California WaterFix Aquatic Science Peer Review: Phase 1 Materials

For Review

NMFS Biological Opinion Draft Analytical Approach

1. Draft analytical approach
2. South Delta Conceptual Model

2016 CWF Biological Assessment (BA) Sections for Review

Chapter 6 (Delta Smelt Effects Analyses only)

• Chapter 6: Effects Analysis for Delta Smelt
• Appendix 5.A, CalSim II Modeling and Results
• Appendix 5.B, DSM2 Modeling and Results
• Appendix 5.G, Projects to Be Included in Cumulative Effects Analysis for the Conveyance Section 7 Biological Assessment
• Appendix 6.A. Quantitative Methods for Biological Assessment of Delta Smelt

Chapter 5 (Salmonids and Sturgeon Effects Analysis)

Note: All methods sections listed can be found in Appendix 5.D Quantitative Methods and Detailed Results for Effects Analysis of Chinook Salmon, Central Valley Steelhead, Green Sturgeon, and Killer Whale

• Section 5.4.1.3.1.1.1 North Delta Exports: For overall species response to this component of the proposed action

Methods: Section 5.D.1.1.1 North Delta Exports (for near-field effects only; other effects are in Sections 5.D.1.2 Indirect Mortality Within the Delta (Through-Delta Survival) and 5.D.1.3 Habitat Suitability)

• Section 5.4.1.3.1.1.1 North Delta Exports and 5.4.1.3.1.1.1.3 Predation: For effects of intakes on predation and travel time

Methods: 5.4.1.3.1.1.1.2 Impingement, Screen Contact, and Screen Passage Time (assuming “travel time” = screen passage time)

There is no analysis of predation in Appendix 5.D

• Section 5.4.1.3.1.2.1 Indirect Mortality Within the Delta: For characterization of effects that are in-Delta yet beyond the immediate vicinity of the north Delta intakes

Methods: Section 5.D.1.2 Indirect Mortality within the Delta (Through-Delta Survival)

• Section 5.4.1.3.1.2.1.3. Through-Delta Survival: For consideration of effects on population of performance criteria of minimum 95% survival rate through north Delta intake reach

Methods: Section 5.D.1.2.2 Delta Passage Model, Section 5.D.1.2.3 Analysis Based on Newman (2003), Section 5.D.1.2.4 Analysis Based on Perry (2010), and Section 5.D.3 Life Cycle Models

• Section 5.4.1.3.1.2.2.1.1 Bench Inundation: For effects of habitat loss in north Delta due to operations of north Delta intakes

Methods: Section 5.D.1.3.1 Bench Inundation

• Section 5.4.2.1.3.1.1 Spawning, Egg Incubation, and Alevins: For effects of operations in upstream areas during summer and fall months, especially given inability of modeling to capture real-time management

Methods: Section 5.D.2.1 Water Temperature Methods and Section 5.D.2.2 Spawning Flow Methods

3. Longfin Smelt Analytical Framework and Effects Analysis

1. Draft Analytical Approach
2. 2081 Take Analysis
3. Longfin Smelt Quantitative Analyses
4. PTM results

Background information

Biological Assessment

2016 CWF Biological Assessment

1. DSM2 Grid Version 2.0

Federal Policies and Guidance

1. USFWS Section 7 Analytical Framework, p.138-139
2. Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation Handbook
3. 2008 USFWS Biological Opinion on the Long-Term Operational Criteria and Plan (OCAP) for coordination of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project
4. Designated Delta Smelt Critical Habitat Map
5. Designated Delta Smelt Critical Habitat
6. NMFS Aquatic Species Critical Habitat
7. Warranted But Precluded 12-Month Finding to Uplist Delta Smelt to Endangered Status

Research

1. Lindley et al. 2007
2. McElhaney et al. 2000
3. 2015 Final MAST report “An updated conceptual model for delta smelt: our evolving understanding of an estuarine fish.”
4. Final Report on Development of Flow Criteria for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Ecosystem
5. Effects Analysis State Water Project Effects on Longfin Smelt, California Department of Fish and Game, 2009.
6. Nobriga, M. L., and J. A. Rosenfield. 2016. Population dynamics of Longfin Smelt in the San Francisco Estuary II: disaggregating forces driving long-term decline of an estuarine forage fish. Transactions American Fisheries Society 145(1):44-58
7. FINAL REPORT: A Synthesis of Delta Smelt Growth and Life-History Studies, Prepared for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife by: James A. Hobbs, Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology University of California-Davis, December 2015.

Reviews

1. Independent Review Panel Report: BDCP Effects Analysis Review, Phase 3 - March, 2014
2. Report of the 2015 Independent Review Panel (IRP) on the Long-term Operations Biological Opinions (LOBO) Annual Review (December 16, 2015)
3. Delta Smelt 5-Year Review

Supplemental Materials Requested by the Panel

1. DWR Delta Simulation Model Grid Version 2.0
2. 2016 CWF Biological Assessment Appendix 5.B Figure 5.B 2-3
3. 2016 CWF Biological Assessment Appendix 5.B Figure 5.B.2-6
4. Sobeck 2016
5. 20mm Longfin Smelt monitoring methods
6. Fish Facilities Study Work Plan
7. 2016 CWF Biological Assessment Section 3.4.8
8. ICF Graphical representation of North diversion effects on Sacramento flow
9. CDFW BGOs from Table 3.3-1 of BDCP Chapter 3

Additional Materials Provided at the Review

1. Mount et al., 2013
2. Vogel et al., 2008

Presentations

• Project Overview –BG Heiland (DWR)
• Endangered Species Act Overview: Section 7 Process and Biological Opinion –Jane Affonso (USFWS), Erin Strange (NOAA)
• A Brief Overview of the California Endangered Species Act and Incidental Take Permitting –Shannon Little (CDFW)
• Status Update ESA Section 7 Consultation for California WaterFix –Kim Turner (USFWS)
• NMFS Biological Opinion Draft Analytical Approach for Salmonids and Sturgeon -- Cathy Marcinkevage (NOAA)
• Salmonids and Sturgeon Effects Analysis –Rick Wilder/Marin Greenwood (ICF)
• Delta Smelt Effects Analyses –Marin Greenwood (ICF)
• Longfin Smelt Analytical Framework and Effects Analysis –Marin Greenwood (ICF)
• Independent Science Panel Initial Recommendations

Public Comment

• 2016 California WaterFIx Aquatic Science Peer Review –Doug Obegi, Natural Resources Defense Council
• Major Modeling Issues for the WaterFix Biological Assessment –Deirdre Des Jardins, California Water Research
• 2016 California WaterFix Aquatic Science Peer Review –State Water Contractors

More Information

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• California WaterFix
• California Central Valley Office
• West Coast Region About Us