Biological Opinions - Bureau of Reclamation

project area prior to the existence of the road crossing, the project shall pass the life
stages and covered salmonid species that historically existed. Retrofitted culverts shall
meet the fish passage criteria for the passage needs of the listed species and life stages
historically passing through the site prior to the existence of the road crossing, according
to CDFW stream crossing criteria (CDFW Culvert Criteria for Fish Passage (Appendix
IX-A, CDFW Restoration Manual).
All designs for dam removal, off channel habitat features, and fish passage projects will
be reviewed by engineers, ensuring the requirements have been met prior to
commencement of work. Off channel habitat projects that reduce the potential for
stranding using water control structures will be encouraged, but uncertainties in future
stream flows and drought conditions cannot be predicted and may result in fish stranding
in certain flow conditions.
3. Prohibited Activities
Projects that include any of the following elements would not be authorized under the Program:
Use of gabion baskets.
Use of cylindrical riprap (aqualogs).
Chemically-treated timbers used for any instream structures.
Activity that substantially disrupts the movement of those species of aquatic life
indigenous to the waterbody, including those species that normally migrate through the
action area.
Projects that would completely eliminate a riffle/pool complex (note: there may be some
instances where a riffle/pool complex is affected/modified by a restoration project [i.e. a
culvert removal that affects an existing pool]. These types of projects would be allowed
under the Program).
4. Limits on Area of Disturbance for Individual Projects
a. Stream Dewatering
Maximum length of stream that can be dewatered is 1000 feet.
b. Buffer Between Projects Implemented in the Same Year
All projects implemented in the same year will maintain an 800 ft downstream buffer from any
other sediment producing projects proposed for implementation that same year under the
Program.
5. Limits on Removal of Vegetation
Removal of exotic, invasive riparian vegetation in a stream with high water temperatures must be
done in a manner to avoid creation of additional temperature loading to fish-bearing streams. If
a stream has a 7-day moving average daily maximum (7DMADM) temperature greater than 17.8
ºC in a coho salmon or steelhead stream, or greater than 18.5 ºC in a steelhead only stream, and
vegetation management would reduce overstory shade canopy to the wetted channel, then the
practice will not be allowed.
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