Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-01053/USCOURTS-caed-1_09-cv-01053-38/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 893
Nature of Suit: Environmental Matters
Cause of Action: 42:4321 Review of Agency Action-Environment

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ORDER ON DWR MOTION TO ADMIT EXPERT TESTIMONY (1:09-CV-1053 OWW DLB)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

THE CONSOLIDATED SALMON CASES

_______________________________________

SAN LUIS & DELTA-MENDOTA WATER 

AUTHORITY; WESTLANDS WATER 

DISTRICT v. GARY F. LOCKE, as Secretary 

of the United States Department of 

Commerce; et al.

_____________________________________

STOCKTON EAST WATER DISTRICT, et 

al. v. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 

ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, et al.

_____________________________________

STATE WATER CONTRACTORS v. GARY 

F. LOCKE, Secretary, etc., et al.

_____________________________________

KERN COUNTY WATER AGENCY, et al. v. 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF 

COMMERCE, et al.

_____________________________________

OAKDALE IRRIGATION DISTRICT, et al. 

v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF 

COMMERCE, et al.

_____________________________________

THE METROPOLITAN WATER 

DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 

v. NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES 

SERVICE, et al.

Lead Case No. 1:09-CV-1053 OWW 

DLB

Consolidated Cases:

1:09-CV-1090 OWW-DLB

1:09-CV-1378 OWW-DLB

1:09-CV-1520 OWW-SMS

1:09-CV-1580 OWW-DLB

1:09-CV-1625 OWW-SMS

ORDER ON CALIFORNIA 

DEPARTMENT OF WATER 

RESOURCES’ MOTION TO ADMIT 

EXPERT TESTIMONY

The California Department of Water Resources’ Motion to Admit Expert Testimony came 

on for hearing on July 19, 2010. All parties were represented by counsel, as stated on the record. 

Having fully considered the briefs and evidence submitted in support of and in opposition to the 

motion, the Court finds Federal Defendants made a judicial admission that Reasonable and 

Prudent Alternative Action IV.4.2 is not based on either the statement in the DWR 2008 draft 

study, “When survival is low (< 25 %) due to predation by high numbers of predators, a reduction 

in predator numbers (> 50 %) can yield a doubling in survival rate (Ricker, 1952). Predator 

removals along with other steps should be explored as part of the [Management Action Plan].” 

(Administrative Record 113817), or on W. E. Ricker, Numerical Relations Between Abundance of 

Predators and Survival of Prey, The Canadian Fish Culturist. No. 13 (1952). The Court therefore 

Case 1:09-cv-01053-LJO-BAM Document 464 Filed 08/13/10 Page 1 of 2
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ORDER ON DWR MOTION TO ADMIT EXPERT TESTIMONY (1:09-CV-1053 OWW DLB)

finds expert testimony is not necessary to explain technical or complex matters with regards to the 

Ricker study and the sentences restated above. 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: 

The California Department of Water Resources’ motion to admit expert testimony for the

purpose of furnishing the Court with an explanation of the sentences: “When survival is low (< 25 

%) due to predation by high numbers of predators, a reduction in predator numbers (> 50 %) can 

yield a doubling in survival rate (Ricker, 1952). Predator removals along with other steps should 

be explored as part of the [Management Action Plan]” (Administrative Record 113817), and of 

W. E. Ricker, Numerical Relations Between Abundance of Predators and Survival of Prey, The 

Canadian Fish Culturist. No. 13 (1952) is therefore DENIED.

It is further ordered that the California Department of Water Resources will file the 

Declaration of Bradley Cavallo and supplemental briefing in support of the motion to supplement 

the administrative record with expert declarations on August 6, 2010. The supplemental briefing 

will set forth the extra record evidence that is proposed to supplement the record, and the legal 

grounds for supplementation of the record. Any responses to this supplemental briefing by 

Federal Defendants and Defendant-Intervenors to this supplemental briefing will be due on the 

same deadline currently set for Federal Defendants and Defendants-Intervenors’ cross-motions 

for summary judgment. The California Department of Water Resources may file an additional 

response brief to be due on the same deadline currently set for Plaintiffs' replies in support of 

Plaintiffs' motions for summary judgment. Oral argument regarding record supplementation will 

be scheduled to occur in the opening session of the arguments on the summary judgment motions, 

currently set for November 18 and 19, 2010. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 13, 2010 /s/ Oliver W. Wanger 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE DEAC_Signature-END:

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Case 1:09-cv-01053-LJO-BAM Document 464 Filed 08/13/10 Page 2 of 2