Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Historical Ecology Investigation: Exploring Pattern and Process

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | September 12th, 2012

In 2012, SFEI researchers (in collaboration with the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife) completed a historical ecology study of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The

In 2012, SFEI researchers (in collaboration with the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife) completed a historical ecology study of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The project improves understanding of what the Delta looked like and how it functioned prior to the significant modification that has occurred over the last 160 years. This historical reconstruction documents patterns of variation and extent of habitat types throughout the Delta for improved understanding of species support functions and controlling physical processes within the native landscape. Knowing how different parts of the vast historical Delta looked and functioned provides needed information for future restoration strategies.

Salton Sea Management Program and Community Needs

California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) | January 31st, 2024

In the Southeastern corner of the state, straddling Imperial and Riverside counties, the Salton Sea (the Sea) is California’s largest inland lake and home to many Calif

In the Southeastern corner of the state, straddling Imperial and Riverside counties, the Salton Sea (the Sea) is California’s largest inland lake and home to many California Native American tribes and communities. Once a resort destination, the Sea has since become a growing environmental issue. The Sea has been shrinking, largely due to water transfers out of Imperial Valley that reduce inflows to the Sea. Drought and changes to Colorado River water availability exacerbate this trend. Although it continues to provide a vital stop along the Pacific Flyway for migratory birds, the water has become increasingly saline. As the Sea shrinks, it exposes the lakebed that has the potential to release dust, contributing to worsening air quality in a region already struggling with poor air quality from high wind events, idling vehicles, high off-road activity, commercial truck traffic, and agricultural burning. Compounding this, communities in the Eastern Coachella Valley and Imperial Valley have for decades also faced social and economic challenges. While these vibrant communities have rich cultural and natural resources, they suffer from decades of underinvestment. Residents have highlighted that local communities struggle with poor air quality, health issues, low broadband access, unreliable electricity, limited access to recreational opportunities, inadequate transportation systems, and underfunded public health infrastructure and services. These challenges make it difficult to overcome the growing environmental challenges related to the Sea.

Salton Sea Management Program Phase 1: 10-Year Plan Imperial and Riverside Counties, California Draft Environmental Assessment

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) | June 21st, 2022

This Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and analyzes and discloses the effects of the implementation of t

This Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and analyzes and discloses the effects of the implementation of the Salton Sea Management Program’s (SSMP’s) Phase 1: 10-Year Plan (SSMP 10-Year Plan or Applicant’s Proposed Project) being proposed by CNRA (California Natural Resource Agency), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), collectively known as the SSMP team. The SSMP team is seeking Department of the Army (DA) authorization from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Los Angeles District, pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA; 33 USC §1344). The SSMP 10-Year Plan proposes to implement a total of 29,800 acres of aquatic habitat restoration and dust suppression projects around the perimeter of the Salton Sea. At least 50 percent of the project acreage will be created as habitat for fish and wildlife that depend on the Salton Sea ecosystem and the remainder will be projects to suppress dust.

Salton Sea Monitoring Implementation Program (MIP) Annual Work Plan 2024

California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) | February 29th, 2024

The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) are implemen

The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) are implementing the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) to address air quality and ecological threats at the Salton Sea. The SSMP has a plan for action over the 10-year period from 2018 to 2028 (Phase 1: 10-Year Plan), which aims to improve conditions around the Salton Sea by constructing projects that create habitat and reduce dust from the exposed lakebed on 30,000 acres. Since the state is not a significant landowner in the area, collaboration with land-owning entities is essential and a top priority for the SSMP. The SSMP team also recognizes the crucial role of partnerships in meeting restoration goals through collecting data, facilitating project implementation, and helping obtain funding sources. The Salton Sea Monitoring Implementation Plan (MIP) is a regional-scale monitoring plan for the Salton Sea ecosystem (CNRA 2022). The MIP, which was developed with input from implementing partners (agencies, non-governmental activities to measure conditions of water, air quality, land cover, biological resources, and socioeconomics. The MIP prioritized indicators and metrics and summarized methods and sampling regimes. These indicators were prioritized based on their informativeness and relationship to key resources and drivers of the Salton Sea ecosystem, feasibility of measurement, and relevance for management actions. Some indicators were recommended only for focused study to inform a specific management-articulated information need or specifically identified data gap.

San Francisquito Creek Baylands Landscape Change Metrics Analysis

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | June 21st, 2016

The goal of this study is to develop a high level overview of the physical and ecological changes to lower San Francisquito Creek and the surrounding tidal marshes and mu

The goal of this study is to develop a high level overview of the physical and ecological changes to lower San Francisquito Creek and the surrounding tidal marshes and mudflats (referred to here as “baylands”) since the beginning of intensive European-American settlement. Building upon a previous reconnaissance-level historical ecology study (Hermstad et al. 2009), this study analyzes the changes in key landscape features (or landscape metrics) within lower San Francisquito Creek and baylands through comparisons of reconstructed historical (mid-1800s) and contemporary (2011/2012) conditions. The results from this study are intended to provide baseline information that can be used to help with developing restoration and flood control redesign alternatives and appropriate habitat restoration targets. This study is one component of the Flood Control 2.0 project, a regional effort funded by the U.S. EPA to help design flood control channels at the Bay interface that support tidal habitats while maintaining the required level of flood protection. Emerging strategies for flood protection focus on reconnecting channels to floodplains and tidal marshes and using available dredged sediment as a resource to increase marsh elevations and help keep pace with sea level rise. Lower San Francisquito Creek is one of three implementation projects that have partnered with Flood Control 2.0 to assess the benefits of an integrated approach for flood control and habitat management at the Bay interface.

San Joaquin River Restoration Program

San Joaquin River Restoration Program | December 13th, 2007

San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement

Congressional Research Service (CRS) | November 9th, 2007

Historically, Central California’s San Joaquin River supported large Chinook salmon populations. Since the Bureau of Reclamation’s Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River

Historically, Central California’s San Joaquin River supported large Chinook salmon populations. Since the Bureau of Reclamation’s Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River became fully operational in the 1940s, much of the river’s water has been diverted for off-stream agricultural uses. As a result, approximately 60 miles of the river bed is dry in most years. Thus, the river no longer supports Chinook salmon populations in its upper reaches. In 1988, a coalition of conservation and fishing groups sued Reclamation (Natural Resources Defense Council v. Rodgers). A U.S. District Court judge has ruled that operation of Friant Dam violates state law because of its destruction of downstream fisheries. Faced with mounting legal fees, uncertainty, and the possibility of dramatic cuts to water diversions, parties negotiated a settlement instead of proceeding to trial. In September 2006, an agreement, commonly called the Settlement, was reached. It calls for new releases of water from Friant Dam to restore fisheries, as well as for efforts to mitigate reductions in off-stream deliveries lost to restoration flows. Congressional authorization and appropriations are required for full Settlement implementation. Legislation based on the Settlement (H.R. 4074, H.R. 24 and S. 27) is pending. Related bills have also been introduced. A key legislative issue is how to finance the Settlement, specifically how to resolve congressional pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) issues. Other challenges are how to achieve the Settlement’s dual goals of fisheries restoration and water management, and how to address concerns of stakeholders not party to the Settlement, without disrupting the negotiated agreement. The amount of water projected for restoration flows and the volume of reduced Friant water deliveries are related, but the relationship would not necessarily be one-for-one. Available estimates for total annual Friant water supplies (including both contract and temporary water) are, on average, 15% to 16% less under the Settlement than under current operations; but such estimates do not account for improvements in water management that might reduce the impact on water users. For three-quarters of water contractors, the reduction would represent a reduction in one of their available sources of water. The impacts of such reductions will vary by contractor depending on the firmness of existing surface water supplies and the reliability of groundwater supplies. How to offset the decrease and who would pay for investments in other water sources and improved efficiency has not been determined. Although the region may benefit from increased recreational expenditures and investment in river restoration activities under the Settlement, studies suggest its largest and mostly negative economic impact would be on the agriculture industry, at least in the short term. In addition, downsteam interests not party to the Settlement have been concerned about increased flooding, groundwater infiltration, and competition with existing federal financial commitments. Nearby communities fear harm to groundwater quantity and quality. Some of these concerns have been addressed in the legislation, but some remain. On the other hand, some communities and interests believe restoration will bring other benefits to the river, such as improved surface water quality in lower San Joaquin River reaches. Ultimate Settlement costs and benefits are very difficult to predict.

San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) | July 31st, 2024

This Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) will guide the management of the Merced National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), San Luis NWR and Grasslands Wildlife Management Area (W

This Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) will guide the management of the Merced National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), San Luis NWR and Grasslands Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for the next 15 years. Located in Merced County, California (Figure 1-1), these three units are managed and administered by the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex (the Complex). A fourth unit, the San Joaquin River NWR, is also managed and administered by the Complex but already has a CCP for its management, which was completed in 2006 and amended in 2022. For the sake of this document, the term Complex refers to the San Luis NWR, Merced NWR and Grasslands WMA only. The Complex comprises just four of the 568 refuges that currently make up the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS or the Service) National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS or Refuge System). The mission of the NWRS is to conserve a network of lands and water for the conservation and management of fish, wildlife and plant resources of the United States for the benefit of present and future generations. As part of the Refuge System, the three units—Merced NWR, San Luis NWR and Grasslands WMA—addressed in this CCP provide important habitat for a unique assemblage of both wetland- (particularly waterfowl and other waterbirds) and upland-dependent wildlife species of California’s Central Valley. This CCP is divided into five chapters: Chapter 1, Introduction and Background; Chapter 2, Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process; Chapter 3, Refuge Resources; Chapter 4, Refuge Management Direction; and Chapter 5, Implementation. Click here for full appendices.

San Luis Rey Flood Control Project Whelan Mitigation Site Habitat Restoration Action

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) | January 15th, 2014

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District (Corps or Los Angeles District) and City of Oceanside (City) propose to restore southwestern willow flycatc

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District (Corps or Los Angeles District) and City of Oceanside (City) propose to restore southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus, flycatcher) habitat along the San Luis Rey River, within the San Luis Rey River Flood Risk Management Project Area, to meet environmental commitments and permit requirements consistent with the Record of Decision signed by the South Pacific Division Commander, February 21, 2008, for the Final Integrated Post Authorization Decision Document/ Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report/Post Authorization Change Report for the San Luis Rey Flood Control Project from College Blvd. to the Pacific Ocean, San Diego, California (SLR PADD/FEIS/FEIR/PAC), July 2007. The proposed action would include active restoration of riparian habitat and floodplain. The proposed site, located along the San Luis Rey River within the existing flood risk management project site, is owned by the City of Oceanside, the project’s non-Federal sponsor, and is herein referred to as the Whelan Mitigation Site.

Scaling protection and restoration of natural infrastructure to reduce flood impacts and enhance resilience

Shore & Beach (American Shore and Beach Preservation Association) | October 1st, 2019

Restoring natural infrastructure offers much promise as a means to reduce both flood hazard and exposure to complement and supplement other flood damage reduction

Restoring natural infrastructure offers much promise as a means to reduce both flood hazard and exposure to complement and supplement other flood damage reduction strategies. Interest increased in flood risk reduction methods using natural and nature- based features, in part, because of increased recognition that such could provide both flood risk reduction and other benefits, such as water quality uplift, community recreational space, and fish and wildlife habitat. Recent flood disasters and the rising costs of disaster response and recovery have triggered policy shifts toward economi- cally efficient investments that enhance greater community resilience. While natural infrastructure is becoming more widely recognized as a tactic for building community and ecological resilience to erosion and flooding, it remains underutilized. Actions to aid consideration of natural infrastructure and scale up its use are presented.