SACRAMENTO, Calif. - On Sept. 7, 2017, the Bureau of Reclamation submitted a request to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to modify the implementation of the 2008 Biological Opinion on the Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. The request would allow the operation of the CVP and SWP such that the monthly average position of the fall outflow requirement is no more eastward than 81 km (50 miles) from the Golden Gate Bridge.
Reclamation is releasing an Environmental Assessment that evaluates the potential change to operation of the CVP and SWP in the month of October. In 2017, changes in operations at Oroville Dam for public safety have resulted in less carryover storage. In addition, new science and monitoring information on the Delta smelt are being considered as part of the adaptive management component of the 2008 BiOp.
Reclamation is the lead Federal agency for National Environmental Policy Act and ESA compliance requirements. The Fish and Wildlife Service will make the final determination under the ESA. The request is available at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/BayDeltaOffice/current-imple.html and the EA is available at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=30266. Comments must be received by close of business Sept. 27, 2017, and should be emailed to bcnelson@usbr.gov, faxed to 916-414-2439 or hand-delivered to Ben Nelson, Bureau of Reclamation, Bay-Delta Office, 801 I Street, Suite 140; Sacramento, CA 95814-2536.
For additional information, please contact Nelson at 916-414-2424 or bcnelson@usbr.gov.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
