Biological Opinions - Bureau of Reclamation

2. Post Construction Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
Implementation monitoring will be conducted for all projects implemented under the proposed
Program. Following construction, individual applicants will submit a post-construction,
implementation report to the Reclamation. The implementation report will also be sent to
CDFW. Submittal requirements will include project as-built plans describing post
implementation conditions and photo documentation of project implementation taken before,
during, and after construction utilizing CDFW photo monitoring protocols. For fish relocation
activities, the report will include: all fisheries data collected by a qualified fisheries biologist
which shall include the number of listed salmonids killed or injured during the proposed action,
the number and size (in millimeters) of listed salmonids captured and removed and any effects of
the proposed action on listed salmonids not previously considered.
a. Monitoring Requirements for Off-channel/Side Channel Habitat Features
All off channel/side channel habitat projects included in the Program will require an additional
level of physical and biological monitoring. In addition to the information collected during the
pre-project monitoring and submittal requirements (above), the following information will also
be collected by the Program applicants. Program applicants will submit the following
information to Reclamation to help further understand these project types:
Pre and post project photo monitoring data (per CDFW’s guidelines)
Project Description:
o Project problem statement
o Project goals and objectives, etc.
o Watershed context
o Description of the type of off channel feature and restoration techniques utilized
o Project dimensions
o Description of outlet control feature (if present)
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 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 salmon move within the
natural variability needed to support these species
o Description of key habitat elements (i.e., temperature; habitat type: pool, riffle,
flatwater; estimate of instream shelter and shelter components; water depth; dominant
substrate type, etc.) for coho salmon and steelhead in project area
o Pre and post (after winter flow event) information on the elevation of the inlet and
outlet structure relative to the 2-year flood
o A description of if and when the off channel feature became disconnected from the
main channel and at what flow level (cfs). This will require checking the project site
daily when the off channel feature is becoming disconnected from the main channel
536