th, 2019

Pacific Salmon and Steelhead Trout: Managing Under the Endangered Species Act

Congressional Research Service (CRS) | November 30th, 2012

Along the Pacific Coast, 28 distinct population segments of Pacific salmon and steelhead trout are listed as either endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species

Along the Pacific Coast, 28 distinct population segments of Pacific salmon and steelhead trout are listed as either endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), with three additional populations identified as “species of concern.” While no species of anadromous trout or salmon is in danger of near-term extinction, individual population segments within these species have declined substantially or have even been extirpated. The American Fisheries Society considers at least 214 Pacific Coast anadromous fish populations to be “at risk,” while at least 106 other historically abundant populations have already become extinct. Human activities—logging, grazing, mining, agriculture, urban development, and consumptive water use—can degrade aquatic habitat. Silt can cover streambed gravel, smothering fish eggs. Poorly constructed roads often increase siltation in streams where adult salmon spawn and young salmon rear. Removal of stream-side trees and shade frequently leads to higher water temperatures. Grazing cattle remove stream-side vegetation and exacerbate stream bank erosion. Urbanization typically brings stream channelization and filled wetlands, altering food supplies and nursery habitat. Habitat alterations can lead to increased salmonid predation by marine mammals, birds, and other fish. Dams for hydropower, flood control, and irrigation substantially alter aquatic habitat and can have significant impacts on anadromous fish. In addition, natural phenomena stress fish populations and contribute to their variable abundance. Current management efforts aim to restore the abundance of ESA-listed native northeast Pacific salmonids to historic, sustainable population levels. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS, also popularly referred to as “NOAA Fisheries”) in the Department of Commerce implements the ESA for anadromous salmonids. When a federal activity may harm an ESA-listed salmonid, the ESA requires the federal agency to consult with NMFS to determine whether the activity is likely to jeopardize the survival and recovery of the species or adversely modify its critical habitat. Prior to the listing of salmonid “evolutionarily significant units” (ESUs) under the ESA, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council took the lead in the Columbia River Basin under the 1980 Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act, by attempting to protect salmon and their habitat while also providing inexpensive electric power to the region. Under this effort, federal agencies and public utilities have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on technical improvements for dams, habitat enhancement, and water purchases to improve salmon survival. Recent years have seen an increased interest by state governments and tribal councils in developing comprehensive salmon management efforts. This report summarizes the reasons for ESA listings and outlines efforts to protect ESA-listed species.

Passage and Flow Considered Anew: Wild Salmon Restoration Via Hyrdo Relicensing

University of Montana | May 24th, 2016