Summary and Evaluation of Southern California Coast Steelhead Distinct Population Segment 2016

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) | March 27th, 2016

The Southern California Coast Steelhead Distinct Population Segment (DPS) is listed as endangered and is comprised of a suite of steelhead populations (Oncorhynchus mykis

The Southern California Coast Steelhead Distinct Population Segment (DPS) is listed as endangered and is comprised of a suite of steelhead populations (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that inhabit coastal stream networks from the Santa Maria River system south to the U.S. border with Mexico. Freshwater-resident (non-anadromous) O. mykiss, commonly known as rainbow trout, also occur in the same geographic region, frequently co-occurring in the same river systems as the anadromous form. Clemento et al. (2009) found that O. mykiss above and below impassable dams within the Southern California DPS tended to be each other’s closest relatives, suggesting that each steelhead DPS is simply the anadromous component of a corresponding Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU; Waples 1991) comprising both anadromous and resident O. mykiss. West Coast salmon and steelhead (Oncorhynchus spp.) stocks have declined substantially from their historic numbers and many are now listed as threatened or endangered. Multiple factors have contributed to the decline of individual populations. These include the loss of freshwater and estuarine habitat, periodic poor ocean conditions, and a variety of land-use, flood control, and water management practices which have impacted many watershed-wide processes; these include hydrologic and sedimentation processes which create and maintain essential steelhead habitats. These factors collectively led the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to list southern California steelhead (the anadromous form of O. mykiss) as endangered under the ESA in 1997 (Figure 1). Section 4(c)(2) of the ESA directs the Secretary of Commerce to review the listing classification of threatened and endangered species at least once every five years. After completing this review, the Secretary must determine if any species should be: (1) removed from the list; (2) have its status changed from threatened to endangered; or (3) have its status changed from endangered to threatened. The most recent listing determinations for salmon and steelhead occurred in 2005 and 2006. This document reflects the agency’s 5-year status review of the ESAlisted Southern California Coast Steelhead Distinct Population Segment (DPS) since the last status review in 2010 (Williams et al. 2011).

Summary Matrix of the NMFS and Service Coordinated Long-term Operation BiOps RPA actions

Delta Stewardship Council (Delta Council) | July 1st, 2019

Summary of NMFS BiOp RPA Actions for Water Year 2014

Delta Stewardship Council (Delta Council) | October 30th, 2014

Summary Report on the Transactions of the Smelt Working Group in Water Year 2014

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

The Bay‐Delta Fish and Wildlife Office (BDFWO) has prepared this report to summarize the implementation the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) biological opi

The Bay‐Delta Fish and Wildlife Office (BDFWO) has prepared this report to summarize the implementation the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) biological opinion on the Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP) Long‐term Operations (BiOp) in Water Year (WY) 2014. In addition to background information pertinent to implementation of the BiOp , this report provides a summary of the transactions of the Smelt Working Group (SWG), as well as water operations and during WY 2014. The SWG is a technical team that evaluates biological and technical issues regarding Delta Smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) and develops recommendations for consideration by the Service during implementation of the BiOp’s Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) actions. During WY 2014 the SWG made no recommendations for more restrictive water operations and the Service issued no determinations to reduce water exports.

Summary Report on the Transactions of the Smelt Working Group in Water Year 2018

Delta Stewardship Council (Delta Council) | November 1st, 2018

Summary report: Green sturgeon, longfin smelt, and dredging operations in the San Francisco Estuary

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | December 1st, 2009

In 2009, California Department of Fish and Game Commission listed longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) as threatened, and NOAA formally adopted “take” provisions f

In 2009, California Department of Fish and Game Commission listed longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) as threatened, and NOAA formally adopted “take” provisions for green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris Ayres). These changes in the management status, and associated permitting issues, have prompted renewed interest among [long term management strategy] LTMS participants in the management of these native fish. In response, LTMS held symposia on December 2 and 3, 2009, to review and consider the science, management, and policy related to dredging activities and these species. A primary stressor to both species is reduction of appropriate habitat, due to water diversion activities and other basin-scale modifications in water flow. Local studies of dredging have shown little evidence of direct entrainment for either species, and the frequency of encounter with sites of dredging activity is likely to be very low. Nevertheless, spatial and temporal patterns of population movements and reproductive activity vary from year to year, making it difficult to employ an environmental work windows approach. Available information is limited on other direct effects of dredging, including sediment contamination, habitat modification, and underwater noise. Indirect effects due to maintenance of active navigation channels pose potential concerns. In particular, introduction of invasive species, and mortality due to propeller strikes, both warrant attention. As a follow up step to the symposia, we recommend that LTMS host a workshop targeted towards specific LTMS management needs for green sturgeon and longfin smelt. The workshop should include LTMS participants, the scientists that presented at the symposium, and dredging operators, and could focus on the integration of current research findings into tools that would be useful for managers. Appropriate tools for consideration include predictive or descriptive models of species distribution, and of potential impacts of various dredging activities. There should also be consideration of management approaches that broadly address the primary ecosystem-level stressors for green sturgeon and longfin smelt, rather than employing small scale project-level mitigation. In particular, an integrated regional restoration and monitoring program may be the most effective approach to improve the health of the species.

Surface Water-Groundwater Interaction Report, Ventura River Habitat Conservation Plan, Ventura River, California

County of Ventura | February 12th, 2001

ENTRIX, Inc. was contracted by the Cooperating Agencies to perform an analysis of surface water and groundwater hydrology in the Ventura River basin as part of th

ENTRIX, Inc. was contracted by the Cooperating Agencies to perform an analysis of surface water and groundwater hydrology in the Ventura River basin as part of the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for the Ventura River in Ventura County, California. The Cooperating Agencies consist of the County of Ventura, the Ventura County Flood Control District (VCFCD), the City of San Buenaventura, the Casitas Municipal Water District (Casitas), the Meiners Oaks County Water District (MOCWD), the Ojai Valley Sanitary District (OVSD), the Ojai Basin Groundwater Management Agency, the Southern California Water Company (SCWC), the Ventura County Water Agency, and the City of Ojai. These agencies all operate and maintain facilities that may affect sensitive biological resources along the Ventura River. To comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the agencies are developing a HCP in consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to serve as the basis for an Incidental Take Permit. The objectives of the surface water-groundwater interaction evaluation, outlined in The Ventura River Habitat Conservation Plan Technical Approach dated March 30, 2000, are to develop an improved understanding of the hydrologic system dynamics and determine the likelihood of groundwater pumping impacts on surface flows, based on available empirical data. The scope of work involved collecting and evaluating available surface flow and groundwater data and prior analyses of the surface and groundwater system. The focus of the evaluation was on the river reaches where the Cooperating Agencies can affect flow. The availability of concurrent surface flow and groundwater data determined the study period(s) and specific reaches analyzed. The study is focused on the Upper Ventura River and San Antonio Creek basins, and a brief discussion is also included for the Ojai Valley groundwater basin. The data reviewed as part of the evaluation included seasonal changes in groundwater levels and groundwater storage, groundwater flow relationships, and estimated contributions from groundwater to surface water.

Technical Report for the Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) Pelagic Organism Decline (POD) Workgroup: Assessment of Aquatic Herbicide Use in the Delta

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) | May 15th, 2006

Since 2001, the California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) has conducted an extensive water quality monitoring program in conjunction with its aquatic herbicide

Since 2001, the California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) has conducted an extensive water quality monitoring program in conjunction with its aquatic herbicide applications. In this report, the risk quotient calculation method utilized by the Aquatic Pesticide Monitoring Program (a USEPA Tier 1 risk assessment) was used to determine if there are patterns of Level of Concern exceedances that indicate the possibility of adverse impacts on the Delta aquatic ecosystem due to DBW aquatic herbicide applications. Level of Concern exceedances are indicative only of the need for further investigation of an application scenario and do not, in and of themselves, indicate adverse impacts. This type of risk analysis cannot quantify the potential additive or synergistic effects of all pelagic organism stressors (one of which would be aquatic herbicides) within the Delta. This risk assessment indicates that, with the exception of diquat dibromide applications, DBW herbicide applications are unlikely to have the potential to cause Delta ecosystem water quality impacts. While there were a number of Level of Concern exceedances for diquat, DBW and all regulatory agencies involved were aware of this potential prior to application. NOAA Fisheries requested that, when possible, diquat used adjacent to salmon migratory routes should be reduced or avoided when that species is likely to be present. USFWS determined that diquat impact to aquatic invertebrates is minimal, temporary, and not likely to jeopardize Delta smelt but has required avoidance in areas where and when the smelt are known to be present. For 2006, NOAA has allowed DBW to treat sites in April and May with fluridone, which has allowed the use of diquat to be discontinued.

The Collapse of Pelagic Fishes in the Upper San Francisco Estuary: El Colapso de los Peces Pelagicos en La Cabecera Del Estuario San Francisco

American Fisheries Society (AFS) | January 9th, 2007

Although the pelagic fish community of the upper San Francisco Estuary historically has shown substantial variability, a recent collapse has captured the attention of res

Although the pelagic fish community of the upper San Francisco Estuary historically has shown substantial variability, a recent collapse has captured the attention of resource managers, scientists, legislators, and the general public. The ecological and management consequences of the decline are most serious for delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus), a threatened species whose narrow range overlaps with large water diversions that supply water to over 25 million people. The decline occurred despite recent moderate hydrology, which typically results in at least modest recruitment, and investments of hundreds of millions of dollars in habitat restoration and environmental water allocations to support native fishes. In response to the pelagic fish collapse, an ambitious multi-agency research team has been working since 2005 to evaluate the causes of the decline, which likely include a combination of factors: stock-recruitment effects, a decline in habitat quality, increased mortality rates, and reduced food availability due to invasive species.

The San Francisco Bay-Delta Agreement: Principles for Agreement on Bay-Delta Standards Between the State of California and the Federal Government

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) | December 15th, 1994