Central Valley Project

Improvement Act

10 Years

of

Progress

A Summary of Activities and Accomplishments in the

Implementation of the

Central Valley Project Improvement Act

Title 34, Public Law 102-575

1993 - 2002

U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Reclamation

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Sacramento, CA

February 2005
Implementing the CVPIA

CVPIA 10 Years of Progress....................................................................................1

CVPIA Implementation

and Results

Background ..............................................................................................................2

Central Valley Project’s Role in California’s Water Resources ..............................4

CVPIA Mandate .......................................................................................................6

Process..................................................................................................................... 7

Funding.................................................................................................................... 9

CVP Obligations 1993 - 2002 .................................................................................... 10

Funding

Accomplishments

Forward

Introduction

Administrative Processes ........................................................................................ 11

Contracting and Improved Water Management ...................................................... 11

Anadromous Fish - Habitat Restoration ................................................................. 12

Anadromous Fish - Structural Measures ................................................................ 13

Refuges and Waterfowl ........................................................................................... 14

Other Fish and Wildlife Resources.......................................................................... 15

Studies, Investigations, and Modeling ................................................................... 16

Monitoring .............................................................................................................. 17

Fish and Wildlife Measures..................................................................................... 17

Focus for Anadromous Fish .................................................................................... 18

Anadromous Fish - Biological Response ................................................................ 19

Focus for Central Valley Refuges and Other Waterfowl Habitats ........................... 21

Refuges and Waterfowl - Biological Response ....................................................... 23

Focus for Other Fish and Wildlife and Associated Habitats................................... 24

Benefits of Other Fish and Wildlife and Associated Habitats ................................ 25

Other Fish and Wildlife - Accomplishments............................................................ 26

Other CVPIA Activities............................................................................................ 27

Conclusions ............................................................................................................. 29

Contact Information ................................................................................................ 30

Table of

Contents
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT IMPROVEMENT ACT

10 YEARS OF PROGRESS

In 1992, Congress passed the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (Act, or CVPIA), which amended

previous authorizations of the California Central Valley Project (CVP) to include fish and wildlife protection, restoration, enhancement, and mitigation as project purposes having equal priority with power generation, and irrigation and domestic water uses. Congress directed the Secretary of the Interior, through the

Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), to operate the CVP

consistent with the purposes of the Act, to meet the Federal trust responsibilities to protect the fishery

resources of affected Federally recognized Indian tribes, and to achieve a reasonable balance among competing demands for use of CVP water.

For the past 10 years, Reclamation and the Service, working together to implement the CVPIA, have

embarked on one of the Nation’s largest fish and wildlife restoration efforts.

Reclamation and the Service have developed programs to improve environmental conditions and modify

operations, management, and physical facilities, and thus, the associated environmental conditions of the

CVP to comply with the purposes and goals of the Act. All of the Act’s restoration measures are planned and

implemented by Reclamation and the Service and coordinated with the State of California, CALFED, and

other partners.

In the following pages, you will find a summary of the protection, restoration, enhancement, and mitigation

measures that have been implemented as of the end of fiscal year 2002, demonstrating the contributions

Reclamation and the Service have made to the Central Valley. As you read the summary, it should become

clear that progress is being made in unprecedented programs, and advancements have been made in resolving

complicated watershed issues throughout the Central Valley. Yet much work lies ahead.

We are pleased to present the Central Valley Project Improvement Act - 10 Years of Progress summary to

you.

Forward

Kirk C. Rodgers Steve P. Thompson

Regional Director Manager

Mid-Pacific Region California/Nevada Operations

1

Bureau of Reclamation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Introduction

I

t has been 10 years since Congress passed, and the President signed,

the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA or Act). Officially known as Title 34 of Public Law 102-575, this landmark piece

of legislation mandates changes in the management of the Bureau of

Reclamation’s vast Central Valley Project (CVP) and directs the Secretary of the Interior to undertake a monumental fish and wildlife restoration and enhancement program. The Secretary, in turn, assigned primary

responsibility for implementing CVPIA’s many provisions to the U.S.

Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service (Service), both agencies of the Department of the Interior.

Since 1992, Reclamation and the Service have worked tirelessly to

meet the challenges that the CVPIA presents. Its implementation has

been afforded highest priority and major strides have been made in

accomplishing the mandate that Congress provided. Many of the Act’s

provisions have been completed and most of the others are well under

way. Approximately $629 million of State and Federal money has been

spent thus far to do what has been directed. More time, effort, and funds

will be expended in the future. This report is a summary of the actions

taken by Reclamation and Service personnel, working together with their

counterparts in the State of California and numerous other partners and

stakeholders, in the 10 fiscal years (1993-2002) since enactment.

Background

Over the past 150 years,

competition for the limited

water supplies of the Central

Valley of California has

escalated. As development

progressed, water resources

were increasingly controlled,

first for flood control, later

for irrigated agriculture, and,

particularly in recent decades, for municipal and

industrial purposes to support

the State’s burgeoning

population.

Prior to development of the

water resources in the Central

Valley, rivers and streams in

Cover for a binder used on an

inspection trip of a House subcommittee on Interior appropriations,

August 26 - September 1, 1943.

Since 1992,

Reclamation and the

Service have worked

tirelessly to meet the

challenges that the

CVPIA presents.

2
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

The Central

Valley Project is one

of the

largest water storage

and transport

systems in the world.

Its benefits extend

worldwide.

Water

Fact

the basin were unobstructed and anadromous species such as Chinook

salmon and steelhead trout could move freely from the ocean, through

the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and into the headwater reaches

of their natal streams where they completed their life’s cycle. Later, the

offspring of these fish would retrace the journey in reverse as they

moved out of freshwater, often aided by stormflows and snowmelt, to the

sea to mature.

Because of the inherently variable rainfall in California, several races

of these species evolved to accommodate differing hydrologic conditions. The valley also offered millions of acres of wetland and riparian

habitats to support wintering Pacific Flyway waterfowl, shorebirds and

countless other migratory bird species. Upland wildlife also thrived,

dependent to one degree or another on availability of a common resource – water and the habitats it sustained and influenced.

Over the years, however, water resource projects needed to support

development resulted in hydrologic and landscape changes detrimental

to the valley’s fish and wildlife resources. Dams and diversions blocked

many streams and altered streamflow and stream temperature patterns.

Dams also prevented the replenishment of gravels necessary for anadromous fish spawning and diversions entrained juveniles as they passed on

their downstream migrations.

As a consequence, populations of many native fish species declined

significantly. Several species of anadromous fish were listed or were

candidates for listing as threatened or endangered: all of the other

anadromous fish species were in serious decline. Flood control projects

and land-use conversions eliminated an estimated 95 percent of the

wetland habitats that existed in the valley at statehood. The limited

acreage that remained had to be intensively managed to support the

millions of wintering waterfowl, shorebirds, and other species that

depend on those habitats to survive.

Other fish and wildlife habitats throughout the valley also experienced

great reductions as land use changes facilitated by water resource

development projects progressed. Lands once prone to flooding were

protected and made developable and arid lands made fertile by the

application of irrigation water from the projects. Agricultural and urban

water demands have also contributed to groundwater depletions while

wastewater discharges and contaminated runoff have degraded water

quality in many Central Valley streams and in the Delta. Native species

that depended on these habitats declined commensurately, in many cases

to the point of being listed as threatened or endangered.

Introduction

3
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Introduction

For more than 60 years, California has depended on the Central Valley

Project (CVP) for a large part of its water needs, particularly for agriculture. Plagued by consecutive years of drought, often followed by wet

years bringing floods, the State relies heavily on dams and reservoirs to

help balance and control its water resources. Its climate and geography

make the State equally dependent on extensive water distribution

systems to match water supplies with regional needs.

Much of the State’s water originates in the north and is conveyed

southward, primarily through the Sacramento River system. Some water

is diverted along the way, and the rest flows into

the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, where

CVP water co-mingles with other supplies, such

as those of the State Water Project. About half of

the water entering the Delta is pumped south: the

remainder discharges to San Francisco Bay and

the Pacific Ocean. Because of the way water is

captured and moved through the Central Valley

system, the CVP affects, and is affected by the

many unresolved water issues in California

involving ecosystem balance in the river systems

and the Delta.

The sensitive ecosystems of the Central Valley,

Delta estuary, and San Francisco Bay are affected

by water diversions, particularly in drought years

- so much so that the courts have intervened to

ensure that adequate fresh water enters this

system. In addition, compliance with Endangered

Species Act and water quality requirements

necessitate releases from CVP dams to regulate

water temperatures and instream flows, and limit

water diversions to protect listed fish species from

the effects of pumping. These factors have greatly

increased the competition for existing water

supplies, and have focused new scrutiny on the

ways that water resources are being used.

Conditions have greatly changed since the CVP began in 1930.

Population growth and development have increased farm, urban, and

industrial water demands. Stocks of fish and wildlife have declined, and

some species are listed as endangered or threatened due to severe habitat

losses from various kinds of development over the last century, including water projects. There is a new imperative for resource management

that includes ecological stewardship.

Central Valley Project’s Role in

California’s Water Resources

Purposes of the CVPIA (Section 3402)

(a) to protect, restore, and enhance fish, wildlife,

and associated habitats in the Central Valley

and Trinity River basins of California;

(b) to address impacts of the Central Valley

Project on fish, wildlife, and associated

habitats;

(c) to improve the operational flexibility of the

Central Valley Project;

(d) to increase water-related benefits provided

by the Central Valley Project to the State of

California through expanded use of voluntary

water transfers and improved water

conservation;

(e) to contribute to the State of California’s

interim and long-term efforts to protect the

San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San

Joaquin Delta Estuary; and

(f) to achieve a reasonable balance among

competing demands for use of Central

Valley Project water, including the

requirements of fish and wildlife, agricultural,

municipal and industrial, and power

contractors.

4
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

The Central Valley Project

Begun in 1930, the Federal Central Valley Project (CVP) is one of the Nation’s major water conservation

developments. It controls floods, and stores and distributes water to meet many of the needs of the great

Central Valley of California. The CVP extends from the Cascade Range in the north to the semi-arid but

fertile plains along the Kern River in the south, a distance of about 400 miles. Today, the CVP delivers about

20 percent of California’s developed water to farms and communities, and generates about 5 million kilowatt-hours of hydroelectric power. The CVP supplies about 7 million acre-feet of water to its customers

throughout the valley, transported via canals, aqueducts, and the river systems themselves. (One acre-foot is

the amount needed to cover the size of a football field in water 1 foot deep. One acre-foot—about 326,000

gallons—will supply all the water needs of an average family of five for a year, or drip-irrigate about 1 acre

of grape vines). 400 Miles

5
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

CVPIA Mandate

The intent of Congress in passing the CVPIA is contained in Section 3402.

Through the CVPIA, Congress identified the importance of the CVP in

California’s water resources picture, but made significant changes in the policies

and administration of the project – more than any other legislation in the CVP’s

70-year history. The CVPIA also redefined the purposes of the CVP and identified several specific goals and objectives for Interior to meet.

To achieve the CVPIA’s purposes and the identified

goals and objectives, a large number of provisions were

incorporated into the statute. These include specific

programs and measures to be undertaken as well as

operational and management directives, all to be

implemented consistent with the requirements of

California and Federal law. These provisions deal with

water contracts, improved water management, restoration of anadromous fish populations, water supplies for

State and Federal refuges, mitigation for other fish and

wildlife impacted by the CVP, and retirement of drainage-impaired farm lands. They also provide for the

modeling of ecosystem parameters in areas affected by

the CVP, numerous investigations and studies, and

monitoring of results and biological benefits of implementing CVPIA measures.

To help implement these measures, the Act provides for establishment of a

Restoration Fund, derived from fees paid by those who have benefited from the

CVP’s water and power supplies.

Salmon in Butte Creek

The CVP and other water projects have helped make the Central Valley the

richest agricultural region in the Nation, while helping to support the largest

population of any State in the Nation. California leads the Nation in water use,

both surface water and groundwater. Development and use of this precious

resource has been a boon to the economy of the State; but, added to other ongoing actions, has helped lead to significant impacts to the natural environment.

The CVPIA has afforded the Department of the Interior a prime opportunity to

help restore conditions favorable for Central Valley fish and wildlife, while

providing for the continuation of its rich agricultural heritage and service to

municipal and industrial users throughout the State.

Introduction

6
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Implementing the CVPIA

Process

I

mmediately upon passage of the CVPIA, Reclamation and the

Service adopted the three fish and wildlife restoration goals

prescribed by the Act: (1) make all reasonable efforts to at least

double the natural production of six anadromous species believed to

have been affected by construction and operation of the CVP; (2) supply

water to Federal and State refuges and other migratory waterfowl habitat

in the Central Valley; and (3) mitigate for impacts of the CVP to other

fish and wildlife species, impacts that were not specifically addressed in

other provisions of the Act and had not been previously offset.

One of the most ambitious goals was to make all reasonable efforts to

double the production of anadromous fish. Another was to supply water

to Central Valley refuges and other migratory waterfowl habitats. The

third was to mitigate for other identified impacts of the CVPIA.

We then began to develop procedures to implement the specific

provisions of the Act. First, we developed a set of procedural objectives

to guide our activities. Measures proposed for implementation are to be

prioritized. Any measures undertaken to implement the Act must be

designed to achieve CVPIA goals while providing the greatest public

benefit and minimizing adverse impacts to other beneficial uses.

Great emphasis is placed on forming partnerships and coordinating

with other efforts planned or already under way throughout the valley.

Stakeholders and the public are to be fully involved and informed.

Another key procedural objective is to use the funds available to us in

the most cost-effective manner.

Several factors are considered in establishing priorities for implementing CVPIA actions. These include the importance of the action to

achieving CVPIA program goals, its readiness or the amount of planning

needed to implement the action, coordination with other ongoing

programs, and funding. Some sections of the Act clearly direct specific

actions: others call for plans or studies prior to taking action. Other

provisions of the Act relate to administrative matters, such as authorization of funds and compliance with State and Federal laws that must be

undertaken before measures can be implemented. Because the Act

specified compliance dates for some actions, implementation in some

cases was responsive to the prescribed dates.

Cooperation through partnerships is essential to the CVPIA’s success.

Interior has developed numerous partnerships and extensive coordination with local, State, and Federal agencies, and private groups. These

partnerships include various existing programs, as well as new programs

formed specifically to carry out CVPIA mandates. CVPIA implementaCooperation through

partnerships is

essential to the

success of the CVPIA.

7
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Implementing the CVPIA

tion continues to be coordinated with existing and ongoing restoration

efforts such as the State of California’s efforts to restore salmon and

steelhead populations; the State Water Resources Control Board’s Water

Quality Control Plan; and CALFED, a consortium of Federal and State

agencies working with stakeholders and interest groups to develop

alternatives for a long-term solution to Delta problems.

Coordination with CALFED is particularly important. Most of

CALFED’s actions have the same or similar objectives, and address

many of the same natural resource and water management problems, as

CVPIA. Close coordination and a focus on functional integration of

CVPIA and CALFED have helped us to achieve common goals and

avoid duplication. An example of this coordination is Interior’s willingness and effort to have CALFED provide “expert level” review and

comment on proposed CVPIA programs and actions. This review is

expected to lead to a more broad-based ecosystem management strategy

that more effectively addresses fish and wildlife mitigation, restoration,

and enhancement, and assists in the selection of worthy projects

We have encouraged CALFED and other potential partners to enter

into cooperative relationships to implement appropriate CVPIA measures or to help achieve CVPIA goals and objectives through their own

programs. Frequently, Interior will provide funds and services to these

partners, allowing for the completion of pre-approved restoration

actions. The CVPIA provides the Secretary with the flexibility to use

several mechanisms for funding non-Federal entities. At other times,

funds from these other programs are used to implement measures

identified by the CVPIA.

Most of the programs established to address

specific CVPIA provisions had the same initial

steps in common. All required an administrative

structure, public and stakeholder involvement, and

coordination with potential partners to develop a

program plan. There were large differences in the

amount of time and effort required to complete

these steps for the various programs, primarily

dependent upon the relative complexity of the issue

and degree of public interest or controversy. For

some programs, plans were developed within the

first year while, for others, plans are still being

completed.

For planning and budgeting purposes, all CVPIA actions were classified into one of eight action categories. These categories are commonly

used in partnering and summarizing our activities in discussions with the

public and stakeholders, many of whom are interested in only certain

facets of CVPIA implementation. Each of the categories involves many

individual programs and related actions.

Coordination with

CALFED is particularly

important.

8

z Administrative Processes

z Contracting and Improved Water Management

z Anadromous Fish – Habitat Restoration

z Anadromous Fish – Structural Measures

z Refuges and Waterfowl

z Other Fish and Wildlife Resources

z Studies, Investigations, and Modeling

z Monitoring

CVPIA Action Categories
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Approximately $629 million has been obligated toward

 the implementation of the CVPIA’s prescribed actions

 and programs through the first 10 years. It must be

recognized, however, that many of the measures implemented

pursuant to CVPIA were already being planned or in progress

at the time the Act was passed and that a large portion of these

expenditures would have occurred even in the absence of the

CVPIA. These include the Shasta Temperature Control Device

($84 million to implement, but saving $5 million per year in lost

power generation), Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District Fish Screen

Project ($41 million), rehabilitation of Coleman National Fish

Hatchery ($21 million), and fixing the fish passage problems at

the Red Bluff Diversion Dam ($35 million) and the Tracy and

Contra Costa Canal Pumping plants ($15 million).

Funding

Installation of the Shasta Temperature

Control Device took place between

1995 - 1997.

The Red Bluff Demonstration Pump

Project is addressing fish passage

problems at Red Bluff Diversion Dam.

9

Most of the $629 million obligated thus far has come from the

Restoration Fund, which was established in accordance with the

CVPIA. These funds are derived from fees paid by the

beneficiaries of the CVP’s water and power supplies. The rest

of the monies come from Reclamation’s Water and Related

Resources appropriations, contributions provided by the State of

California, and donated funds (Figure 1).

The largest portion of the monies obligated since 1993 have

been spent on structural measures, such as the Shasta Temperature Control Device and the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation

District Fish Screen Project - projects that benefit water and

power users as well as anadromous fish. Large amounts were

also obligated on habitat restoration measures for anadromous

fish, measures believed necessary to help achieve our goal of

doubling the natural production of these species, and on water

for refuges and the Agricultural Waterfowl Incentives Program.

Figure 2 on the following page shows the total distribution of

these obligations.
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

CVPIA Obligations 1993 - 2002

Funding

10

Figure 1

TOTAL CVPIA OBLIGATIONS BY FUND SOURCE

Fiscal Years 1993-2002

55% 36%

4%

5% 0% Total-Restoration Fund $341.7 million

Total-Water & Related Resources Funds

$228.7 million

Total-State Past Cost Share $23.4 million

Total-State Current Cost Share $34.5 million

Total-Donated Funds $1 million

Figure 2

TOTAL CVPIA OBLIGATIONS BY ACTION CATEGORY 

Fiscal Years 1993-2002

5% 0%

20%

42%

21%

8%

3%1%

Administrative $29.3 M

Contracts/Improved Water Mgmt. $0.7 M

Anad. Fish - Habitat Restoration $124.6 M

Anad. Fish - Structural Measures $262.7 M

Refuges & Waterfowl $131.5 M

Other Fish and Wildlife $52.5 M

Studies/Investigations/Modeling $19.6 M

Monitoring $8.5 M

%
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Since passage of the CVPIA, Reclamation and the Service, with

assistance from the State of California and the cooperation of

many partners, have completed many of the necessary administrative requirements, conducted many studies and investigations, implemented hundreds of measures, and have generally made significant

progress toward achieving the goals and objectives established by the

CVPIA. Positive effects in the Central Valley ecosystem are being

observed in many species and habitat types. Clearly, much more needs to

be done and it will be many years before we can report success, but we

appear to be on the right track

A summary of the actions completed in these past 10 years is provided

below. A more detailed discussion of these efforts and the progress

toward achieving CVPIA goals follows.

Administrative Processes

(Page 10, Figure 2)

z The Restoration Fund was established pursuant to Section 3407 of

the Act. Almost $342 million was collected from 1993 to 2002.

z A Cost-Share Agreement with the State of California was negotiated and signed in 1994. Twelve task orders have been processed

under the agreement and more than $54 million contributed to

CVPIA measures.

z A Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) covering

the implementation of the CVPIA was completed in November

1999. An Endangered Species Act biological opinion was rendered in November 2000, and the PEIS Record of Decision was

signed by Reclamation and the Service in January 2001.

z Interim guidelines and criteria for 10 sections of the CVPIA have

been developed. Final rules and regulations will follow

now that the PEIS Record of Decision has been signed.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS -- 1993 TO 2002

Irrigation water flows in the Central Valley.

Positive effects in the

Central Valley

ecosystem are being

observed in many

species and

habitat types.

z Reclamation negotiated and executed 68 “interim”

renewal contracts and 44 binding agreements for

early renewal of long-term water supply contracts

while waiting for completion of the PEIS.

z Since completion of the PEIS, Reclamation has

executed 27 long-term contracts and negotiated

24 others.

Contracting and Improved

Water Management

(Page 10, Figure 2)

11
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Anadromous Fish –

Habitat Restoration

(Page 10, Figure 2)

Valley-wide

z Up to 800,000 acre-feet of Central Valley Project water

has been applied each year to improve streamflows for

salmon, steelhead, and other fish on the Sacramento,

American, and Stanislaus rivers and on Clear Creek.

This water has also been used to increase survival of

juvenile anadromous fish passing through the Delta on

their way to the sea, and to assist the CVP to meet endangered species and water quality obligations.

Sacramento River Basin

z Five dams and 15 diversions and various other obstacles to

migration have been removed from streams in the basin,

providing improved access to more than 100 miles of upstream spawning areas for and enhancing survival of juvenile

out-migrants.

z Nearly 7,800 acres of riparian habitat has been acquired

and more than 360 acres restored or enhanced along 7 miles

of basin streams to provide cover and shade.

z More than 108,000 acre-feet of water has been acquired

through purchase or exchange to improve fish habitat and

passage, streamflows, and water temperatures.

z Approximately 171,000 tons of gravel has been added to

streams to improve spawning success.

Accomplishments -- 1993 - 2002

z Reclamation has approved the transfer of more than 4.3 million

acre-feet of water for agricultural and municipal uses within the

CVP service area. An additional 396,000 acre-feet was approved

for transfer to meet refuge water supply needs and 5,000 acrefeet for the CALFED Environmental Water Account.

z A Water Conservation and Advisory Center was established in

Sacramento and later relocated to Folsom.

z An American River Water Education Center was constructed at

Folsom Dam. This facility incorporates the original Water

Conservation and Advisory Center.

z Reclamation developed criteria for evaluating water management plans and has approved 100 such plans to date.

Battle Creek in northern California is

the most important salmon-producing

tributary to the Sacramento River. It is

being restored under a CALFED

initiative.

12

Five dams and 15

diversions have been

removed ... providing

improved access to

more than 100 miles

of

upstream

spawning areas
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Accomplishments -- 1993 - 2002

Sacramento River Basin

z Twenty-one diversions with a total capacity of between

6,000 - 7,000 cubic feet per second have been screened or

otherwise modified to reduce entrainment of juvenile fishes.

Approximately 70-75 percent of all water diverted from the

mainstem Sacramento River is now taken in a fish-friendly

manner.

z A temperature control device has been installed at Shasta

Dam to provide water of suitable temperature for anadromous fish spawning and rearing.

z The Coleman National Fish Hatchery is being rehabilitated.

Raceways have been improved and a new water treatment

system installed to protect hatchery production.

z A new hatchery, the Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery, has been constructed on the mainstem Sacramento River

to assist in the management and recovery of winter-run

Chinook salmon, a listed endangered species.

z The Keswick Fish Trap has been modified and improved.

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

z Operational changes to protect fish have been made at the

State and Federal pumping plants and at the Delta Cross

Channel gates.

z VAMP, the Vernalis Adaptive Management Program, was

implemented. This experimental program involves acquisition of water as necessary on San Joaquin River tributaries to

improve flows in the Delta, and reductions in pumping at

State and Federal facilities to reduce entrainment of juvenile

salmon as they migrate to ocean waters.

San Joaquin River Basin

z More than 172 acres of riparian habitat has been acquired

and more than 500 acres restored or enhanced along 8.5

miles of basin streams to provide cover and shade.

z More than 5.4 miles of stream channel has been enhanced as

instream habitat for anadromous fish.

z Nearly 827,000 acre-feet of water have been acquired for

restoration of fish friendly instream flows.

z Nearly 72,000 tons of gravel have been placed in San

Joaquin River Basin streams to increase spawning habitat

availability for native fishes.

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Anadromous Fish – Structural Measures

(Page 10, Figure 2)

Approximately 70-75

percent of all the

water diverted from

the mainstem

Sacramento River is

now taken in a fishfriendly manner.

13
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Accomplishments -- 1993 - 2002

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

z Six diversions have been screened to protect juvenile fish.

z A barrier at the head of Old River has been seasonally

installed to guide juvenile salmon and reduce the influence of

the State and Federal pumping facilities during their spring

time out-migration.

San Joaquin River Basin

z A barrier to fish migration on the Cosumnes River has been

removed.

Refuges and Waterfowl

(Page 10, Figure 2)

Valley-wide

z An average of 40,000 acres of agricultural lands have

been seasonally flooded each year for the past 6 years

for migratory waterfowl habitat, increasing the overall Central

Valley seasonal wetland habitat by as much as 15 percent.

Sacramento Valley

z Acquired 107,980 acre-feet of annual water

supplies and 6,300 acre-feet of permanent water

supply for delivery to Basin refuges, resulting in

the enhancement of existing wetlands and nearly

500 acres of additional wetlands available

throughout the year for wildlife needs.

z Agreement was reached with the Glenn-Colusa

Irrigation District on a conveyance agreement to

deliver water to the Sacramento National

Wildlife Refuge complex.

z Construction was completed on the Stony Creek

Siphon, a critical feature for delivering water to

the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge complex.

A Sacramento Valley wetland enhanced

with CVPIA water.

14

.
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

San Joaquin Valley

z Acquired 376,134 acre-feet of annual water supplies for

delivery to valley refuges and the Grasslands Resource

Conservation District to meet the habitat needs of migratory

waterfowl, shorebirds and other wetland-dependent wildlife.

z Construction of three facilities needed to convey water to

valley refuge areas was completed and six interim agreements were executed with private parties to wheel

water to other refuge units.

Other Fish and Wildlife Resources

(Page 10, Figure 2)

Sacramento Valley

z More than 24,500 acres of upland and riparian habitat

have been acquired with contributions from the

CVPIA to benefit other species of wildlife affected by

the CVP. More than 650 acres have been enhanced

or restored, including habitat for species listed under

the Endangered Species Act.

San Joaquin Valley

z CVPIA funds have contributed to the acquisition of

more than 63,800 acres of habitat, including nearly

2,400 acres of riparian habitat, to benefit native

species in the valley. Restoration and enhancement

measures have been applied to an additional 455 acres.

z Nearly 8,700 acres of drainage-impaired lands have been

acquired and retired from irrigated agriculture, resulting

in a reduction in the amounts of agricultural drainage

entering the San Joaquin River system. More than 1,800

acres of these lands have been treated to reduce the

threat of contamination and to provide increased habitat

for native wildlife species.

Riparian habitat restoration in the

Sacramento Valley.

Accomplishments -- 1993 - 2002

Nearly 8,700 acres of

drainage-impaired

lands have been

acquired and retired

from irrigated

agriculture ...

15
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Studies, Investigations and Modeling

(Page 10, Figure 2)

z Operations of CVP facilities have been coordinated and

standards developed to minimize the impacts of flow fluctuation on fish on the Sacramento, American, and Stanislaus

rivers.

z An evaluation of the potential to re-establish anadromous fish

on the San Joaquin River mainstem below Friant Dam was

initiated.

z A transition report for the American River-Folsom South

Conjunctive Use Optimization Study and the Stanislaus

River Basin and Calaveras River Watershed Use Program,

Threatened and Endangered Species Report was prepared.

z We completed a report for the Central Valley Wetlands

Water Supply Investigation that identified ways to improve

the reliability and quality of the existing water supplies for

private wetlands and any need for additional supplies. It also

described the water supply and delivery requirements necessary to provide full development for wetland-dependent

wildlife on 120,000 acres supplemental to the acreage

identified in the Central Valley Habitat Joint Venture’s

Implementation Plan.

z A report on the Influence of Riparian Vegetation

on Water Temperature in the Sacramento River

was completed.

z Investigations were completed and a report

produced on measures to eliminate barriers and

improve habitat for salmon and steelhead trout

on Central Valley tributary streams.

z A report describing the major impacts of the

CVP on anadromous fish populations and on the

fisheries, communities, tribes, and other interests

associated with those resources was completed.

z New data has been developed and significant

improvements made to models of hydrologic and

ecological systems in the Central Valley. These

will enhance our understanding of the effects of project

operations and implementation of CVPIA measures.

z A report on a least-cost plan to increase CVP yield to offset

the impact to contractors of the water supply dedicated to

fish and wildlife was developed. The report also addressed

alternatives and opportunities for demand reduction.

A Central Valley wetland that receives

water from the CVPIA.

New data has been

developed and

significant

improvements made

to models of

hydrologic and

ecological systems

in the Central Valley.

Accomplishments -- 1993 - 2002

16
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Monitoring

z The Comprehensive Assessment and Monitoring Program

(CAMP) was developed to evaluate the effectiveness of CVPIA

actions and monitor the status of target resources. CAMP has

funded trawl surveys for striped bass and American shad, angler

surveys, screw trap studies, and a hatchery-marking program for

salmon and steelhead trout. Annual reports of findings are

prepared and disseminated to interested parties.

z Completed a riparian habitat-mapping program for the Sacramento River and tributaries.

Fish and Wildlife Measures

Reclamation and the Service have attempted to implement, in a

purposeful, proactive manner, those fish and wildlife provisions of the Act believed to be most important, most urgent, or

that would result in the greatest or most immediate contribution to

attainment of the three fish and wildlife restoration goals (doubling the

natural production of anadromous fish, providing water to refuges, and

mitigating for other CVP impacts). To prioritize and guide our efforts

for fish and wildlife over the short-term (3-6 years), we use a “focus

area” approach that takes into account:

z The species or populations of greatest concern

z The controllable factors that have the greatest influence

on these species or populations

z The geographic areas or habitats in most critical need of help for

the priority species and/or for the greatest

number of species.

In accordance with the CVPIA, specific emphasis has been placed on

restoration of natural habitat components and ecosystem function and

viability. Whenever possible, we have attempted to put together “packages” of projects to get the greatest biological benefit in the most

critical geographic areas. The technical feasibility and readiness of

measures for implementation, as well as the support and availability of

funding and partners, has also played a key role in our decisions about

which projects to implement over the past 10 years.

CVPIA

IMPLEMENTATION AND

RESULTS

In accordance with

the CVPIA, specific

emphasis has been

placed on restoration

of natural habitat

components and

ecosystem function

and viability.

17
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

The CVPIA [Section 3406(b)(1)] directed Interior to develop and

implement a program to make all reasonable efforts to at least

double, by the year 2002, the “natural” production of six species of

anadromous fish in Central Valley rivers and streams over average

levels that existed between 1967 and 1991. Twenty of the other 22

measures and programs in Section 3406(b) were intended to contribute to that effort and are all part of CVPIA efforts to achieve the

doubling goal.

The Delta is one of the highest priority focus areas for anadromous fish, primarily because it has been highly altered by water

resource development projects and operations, and because all

species and races of anadromous fish must pass through the Delta,

both as adults moving upstream and as juveniles on their way to San

Francisco Bay and the open ocean. These fishes depend on critical

water quality and habitat conditions in the Delta and are greatly

affected by the operation of the Delta’s water supply facilities. Our

emphasis in the Delta has been on increasing streamflows and

reducing water diversions during peak periods in the out-migration of

juvenile anadromous salmonids or when other threatened or endangered species, such as the delta smelt, are in the vicinity of the

diversion pumps. Other operational changes and structural measures, such as closures of the Delta Cross Channel gates and

installation of a seasonal barrier at the head of Old River, to enhance

conditions during out-migration are also being employed.

The east-side tributaries of the Sacramento River are another

major focus area for anadromous fish, particularly Butte, Deer and

Mill creeks and, to a lesser extent, Big Chico Creek. These streams

support the last significant runs of the threatened spring-run Chinook

salmon. Once the most numerous race in the valley, the spring-run

had dwindled to less than 2,000 fish in 1991. Access to most of their

historic habitat has been blocked by dams. Flows needed to provide

pools of cool water for them to survive over the summer (they

migrate into the streams in spring and delay spawning until fall) have

been diverted. Emphasis in these streams has been on acquiring

water for instream flow, laddering or removing dams and other

impediments to migration, screening or removing diversions, and

acquiring or restoring riparian habitats to provide shading to the

streams and some relief from solar heating of the water.

Other eastside and Sacramento River tributaries, most notably

Battle, Clear, and Antelope creeks, and the Yuba River have also

Sacramento River and its major

tributaries.

CVPIA Implementation and Results

18

Focus for Anadromous Fish
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

been targeted for restoration efforts. Along with Deer, Mill, and Butte

creeks, these streams support naturally spawning populations of steelhead trout, another listed threatened species. Juveniles of this species

generally spend a year in their natal streams, and must over-summer

there. They are subject to many of the same limiting factors as the

spring-run Chinook salmon, most notably the need to access the cooler

upper reaches of streams and adequate supplies of summer water.

Emphasis for these streams has been the same as for the spring-run

Chinook on Butte, Deer, and Mill creeks.

Considerable work has also been

done on the three major tributaries

of the San Joaquin River - the

Merced, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus

rivers. These are essentially the

only streams in the

southern end of the

Central Valley that still

support an anadromous

fish resource, primarily

fall-run Chinook salmon, a

candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. They

have been severely impacted by reductions in streamflow during

critical times of the year and by degradation of instream habitat

conditions. These factors have resulted in unacceptably high

water temperatures, reduced spawning habitat availability, and

increased predation by slackwater fishes on juvenile salmonids.

Efforts in these streams have focused on increasing streamflows, acquisition and restoration of riparian habitats to provide

shade and cover, restoration of degraded sections of stream

channel to improve salmonid habitat and eliminate conditions

favorable to predatory species, and placement of fresh gravels

for spawning.

Gravel is placed to improve

spawning.

Anadromous Fish -

Biological Response

In the 10 years since the CVPIA was enacted, hundreds of measures

have been implemented in rivers and streams throughout the Central

Valley. It will take many more years of work to implement all of the

measures identified in the Anadromous Fish Restoration Program Plan

and even longer to see if these measures achieve the desired goal of

doubling the natural production of these species on a long-term sustainable basis.

CVPIA Implementation and Results

19

• Chinook salmon

- spring-run (threatened species)

- fall-run (candidate for listing)

- late fall-run (candidate for listing)

- winter-run (endangered species)

• Steelhead trout (threatened species)

• Striped bass

• American shad

• White sturgeon

• Green sturgeon

Species of Anadromous Fish

to be Restored Under CVPIA
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

However, results to date for several species and in some geographic

focus areas have been very encouraging. Valley-wide salmon populations

have been increasing and the numbers of other species are either on the

increase or stable. Clear Creek provides a good example of our focused

work efforts that have produced a positive biological response.

On Clear Creek, Reclamation and the Service, working with the

Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Fish and Game,

and local interests, increased streamflows during critical periods for fallrun Chinook salmon; added spawning gravels to the stream; restored

degraded portions of the stream channel, floodplain, and adjacent

riparian habitats; and controlled erosion and sedimentation from sources

within the watershed. Most recently, in late 2000, Interior negotiated and

funded the removal of McCormick-Saeltzer Dam and an unscreened

diversion from the stream. The dam had been a major impediment to the

upstream passage of salmon and steelhead.

Removal of McCormick-Saeltzer Dam

Before After

The fall-run Chinook salmon runs in Clear Creek have improved

greatly as a result of these measures. These runs, which in the 10 years

prior to CVPIA had averaged less than 1,700 fish, have increased to an

average of 8,703 in the 10 years since. Just as importantly, the improvement in flows and the removal of McCormick-Saeltzer Dam have made

possible restoration of significant numbers of steelhead trout and springrun Chinook salmon, both of which are listed as threatened species.

Returns over the next several of years should indicate whether there will

be significant increases in numbers of these species and confirm whether

the fall-run response is a long-term upward trend induced by CVPIA

actions or just a temporary or cyclical increase resulting from other

factors. At this time, however, the results are very encouraging.

Very positive responses have been observed on several other streams

where CVPIA efforts have been focused. Notable among these are

The fall-run

Chinook salmon

runs in Clear

Creek have

improved greatly

as a result of

these measures.

CVPIA Implementation and Results

20
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Focus for Central Valley Refuges and

Other Waterfowl Habitats

With the decline of natural wetlands in the Central

Valley, wildlife specialists have been forced to intensively manage the remaining 300-400,000 acres of

wetlands to accommodate the millions of wintering

waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife that depend on

wetlands for survival. This management has required

careful husbanding of meager and uncertain water

supplies to provide for only the most critical of needs for

a limited number of species. Some very difficult tradeoffs of one species for another were the rule rather than

the exception. Very few permanent pond areas and

permanent wetlands could be sustained, leaving many

species that require these conditions, such as the giant

garter snake, with no adequate habitat on these refuge

areas. Breeding areas for resident waterfowl were

virtually nonexistent.

With the passage of CVPIA, a full and reliable supply

of water to meet identified needs was made available to

the identified Central Valley State and Federal refuges

and private wetland areas. A base level of supply

(referred to as Level 2 supplies) was made available immediately: the

remaining portions of their full supply (referred to as Level 4 supplies)

were to be made available in 10 percent increments over 10 years. The

total amount of water to be supplied annually to the 14 refuge units is

563,000 acre-feet, with limited reductions under certain hydrologic

circumstances. These greatly increased supplies of firm water will

enable managers to enhance existing habitats, expand their wetland base,

and maximize the benefits provided to all wetland-dependent species.

Because the refuge areas amounts of water to be supplied, and schedule for delivery were prescribed in the Act, there was no need to establish biological priorities for the refuge water supply program. Facilities

to convey the water to the various wetland units, however, were not in

place in several instances.

CVPIA Implementation and Results

Butte Creek, where spring-run Chinook returns are steadily improving,

and on the Stanislaus River, where newly placed gravels in the stream

were immediately covered by spawning fall-run Chinook salmon.

21

Central Valley Refuge Areas

Receiving CVPIA Water

• Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

• Delevan National Wildlife Refuge

• San Joaquin Basin Action Plan Lands

• Sutter National Wildlife Refuge

• Gray Lodge Wildlife Management Area

• North Grasslands

• San Luis National Wildlife Refuge

• Volta Wildlife Management Area

• Merced National Wildlife Refuge

• Los Banos Wildlife Management Area

• Grasslands Resource Conservation

 District

• Mendota Wildlife Management Area

• Pixley National Wildlife Refuge

• Kern National Wildlife Refuge

• Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

The main focus of the program, therefore, has been to independently

develop the necessary conveyance capacity (or obtain it through agreements with other parties) and to acquire the requisite water to meet the

prescribed needs. Concurrently, long-term contractual agreements

between Reclamation and the Central Valley National Wildlife Refuges,

State Wildlife Management Areas, and Grasslands Resource Conservation District were negotiated and implemented.

To date, 484,114 acre-feet of annual water supplies

and 6,300 acre-feet of permanent water supplies have

been acquired for delivery to Central Valley refuge

areas. All refuge units have received their full allocations each year except in those instances where

facilities to convey the water were not available or an

individual refuge was not ready to receive its allocation

(e.g. internal facilities to distribute the water had not

yet been constructed). Two Sacramento Valley and

three San Joaquin Valley refuge units will not be able

to receive their full supply until construction of conveyance facilities has been completed, currently scheduled

for 2006.

Eight agreements with private parties to use their facilities to deliver

water to refuges have been signed and others are being pursued. Five of

these agreements are long-term, while the remaining three are interim

agreements to deliver water until other facilities can be constructed.

Five projects to build facilities to provide water to the targeted refuge

units have been initiated, and four of these have been completed. Completed projects include the installation of a well and associated groundwater pumping facilities at Pixley National Wildlife Refuge; extension of the

San Luis Canal Company’s Island “C” Canal, providing supplies to the

West Bear Creek Unit of the San Joaquin Basin Action Plan lands;

Central California Irrigation District’s Newman Canal and “J” Lateral to

convey water to the China Island Unit of the San Joaquin Basin Action

Plan lands; and construction of a siphon at Stony Creek and 127 other

facility improvements within the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District’s system

to provide water to the Sacramento, Delevan, and Colusa National

Wildlife Refuges. Construction of additional facilities will most likely be

necessary.

In addition to our efforts to supply water to designated refuges, an

“Agricultural Waterfowl Incentives Program” has been implemented.

Farmers are paid to keep private agricultural fields flooded during the

To date, 484,114

acre-feet of

annual water

supplies and

6,300 acre-feet of

permanent water

supplies have

been acquired for

delivery to

Central Valley

refuge areas.

Green-winged teal enjoy a Central

Valley refuge.

CVPIA Implementation and Results

22
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Refuges and Waterfowl –

Biological Response

Work is still in progress to complete the necessary water conveyance

facilities to deliver full supplies to all targeted refuges. As of 2002, two

north-of-Delta and three south-of-Delta refuge units do not have the

necessary facilities to transport or receive their full supplies. These are

expected to be in place by 2006.

However, supplies at all refuges, if not at full entitlement, have been

greatly improved and the waterfowl, shorebirds and other wetlanddependent wildlife have benefited as their habitats have been expanded

and enhanced. Valley refuges report an average annual increase of

12,000 acres of wetland habitats, and these refuges can now provide

wetted habitats for longer periods of time.

In addition to this, the Agricultural Waterfowl Incentives Program has

created an average of 40,000 acres of habitat each year, replete with

waste grains. This not only provides a good and nutritious food source

for the waterfowl but has also helped to spread the birds in the valley

out over a wider area and alleviate the overcrowding experienced at

some refuge units, particularly in the Sacramento Valley. Incidence of

waterfowl disease-related mortality, usually caused by overcrowding -

too many birds on too little habitat - has decreased markedly in the

valley as birds take advantage of the greater habitat base and increased

food availability.

Water availability has also enhanced refuge managers’ ability to

provide a food supply for the winter migrants. Waterfowl food

production has increased tenfold in some refuge areas. The Grasslands

Resource Conservation District was able to increase its acreage of

enhanced seed production for 4,000 to 40,000 acres.

A heron searches for food in a

Central Valley refuge.

Not only has waterfowl use increased

but visits to these

areas by the public

have increased

as well ...

CVPIA Implementation and Results

winter months when it would result in greater amounts of habitat and

increased food availability for waterfowl. This program has been enrolling lands for participation since fiscal year 1997.

Over that 6-year period, a total of more than 237,900 acres have been

enrolled, providing an average of nearly 40,000 acres of additional

waterfowl habitat containing a nourishing food supply annually. This

program, with its conjunctive use of lands for agriculture and waterfowl,

will expire by the end of 2002 unless otherwise reauthorized and

funded. The need to expand the wetland resource base will remain.

23
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Waterfowl use has increased nearly as much. In the Grasslands,

waterfowl use in the early fall increased by 300 percent: other areas

have recorded increases of 800 percent, from 2 million to more than

18 million waterfowl use days per year. Not only has waterfowl use

increased but visits to these areas by the public have increased as

well, drawn by the prospect of seeing hundreds of thousands of birds

of many species at one time in a far more natural setting than was

previously possible. The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

complex experienced a 61 percent increase in visitor use.

Species other than waterfowl have benefited from the water

provided to the refuge areas. Sacramento Valley refuges report

increased use by western pond turtles and colonial nesting birds, such

as the tri-colored blackbird. Refuges in the San Joaquin Valley have

noted increases in populations of giant garter snake and in the nesting

of western, Clark’s, and eared grebes; black-crowned night herons;

and tri-colored blackbirds. The Grasslands Resource Conservation

District has reported an increase in two large roosting flocks of whitefaced ibis. Valley-wide, shorebird use on shallow wetlands has increased by hundreds of thousands as sandpipers, dunlins, yellowlegs,

phalarope, and dowitchers respond to the increased wetland acreage

and their invertebrate food supply.

Focus for Other Fish and Wildlife and

Associated Habitats

The CVPIA directs Interior to make all reasonable efforts to address the environmental impacts of the CVP that are not specifically

dealt with in the other fish and wildlife provisions of the Act. Identifying those impacts some 50 years after the CVP was initiated is problematic at best, especially for those indirect effects that were realized

in the CVP service area.

Our approach has been to initiate a habitat trends analysis to use as

one of several tools to determine what habitats, and consequently what

species, experienced the greatest reductions over the last half-century

in areas affected by CVP operations or water service. While this data

is being gathered and analyzed, the focus of our efforts has been on

habitat protection and restoration for those species in the CVP operations and service area that are in greatest need of assistance, primarily

listed threatened, and endangered species not addressed in other

provisions of the CVPIA, some of which are on the verge of extinction. Emphasis has been on acquisition, protection, and restoration of

habitat for species like the riparian brush rabbit, giant garter snake,

Giant garter snake habitat

benefitted from water

provided by the CVPIA.

The CVPIA directs

Interior to make all

reasonable efforts

to address the

environmental

impacts of the CVP

that are not

specifically dealt

with in the other

fish and wildlife

provisions

of the Act.

CVPIA Implementation and Results

24
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

vernal pool invertebrates, and San Joaquin Valley floor species like the

San Joaquin kit fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and several listed species

of kangaroo rats.

Two habitat programs have evolved to accomplish these objectives.

These are the Habitat Restoration Program, with a broad focus on

habitat and species affected by the CVP and particularly on listed

threatened or endangered species; and the San Joaquin River Riparian

Habitat Restoration Program, focusing on restoration of riparian areas

on the San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the Merced River. These

programs are closely coordinated, and both rely on extensive partnerships with other agencies, conservation groups, and stakeholders to

accomplish their objectives.

Notable examples of Habitat Restoration Program projects

include the Pine Hills Ecological Reserve and the program to

prevent the extinction and assist in the recovery of the

riparian brush rabbit. Interior has contributed funding over

several years toward the acquisition of the Pine Hills

Ecological Reserve in El Dorado County. As of spring 2002,

CVPIA funds, along with monies from other partners, have

been used to acquire 2,615 acres of the planned 5,000-acre

preserve that will protect five listed and three candidate plant

species in this extremely rare natural community associated

with gabbro soils. We are also involved in the development

and implementation of a management plan for this fire dependent

community.

A riparian brush rabbit habitat enhancement, captive breeding,

and reintroduction program has been supported by the Habitat

Restoration Program. First funded in 1997, this program is a last

ditch effort to save an endangered species that was once among

the most abundant in the Central Valley. To date, 258 acres at

Caswell State Park have been enhanced and/or restored after

populations there were devastated by a major flooding event. The

captive-breeding component of the effort is a joint venture with

several State and Federal agencies and the Endangered Species

Recovery Program at California State University – Stanislaus.

Species surveys, construction of breeding pens, genetic studies,

radio tagging, removal of exotic species, and educational outreach

are all part of the effort. More than 40 rabbits have been born in

The San Joaquin River

Initial efforts of the

San Joaquin River

Riparian Restoration

Program have been

directed toward

developing a sound

scientific basis for

identifying sites

where restoration

has a likelihood of

success.

Benefits of Other Fish and Wildlife

and Associated Habitats

CVPIA Implementation and Results

25
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

captivity and are being reintroduced at the San Joaquin

River National Wildlife Refuge. This is the first time an

endangered mammal has been bred in captivity in California.

Initial efforts of the San Joaquin River Riparian Restoration Program have been directed toward developing a sound

scientific basis for identifying sites where restoration has a

likelihood of success. Analyses of historic biological conditions and physical processes have been completed. The

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and California Department

of Water Resources are gathering additional scientific data

in conjunction with Interior’s efforts. A major project of this

program has been the evaluation of the effects of increased releases

from Friant Dam on the growth and regeneration of riparian vegetation

and how that might benefit riparian wildlife species. The studies also look

at the impacts of these flows on channel roughness, groundwater-surface

water interactions, and other physical and biological functions.

Also in this category is the Agricultural Land Retirement Program.

This program was established to retire key parcels of drainage-impaired

agricultural land from irrigated agriculture, and use the retired lands to

assist in the recovery of habitat for a variety of native wildlife species.

Focus is on lands in the San Joaquin Valley, where drainage-related

problems resulted in adverse impacts to waterfowl, shorebirds, and other

wildlife.

A critical question to be answered is how the retirement of these lands

will affect the generation of contaminated agricultural drainage and

whether the native vegetation subsequently grown on the lands will be

free of contaminants that might affect the wildlife that move into these

habitats. A “demonstration” program to answer these questions has been

initiated.

Alkali sacaton

(Sporobolus airoides -

above) and Purple

owl’s clover (Castilleja

exserta - right) are two

plant species benefitting from the Land

Retirement Program.

Other Fish and Wildlife –

Accomplishments

Since the Habitat Restoration Program began in fiscal year 1996,

efforts to protect and provide habitat for fish and wildlife species other

than anadromous fish and wetland-dependent wildlife have resulted in

the acquisition, through partnerships with others such as The Nature

Conservancy, of more than 88,000 acres and the restoration of more than

1,100 acres of habitat for native species.

CVPIA Implementation and Results

The Agricultural

Land Retirement

Program has

acquired 1,228 acres

of farmland in the

Sacramento-San

Joaquin Delta and

nearly 8,700 acres of

irrigated

agricultural land

in the

San Joaquin Valley.

26
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

The San Joaquin River Riparian Habitat Restoration Program has

worked to improve desirable plant and animal habitat along the San

Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the river’s confluence with the

Merced River. Over the next several years, we anticipate that the

populations of species associated with these habitats, and particularly

those that are considered threatened or endangered, will increase

substantially.

The Agricultural Land Retirement Program has

acquired 1,228 acres of farmland in the SacramentoSan Joaquin Delta and nearly 8,700 acres of irrigated

agricultural land in the San Joaquin Valley. A demonstration program has been implemented that experiments with a variety of restoration techniques. To

date, more than 1,800 acres of retired lands have been

treated and are in some stage of recovery.

Other CVPIA Activities

A great deal of time and effort have also gone into

meeting the requirements of CVPIA that deal with

water contracting, water transfers, improved water

management, conservation, studies and investigations,

modeling, monitoring, and environmental compliance.

One of the most challenging tasks was the development and completion of a PEIS to address the direct

and indirect effects and benefits of implementing the

CVPIA. Many CVPIA actions could not be undertaken or completed until the PEIS was finished. All

subsequent CVPIA actions are expected to tier off

the PEIS. This was a massive effort involving a very

large number of stakeholders and very sensitive

issues.

The Draft PEIS was completed and circulated for

review in November 1997; the comment period closed

in April 1998. The Final PEIS was released in October 1999 and, after completion of consultation pursuant to the Endangered Species Act on CVPIA implementation and CVP operations, Reclamation and the

Service signed the Record of Decision in

January 2001.

CVPIA Implementation and Results

Other CVPIA Activities

27

• Entered into binding cost-share agreement

with the State of California

• Established Restoration Fund and collected

more than $353 million from 1993 through

2002

• Initiated “Rulemaking” and prepared Interim

Guidelines for 10 CVPIA programs

• Completed PEIS

• Executed “interim” renewal contracts: executed

27 and negotiated additional 24 long-term

contracts for water service

• Approved transfer of more than 4.7 million

acre-feet of CVP water

• Implemented water conservation program

• Implemented Comprehensive Assessment

and Monitoring Program for CVPIA

• Initiated studies on flow fluctuations, reservoir

carryover storage and Stanislaus River Basin

water needs

• Completed three of six Supporting

Anadromous Fish Investigations

• Completed CVP Fishery Impacts Report,

Report on CVP Yield Increase, and Central

Valley Wetlands Water Supply Investigation
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

 The PEIS included 33 appendices, 18 of which address technical

resource issues. A CD-ROM set was prepared that contains the entire

document and the models, input data, and output files that were used in

the analysis of effects.

Most of the studies and investigations required by the CVPIA have

been implemented or initiated. These include the CVP Fisheries Impact

Report, Central Valley Wetlands Water Supply Investigation, and studies

on the problems and options available to assist in the restoration of

populations of anadromous fish, particularly Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Much of the information is being applied in the on-the-ground

efforts being implemented under the Anadromous Fish Restoration

Program and the similar efforts of CALFED.

The development of ecological and hydrologic models is another major

effort that is continuing and is receiving valuable data from other CVPIA

programs and studies. To date, efforts have focused on new model

development and documenting the data and logic to improve models.

One major model being developed is CALSIM II, jointly being funded

and executed by Reclamation and the California Department of Water

Resources. This is a reservoir system model that replaces the separate

models previously used to simulate the operations of the CVP and the

State Water Project. It explicitly addresses activities such as the VAMP

and the CALFED Environmental Water Account.

Although Interior is

rightfully proud of its

progress in the implementation of this

monumental restoration effort, we could

not have done it

without the

participation of the

State and

other partners.

CVPIA Implementation and Results

28
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Populations of some races of salmon are on the rise valley-wide, but additional work is needed on other

races of salmon and on the other species of anadromous fish. The Anadromous Fish Restoration

Program continues to review anadromous fish

production, life history requirements, restoration

efforts, and the most current flow regimes in each

watershed to better understand the requirements of

sustainable doubling for these species in Central

Valley rivers and streams.

Within a few years, conveyance facilities to

deliver all of the necessary water to critical refuge

wetlands will be completed. However, because

total demand on the Sierran/Central Valley water

system far exceeds reliable supplies, water costs

have continued to rise for all purposes; urban,

agricultural, and environmental. Accordingly, providing refuge water supplies identified in the CVPIA could

consume much of the Restoration Fund leaving little funding available for other CVPIA purposes. Purchase

of permanent or long-term water, rather than annual supplies, is the best answer but these supplies are not

readily available on the market and are very expensive when they can be found.

Although Interior is rightfully proud of its progress in the implementation of this monumental restoration

effort, we could not have done it without the participation of the State and our other partners. The monies

obligated thus far do not include contributions by other programs and groups such as CALFED and nonprofit conservation organizations. It is abundantly clear that Interior cannot restore and fully balance the

Sierran/Central Valley ecosystem alone or expect it to be done by others. Interior must continue with at least

the same level of effort and encourage others to do the same.

Interior has and will continue to take all reasonable actions to implement provisions of the CVPIA, focusing on meeting refuge water supply requirements; assisting in recovery of listed species; and providing for

sustainable doubling of natural populations of anadromous fish. The public can be assured we will continue

to do our utmost to fulfill our obligations and meet the intent of this landmark legislation.

29

Conclusions

Over the past 10 years, a great deal has been done to implement the Central Valley Project Improve-

 ment Act, and Interior is well on the way to accomplishing the goals and objectives set by Con-

 gress. Most requirements have been completed or are well under way, and renewal of

long-term contracts is progressing well. Much, however, remains to be done.
CVPIA 10 Years of Progress

Contact Information

To request additional copies of this publication,

or to obtain additional information, please contact:

Bureau of Reclamation

Mid-Pacific Region

Special Projects Office

2800 Cottage Way, MP-120

Sacramento, CA 95825-1898

916-978-5194

On the Web:

Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific Region: www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

California/Nevada Operations Office

2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-2606

Sacramento, CA 95825-1898

916-414-6464

30

Prepared by the Office of Public Affairs

Mid-Pacific Region

Bureau of Reclamation

Sacramento, CA

U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Reclamation

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Sacramento, CA