News Release Archive

Independent Panel Completes Review of CVPIA Fisheries Activities

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, plucero@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: April 20, 2009

The Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce the release of the Final Report of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) Fisheries Independent Review. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directed Reclamation to complete an Independent Review as one of several Improvement Actions designed to improve the CVPIA program effectiveness.

An independent panel composed of subject matter experts convened in May 2008 and met throughout the summer and fall to assess CVPIA program activities related to fish such as salmon that return from the sea to the rivers where they were born in order to breed (anadromous). The panel's Final Report contains recommendations regarding how to prioritize actions, and improve efficiency and effectiveness to achieve the CVPIA anadromous fish restoration goals, which include fish doubling.

In 2006, OMB initiated a review of the CVPIA program using its Performance Assessment and Rating Tool (PART) process. As a separate outcome of the PART process, Reclamation and the Service are developing a Long-term Plan for the CVPIA Program implementation. The Plan will include priorities and actions for the next 10 years. The agencies are assessing the panel's recommendations for inclusion in the Long-term Plan as possible priority actions for future implementation. A Draft Long-term Plan is expected to be made available for public review in late 2009. In addition to the Fisheries Review, an independent review of CVPIA refuges program activities will be completed in 2009.

The Fisheries Independent Review Final Report is available online at http://www.cvpiaindependentreview.com. To request a hard copy of the report, please contact Shay Humphrey, CirclePoint Communications, at 916-658-0180.

For additional information on the CVPIA Fisheries Independent Review, please contact Ms. Shana Kaplan, Reclamation, at 916-978-5190 or skaplan@mp.usbr.gov, or Mr. Cesar Blanco, Service, at 916-978-6150 or cesar_blanco@fws.gov.

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Relevant Link:

CVPIA Independent Review Website