Biological Opinions - Bureau of Reclamation

8.5.1 Canal Salvage
Reclamation proposes to continue to salvage suckers in Project canals, consistent with the
salvage efforts that have been occurring in Project canals since 2005 (USBR 2012).
Reclamation’s fish salvage efforts will focus on the A Canal forebay, C4, D1, and D3 Canals
within the Klamath Irrigation District, and the J Canal within the Tulelake Irrigation District.
Other salvage locations recommended by USFWS will be considered by Reclamation as
requested. Additionally, Reclamation proposes to consider alternative methods of dewatering
canals, laterals, and drains at the end of the irrigation season in an effort to reduce adverse effects
to suckers and minimize the need for sucker salvage (USBR 2012).
The effects of canal salvage will minimize entrainment effects on suckers by relocating them to
permanent water-bodies. The numbers of suckers salvaged annually is highly variable. For
example, in 2006, 1,200 suckers were salvaged, whereas in 2009, fewer than 100 were salvaged
(Kyger and Wilkens 2011, Taylor and Wilkens 2013). The ultimate fate of most salvaged
suckers is unknown, but several lines of evidence suggest some survive and recruit into the adult
population. For example, since 2006, 19 salvaged and PIT-tagged suckers have been
subsequently relocated, mostly in the Williamson River. Additionally, beginning in November
2011, suckers salvaged in the Tule Lake area were put into an experimental pond on the Lower
Klamath NWR. Sampling in that pond in 2012 showed that many of these suckers were alive,
had grown, and were in good condition (J. Rasmussen, USFWS, pers. comm. 2012). Based on
this, we believe that canal salvage will minimize entrainment losses, especially when it is done
prior to ice cover and when suckers are put in appropriate habitats. However, salvage is not
without risks, especially because much of it is done by electroshocking, which can injure fish
(Snyder 2003), albeit at low rates (B. Phillips, USBR, pers. comm. 2013).
The USFWS concludes that proposed canal salvage will minimize the loss of young suckers that
are entrained. Returning suckers to safe habitats will improve their survival and that is
compatible with the conservation needs of the species.
8.5.2 Controlled (Captive) Propagation
Reclamation proposes to provide funding to the USFWS to support controlled propagation of the
LRS and the SNS with the purpose of increasing the number of suckers reaching maturity in
UKL. As discussed above in this BiOp there has not been any recruitment into the UKL adult
population of the LRS and the SNS since the late 1990s. The current adult breeding population
of suckers is aging and is nearing the end of their expected life span. The nearly universal
disappearance of juvenile suckers from UKL beginning in August and extending into October
(Simon et al. 2011) accounts for this situation. A controlled propagation effort is needed to
prevent extinction until the threats causing the lack of juvenile survival are addressed.
Specifically, Reclamation proposes to contribute approximately $300,000 per year to the
USFWS that would be used for capital and operating costs associated with a controlled
propagation program. In Fiscal Year 2013, an additional $500,000 will be provided to the
USFWS to accelerate the development of this program. Oversight of the controlled propagation
program will be provided by USFWS with input from the Klamath Sucker Recovery Program, in
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