Biological Opinions - Bureau of Reclamation

4.3.1.8 Pumping Facilities
All pumping plants are monitored yearly by visual inspection. Dive inspections occur every 6
years according to the review of O&M inspection. This activity includes dewatering of the
adjacent facility and installation of coffer dams. Dive inspections and dewatering of the facilities
typically occurs in August to December. Biological monitoring occurs daily during dewatering,
and will be continued in this proposed action to ensure the protection of fish.
All pumps are greased, cleaned, exercised, and oil levels checked monthly if they are not in
regular use. Pumps are greased and oiled according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Excess
grease and oil is removed. When oil is changed, oil spill kits are available and used as necessary.
Pumps used for irrigation are maintained daily during the irrigation season. Drainage pumps are
maintained and operated on a daily basis throughout the year.
4.4 Conservation Measures
Conservation measures are actions to benefit or promote the recovery of listed species that are
included by Reclamation as an integral part of the proposed action. These actions will be taken
by Reclamation, and serve to minimize or compensate for project effects on the species under
review. These may include actions taken prior to initiation of consultation, or actions that
Reclamation has committed to complete in a BA or similar document. The proposed
conservation measures assist Reclamation in best meeting the requirements under section 7 of
ESA by (1) utilizing programs in furtherance of the purposes of the ESA, and (2) avoiding
actions that are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or are likely to result
in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat.
4.4.1 Canal Salvage
Canals, laterals, and drains are dewatered at the end of irrigation season. This activity includes
capture and relocation (salvage) of suckers from the canal system after dewatering occurs.
Reclamation proposes to continue fish salvage in Project canals, in cooperation with the
USFWS, consistent with the salvage efforts that have occurred in Project canals since 2005.
Reclamation’s fish salvage efforts will focus on the A Canal forebay in front of the fish screen,
C4 Canal, D1 Canal, and D3 Canal within the Klamath Irrigation District, and J Canal within the
Tulelake Irrigation District. Other locations proposed by the USFWS will be considered on a
case-by-case basis. Reclamation may also research alternative methods of dewatering canals,
laterals, and drains, which could result in less sucker presence within these facilities at the end of
the irrigation season. Should Reclamation determine, based on this research, that fish salvage at
specific locations is no longer needed or can be modified, Reclamation will coordinate with the
USFWS for concurrence.
4.4.2 Captive Propagation Program
Between 2000 and 2012, Reclamation supported various conservation measures within the upper
Klamath Basin that have resulted in significant improvements to the environmental baseline (see
section 7 below), including screening the A Canal and Geary Canal, removing Chiloquin Dam,
providing fish passage at Link River Dam, increasing habitat at the Williamson River Delta
Preserve, and seasonally salvaging suckers from canals. However, there are few, if any,
additional practicable options for reducing incidental take of suckers by the Project.
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