Biological Opinions - Bureau of Reclamation

Potential
Stressor
Habitat
Reduction
Table 12.8. Summary of the proposed action’s adverse effects and minimization measures.
Project
Effects
Increased
likelihood of
reduced
growth or
survival to
some
individuals
Life
Stage
Fry
Parr
and
Smolts
General
Time
Late March
to mid-June
March to
June
Mainstem
Location
IGD (RM
190) to
Salmon River
(RM 66)
Trees of
Heaven (RM
172) to
Rogers Creek
(RM 72)
Minimization Measure(s)
Riparian and instream habitat restoration in the
mainstem will likely offset some to a majority
of the habitat reduction as time progresses.
Riparian restoration would generally require
several years of successful plant growth to
effectively provide off setting effects.
Instream restoration would provide more
immediate benefits to fry. Successful
floodplain restoration and creation of offchannel
ponds will provide substantial rearing
habitat for coho salmon fry, which will likely
offset a majority of the habitat reduction.
Water conservation projects may offset some
habitat reductions. However, water
conservation projects are most likely to occur
in the tributaries, such as the Shasta and Scott
rivers, and are not expected to reach the
mainstem Klamath River.
Flow variability incorporated into the proposed
action will likely provide increased spring
flows when precipitation and snow melt is
occurring in the Upper Klamath Basin,
especially during wetter water years.
Proposed Action Effects
The Project will result in
habitat reductions in the
mainstem Klamath River.
However, the minimization
measures are likely to offset
some of the habitat
reductions, especially during
above average and wetter
water years when flow
variability will increase flows
in the mainstem Klamath
River.
Formulaic approach prioritizes EWA releases
in the spring and minimum daily flow targets
in April to June meet Hardy et al.’s (2006)
recommended ecological base flows.
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