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- Reclamation Announces Biological Opinions 2014 Annual Science Review and Workshop for the Long-term Operation of the CVP/SWP
News Release Archive
Reclamation Announces Biological Opinions 2014 Annual Science Review and Workshop for the Long-term Operation of the CVP/SWP
Media Contact:
Erin Curtis, 916-978-5100, eccurtis@usbr.gov
For Release: October 30, 2014
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation and the Delta Science Program, in coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and California Department of Water Resources, have scheduled an annual science review and workshop on certain biological opinion implementation actions relative to the 2014 operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project. The 2014 annual science review will be the fifth annual review.
This annual science review and workshop has been scheduled in response to the June 4, 2009, NMFS Biological and Conference Opinion (BiOp) issued on the long-term operations of the CVP and SWP. This BiOp concluded that the long-term operation of the CVP/SWP was likely to jeopardize the continued existence of several federally listed species under NMFS jurisdiction. Consequently, NMFS provided a Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) that met the criteria of 50 CFR 402.02 and included a provision for an annual science review and workshop.
Under direction from the Secretaries of Commerce and Interior, this review has been expanded to include a review of the implementation of the USFWS Long-term Operation BiOp. DWR also participates in the review because of the joint operation of the CVP/SWP.
The goal of the annual science review and workshop is to: (1) provide an Independent Review Panel (IRP) a forum for presentations and discussion of submitted technical reports; (2) develop lessons learned; (3) incorporate new science; and (4) make appropriate scientifically justified adjustments to the RPA or its implementation to support real-time decision making for the next water year. Additionally, the IRP will inform NMFS and USFWS as to the efficacy of the prior years’ water operations and regulatory actions prescribed by their respective RPAs.
This year’s annual review will focus on the implementation of BiOp RPAs for operation and fisheries for water year 2014 (Oct. 1, 2013, through Sept. 30, 2014) and will include:
• Modified Delta Cross Channel Gate Opening Criteria Based on the 2014 Drought Operations Plan
• Proposed Modifications to winter-Run Chinook salmon Juvenile Production Estimate Calculation
• Metropolitan Water District’s Proposal for Calculating Cumulative Salvage Index Values for Adult Delta Smelt.
The workshop is scheduled over two days in Sacramento:
Thursday, Nov. 6, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 7, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
California Department of Food and Agriculture 1220 N Street, Main Auditorium Sacramento, CA 95814
The workshop will have an Instant Net Conference web page and a call-in line for audio. Public comments through this courtesy service will be limited to written comments and may not receive a response during the meeting.
To participate via the website: http://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?sigKey=mymeetings&i=743051673&p=Science&t=c
To call-in for audio: 1-877-402-9753, Participant Pass Code: 1882129.
For additional information, please contact Traci Michel, Reclamation, at 916-414-2420 (TTY 800-877-8339) or tmichel@usbr.gov or Lindsay Correa, Delta Stewardship Council, at 916-445-0092 or lcorrea@deltacouncil.ca.gov.
The public is encouraged to visit the Delta Science Program website at http://www.deltacouncil.ca.gov/science-program for the meeting materials. A limited number of copies of these materials will be available at the meeting. Reasonable time limits may be established for public comments (California Government Code Sections 11125).
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