Reclamation has released a final environmental impact statement analyzing Central Valley Project and State Water Project long-term operations based on new biological opinions from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries that will allow increased water exports from the Delta to corporate agribusiness in the San Joaquin Valley. Since the key factor in salmon, Delta smelt and other fish collapses is water exports from the Delta, this new water plan will Indeed "optimize water delivery" but it sure won't help "species protection."
The final EIS has been issued at at a critical time for Delta smelt, Sacramento River winter Chinook salmon, steelhead and other fish populations that depend on a healthy Bay-Delta Estuary to survive and thrive. The Delta smelt is moving closer and extinction, due to a combination of massive water exports to San Joaquin Valley agribusiness operations and toxic water releases into the San Joaquin River and San Francisco Bay-Delta.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife found, for the first time ever, ZERO Delta smelt in their Fall Midwater Trawl Survey throughout the Delta in the fall of 2018. Again, in September, October, and November of 2019, the CDFW has caught zero Delta smelt in the annual trawl.
The smelt, an indicator species that shows the health of the estuary, was once the most numerous fish in the entire Delta, numbering in the millions. Now they are in peril of becoming extinct in the wild, due to the failure by the state and federal governments to take action.
The full implications of Governor Gavin Newsom's veto of Senate Bill 1, a bill designed to protect endangered fish from attacks on federal laws by the Trump administration, could not be clearer: Newsom has left the path open for the Trump administration to eviscerate protections for Delta smelt, salmon, steelhead and other fish species under federal law. Here’s the news release:
For Release: Dec. 19, 2019
Reclamation uses latest science to improve water reliability in California
Proposed changes will optimize water delivery and species protection
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation today announced a major step to optimize water deliveries and power production for California communities and farms in an environmentally sound manner. The agency released a final environmental impact statement analyzing Central Valley Project and State Water Project long-term operations based on new biological opinions from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries to protect threatened and endangered species.
This is a vital milestone for water reliability in California. It ensures our actions improve the quality of life for people and protect our environment,” said California-Great Basin Regional Director Ernest Conant. “We’ve embraced the latest science to allow real-time monitoring and other operational improvements throughout the system to protect fish.”
The EIS outlines several alternatives for operating the CVP and SWP. The preferred alternative best balances the need to provide a safe and reliable water supply to farms, families and communities with protections for critical species. Actions include real-time monitoring of endangered species, habitat restoration and improving temperature management strategies.
Specifically, the alternative provides better cold water management at Shasta Reservoir to directly benefit spawning salmon; a $14 million investment to accelerate ongoing reintroduction efforts of imperiled winter-run chinook salmon populations on Battle Creek and other Sacramento River tributaries; and an additional $50 million for a conservation hatchery in the Delta that will assist with the recovery of the Delta smelt and other Delta species of concern.
These and other actions will significantly improve conditions for endangered species while ensuring optimal delivery of water for farmers and communities. Reclamation expects to finalize these actions with a record of decision in 2020.
The final environmental impact statement is available at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=39181.