Resources
Recovery
Partnerships
- Conservation Banks
- Delta Smelt Recovery
- HCPs (Habitat Conservation Plans)
- Partnership Programs
- Recovery Planning
- Santa Rosa Conservation
to conserve the
NATURAL RESOURCES
of the Central Valley,
Sierra Nevada & SF Bay
Regions of California
Public Comment
Deadline: January 21, 2009.
HCP, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Operation & Maintenance of Alameda Watershed.
Public meeting Tuesday, January 13, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., Civic Center, Regional Meeting
Room, 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin.
Federal Register Notice:
TEXT |
PDF (53 KB)
Deadline: February 9, 2009.
Comment Period Re-opened for Uplisting Delta Smelt
Federal Register Notice:
TEXT |
PDF (69 KB)
News Release
Deadline: February 20, 2009.
Farallon National Wildlife Refuge Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan & Environmental
Assessment
Federal Register Notice:
TEXT |
PDF (51 KB)
To comment on any Federal rule, go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov.
Delta In the Spotlight
12-15-2008 - Service Delivers Delta Smelt (OCAP) Biological Opinion to Bureau of Reclamation. See Delta Update (above).
OCAP BO due date now 12/15/08.
The court has extended until Dec. 15 the due date for the Service to complete a new Biological Opinion for the Operations Criteria & Plan (OCAP)
FWS to consider Delta smelt uplisting
On 7-9-08 the Service announced a positive preliminary finding on a petition to uplist the threatened Delta smelt. News Release | Q&A
FWS submits additional info needs for OCAP BO
On June 27, 2008 the FWS submitted to the Bureau of Reclamation an extensive list of additional information required in order for the Service to write its Biological Opinion of the OCAP. See our memo to the Bureau (PDF 760KB).
FWS completes court-ordered actions to help delta smelt
The 2008 FWS actions to protect delta smelt concluded on June 20, as directed by the U.S. District Court. During the period the order was in effect, about 1,900 smelt were taken at the two major export pumps. More information
(5-29-08) FWS Confirms Receipt of Biological Assessment.
Read our memo to the Bureau of Reclamation.
FWS, NMFS asked to begin formal CVP/SWP consultation
On May 16 the Service received the formal request to initiate consultation
on CVP and SWP operations, as directed by Judge Wanger in his
order (PDF).
More
OCAP Biological Assessment.
FWS Delivers OCAP Status Report to Court
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service delivered (4-30-08) its status report to the court on progress toward a new OCAP Biological Opinion, in compliance with Judge Wanger's delta smelt order (PDF).
Status Report (PDF)
Declaration by Susan Moore, Field Supv. (PDF)
Salmon Order
Judge Wanger issued his order regarding salmon on April 16, 2008.
Read the order (PDF)
Newest Delta Science Report
The 2007 Pelagic Organism Decline Report (PDF) provides the most recent information on factors in the decline of Delta fishes.
Bay Delta Conservation Plan (1-24-2008)
The Service and other agencies opened a public comment period to begin early scoping for a possible Bay Delta Conservation Plan. Many agencies will examine options for moving water thru the Delta while helping conserve native species. Federal Register TEXT PDF.
Fall Survey Shows Continued Decline of Delta Fish (1-10-08)
Delta smelt, a federally protected species, were at their record low level according to the annual fall Delta fish survey. The survey shows continued decline in 4 of the 5 fish species counted. Survey Data
Longfin smelt, a species which FWS is now evaluating for possible protection under the federal Endangered Species Act, were virtually absent. Even striped bass were at their third lowest ever in the survey.
Court Sets Deadline for New Opinion to Protect Delta Smelt
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is writing a new Biological Opinion (BO) regarding the effects of the two large Delta export pumps on the federally-protected delta smelt.
The Service is preparing the BO to comply with a finding (PDF) by the U.S. District Court (Judge Wanger) that the "OCAP BO is unlawful and inadequate," in part because it "does not provide a reasonable degree of certainty that mitigation measures will take place."
(OCAP stands for the Long-Term Operational Criteria and Plan)
On Dec. 14, 2007, Wanger issued an interim order (PDF) directing potential pumping limits and other actions to protect the delta smelt until the new BO is completed. Wanger directed the Service to complete the new BO by Sept. 15, 2008.
News Release - May 31, 2007
Agreement to Reduce Pumping to a
Minimum To Protect Delta Smelt
Latest News
December 15, 2008
Service Delivers Delta Smelt (OCAP) Biological Opinion to Bureau of Reclamation. News Release
December 9, 2008
Comment Period Re-opened for Uplisting Delta Smelt. News Release
November 25, 2008
Draft plan to address contamination in San Pablo Bay is released. News Release
Fish & Wildlife Journal
The Fish and Wildlife Journal records the activities and accomplishments of Service employees across the Nation. Here are recent stories from our office:
Other stories of interest:
All PDF files under 500KB unless otherwise noted.
Last updated: January 13, 2009
California and Nevada Region (Region 8)
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