Biological Assessment on the Continued Long-term Operations of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project

摘要

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) propose to operate the Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP) to divert, store, re-divert, and convey CVP and SWP (Project) water consistent with applicable law and contractual obligations. These operations are summarized in this biological assessment (BA) and described in more detail in Chapter 2. This BA is intended to provide a thorough analysis of the continued long-term operations of the CVP and SWP and the effects of those operations on listed species and designated Critical Habitat. The document is divided into chapters. Chapter 1 outlines the statutory, regulatory and other parameters that influence Project operations. Chapter 2 is the complete project description. Chapters 3 and 4 address basic biology, life history, and baseline of Central Valley steelhead and factors that may influence their distribution and abundance. Chapters 5 and 6 address basic biology, life history, and baseline of winter-run Chinook and Coho salmon and factors that may influence their distribution and abundance. Chapter 7 addresses basic biology, life history, and baseline of delta smelt and factors that may influence their distribution and abundance. Chapter 8 addresses basic biology, life history, and baseline of green sturgeon and factors that may influence their distribution and abundance. Chapter 9 articulates the assumptions made in the modeling used in the effects analysis. Chapters 10 through 13 are the effects analyses. Chapter 14 addresses effects of Project operations on southern Killer Whales. Chapter 15 is the summary of the effects analyses and effects determinations. Chapter 16 addresses Essential Fish Habitat. Chapter 17 addresses technical assistance for longfin smelt. Chapter 18 is a discussion of ongoing actions to improve habitat and lessen Project impacts.