Pollutants of concern (POC) loads monitoring progress report, water years (WYs) 2012, 2013, and 2014

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | July 1st, 2016

The San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) has determined that San Francisco Bay is impaired by mercury and PCBs due to threats to wildlife and

The San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) has determined that San Francisco Bay is impaired by mercury and PCBs due to threats to wildlife and human consumers of fish from the Bay. These contaminants persist in the environment and accumulate in aquatic food webs (SFRWRCB 2006; SFRWRCB, 2008). The Water Board has identified urban runoff from local watersheds as a pathway for pollutants of concern into the Bay, including mercury and PCBs. The Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP; SFRWRCB, 2009) contains several provisions requiring studies to measure local watershed loads of suspended sediment (SS), total organic carbon (TOC), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), total mercury (HgT), total methylmercury (MeHgT), nitrate-N (NO3), phosphate-P (PO4), and total phosphorus (TP) (provision C.8.e), as well as other pollutants covered under provision C.14. (e.g. legacy pesticides, PBDEs, and selenium).

Preface to the Environmental Assessment for 2019 Ocean Salmon Fisheries Management Measures

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) | April 1st, 2019

Preseason Report I Stock Abundance Analysis and Environmental Assessment Part 1 for 2019 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations (PRE I)

Pacific Fishery Management Council | March 1st, 2019

Preseason Report II Proposed Alternatives and Environmental Assessment Part 2 for 2019 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations (PRE II)

Pacific Fishery Management Council | March 21st, 2019

Preseason Report III Council Adopted Management Measures and Environmental Assessment Part 3 for 2019 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations (PRE III)

Pacific Fishery Management Council | April 30th, 2019

Primary Production in the Delta: Then and Now

University of California, Davis (UC Davis) | October 3rd, 2016

To evaluate the role of restoration in the recovery of the Delta ecosystem, we need to have clear targets and performance measures that directly assess ecosystem function

To evaluate the role of restoration in the recovery of the Delta ecosystem, we need to have clear targets and performance measures that directly assess ecosystem function. Primary production is a crucial ecosystem process, which directly limits the quality and quantity of food available for secondary consumers such as invertebrates and fish. The Delta has a low rate of primary production, but it is unclear whether this was always the case. Recent analyses from the Historical Ecology Team and Delta Landscapes Project provide quantitative comparisons of the areal extent of 14 habitat types in the modern Delta versus the historical Delta (pre-1850). Here we describe an approach for using these metrics of land use change to: (1) produce the first quantitative estimates of how Delta primary production and the relative contributions from five different producer groups have been altered by large-scale drainage and conversion to agriculture; (2) convert these production estimates into a common currency so the contributions of each producer group reflect their food quality and efficiency of transfer to consumers; and (3) use simple models to discover how tidal exchange between marshes and open water influences primary production and its consumption. Application of this approach could inform Delta management in two ways. First, it would provide a quantitative estimate of how large-scale conversion to agriculture has altered the Delta's capacity to produce food for native biota. Second, it would provide restoration practitioners with a new approach—based on ecosystem function—to evaluate the success of restoration projects and gauge the trajectory of ecological recovery in the Delta region.

Projected Effects of Future Climates on Freshwater Fishes of California

California Energy Commission (CEC) | July 31st, 2012

A methodology is presented that allows systematic evaluation of climate change impacts on freshwater fishes in California (121 native fish taxa and 43 aliens). The method

A methodology is presented that allows systematic evaluation of climate change impacts on freshwater fishes in California (121 native fish taxa and 43 aliens). The methodology uses expert opinions of the authors and literature reviews of status and biology of the fishes to score both status of each species (“baseline vulnerability”) and likely impact of climate change (“climate change vulnerability”). Baseline and climate change vulnerability scores were highly correlated with one another and were consistent among different scorers. Native species were found to have both greater baseline and greater climate change vulnerability than alien species. Fifty percent of natives had critical or high baseline vulnerability versus none for aliens; 83 percent had critical or high climate change vulnerability versus 19 percent for aliens. Fishes with high baseline vulnerability were also likely to have highest vulnerability to climate change. These results show that predicted climate change effects on fresh water environments will dramatically change the fish fauna at all scales and at all elevations. The research team concluded that most native fishes will suffer population declines and become more restricted in their distributions; some will likely be driven to extinction, if present trends continue. Fishes requiring cold water (<22°C [72°F]) are particularly likely to go extinct. In contrast, most alien fishes will thrive, with many species likely to increase in abundance and range. However, even many aliens will ultimately be negatively affected through loss of aquatic habitats during severe droughts and stressful conditions in most waterways during summer months. On a regional scale (e.g., San Francisco Bay tributaries), vulnerability patterns follow statewide patterns and indicate the need for conservation strategies adapted to local conditions. Studies of three streams with long-term data on fish abundance indicate that native and alien species respond in different ways to variability in stream flow, which is likely to become more variable with climate change.

Proposal for a Revised ITL and Expected Take for Adult Delta Smelt

Delta Stewardship Council (Delta Council) | July 29th, 2014

The 2008 USFWS Incidental Take Level (ITL) calculation determines the amount of annual delta smelt salvage allowed to be taken by the State Water Project (SWP) an

The 2008 USFWS Incidental Take Level (ITL) calculation determines the amount of annual delta smelt salvage allowed to be taken by the State Water Project (SWP) and Central Valley Project (CVP) during operating conditions expected under Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) thresholds. There is an ITL for adult and juvenile delta smelt. Using advances in statistical models, data sources, and overall improved knowledge of entrainment dynamics, we offer a robust approach for calculating a revised ITL and accompanying expected take method under the RPA for the SWP and CVP that remains protective of the species while providing improved flexibility for managing water operations.

Proposal for Calculating Cumulative Salvage Index Values Used For Estimating Take Likely to Occur under the USFWS Old and Middle River Flow RPA for Adult Delta Smelt

Delta Stewardship Council (Delta Council) | September 19th, 2014

The objectives of this paper are to provide a rationale why the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Incidental Take Statement should include more year

The objectives of this paper are to provide a rationale why the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Incidental Take Statement should include more years in its calculation of anticipated incidental take of adult delta smelt under the 2008 Biological Opinion with the Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) action to avoid jeopardy to the species and adverse modification of critical habitat and provide a statistical method by which this can be achieved.

Quantification of pre-screen loss of juvenile steelhead in Clifton Court Forebay

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | August 26th, 2008