Biological Opinions - Bureau of Reclamation

o Description of the type of project and restoration techniques utilized (culvert
replacement, instream habitat improvements, etc.).
o Project dimensions.
o Description of Construction Activities Anticipated (types of equipment, timing,
staging areas or access roads required).
o If dewatering of the work site will be necessary, description of temporary dewatering
methods including qualified individual who will be onsite to transport protected
salmonids.
o Construction start- and end-dates.
o Estimated number of creek crossings and type of vehicle.
o Materials to be used.
o When vegetation will be affected as a result of the project, (including removal and
replacement), provide a visual assessment of dominant native shrubs and trees,
approximate species diversity, and approximate acreage.
o Description of existing site conditions and explanation of how proposed activities
improve or maintain these conditions for steelhead or coho move within the natural
variability needed to support these species.
o Description of key habitat elements (i.e., temperature; type: pool, riffle, flatwater;
estimate of instream shelter and shelter components; water depth; dominant substrate
type, etc.) for coho and steelhead in project area.
Description of applicable minimization and avoidance measures incorporated into the
individual project.
o Description of any proposed deviations from that authorized in the BA will be clearly
described. It is likely that any proposed deviations from the activities described in the
Proposed Action subsection (above) or the required protection measures described
(above), will result in the project not being covered under this Program and would
require individual consultation.
o Individual project applicants will be required to submit a proposed monitoring plan
for the project describing how they will ensure compliance with the applicable
monitoring requirements described in this Program description (revegetation, etc.),
including the source of funding for implementation of the monitoring plan.
o For projects that may result in incidental take of coho salmon; (i.e. that will require
dewatering and fish relocation activities in a stream historically known to support
coho), the applicant will also need to comply with the requirements of the California
Endangered Species Act (CESA). CESA requires that impacts be minimized and
fully mitigated and that funding for implementation is assured. Thus, for projects that
have grant funding for implementation, the funding assurance shall be the
grant/agreement itself, showing monies earmarked for implementation of necessary
protection measures during implementation and follow-up monitoring, or another
mechanism approved by NMFS and CDFW in writing. For projects that have no
such grant funding, the applicant shall be required to provide security in the form of
an Irrevocable Letter of Credit issued by a bank or other financial institution giving
CDFW access to an account set up with the security deposit in an amount approved in
writing by NMFS and CDFW. The funding security will be held until the required
measures have been successfully implemented.
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