Conservation Strategy for Restoration of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley Regions

CALFED | May 15th, 2014

The Conservation Strategy describes ERP goals and conservation priorities for Stage 2 of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program (CALFED) and was developed by the Department of Fish

The Conservation Strategy describes ERP goals and conservation priorities for Stage 2 of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program (CALFED) and was developed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) in coordination with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), collectively known as the ERP Implementing Agencies. This document serves as the conceptual framework that will guide future ERP environmental restoration, including development of conservation priorities and processes to identify and implement restoration opportunities, and monitoring to guide and improve its success in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta), and the Sacramento Valley and the San Joaquin Valley regions. This Conservation Strategy builds on information presented in the Ecosystem Restoration Program Plan (ERPP) (CALFED 2000a), the Multi-species Conservation Strategy (MSCS) (CALFED 2000d), ERP Milestones Reports (CALFED 2001b) and Annual Reports (DFG 2011b), the best available science on current ecological conditions, related programs and planning efforts, and input from stakeholders and the general public. There are many different kinds of conservation planning currently underway for the Delta, Sacramento and San Joaquin Valley regions and restoration is very much a shared vision between and among the agencies, various resource users, and the public. ERP Implementing Agencies will be using this ERP Stage 2 Conservation Strategy as a guide through the end of Stage 2 (2030). It provides a comprehensive ecosystem restoration strategy for ERP efforts in the Focus Area (Focus Area) (Figure 1), allowing flexibility in adapting responses accordingly to new scientific findings, changed circumstances and new or modified future conservation priorities. This Conservation Strategy will serve as a guide to identify programmatic-level types and locations of potential restoration actions based on conservation priorities. It is not a prescription for restoration actions at any specific site. Within this strategy is a compilation of conservation priorities, articulated from lessons learned during Stage 1, which may be used to meet ERP goals. All agencies, groups, or individuals interested in resource conservation and management within the Focus Area are encouraged to use this document as a guide to help coordinate activities to address ERP conservation priorities.

Contaminant Concentrations in San Francisco Bay Sportfish, Cruise Report Regional Monitoring Program (RMP) 2019

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | July 1st, 2019

This report contains information on the spring and summer field sampling efforts conducted by the Marine Pollution Studies Laboratory at Moss Landing Marine Labs (MPSL-ML

This report contains information on the spring and summer field sampling efforts conducted by the Marine Pollution Studies Laboratory at Moss Landing Marine Labs (MPSL-MLML). The purpose of this field effort was to collect sportfish for an eighth season of data (in support of 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2014 surveys) in the ongoing study of Contamination in San Francisco Bay Sportfish. The work was contracted through the San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) for the Regional Monitoring Program (RMP) for Water Quality.  The Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay (RMP) monitors concentrations of contaminants in fish tissue as indicators of bioaccumulation of contaminants in the Bay. In 2019, the RMP will conduct its eighth round of sport fish monitoring by collecting sport fish samples from various locations in the Bay as a part of routine Status and Trends Monitoring. Add-ons to the routine Status and Trends sport fish monitoring design will include archiving for microplastics and fipronil, as well as additional collections of shiner surfperch in Priority Margin Unit areas (PMUs).

Contaminant Concentrations in Sport Fish from San Francisco Bay, 2014

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | June 1st, 2017

This summary report presents results from a 2014 survey of contaminants in San Francisco Bay sport fish, as well as an additional 2015 sampling of sport fish in Artesian

This summary report presents results from a 2014 survey of contaminants in San Francisco Bay sport fish, as well as an additional 2015 sampling of sport fish in Artesian Slough in Lower South Bay. This monitoring effort represents the seventh round of sport fish contaminant monitoring conducted by the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay (RMP). This technical report is intended for agency staff charged with managing water quality issues related to bioaccumulation of contaminants in San Francisco Bay.  The RMP began sport fish monitoring in 1997, following a pilot study conducted by the Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program in 1994. Data collected through this monitoring program provides updates on the status and long-term trends of contaminants in Bay sport fish, and are used to update human health consumption advisories and evaluate the effectiveness of regulatory and management efforts to reduce the impacts of contaminants of concern in the Bay. Key analyses in this report include comparisons of concentrations to human health and regulatory thresholds, spatial trend evaluation, and temporal trend evaluation.  Mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, selenium, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) were analyzed across sixteen fish species collected at eight locations in San Francisco Bay and Artesian Slough. Fish species were selected based on a number of criteria, including species that are popular for consumption, are sensitive indicators of problems (accumulating relatively high concentrations of contaminants), are widely distributed, represent different exposure pathways (benthic vs. pelagic), and have been monitored in the past. Concentrations were compared to numeric human health thresholds established by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) for mercury, PCBs, selenium, and PBDEs. Results were also compared to regulatory thresholds for mercury, PCBs, and selenium, as well as non-regulatory screening value for dioxins, which have been established in Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) regulations by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board). 

Contaminant Concentrations in Sport Fish from San Francisco Bay: 2014

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | January 1st, 2014

This summary report presents results from a 2014 survey of contaminants in San Francisco Bay sport fish, as well as an additional 2015 sampling of sport fish in Artesian

This summary report presents results from a 2014 survey of contaminants in San Francisco Bay sport fish, as well as an additional 2015 sampling of sport fish in Artesian Slough in Lower South Bay. This monitoring effort represents the seventh round of sport fish contaminant monitoring conducted by the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay (RMP). This technical report is intended for agency staff charged with managing water quality issues related to bioaccumulation of contaminants in San Francisco Bay. The RMP began sport fish monitoring in 1997, following a pilot study conducted by the Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program in 1994. Data collected through this monitoring program provides updates on the status and long-term trends of contaminants in Bay sport fish, and are used to update human health consumption advisories and evaluate the effectiveness of regulatory and management efforts to reduce the impacts of contaminants of concern in the Bay. Key analyses in this report include comparisons of concentrations to human health and regulatory thresholds, spatial trend evaluation, and temporal trend evaluation. Mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, selenium, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) were analyzed across sixteen fish species collected at eight locations in San Francisco Bay and Artesian Slough. Fish species were selected based on a number of criteria, including species that are popular for consumption, are sensitive indicators of problems (accumulating relatively high concentrations of contaminants), are widely distributed, represent different exposure pathways (benthic vs. pelagic), and have been monitored in the past. Concentrations were compared to numeric human health thresholds established by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) for mercury, PCBs, selenium, and PBDEs. Results were also compared to regulatory thresholds for mercury, PCBs, and selenium, as well as non-regulatory screening value for dioxins, which have been established in Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) regulations by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board). The OEHHA fish consumption advisory is primarily driven by human exposure risks to mercury and PCBs. The 2014 data show that mercury and PCB concentrations remain high and widespread, indicating that these contaminants continue to pose the greatest human and wildlife health risks. Mercury concentrations exceeded OEHHA’s no consumption threshold for the sensitive population (women 18-45 and children 1-17) in several white sturgeon and striped bass samples, while PCB concentrations exceeded the no consumption threshold in Pacific sardine and white sturgeon samples. The spatial distribution of contamination has remained consistent over time, reflecting current knowledge of contaminated source areas targeted for management activities. Recent data showed no clear evidence of Bay-wide declines in either mercury or PCBs, although progressively lower PCB concentrations have been observed in recent years near Berkeley and in San Pablo Bay.

Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project, Final Environmental Impact Statement

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | November 30th, 2015

Coupling a spatiotemporally distributed soil water budget with stream-depletion functions to inform stakeholder-driven management of groundwater-dependent ecosystems

Water Resources Research, American Geophysical Union | November 12th, 2013

Groundwater pumping, even if only seasonal, may significantly impact groundwater-dependent ecosystems through increased streamflow depletion, particularly in semiarid and

Groundwater pumping, even if only seasonal, may significantly impact groundwater-dependent ecosystems through increased streamflow depletion, particularly in semiarid and arid regions. The effects are exacerbated, under some conditions, by climate change. In social sciences, the management of groundwater-dependent ecosystems is generally considered a “wicked” problem due to the complexity of affected stakeholder groups, disconnected legal frameworks, and a divergence of policies and science at the cross road between groundwater and surface water, and between ecosystems and water quality. A range of often simplified scientific tools plays an important role in addressing such problems. Here we develop a spatiotemporally distributed soil water budget model that we couple with an analytical model for stream depletion from groundwater pumping to rapidly assess seasonal impacts of groundwater pumping on streamflow during critical low flow periods. We demonstrate the applicability of the tool for the Scott Valley in Northern California, where protected salmon depend on summer streamflow fed by cool groundwater. In this example, simulations suggest that increased recharge in the period immediately preceding the critical low streamflow season, and transfer of groundwater pumping away from the stream are potentially promising tools to address ecosystem concerns, albeit raising difficult infrastructure and water trading issues. In contrast, additional winter recharge at the expense of later spring recharge, whether intentional or driven by climate may reduce summer streamflows. Comparison to existing detailed numerical groundwater model results suggests that the coupled soil water mass balance—stream depletion function approach provides a viable tool for scenario development among stakeholders, to constructively inform the search for potential solutions, and to direct more detailed, complex site-specific feasibility studies. The tool also identifies important field monitoring efforts needed to improve the understanding and quantification of site-specific groundwater-stream interactions.

CVFPP Conservation Strategy Appendix H. Central Valley Chinook Salmon Rearing Habitat Required to Satisfy the Anadromous Fish Restoration Program Doubling Goal

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | July 14th, 2016

NewFields and Cramer Fish Sciences, in collaboration with the California Department of Water Resources FloodSAFE Environmental Stewardship and Statewide Resources

NewFields and Cramer Fish Sciences, in collaboration with the California Department of Water Resources FloodSAFE Environmental Stewardship and Statewide Resources Office Conservation Strategy team, applied best available tools and data to estimate the area of suitable juvenile salmonid rearing habitat required in each of the Conservation Planning Areas (CPAs) to achieve the Anadromous Fish Restoration Program (AFRP) “doubling goal” for Chinook salmon populations. The AFRP goal was used to align the Conservation Strategy objectives with existing,longstanding efforts by partner resource management agencies. Historical and existing suitable rearing habitat area for juvenile salmonids was estimated with the Estimated Annual Habitat approach that uses measured hydrology and modeled hydraulic relationships between river flow and inundation area to calculate areas of inundation with timing, duration, and frequency suitable for juvenile California Chinook salmon rearing. The rearing habitat required to support the doubling goal populations was estimated using the Emigrating Salmonid Habitat Estimation model. The details of the approach and the full range of calculated results are presented in the following sections and appendices.

CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | June 27th, 2015

In 1992, Congress passed the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (Act, or CVPIA), which amended previous authorizations of the California Central Valley Project (CVP)

In 1992, Congress passed the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (Act, or CVPIA), which amended previous authorizations of the California Central Valley Project (CVP) to include fish and wildlife protection, restoration, enhancement, and mitigation as project purposes having equal priority with power generation, and irrigation and domestic water uses. Congress directed the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), to operate the CVP consistent with the purposes of the Act, to meet the Federal trust responsibilities to protect the fishery resources of affected Federally recognized Indian tribes, and to achieve a reasonable balance among competing demands for use of CVP water. For the past 10 years, Reclamation and the Service, working together to implement the CVPIA, have embarked on one of the Nation’s largest fish and wildlife restoration efforts. Reclamation and the Service have developed programs to improve environmental conditions and modify operations, management, and physical facilities, and thus, the associated environmental conditions of the CVP to comply with the purposes and goals of the Act. All of the Act’s restoration measures are planned and implemented by Reclamation and the Service and coordinated with the State of California, CALFED, and other partners. In the following pages, you will find a summary of the protection, restoration, enhancement, and mitigation measures that have been implemented as of the end of fiscal year 2002, demonstrating the contributions Reclamation and the Service have made to the Central Valley. As you read the summary, it should become clear that progress is being made in unprecedented programs, and advancements have been made in resolving complicated watershed issues throughout the Central Valley. Yet much work lies ahead.

Dam removal and anadromous salmonid (Oncorhynchus spp.) conservation in California

Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries (Springer) | June 4th, 2014

Dam removal is often proposed for restoration of anadromous salmonid populations, which are in serious decline in California. However, the benefits of dam removal vary du

Dam removal is often proposed for restoration of anadromous salmonid populations, which are in serious decline in California. However, the benefits of dam removal vary due to differences in affected populations and potential for environmental impacts. Here, we develop an assessment method to examine the relationship between dam removal and salmonid conservation, focusing on dams that act as complete migration barriers. Specifically, we (1) review the effects of dams on anadromous salmonids, (2) describe factors specific to dam removal in California, (3) propose a method to evaluate dam removal effects on salmonids, (4) apply this method to evaluate 24 dams, and (5) discuss potential effects of removing four dams on the Klamath River. Our flexible rating system can rapidly assess the likely effects of dam removal, as a first step in the prioritization of multiple dam removals. We rated eight dams proposed for removal and compared them with another 16 dams, which are not candidates for removal. Twelve of the 24 dams evaluated had scores that indicated at least a moderate benefit to salmonids following removal. In particular, scores indicated that removal of the four dams on the Klamath River is warranted for salmonid conservation. Ultimately, all dams will be abandoned, removed, or rebuilt even if the timespan is hundreds of years. Thus, periodic evaluation of the environmental benefits of dam removal is needed using criteria such as those presented in this paper.

Decision on Petition for Rulemaking to Set Permanent Minimum Flows on the Shasta River

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) | February 16th, 2024