Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-01207/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-01207-25/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 893
Nature of Suit: Environmental Matters
Cause of Action: 05:702 Administrative Procedure Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE

COUNCIL, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

DIRK KEMPTHORNE, in his official

capacity as Secretary of the

Interior, et al.,

Defendants,

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER

RESOURCES,

Defendant-Intervenor,

STATE WATER CONTRACTORS,

Defendant-Intervenor,

SAN LUIS & DELTA-MENDOTA WATER

AUTHORITY, et al.,

Defendant-Intervenors,

 

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1:05-cv-1207 OWW TAG

COURT’S IDENTIFICATION OF

ISSUES AND SUBJECT MATTER

FOR EXPERT TESTIMONY AT THE

AUGUST 21, 2007,

EVIDENTIARY HEARING ON

REMEDIES 

The Court requests that the parties’ testifying experts be

prepared to address among other subjects they plan to present,

the following issues or subject matter. 

1. Description and identification of the best scientific

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information to identify overall existing Delta smelt population

in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and any adjacent habitat.

2. Describe what is the best scientific information

currently available for abundance, population decline, mortality,

or other data that bear on the existence, survival, recovery, and

potential extinction of the Delta smelt.

3. Identify and describe most current population data,

scientific assumptions, and explanation of the setting of take

limits and whether the existing take limits will or will not

improve, maintain or jeopardize continued existence of Delta

smelt in the subject habitat areas.

4. Define the extent of the known Delta smelt habitat

covered by the disputed Biological Opinion. Identify and

describe the critical habitat for continued existence and

recovery of the Delta smelt; analyze current and projected CVP

and SWP water project operations on the existence, survival, and

recovery of Delta smelt.

5. Explain reasons for differences in the population data,

abundance, survival, and recovery opinions among the parties’

experts concerning the Delta smelt.

6. Specifically describe and identify proposed OCAP

changes and impacts on existence, survival, and recovery of the

Delta smelt. 

7. Identify the nature and extent of any resources any

party contends would be irreversibly or irretrievably committed

pending the current reconsultation by any actions proposed to be

taken to protect the Delta smelt. 

8. Identify the nature, extent, and effects of any

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mitigation measures that any concerned agency will take to ensure

the continued existence and survival of Delta smelt.

9. Evaluate any proposed reasonable and prudent

alternative which is or will be sought to be implemented to avoid

jeopardy to the Delta smelt or its critical habitat.

10. Identify and describe the nature and extent of harms to

be visited upon other parties in the event that CVP and SWP

pumps’ operations are shut down or interrupted.

11. Provide a realistic evaluation of impacts on municipal

and industrial users, emergency water suppliers, power

generators, and other water users at projected intended levels of

interruption or cessation of pumping operations of the CVP and

SWP. 

12. Explain and analyze the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service’s proposed remediation Matrix in terms of volume of

reduction of State and Federal pumping, water flows and effect on

water deliveries to CVP and SWP contractors.

13. Provide factual reasons based on generally accepted

scientific principles and/or reasonably recognized water project

operations measures that militate for or against vacating the

Biological Opinion in dispute.

14. Identify and describe interim effects on the Delta

smelt and its habitat if the BiOp is remanded to the Agency

without vacatur of the existing BiOp. 

15. Identify and describe the nature of and what cost and

consequences would be incurred if a “temporary physical intertie”

were constructed and operated. 

16. Identify and quantify consequences to all parties and

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the public of operating the CVP and SWP without a take limit.

17. Describe all probable risks to public health and safety

that would be caused by vacating the BiOp and reducing or ceasing

CVP and SWP pumping operations to avoid jeopardy to the Delta

smelt or its critical habitat.

18. Describe and evaluate the impact and effect of take

limits; need for modification of take limits; and what reasonable

and prudent measures must be implemented to minimize adverse

impact on the Delta smelt and its critical habitat.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 14, 2007 /s/ Oliver W. Wanger 

emm0d6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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