News Release Archive

Reclamation Releases Draft Pilot Implementation Plan for the Shasta Dam Fish Passage Evaluation

Media Contact: Shane Hunt, 916-978-5100, shunt@usbr.gov

For Release: January 14, 2016

SACRAMENTO, California – The Bureau of Reclamation, National Marine Fisheries Service and other partnering agencies have released a draft of the Pilot Implementation Plan for the Shasta Dam Fish Passage Evaluation for public review. The Pilot Plan can be downloaded at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/BayDeltaOffice/shasta-dam-fish-pass.html.

This Pilot Plan provides a general overview of winter-run Chinook Salmon reintroduction to historical habitats in the Study Area, including the recovery priorities for salmon and viable salmonid populations, and the benefits, opportunities and constraints associated with the reintroduction. It provides information on species and habitat conditions within the Study Area, and also discusses stock selection considerations, genetics, and potential sources of donor stock for reintroduction.

In addition, the Plan describes the implementation and describes the metrics and performance measures to be used to evaluate the success of the implementation techniques compared to the overall goal of the Pilot Program. It also provides a blueprint for obtaining additional critical information about the opportunity for successful reintroduction. As described above, the Pilot Plan is a living document, and it will be reviewed and updated annually as new information is gained regarding feasibility of reintroduction.

The 2009 NMFS Reasonable and Prudent Alternative includes a Fish Passage Program (Action V) to evaluate the reintroduction of winter-run and spring-run Chinook salmon and steelhead. Action V of the RPA applies to three dams operated by Reclamation: Shasta, Folsom, and New Melones. The near-term goal for Action V is to increase the geographic distribution and abundance of the listed fish. The long-term goal is to increase abundance, productivity, and spatial distribution, and to improve the life history, health, and genetic diversity of the target species.

Written comments are due by close of business Wednesday, February 24, 2016, and can be sent to John Hannon, Bureau of Reclamation, 801 I Street, Suite 140, Sacramento, CA 95814, or emailed to jhannon@usbr.gov.

If you encounter problems accessing the document, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov. For contacts and additional information on the Shasta Dam Fish Passage Evaluation visit Reclamation’s website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/BayDeltaOffice/shasta-dam-fish-pass.html

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