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Biological Opinions - Bureau of Reclamation

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the protection and restoration <strong>of</strong> listed anadromous salmonid species in California, primarily by<br />

encouraging collaboration among public and private sectors for fish passage improvement<br />

projects and programs. Road maintenance and culvert replacement will likely benefit coho<br />

salmon in the action area.<br />

These effects are expected to continue throughout the duration <strong>of</strong> the action, and beyond. Road<br />

maintenance and culvert activities may have a neutral or, in many cases, a positive effect upon<br />

all <strong>of</strong> the VSP parameters for the interior Klamath populations. For instance, reestablishing<br />

historical habitat associated with opening new spawning areas can potentially increase the spatial<br />

structure <strong>of</strong> the SONCC coho salmon ESU.<br />

11.3.8.9 Suspended Sediment Concentrations<br />

Currently, suspended sediment concentrations in the mainstem Klamath River are sufficiently<br />

high and long in duration under normal and extreme conditions (Tables 11.4 and 11.5) that major<br />

physiological stress and reduced growth <strong>of</strong> coho salmon are expected in most years for certain<br />

life stages. In addition, tributary rearing habitat currently accessed by Klamath River coho<br />

salmon is compromised to some degree, most commonly by high instream sediment<br />

concentrations or impaired riparian communities (see NMFS 2007 for review). High instream<br />

sediment concentrations can fill pools and simplify instream habitat, whereas impaired riparian<br />

habitat can exacerbate streamside erosion rates and hinder wood input to the stream environment<br />

(Spence et al. 1996). Both <strong>of</strong> these processes are common within the Middle and Lower<br />

Klamath Populations, where wide-scale timber harvests have occurred in many tributary basins.<br />

239

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