Our new Biological Assessment is out - Klamath Basin Crisis

Klamath Project Operations Biological Assessment
Coho Salmon: Proposed Action
In the NMFS 2002 BO, NMFS expressed that if the scientific findings from
additional studies and reports warrant modifying these IGD minimum flows, they
would consider those findings and make appropriate adjustments. NMFS (2002
BO) further expressed that adjustments could include dividing certain months
(e.g., March through June) into weekly flow recommendations to better mimic the
natural hydrograph. If NMFS finds that the long-term minimum flows should be
modified based on the findings from these additional studies and reports, they will
amend the long-term minimum flows accordingly (Section 11.4.5, p. 70, NMFS
2002 BO). The NMFS 2002 BO provides for the incorporation of new knowledge
to amend the long-term minimum flows, which may be defined as adaptive
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Proposed Action
A more thorough description of the Proposed Action is available in Part I of this
BA. A summary of the Proposed Action as it relates to impact on coho salmon is
provided below.
Under the Proposed Action, Reclamation will retain the NMFS 2002’s
recommended long-term minimum flows for releases from IGD during the
October through February period. Under the NMFS 2002 BO, the minimum flow
regime for this time period (1,300 cfs) was based on limited measurements and
observations “that fall [C]hinook spawning habitat would be adequate in the IGD
to Shasta River reach under this IGD discharge” (p. 68, NMFS 2002 BO). NMFS
further assumed that main stem passage, tributary access, and spawning habitat
for coho salmon will be adequate under this IGD flow regime (see Section 11.4.4
– Rationale for long-term flow targets: October through February, pages to 68 to
69, NMFS 2002 BO). At this time, Reclamation proposes no changes to the
recommended long-term minimum flows as outlined in the NMFS 2002 BO for
the October through February period.
Under the Proposed Action, Reclamation will also retain the NMFS 2002 BO’s
recommended 1,000 cfs as a long-term minimum flow for releases from IGD
during the July through September period (p. 68, NMFS 2002 BO). This
recommendation was based, in part; on Hardly and Addley’s (2001) recommend
minimum dry summer flows of 1,000 cfs (see Section 11.4.3 – Rationale for long-
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Adaptive may be defined as a type of natural resource management in which decisions are
made as part of an ongoing science-based process. Adaptive management involves testing,
monitoring, and evaluating applied strategies, and incorporating new knowledge into management
approaches that are based on scientific findings and the needs of society. Results are used to
modify management policy, strategies, and practices.
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