CVPIA

10 YEARS OF PROGRESS
Fish and Wildlife Service

California/Nevada Operations Office

Bureau of Reclamation

Mid-Pacific Region

2800 Cottage Way Sacramento, California 95825-1898
 

IMPLEMENTATION 

OF THE 

CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT IMPROVEMENT ACT 

10 YEARS OF PROGRESS 

Fiscal Years 1993-2002 

May 2004 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Reclamation 

Fish and Wildlife Service
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress ii

Contents

PART I - INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 

Purpose of 10 Years of Progress Report .......................................................................... 1 

The Central Valley Project’s Role in California’s Water Resources ................................ 1 

The CVPIA Mandate......................................................................................................... 2 

PART II - INTERIOR’S IMPLEMENTATION APPROACH ................................................ 4 

Implementing the CVPIA.................................................................................................. 4 

Implementation Priorities.................................................................................................. 4 

An Urgent Priority: Shasta Temperature Control Device ................................................ 4 

Coordination with Other Programs ................................................................................... 5 

PART III - SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS............................................................. 7 

Organization of CVPIA Implementation Actions ............................................................. 7 

Administrative Processes .................................................................................................. 7 

Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) .............................................. 7 

Rules and Regulations .................................................................................................. 7 

Administrative Proposals.............................................................................................. 8 

Funding Arrangements.................................................................................................. 8 

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

Contract Renewals ........................................................................................................ 11 

Water Transfers............................................................................................................. 12

Water Conservation ...................................................................................................... 12 

Anadromous Fish Restoration........................................................................................... 13 

Anadromous Fish - Habitat Restoration............................................................................ 14 

Anadromous Fish - Structural Measures........................................................................... 15 

Refuges and Waterfowl ........................................................................................................ 16

 Other Fish and Wildlife........................................................................................................ 18 

 Monitoring............................................................................................................................ 19 

Studies, Investigations and Modeling ............................................................................... 20 

PART IV - ASSESSING THE RESULTS ............................................................................... 32 

The Ecosystem Response .................................................................................................. 32 

Anadromous Fish Species ................................................................................................. 32 

Refuges and Waterfowl .................................................................................................... 35 

Other Fish and Wildlife .................................................................................................... 36

Table 

1 - Summary of Accomplishments ......................................................................................... 21
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress iii

Figures 

1 - CVPIA Obligations by Fund Source – 1993-2002............................................................ 9 

2 Total CVPIA Obligations by Action Category – 1993-2002............................................ 10 

3 - Restoration Fund Obligations by Action Category – 1993-2002...................................... 10 

4 - Water and Related Resources Fund Obligations by Action Category – 1993-2002......... 11 

5 - Contributed Fund Obligations by Action Category – 1993-2002 ..................................... 11 

6 - CVPIA Anadromous Fish Restoration Activities - Sacramento River Basin, 1993-2002 24 

7 - CVPIA Anadromous Fish Restoration Activities - San Joaquin River Basin 

 and Delta Area, 1993-2002 ............................................................................................... 26 

8 - CVPIA Terrestrial Habitat Restoration Activities - Sacramento River Basin and Delta, 

 1993-2002.......................................................................................................................... 28 

9 - CVPIA Terrestrial Habitat Restoration Activities - San Joaquin Valley, 1993-2002....... 30 

10 - Central Valley Chinook Salmon Returns .......................................................................... 33

11 - Clear Creek Fall-run Chinook Salmon Escapement and CVPIA Implementation .......... 34 

12 - Butte Creek Spring-run Chinook Salmon Escapement and CVPIA Implementation ....... 34

Appendix A - Administrative Processes 

Cost-Share Agreement with the State of California (Section 3406[h]) .................................... A-1 

Restoration Fund (Section 3407) .............................................................................................. A-2 

Rules and Regulations (Section 3408[a]) ................................................................................. A-3 

Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Section 3409) ............................................. A-5

Appendix B - Contracting and Improved Water Management 

Limitation on Contracting and Contract Reform (Section 3404[a-c])...................................... B-1 

Water Transfers (Section 3405[a])............................................................................................ B-3 

Water Conservation (Section 3405[b] and [e])......................................................................... B-4 

Water Conservation Projects (Section 3408[i]) ........................................................................ B-5

Appendix C - Anadromous Fish - Habitat Restoration 

Anadromous Fish Restoration Program (Section 3406[b][1]).................................................. C-1 

Management of Dedicated CVP Yield (Section 3406[b][2]) ................................................... C-4 

Supplemental Water Acquisition Program (Anadromous Fish Focus) 

(Section 3406[b][3]) .......................................................................................................... C-6 

Clear Creek Fishery Restoration (Section 3406 [b][12]).......................................................... C-8 

Gravel Replenishment and Riparian Habitat Protection (Section 3406[b][13]).......................C-10 

Trinity River Fishery Flow Evaluation Program (Section 3406[b][23]) ..................................C-12 

Appendix D - Anadromous Fish - Structural Measures

Tracy Pumping Plant Mitigation (Section 3406[b][4])............................................................. D-1 

Contra Costa Canal Pumping Plant Mitigation (Section 3406[b][5])....................................... D-2 

Shasta Temperature Control Device (Section 3406[b][6]) ....................................................... D-4 

Red Bluff Dam Fish Passage Program (Section 3406[b][10]).................................................. D-6 

Coleman National Fish Hatchery Restoration and Keswick Fish Trap Modification 

(Section 3406[b][11]) ........................................................................................................ D-8 

Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District Fish Passage (Section 3406[b][17]) .......................D-11 

Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District Pumping Plant (Section 3406[b][20]) ..................................D-12 

Anadromous Fish Screen Program (Section 3406[b][21]) .......................................................D-14 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress iv

Appendix E - Refuges and Waterfowl

Supplemental Water Acquisition Program (Refuge Focus) (Section 3406[b][3] & [d][2]) ..... E-1 

Agricultural Waterfowl Incentives Program (Section 3406[b][22])......................................... E-3 

Refuge Water Supply and Conveyance (Section 3406[d][1,3-5])............................................ E-5 

Appendix F - Other Fish and Wildlife

Habitat Restoration Program (Section 3406[b][1] “other”)...................................................... F-1 

Land Retirement Program (Section 3408[h]) ........................................................................... F-6

Appendix G - Monitoring 

Comprehensive Assessment and Monitoring Program (Section 3406[b][16])......................... G-1 

Appendix H - Studies, Investigations and Modeling 

Eliminate Flow Fluctuation Losses (Section 3406[b][9])......................................................... H-1 

Shasta and Trinity Reservoir Carryover Storage Studies (Section 3404[b][19]) ..................... H-2 

San Joaquin River Comprehensive Plan (Section 3406[c][1]) ................................................. H-3 

Stanislaus River Basin Water Needs (Section 3406[c][2])....................................................... H-4 

Central Valley Wetlands Water Supply Investigations (Section 3406[d][6]) .......................... H-6 

Investigation on Maintaining Temperatures for Anadromous Fish (Section 3406[e][1]) ........ H-7 

Investigations on Tributary Enhancement (Section 3406[e][3 and 6])..................................... H-8 

Report on Fishery Impacts (Section 3406[f]) ........................................................................... H-9 

Ecological and Hydrologic Models (Section 3406[g]).............................................................H-10 

Project Yield Increase (Water Augmentation Program) (Section 3408[j]) ..............................H-12 
 

Abbreviations and Acronyms

ACID Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District 

Act Central Valley Project Improvement Act 

AFRP Anadromous Fish Restoration Program 

AFSP Anadromous Fish Screen Program 

BLM Bureau of Land Management 

CALFED California-Federal (as in CALFED Bay-Delta Program) 

CAMP Comprehensive Assessment and Monitoring Program 

CD-ROM compact disc read-only memory 

CEQA California Environmental Quality Act 

cfs cubic feet per second 

CVP Central Valley Project 

CVPIA Central Valley Project Improvement Act 

Delta Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta 

DFG California Department of Fish and Game 

DWR California Department of Water Resources 

EA environmental assessment 

EIS/EIR environmental impact statement/environmental impact report 

EWA Environmental Water Account 

FONSI finding of no significant impact 

FY fiscal year 

GCID Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District 

Interior U.S. Department of the Interior 

MOU Memorandum of Understanding 

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act 

NWR National Wildlife Refuge 

O&M operations and maintenance 

PEIS programmatic environmental impact statement 

PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company 

RBDD Red Bluff Diversion Dam 

RCD Resource Conservation District 

Reclamation U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 

Restoration Fund Central Valley Project Restoration Fund 

Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

SWP State Water Project 

SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board 

TCC Tehama-Colusa Canal 

TCD temperature control device 

USBR U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 

VAMP Vernalis Adaptive Management Plan 

Implementation of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act 

10 Years of Progress Report

Fiscal Years 1993-2002 

CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 1 

PART I - INTRODUCTION 

Purpose of 10 Years of Progress Report 

This report is a summary of the actions taken in 

the 10 fiscal years, 1993-2002, by the Department 

of the Interior (Interior) to implement Title 34 of 

Public Law 102-575, the Central Valley Project 

Improvement Act (CVPIA or Act). The CVPIA 

was passed by Congress and signed into law by 

the President on October 30, 1992. The Secretary 

of the Interior (Secretary) 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). This report is intended to 

provide the general public, as well those more 

familiar with the Act and Interior’s efforts to 

implement it, with an overview of what has been 

accomplished since passage of this landmark 

legislation. Greater detail on any of the programs 

and projects described herein can be obtained by 

contacting Reclamation or the Service directly at 

the address listed on the inside front cover of this 

document. 

CVPIA activities are being implemented and 

reported through other instruments as well. For 

example, there are CVPIA Annual Work Plans for 

each of the sections of the CVPIA, CVPIA Annual 

Financial Reports, and CVPIA Annual 

Accomplishment Reports. Many of these 

documents can be retrieved via the internet 

(www.mp.usbr.gov). 

Reclamation and the Service have given the 

highest priority to implementation of CVPIA and 

significant progress has been made. Programs to 

carry out all of the Act's key provisions are either 

in place or have been completed. This report 

summarizes that progress. The following part 

(Part II) of this report describes the approach 

Reclamation and the Service have used in this 

massive undertaking, how actions were prioritized, 

and how coordination with other programs and the 

various stakeholders that would be affected by 

CVPIA implementation was achieved. Part III of 

the report summarizes the actions taken by the 

U.S. Department of the Interior (Interior), both by 

category of action and by specific CVPIA 

provision. 

The results and relative success of those actions 

are evaluated and presented in Part IV. 

Appendices also are provided in order to present 

more detailed information on the status of 

individual programs. 

Reclamation and the Service coordinated the 

planning and preparation of a draft of this report 

with the Restoration Fund Roundtable* and other 

stakeholders. Comments from all were considered 

and used in the development of the draft report. 

The draft was subsequently advertised for review 

in the Federal Register and responses were 

received from 13 entities. Many of the comments 

were on the content or format of the report: others 

were of a more general nature or asking for 

information of a much more detailed nature than 

intended for this report. The text the 10-Year 

Report has been revised as appropriate to 

incorporate the comments received from the 

public. Comments relating changes and/or results 

after fiscal year 2002, or those requesting very 

detailed financial information, will be answered in 

Annual Accomplishment Reports or in detailed 

CVPIA Financial Reports. Any remaining 

questions or comments will be addressed directly 

in meetings and/or correspondence with the 

concerned entities. 

The Central Valley Project's Role in 

California's Water Resources 

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 California equally 

 

* The Restoration Fund Roundtable was formed by interested 

stakeholder groups in California and represents some of the 

interests of agriculture, municipal and industrial groups and the 

environmental community. It provides comment to Interior on 

various components of planning and implementation associated 

with the CVPIA.
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 2

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 (Delta), 

where CVP water co-mingles with other supplies, 

such as those of the State Water Project (SWP). 

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 

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 Delta estuary and 

San Francisco Bay are affected by water 

diversions, particularly in drought years, and the 

courts have intervened to ensure that adequate 

fresh water enters this system. Compliance with 

Endangered Species Act (ESA) and water quality 

requirements mandate releases from CVP dams to 

regulate water temperatures and instream flows, 

and constrains water diversions when necessary to 

protect listed fish species from the effects of 

pumping. These factors have greatly increased the 

competition for existing water supplies, and have 

focused 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 developments over the last 

century, including water projects. There is a new 

imperative for resource management that includes 

ecological stewardship. 

These competing demands for water create 

complex issues that only can be resolved 

cooperatively, involving the public and all 

stakeholders in the process. Whenever water is 

gained for one purpose, it is frequently lost for 

another. Innovative approaches to water use and 

re-use, developed through negotiation and 

compromise, are vital to reduce conflicts and 

improve water management for all needs. 

The CVPIA Mandate 

The CVPIA addressed the importance of the CVP 

in California’s water resources picture and made 

significant changes in the policies and 

administration of the project – more than any other 

legislation in the project’s 70-year history. The 

CVPIA has redefined the purposes of the CVP to 

include the protection, restoration, and 

enhancement of fish, wildlife, and associated 

habitats; and to contribute to the State of 

California’s interim and long-term efforts to 

protect the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San 

Joaquin River Delta Estuary. Overall, the CVPIA 

seeks to “achieve a reasonable balance among 

competing demands for use of [CVP] water, 

including the requirements of fish and wildlife, 

and agricultural, municipal and industrial, and 

power contractors.” 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 3

The Central Valley Project 

Beginning in 1930, the Federal government built the Central Valley Project (CVP) in California to control floods and to 

store and distribute water for the agricultural development of the great Central Valley. Today, the CVP delivers about 20 

percent of California's developed water to farms and communities, and generates about 5 billion 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). 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 4

PART II - INTERIOR’S 

IMPLEMENTATION APPROACH 

Implementing the CVPIA 

Immediately upon passage of the CVPIA, Interior 

began to develop procedures to implement the 

specific provisions of the Act. 

Interior first developed a set of procedural 

objectives designed to achieve the stated goals 

while providing the greatest public benefit and 

minimizing adverse impacts. These objectives 

placed a high priority on forming partnerships and 

coordinating with other efforts and in using 

CVPIA funds in the most cost-effective manner. 

Interior immediately adopted the three fish and 

wildlife restoration goals prescribed by the Act. 

One of the most ambitious goals was to make all 

reasonable efforts to double the natural production 

of six species of anadromous fish, species believed 

to have been most affected by CVP construction 

and operation. Another goal was to supply muchneeded water to Federal and State refuges and 

other migratory waterfowl habitats in the Central 

Valley. The third was to mitigate impacts of the 

CVP to other fish and wildlife, impacts that are 

not specifically addressed in other provisions of 

the Act and that had not been previously offset. In 

addition to these fish and wildlife goals, Interior 

has embraced the goal of improving the 

operational flexibility of the CVP in order to more 

effectively balance and meet the many competing 

demands for project water and power supplies. 

Implementation Priorities 

Several factors are considered in establishing 

priorities for implementing CVPIA actions. These 

include: the importance of the action to achieving 

program goals; the planning or readiness needed 

for implementing the action; coordination with 

other ongoing programs; and funding. Some 

sections of the Act direct specific actions: others 

call for studies or investigations or relate to 

administrative matters, such as authorization of 

funds and compliance with State and Federal laws. 

 Because the Act specified compliance dates for 

some provisions, implementation in those cases 

was responsive to the prescribed dates. 

Most of the programs established to address 

specific CVPIA provisions had the same initial 

steps in common. All required an administrative 

structure, opportunity for public and stakeholder 

involvement, and coordination with potential 

partners to develop program plans. 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. 

Interior is generally implementing the Act to 

provide immediate response to the needs of the 

most threatened species of fish and wildlife, while 

taking care to involve all stakeholders in the 

development and implementation of all CVPIA 

programs. 

To prioritize activities and the expenditure of 

funds, Interior has developed biological focus 

areas. These focus areas are based on integration 

of three parameters: the species of greatest 

concern, factors most influencing the populations 

of those species, and the geographic areas or 

habitats critical to those populations. Interior 

channeled its efforts to areas where the three 

parameters overlap to focus funds and gain the 

greatest biological benefit. 

An Urgent Priority: Shasta Temperature 

Control Device 

In some cases, urgency gave a project high 

priority. Interior was responsive to such an 

exigency in the planning and construction of the 

Shasta Temperature Control Device (TCD). 

Millions of dollars in power revenues were being 

lost in summer and fall when cold water had to be 

released from low outlets at Shasta Dam to help 

meet the needs of the Federally listed winter-run 

Chinook salmon. A solution was needed that 

would send cold water downstream without 

interrupting power generation. Reclamation began 

research to solve this problem in 1989. 

The solution was an $84 million steel frame 

structure that allows the selective withdrawal of 

water from different reservoir depths without 

bypassing power generation. The 8,000-ton, 300-

foot-tall structure is connected to the upstream 

face of the dam. It has been compared with 

building a 25-story steel skyscraper under water. 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 5

Shasta Temperature Control Device, Dam, and Powerplant. 

The five TCD bays are on the right center, and the low-level 

intake support structure is on the left.

Construction required a team of divers using a 

diving bell and a pressurized living chamber at the 

surface to allow “saturation diving” at depths to 

300 feet. 

Despite the technological challenges of this 

pioneering and unique project, planning and 

design were completed within 2 years after 

CVPIA passage. Construction began in November 

of 1994 and the TCD was operating in February 

1997. Since then, the TCD has operated to reduce 

temperatures in the upper Sacramento River, while 

allowing power generation. Although this project 

required a large commitment of CVPIA funds, the 

revenues from otherwise-lost power generation 

will eventually exceed the cost for this project. 

Coordination with Other Programs 

To facilitate coordination and communication 

within Interior, each section of the Act was 

assigned a program manager from each of the two 

agencies, Reclamation and the Service. Generally, 

one is designated the lead agency, but both have 

equal responsibility to work together to develop a 

program plan and to involve other agencies and 

interested groups in its development and 

refinement. 

Cooperation through partnerships is very 

important to the success of the CVPIA. Interior 

has developed numerous partnerships and 

extensive coordination linkages with local, State, 

and Federal agencies, and private groups. There 

are partnerships with many previously existing 

programs, as well as new programs and groups 

formed specifically to carry out specific provisions 

of CVPIA. CVPIA implementation is closely 

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 for the Sacramento-San Joaquin 

River Delta, and the California Bay-Delta 

Authority’s efforts to develop long-term solutions 

to Central Valley and Delta problems. Interior 

encourages potential partners to enter into 

cooperative relationships to implement appropriate 

CVPIA measures or to help achieve CVPIA goals 

and objectives through their own programs. 

Through various mechanisms, Interior can provide 

funds and services to these partners, allowing for 

the completion of pre-approved restoration 

actions. The CVPIA (Section 3407(e)) provides 

the Secretary with the flexibility to use several 

mechanisms for funding non-Federal entities. 

Some of the concurrent programs affecting 

CVPIA are the Coordinated Operation Agreement 

between the CVP and the SWP to meet Delta 

water quality and flow standards, and the 

California Bay-Delta Authority’s programs. 

These include an Ecosystem Restoration Program, 

an Environmental Water Account, and a scientific 

expert review and advisory program to guide 

restoration efforts. 

Linkage with the Ecosystem Restoration Program 

(ERP) is a very significant factor in the 

MAJOR PROGRAMS INFLUENCING CVPIA 

IMPLEMENTATION

Coordinated Operation Agreement

USBR-DWR agreement defining responsibilities of CVP 

and SWP to meet Delta water quality and flow standards set 

by State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). 

(SWRCB is in the process of determining contributions of 

other water right holders.) 

California Bay-Delta Authority (formerly CALFED)

A consortium of State and Federal agencies (appointed by 

the Secretary of the Interior and the Governor) working with 

other urban, agricultural, fishery and environmental 

representatives to solve Delta water quality and reliability 

problems. The Authority has developed plans for a longterm solution to many of these problems. Their Ecosystem 

Restoration Program is also working on fish and wildlife 

habitat restoration projects upstream and in the Delta. 

CALFED Record of Decision (ROD) 

The ROD represents the culmination of the National 

Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental 

Quality Act process. The ROD reflects the final selection of 

a long-term plan that includes specific actions to fix the 

Bay-Delta, describes a strategy for implementing the plan, 

and identifies complementary actions the associated 

agencies will also pursue.
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 6

implementation of the CVPIA. Many of the ERP 

actions have the same or similar objectives, and 

address most of the same natural resource and 

water management problems, as actions under 

CVPIA. Close coordination and a focus on 

functional integration of CVPIA and ERP have 

been necessary to achieve common goals and 

avoid duplication. To ensure coordination in the 

prioritization of fund expenditures and 

implementation of CVPIA projects, Interior has 

worked extensively with ERP staff and 

stakeholder groups. An example of this 

coordination is Interior’s willingness and effort to 

have ERP scientists provide “expert level” review 

and comment on proposed CVPIA programs and 

actions. This review assists in the selection of the 

most worthy projects for achieving CVPIA goals 

and is expected to lead to a more broad-based 

ecosystem management strategy that more 

effectively addresses fish and wildlife mitigation, 

restoration, and enhancement. 

In addition to the Ecosystem Restoration Program, 

program and project coordination has also been 

achieved, and funding partnerships formed, with 

other entities, both public and private. Among the 

most notable examples are the establishment of 

watershed work groups on many Central Valley 

rivers and streams. These groups, comprised of 

affected interests within each watershed, assist 

Interior’s efforts to restore anadromous fish 

populations by developing workable solutions to 

the problems specific to each watershed. 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 7

PART III - SUMMARY OF 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

Organization of CVPIA Implementation 

Actions 

Interior has grouped the actions in individual 

sections of the CVPIA into eight categories for 

administration and budgeting purposes. These 

action categories are also commonly used in 

partnering and public involvement discussions. 

Each one involves several individual programs 

and actions. These categories were used to group 

related actions for the narrative discussion of 

accomplishments that follows. 

CVPIA ACTION CATEGORIES 

C Administrative Processes 

C Contracting and Improved Water Management 

C Anadromous Fish - Habitat Restoration 

C Anadromous Fish - Structural Measures 

C Refuges and Waterfowl 

C Other Fish and Wildlife 

C Monitoring 

C Studies, Investigations and Modeling 

A Summary Table of Accomplishments at the end 

of this part presents the major accomplishments of 

CVPIA implementation for each of these action 

categories in a concise tabular form. Aquatic and 

terrestrial restoration activities associated with 

these accomplishments are shown in Figures 6 

through 9 following the Summary Table. More 

detailed information on each individual program is 

provided in the Appendices, in the same order as 

the action categories. 

Administrative Processes 

The administrative element of implementing the 

CVPIA has been extremely challenging for all the 

agencies involved, and has required a large 

commitment of resources over the past 10 years 

because of the many comprehensive programs to 

be implemented. Many of the programs have 

required extensive documentation and reports for 

environmental compliance, in addition to the 

required Programmatic Environmental Impact 

Statement (PEIS). Public involvement and 

partnering arrangements have also been extensive. 

Because of Interior’s strong commitment to 

implementation, and the enthusiastic cooperation 

of partnering agencies, including the State of 

California, many of the programs have advanced 

rapidly: others are nearing completion of the 

administrative groundwork. In view of the 

complexity and controversial nature of the CVPIA 

to CVP contractors and other stakeholders, it has 

been extremely important to work closely with all 

parties to address issues. In reviewing the 

progress of implementation, it will be apparent 

that some of the more contested actions require 

more time for completion of the administrative 

steps. 

Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement 

(PEIS)

The Act required a PEIS to assess the effects of 

implementing the actions specified in the CVPIA. 

Because the findings of the PEIS would influence 

many of the actions, the PEIS was among the first 

steps and proceeded concurrently with other early 

implementation actions needed to carry the 

CVPIA. The PEIS analyzes the direct and indirect 

impacts of implementing the CVPIA, was the most 

comprehensive document to be prepared for 

CVPIA implementation, and required partnering 

with nine agencies, extensive public involvement, 

and significant technical efforts. The draft, 

including more than 30 technical appendices, was 

released for public comment in November 1997. 

The final PEIS was released in October 1999 and 

the Record of Decision signed by Reclamation and 

the Service in January 2001. 

Rules and Regulations

Interior almost immediately initiated a public 

involvement process to develop the necessary 

direction for interpreting and implementing 

sections of the CVPIA. However, formal rules 

and regulations could not be promulgated until the 

PEIS was completed. Consequently, to inform the 

public of our approach to CVPIA implementation 

and to provide Interior personnel with interim 

guidance pending formal rules and regulations, 

Interior developed interim guidelines and criteria 

for dealing with seven CVPIA issues or topic 

areas. We then held public scoping workshops to 

solicit comments on rulemaking. The topic areas 

covered by interim guidelines were: Interim 

Contract Renewals; Water Transfers; Restoration 

Fund Payments and Charges; Section 3406(b)(2) 

Water; Land Retirement; Water Conservation 

Proposals; and the Section 3406(b)(22) 

Agricultural Waterfowl Incentives Program. 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 8

Criteria were developed for evaluating water 

management plans and on the use of project power 

for fish and wildlife measures. 

Administrative Proposals

In September 1995, Interior invited the public to 

identify any concerns they had regarding 

implementation of the CVPIA. To facilitate 

public input and discussion, representatives of 

Interior held a series of public meetings between 

September 1995 and April 1996. During these 

meetings, the following 11 major areas of concern 

were identified, and individuals volunteered to 

form work teams and discuss the specific issues 

pertaining to those areas: Trinity River; Water 

Conservation; Urban Water Reliability; San 

Joaquin River; Stanislaus River; Section 

3406(b)(2)--dedicated water--combined with the 

Anadromous Fish Restoration Program; Water 

Transfers; Contracting Policies; Refuge Water 

Supplies; and the Restoration Fund. In April 

1996, Interior committed to preparation of 

“Administrative Proposals” on each of the 11 

areas of concern, addressing the principal issues 

raised by stakeholders during the public forum and 

work team meetings. 

One of the more controversial administrative 

proposals, studied at length by a team of Interior 

personnel and stakeholders, concerned Section 

3406(b)(2), management of the 800,000 acre-feet 

of dedicated CVP yield. Considerable debate 

occurred over interpretation of this section, 

primarily regarding how the water should be 

accounted and how it was to be used. Various 

approaches were developed and tested, all with 

extensive stakeholder input. 

Despite the lengthy public involvement process 

and Interior’s best efforts to move the participants 

toward consensus, some groups still contested 

Interior’s proposed management of dedicated 

yield and took the matter to court. Pursuant to the 

court’s direction, Interior developed a “final” 

Decision on Implementation of Section 3406(b)(2) 

of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act in 

October 1999. This decision also was litigated 

and the court held that parts of the decision were 

unlawful, arbitrary, and capricious. Consequently, 

Interior has revised the accounting procedures to 

comport with the Court’s decision. 

The strong feelings on this issue--some CVP users 

believing the formula resulted in too much water 

dedicated to fish, and environmental groups, too 

little--are indicative of the value placed on water 

in California. These and other issues identified 

during preparation of the PEIS are now part of the 

administrative record. 

Funding Arrangements

Funding for CVPIA comes from several sources, 

and these have been formalized in written 

agreements and planning processes. Three 

funding mechanisms are proposed in CVPIA and 

have been established: the Restoration Fund, costshare with the State of California, and funding 

agreements with non-Federal entities. 

The Restoration Fund funds most CVPIA projects. 

 The Restoration Fund serves as the depository in 

the Treasury of the United States for all revenues 

received by the Secretary from the following 

sources: pre-renewal charges, tiered water 

revenues, transfer revenues, Friant surcharges, 

Municipal and Industrial surcharges, restoration 

payments, and non-Federal contributions. The 

Restoration Fund has a public involvement 

component, including interaction and coordination 

with the Restoration Fund Roundtable (a 

stakeholder organization) and with the California 

Bay-Delta Authority. 

Other CVPIA actions have been funded entirely or 

in part from Reclamation’s Water and Related 

Resources Appropriation. In addition, pursuant to 

an agreement with the State of California signed in 

June 1994, State funds have been appropriated and 

used for various CVPIA projects and programs 

that call for State cost-share. Interior has also 

entered into numerous contracts, grants, and 

cooperative agreements for individual projects. 

Over $629 million were obligated toward the 

implementation of the CVPIA’s prescribed actions 

and programs through the first 10 years. It must 

be recognized, however, that many CVPIA 

measures were already being planned or in 

progress at the time the Act was passed and 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 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 9

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). 

Of the $629 million spent during these first ten 

years, 54% (342 million) came from Restoration 

Fund appropriations. As indicated, these funds are 

derived from fees paid by the beneficiaries of the 

CVP’s water and power supplies. Approximately 

$229 million (36%) came from Reclamation’s 

Water and Related Resources appropriations, 

another $58 million (9%) from State of California 

cost share, and $1 million from donated funds 

(Figure 1). 

Nearly $263 million (41.7%) of the monies 

obligated to implement CVPIA in these first 10 

years were for 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. Another $125 

million (19.8%) were obligated for habitat 

restoration measures for anadromous fish, $132 

million (20.9%) to provide 

 water to refuge areas and on the Agricultural 

Waterfowl Incentives Program, and $52.5 million 

(8.3%) on acquisition of habitats for other fish and 

wildlife species, primarily those listed under the 

provisions of the Endangered Species Act. 

Administrative requirements and processes 

accounted for $29.3 million (4.7%) of the 

obligations while contracting/improved water 

management, studies and investigations, and 

monitoring accounted for the balance (Figure 2). 

Figures 3-5 display the amounts obligated on each 

action category by each of the major fund sources 

- Restoration Fund, Water and Related Resources 

appropriations, and State cost-share. The $1 

million of donated funds were used exclusively for 

the restoration of Clear Creek (Anadromous Fish – 

Habitat Restoration action category). 

Fiscal data for each of the sections of the CVPIA 

on an annual basis is provided in the appendices 

and reflect the sources mentioned above, i.e., 

Restoration Fund, Water and Related Resources 

appropriations, and contributed funds (State costshare and donated monies). 

Figure 1

TOTAL CVPIA OBLIGATIONS BY FUND SOURCE

Fiscal Years 1993-2002

36% 55%

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
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 10

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

Figure 3

RESTORATION FUND OBLIGATIONS BY ACTION CATEGORY 

Fiscal Years 1993-2002

29%

24%

31%

11%

3%2% 0%

Contracts/Improved Water Mgmt. $0.05 M

Anad. Fish - Habitat Restoration $99.7 M

Anad. Fish - Structural Measures $81.2 M

Refuges and Waterfowl $102.7 M

Other Fish and Wildlife $38.1 M

Studies/ Investigations/Modeling $11.6 M

Monitoring $8.4 M
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 11

Figure 4

WATER & RELATED RESOURCE FUND OBLIGATIONS 

BY ACTION CATEGORY 

Fiscal Years 1993-2002

13%

0%

6%

65%

10%

3% 3% 0%

Administrative Processes $29.3 M

Contracts/ Improved Water Mgmt. $0.6 M

Anad. Fish - Habitat Restoration $12.6 M

Anad. Fish - Structural Measures $148.5 M

Refuges and Waterfowl $22.9 M

Other Fish and Wildlife $6.7 M

Studies/ Investigation/Modeling $8.0 M

Monitoring $0.1 M

Figure 5

CONTRIBUTED FUND OBLIGATIONS BY ACTION CATEGORY 

Fiscal Years 1993-2002

22%

57%

11%

10%

Anad. Fish - Habitat Restoration $12.3 M

Anad. Fish - Structural Measures $33.0 M

Refuges and Waterfowl $6.0 M

Other Fish and Wildlife $7.7 M

Contracting and Improved Water 

Management 

This category includes provisions in the Act for 

renewing CVP contracts, and the management of 

water supplied by the CVP. Changes to be 

implemented by Interior included new contracting 

terms and conditions, and new programs for water 

transfers and water conservation. 

Contract Renewals

The CVPIA prohibited new contracts and 

restricted the long-term renewal of existing 

contracts for water until the PEIS process was 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 12

completed. It provided for interim short-term 

renewal of existing long-term contracts that had 

expired and, for those existing contracts that had 

not expired, provided for the execution of binding 

agreements requiring renewal immediately upon 

completion of the PEIS. Any contractor not 

signing a binding agreement was subject to a 

penalty of 11⁄2 times the normal Restoration Fund 

payment. Prior to completion of the PEIS, 68 

interim renewal contracts and 44 binding 

agreements were negotiated and signed. The PEIS 

was completed and the Record of Decision signed 

on January 9, 2001 

After completion of the PEIS, 27 long-term 

renewal contracts were executed. Twenty-four 

other contracts were negotiated when efforts were 

suspended pending development and negotiation 

of a CVP-wide form of contract. That effort was 

still underway at the close of fiscal year 2002. In 

the meanwhile, Reclamation continued water 

deliveries pursuant to binding agreements and the 

interim renewal contracts. 

Water Transfers

Interior developed Interim Water Transfer 

Guidelines to establish conditions for transfer of 

CVP water until final rules and regulations for the 

CVPIA are completed. Reclamation is currently 

in the process of formally revising the 1993 

Interim Guidelines to conform to the sunset 

provisions of subsection 3405(a)(3) of the CVPIA. 

 The process is expected to be completed, and 

Revised Interim Guidelines finalized, sometime 

after the end of 2002. 

Among conditions that sunsetted according to 

subsection 3405(a)(3) were the right of first 

refusal by entities within the CVP service area 

before CVP water can be transferred outside the 

CVP service area; the condition for the Secretary 

to determine that the transfer will have no 

unreasonable impact on the water supply, 

operations, or financial conditions of the 

transferor’s contracting district or agency or its 

water users; and the condition for the Secretary to 

make a determination that the transfer will have no 

significant long-term impact on groundwater 

conditions in the transferor’s service area. 

In April 2002, Reclamation executed a 

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the 

California Department of Water Resources and the

California State Water Resources Control Board 

regarding establishment of a water transfer 

information clearinghouse. 

In 1996, Interior developed an Administrative 

Proposal to address the public’s concerns 

regarding Interior’s implementation of the CVPIA 

transfer provisions and the need to refine the water 

transfer process. In addition, a programmatic 

review and approval process was developed to 

facilitate approval of water transfers within the 

CVP that had historically occurred between CVP 

contractors inside the same service areas, to 

simplify the approval process, and to ensure shortterm water management goals were met. In the 

1998 Final CVPIA Administrative Proposal on 

Water Transfers, Interior committed to establish a 

water transfer clearinghouse to be jointly operated 

by Interior and the California Resources Agency 

to track water transfers and provide data that could 

be used to quantify and evaluate third-party 

impacts. 

The 2002 MOU establishes the framework of 

agency roles and responsibilities for managing and 

implementing a water transfer information 

clearinghouse to improve access to information 

about water transfers through the development of 

an on-line water transfer information website. The 

website is a collaborative effort by the agencies to 

clarify the agencies’ water transfer policies and 

procedures and to provide up-to-date information 

about ongoing water transfer activities. 

This increased market information will provide a 

unique opportunity for the water-user community 

to monitor the availability and use of transferred 

CVP water. It will also promote public disclosure 

of water transfer activities and assist third parties 

(including local communities) to track water 

transfers that may affect them and to identify 

related outcomes from those transfers. 

Water Conservation

Reclamation has completed the implementation of 

the water conservation program specified in the 

Act. A Water Conservation Advisory Center was 

established in Sacramento in 1993, and has since 

been relocated to Folsom. Other centers are being

planned or implemented throughout the State, 

including a Virtual Water Conservation Center on 

the Internet (www.watershare.mp.usbr.gov).
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 13

Reclamation’s Water Conservation Office has 

prepared Criteria for Evaluating Water 

Conservation Plans (1993 and revised in 1996 and 

1999) for the guidance of water and irrigation 

districts. Reclamation has reviewed the water 

management plans submitted, and has approved 85 

as adequate under CVPIA. To support water 

conservation efforts, Reclamation developed a 

database that provides each water district with 

specific information to enable the district to 

prepare its annual plan update. The database also 

provides examples of successful programs and 

capabilities for sharing information and research. 

Reclamation’s Water Conservation Office also 

developed guidelines and criteria for a cost-share 

program for water conservation projects, and 

issued four proposal solicitations. This program 

elicited little interest from CVP contractors and 

was ended in late 1997. 

Anadromous Fish Restoration 

The Anadromous Fish Restoration Program 

(AFRP), the most complicated of the directed 

programs under CVPIA, influences or is 

influenced by most of the other programs created 

by the Act. Interior’s efforts to restore anadromous 

fish populations in the Central Valley are divided 

into two “Action Categories”: Anadromous FishHabitat Restoration and Anadromous FishStructural Measures. Most of the efforts in these 

action categories fall within the various provisions 

of Section 3406(b) of the CVPIA, but many other 

CVPIA provisions also provide some level of 

benefit for anadromous fish. 

The CVPIA provides both specific direction and 

general guidance for anadromous fish restoration. 

Specific, directed actions include projects such as 

the construction of fish screens at Glenn-Colusa 

Irrigation District’s Hamilton City Pumping Plant 

and at the Contra Costa Canal Pumping Plant. 

More general guidance comes in the form of 

directed programs, such as the Clear Creek 

Fishery Restoration Program and the Gravel 

Replenishment and Riparian Habitat Protection 

Program. Because it was necessary to better 

define these program level efforts, Interior 

developed large-scale planning processes that 

included other agencies, the public, and 

stakeholder groups. 

The Final Restoration Plan for the Anadromous 

Fish Restoration Program (AFRP Restoration 

Plan) was developed by the Service and 

Reclamation to guide Interior in making all 

reasonable efforts to at least double the natural 

production of anadromous fish in Central Valley 

rivers and streams. The AFRP was formulated, 

and its program plan created, by a coalition of 

senior fish experts from the Service, Reclamation, 

Environmental Protection Agency, National 

Marine Fisheries Service, and California’s 

Departments of Fish and Game and Water 

Resources, with extensive public involvement. 

The AFRP Restoration Plan has become the 

cornerstone of many actions aimed at restoring 

natural production of anadromous fish in the 

Central Valley, and includes partnerships, local 

involvement and public support. The plan, which 

describes Interior’s overall goals, objectives and 

strategies for anadromous fish restoration in the 

Central Valley, identifies nearly 300 prioritized 

restoration actions and evaluations, all partitioned 

by watershed. It includes anadromous fish 

restoration actions found in other sections of the 

CVPIA as well as actions not specifically 

prescribed in the CVPIA but considered necessary 

by the experts to accomplish the goal of doubling 

the natural production of anadromous fish 

(doubling is expressed as twice the average 

production for the period 1967-91). 

Restoration actions for anadromous fish have been 

focused in four geographic areas: 

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta - Emphasis in the 

Delta has been on offsetting effects of CVP and 

SWP export facilities (entrainment, impingement, 

diversion, and increased predation) on all species 

of anadromous fish. This is particularly important 

because all anadromous fishes of the Central 

Valley watershed use the Delta as a migration 

corridor and/or as habitat for some part of their 

life cycle. 

Sacramento River Tributaries - Actions have 

focused on riparian and shaded riverine aquatic 

habitat restoration; improved access to available 

upstream habitat; improvement of flows; and 

reduction of losses at diversions, especially for 

spring-run Chinook salmon and steelhead. 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 14

Sacramento River - Actions have focused on flow 

and temperature control, restoration of spawning 

habitat, reduction of losses at diversions, and 

acquisition of riparian lands to improve rearing 

habitat, especially for winter-run Chinook salmon. 

San Joaquin River and Tributaries - Actions have 

focused on improvement of flows, restoration of 

river channels, spawning gravels, and riparian 

cover, and on the elimination of predator habitat. 

Most of the actions undertaken have been on 

tributaries to the mainstem San Joaquin River. 

The ultimate success of Interior’s anadromous fish 

restoration effort depends on the successful 

linkage of all CVPIA programs and actions, and 

those related efforts underway in other processes 

and by other entities. Increasing and sustaining 

the natural production of anadromous fish in the 

Central Valley is an ecosystem-level effort. It will 

require the provision of adequate instream habitat 

including appropriate management of available 

water supplies, improving adult access to 

spawning areas, and protection of juveniles from 

mortality due to diversion and other man-induced 

causes. 

Monitoring and additional studies will also be 

essential to assess the relative success of CVPIA 

actions and to enable Interior to adaptively 

manage actions in the future. 

Anadromous Fish - Habitat Restoration

Habitat restoration actions that have been 

completed include the acquisition and dedication 

of water for instream flows, channel restoration 

and enhancement, removal of dams and blockages 

that interfere with fish migration, gravel 

replenishment, acquisition and restoration of 

riparian habitat, and erosion control to decrease 

the deposition of fine sediments in spawning 

gravels. 

Interior has used the 800,000 acre-feet of 

dedicated CVP yield annually since 1993 to help 

meet AFRP targeted needs. This water was 

applied to improve adult migration, spawning, egg 

incubation, and fry and juvenile rearing and 

migration, especially in the Delta. Interior has 

also acquired over 913,000 acre-feet of 

supplemental water from willing sellers to meet 

anadromous fish needs in both the Sacramento and 

San Joaquin basins. In addition, up to 95 cubic 

feet per second of additional water was made 

available at appropriate times of the year for 

anadromous fish on Butte and Clear Creeks 

Anadromous Fish in the Central Valley 

Anadromous fishes are those that begin their lives in 

freshwater streams, and then migrate to the ocean to 

mature, returning to their natal streams to spawn and die. 

California’s stocks of anadromous fish (salmon, steelhead, 

striped bass, American shad, sturgeon) have greatly 

declined from their historic numbers. A century of land 

uses such as mining, logging, farming and urban 

development--and water development to serve them--has 

greatly reduced the habitat available to fish. While fish 

losses can result from natural weather conditions (floods, 

droughts, ocean warming), habitat deterioration is known 

to be a major cause of declines in the Central Valley. 

Chinook salmon and steelhead, two of the anadromous 

species covered by the provisions of the CVPIA, are 

present in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River system 

year-round and rely on adequate habitat conditions within 

the system to survive. Four separate runs of Chinook 

salmon occur in the Central Valley and are distinguished 

by the time of year they begin their upstream migrations 

(spring, fall, late fall and winter). 

In the Sacramento River system, winter-run Chinook 

salmon has been designated endangered, and the spring-run 

Chinook salmon and steelhead have been designated 

threatened species. 

In the San Joaquin River system, while remaining 

anadromous fish populations have been dramatically 

reduced from historic levels and at least one race of salmon 

has been extirpated (the spring-run Chinook salmon), the 

steelhead is currently listed as a threatened species. 

At times when anadromous fish are dependent on 

freshwater, they require a variety of habitat components 

that include spawning gravel, adequate flows and 

temperatures for all life stages, protection from predators, 

and relief from diversion intakes, pumps and obstructions 

such as dams. The AFRP has had to address all these 

habitat needs for their restoration efforts to work. It was 

also important to coordinate with other programs, because 

actions to improve conditions for one run or one species 

could be harmful for another. 

as a result of removing diversions. 

Other anadromous fish habitat restoration efforts 

have occurred along nearly 40 miles of river and 

stream corridors, valley-wide. These actions 

included the improvement of instream habitats 

through erosion control, channel improvement, 

replenishment of over 242,788 tons of spawning 

gravel, and the restoration of terrestrial habitats 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 15

adjacent-to-stream channels including acquisition 

of over 7,900 acres of riparian and floodplain

habitat and the restoration of an additional 883 

acres. With the participation and assistance of 

DFG, the program to replenish gravel and protect 

riparian habitat on CVP streams has developed, 

and is implementing, long-term plans for the 

restoration and protection of spawning gravels on 

the Sacramento, American and Stanislaus rivers. 

The Clear Creek Fishery Restoration Program is 

an example of a program focusing many of these 

habitat actions in a single watershed to restore 

anadromous fish habitat. Efforts on Clear Creek 

include the removal of McCormick-Saeltzer Dam 

(an impediment to upstream salmon and steelhead 

migration) and a related 55 cubic foot per second 

diversion, improvements in instream flows, 

replenishment of spawning gravels, restoration of 

portions of the stream channel that were degraded, 

and acquisition and restoration of floodplain and 

riparian habitats. Additionally, projects have been 

implemented to control erosion in the watershed 

that has been adversely affecting the stream. 

The Tuolumne River is another area where 

extensive habitat restoration actions are being 

implemented. Large-scale stream channel reconstruction actions have been implemented in 

concert with floodplain restoration and revegetation and gravel replenishment in a reach of 

the Tuolumne where gravel mining had essentially 

captured portions of the river channel in a series of 

aggregate pits, upsetting the natural 

geomorphologic and hydrologic processes and 

degrading the value of the active channel for 

salmonids. Over 7 miles of the river channel have 

been or are in the process of being re-constructed 

and a 500-foot wide floodplain restored. In 

addition, over 50,000 tons of spawning gravels 

have been placed below LaGrange Dam. 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 16

Anadromous Fish - Structural Measures

Anadromous fish structural measures include 

construction or modification of devices to improve 

instream habitat, such as the Temperature Control 

Device on Shasta Dam; to improve access or 

reduce mortality during fish migrations, such as 

fish ladders on dams and screens at diversions; 

and to supplement fish populations, such as the 

improvements to the Coleman National Fish 

Hatchery and construction of the Livingston Stone 

National Fish Hatchery. A great many structural 

projects have been completed, and others are in 

progress. Some of these efforts have been able to 

proceed rapidly because planning was already in 

progress prior to passage of the CVPIA and/or 

support funding was available through partners. 

The most impressive structural project completed 

under CVPIA is the Shasta Temperature Control 

Device (TCD). This innovative structure permits 

the selective release of water from Shasta Dam to 

provide cooler water for fish without bypassing 

the powerplant and has prevented the loss of 

power supplies and millions of dollars in revenues 

from hydroelectric power since its completion in 

1997. 

Since 1993, 57 major structural improvement 

actions aimed at correcting anadromous fish 

problems have been completed, resulting in 

improved adult passage to spawning areas and 

reduced mortality of juvenile fish as they migrate 

to the sea. The installation of 29 fish screens, the 

laddering or removal of 29 dams, weirs, 

diversions, or other obstacles to migration, 

construction of 2 bypass facilities, and changes in 

operation at several CVP facilities have provided 

improved access and survival of anadromous fish 

in approximately 190 miles of Central Valley 

rivers and streams. 

The Anadromous Fish Screen Program has 

provided grants for 27 screening projects in the 

Central Valley. As of the end of fiscal year 2002, 

15 had been completed and construction was 

underway on 3: the rest were in feasibility or 

design stages. Over 3,500 cubic feet per second of 

diversion capability had been made fish safe 

through this one program alone. The installation 

and/or improvement of fish screens at diversions 

have not only increased the survival of juvenile 

anadromous fish as they migrate to the sea. They 

also benefit CVP contractors by improving the 

reliability of their water supplies. 

In addition to Anadromous Fish Screen Program 

projects, other important structural projects to 

improve fish passage and survival that have been 

completed include improvements at the Red Bluff 

Diversion Dam to reduce fish entrainment and 

improve the fish ladder, and a major project to 

mitigate serious fishery impacts at the GlennColusa Irrigation District’s 3,000 cubic foot per 

second Hamilton City Pumping Plant. Both of 

these projects are on the Sacramento River 

An excellent example of a comprehensive effort 

utilizing both structural and habitat restoration 

techniques to enhance fish passage is the largescale effort undertaken on Butte Creek, an 

important spring-run Chinook salmon stream. 

Focusing on improvement of access for upstream 

migrating adults and survival of downstream 

migrating juveniles, four dams have been removed 

and three have been laddered. Twelve diversions 

have been removed, four have been screened, and 

two others modified to preclude fish from 

becoming entrained. Instream flows have been 

significantly enhanced. Work will continue on 

screens and ladders at the remaining dams and 

diversions until all impediments to fish migration 

and survival in the lower 85 miles of the stream 

have been addressed. 

The Delta is one of Interior’s highest priority 

focus areas because all species and races of 

anadromous fish migrate through the Delta--

moving as adults to upstream spawning areas and 

as juveniles to San Francisco Bay and the ocean. 

Important programs in the Delta have focused on 

efforts to minimize the effects of CVP and SWP 

export facilities on anadromous fish. Structural 

efforts in the Delta have included improvements at 

the Tracy Pumping Plant, fish screen design at the 

Contra Costa Canal Pumping Plant, modification 

of operations at the Delta Cross Channel to reduce 

mortality of anadromous fish, and installation of 

an acoustic barrier on Georgiana Slough to 

redirect fish movement. 

Other structural project accomplishments include 

modifications to the Keswick Dam fish trap, 

modifications to the Anderson-Cottonwood 

Irrigation District Diversion Dam to allow 

removal of its boards at higher flows, construction 

of a fish bypass and relocation of diversion 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 17

facilities on Big Chico Creek, installation of an 

ozone water treatment facility at the Coleman 

National Fish Hatchery, and construction of a new 

hatchery facility on the Sacramento River below 

Keswick Dam (Livingston Stone National Fish 

Hatchery). 

Refuges and Waterfowl 

The CVPIA identifies wetland restoration as a key 

component of wildlife protection and enhancement 

in the Central Valley. The Act directs Interior to 

provide a firm, reliable water supply to Central 

Valley waterfowl refuges. The Act also 

authorized an incentives program to encourage 

farmers to seasonally flood their fields to create 

additional waterfowl habitat while still 

maintaining the farmland for crop production. 

Rice growers can flood fields to decompose rice 

straw, creating seasonal wetlands without 

interfering with farming operations. 

There are several programs charged with meeting 

these mandates: the Water Acquisition Program 

(Refuge Focus), the Refuge Conveyance Program 

(Wheeling), the Refuge Construction Program 

(Facilities Construction and San Joaquin Basin 

Action Plan Lands), and the Agricultural 

Waterfowl Incentives Program. The refuge 

programs are managed by Reclamation and are a 

joint effort with the Service. The Service manages 

the Waterfowl Incentives Program. 

Significant progress has been made on these 

programs. A major goal of the Water Acquisition 

Program is to acquire water to upgrade refuge 

water supplies from Level 2 to Level 4 (Level 4 is 

the full water allocation for optimum management 

of wetlands in Reclamation’s 1989 Refuge Water 

Supply Report and for remaining water needs in 

the San Joaquin Basin Action Plan.). The total 

increase, approximately 159,000 acre-feet over 

Level 2 supplies, is to be achieved in increments 

of 10 percent per year. Interior has acquired 

temporary water supplies each year to meet the 

annual requirement since the program was 

established in 1993. At the end of fiscal year 

2002, a total of 484,114 acre-feet of annual water 

supplies had been acquired. In addition, in 1998 

Interior acquired the first 6,300 acre-feet of 

permanent water supply to help meet Level 4 

requirements.

Since 1993, Reclamation has increased the 

reliability of existing supplies to managed 

wetlands that have conveyance systems. Under 

the Refuge Conveyance Program, Interior 

executed eight water-wheeling agreements that 

provide for the delivery of up to 556,000 acre-feet 

of Level 2 and Level 4 water to wetlands. Under 

the Refuge Construction Program, critical 

conveyance facilities to three refuges in the west 

Sacramento Valley have been constructed. This 

was the result of a cooperative agreement reached 

with the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District, which 

resulted in the expansion of water delivery 

systems enabling water deliveries to the refuges. 

Three additional projects to deliver water to San 

Joaquin valley refuge areas have also been 

completed and others are under consideration. 

The Agricultural Waterfowl Incentives Program 

has been extremely and increasingly successful 

since its initial start in the winter of 1997-98. In 

that first year, 41 farmers participated in the 

program and created 22,314 acres of habitat for 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 18

wintering migratory waterfowl. Monitoring that 

year showed 

Central Valley Wetlands 

The Central Valley is 400 miles long and contains about 

10 million acres of land, of which at least 4 million acres 

were once wetlands, both permanent and seasonal. 

Historically, valley waterways regularly overflowed their 

banks in the winter, and much of the valley floor 

functioned as seasonal wetlands. Just prior to CVPIA, a 

little more than 300,000 acres of wetlands remained, and 

the bulk of those had to be intensively managed to support 

waterfowl, other migratory birds, and resident wildlife in 

the Central Valley. 

The valley is on the Pacific Flyway, a major route for 

millions of North America’s ducks, geese, and other 

migratory birds. Despite the greatly reduced habitat, 

Central Valley wetlands are host to large annual migrations 

and support 20 percent of North America’s continental 

waterfowl populations. As a result of inadequate or 

unreliable water supplies, most of the Federal, State, and 

private refuges that host these birds have had to operate on 

what is, in ecosystem term, a critical edge to provide the 

food and habitat necessary to support these millions of 

wintering visitors. Thus, any wisely applied addition to 

their water supply helps immensely to overcome the 

reduction in the historical habitat base. 

as many as 40,000 ducks and geese at one time 

using a single 80-acre newly flooded field. 

Herons, egrets, cranes, ibis and several species of 

shore birds also used these new seasonal wetlands, 

adding to the species diversity of the areas. 

Program participation has grown since then, with 

84 farmers participating in the winter of 2000-01 

and enrolling over 58,000 acres. Tens of millions 

of bird use-days have been recorded on enrolled 

fields in the 5 years since the program was 

initiated. Unfortunately, even though interest 

remains high, enrolled acreage was down slightly 

in 2002 as a result of reduced budgets. 

Participation and enrolled acreage would have 

continued at a high level if funding were not an 

issue. In accordance with the language of CVPIA, 

funding for this program was terminated at the end 

of fiscal year2002. 

Other Fish and Wildlife 

This category includes actions to mitigate for 

other impacts of the CVP that are not specifically 

provided for elsewhere in the Act. Programs in 

this category include the Habitat Restoration 

Program, the San Joaquin River Riparian Habitat 

Restoration Program, and, because of its benefits 

to other fish and wildlife, the Land Retirement 

Program. 

Since 1996, the Habitat Restoration Program has 

focused its efforts on the protection and 

enhancement of habitats and species most 

dramatically affected over the last 60 years. To 

date, this program has collaborated with numerous 

partners in the acquisition and/or restoration of 

crucial terrestrial habitats on 89,375 acres of land 

valley-wide. 

Projects have been distributed throughout the 

Central Valley from as far north as Shasta County 

along the Sacramento River south to Kern County. 

The program has obtained contributions of nearly 

$48 million from various partners, approximately 

50 percent of program costs to date. Fee title 

acquisitions and conservation easements totaling 

88,364 acres through FY02 have ensured the 

protection and allow for the restoration and 

enhancement of a diversity of native habitats, 

habitats that have significantly declined since 

construction of the CVP began. Habitats have 

been restored or enhanced on an additional 1,111 

acres. A variety of Federal and State-listed 

species are expected to benefit directly from these 

actions. In addition, the development and 

implementation of management plans for these 

areas should further improve conditions for these 

species and contribute towards their recovery. 

Efforts are underway to track the benefits of these 

efforts. 

A San Joaquin River Riparian Habitat Restoration 

Program has been developed and implemented to 

improve desirable plant and animal habitat along 

the river from Friant Dam to the San Joaquin’s 

confluence with the Merced River. This program 

has been able to identify from studies, field 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 19

investigations, Geographic Information System 

(GIS) mapping, and modeling efforts, numerous 

issues and data needs associated with San Joaquin 

River riparian habitat improvement and long-term 

restoration. From the issues and data needs 

identified, a prioritization system will be defined, 

methods for filling data gaps developed, and 

restoration techniques refined. 

For example, through field investigations and GIS 

vegetative mapping, the Program has prioritized 

the development and implementation of an 

invasive plant removal and re-vegetation 

management plan for the San Joaquin River. It 

also funded the development of a new model for 

calculating river channel roughness that is more 

accurate than other methods historically used and 

will have widespread application. 

Through stakeholder partnerships, the San Joaquin 

River Riparian Habitat Restoration Program has 

also initiated several site-specific restoration 

actions and programs and supported river 

education activities and workshops for the 

surrounding community. 

The Land Retirement Program was developed in 

concert with habitat restoration and other CVPIA 

purposes and provides one means to manage 

drainage-related problems within the central and 

western side of the San Joaquin Valley. The 

program’s principal objectives are to decrease 

drainage problems; rehabilitate upland habitat; 

contribute to the recovery of wildlife species, 

including listed species; and acquire water for 

other CVPIA purposes. 

Implementation of the CVPIA Land Retirement 

Program is provided through an interagency effort 

of Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management, and 

the Service. An interagency team including these 

three agencies developed interim guidelines to 

purchase from willing sellers land poorly suited 

for agricultural uses. Adaptive management of the 

program stresses minimizing, to the greatest extent 

possible, any harmful effects on fish and wildlife. 

The program acquired Prospect Island in the 

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in 1995. This 

island contains 1,228 acres of existing and 

potential wildlife and fisheries habitats. 

Beginning in 1997, the program began soliciting 

offers from willing sellers within eligible areas in 

the San Joaquin Valley and Tulare basin. A total 

of 70 applications were received, amounting to 

approximately 45,000 acres. By the end of fiscal 

year 2002, a total of 8,694 acres had been acquired 

by the Land Retirement Program and another 485 

acres was added to the program through 

acquisitions under the Habitat Restoration 

Program. Upland habitat on over 1,800 acres of 

these retired lands was treated and managed to 

enhance wildlife values. A Demonstration Project 

was initiated in 1998 on 1,891 acres in the 

Westlands Water District in Fresno County to 

study land retirement effects upon ground-water 

levels, groundwater and surface-water quality, soil 

chemistry, wildlife and plants. The Demonstration 

Project has been expanded and will cover up to 

15,000 acres, both in Westlands and in the Tulare 

Basin. The Demonstration Project is expected to 

take 5 years and will provide the necessary 

information to assess the ecological risks that 

might be associated with land retirement. 

Demonstration Project results will also provide 

information necessary for establishing future longterm land retirement goals and the data needed for 

completion of an environmental (National 

Environmental Policy Act) document for the 

larger Land Retirement Program. 

As the Land Retirement Program is implemented, 

and the drainage problem reduced through various 

treatments and land restoration measures, both the 

aquatic and terrestrial environments in the San 

Joaquin Valley and downstream in the estuary will 

benefit. 

Monitoring 

An adequate monitoring program is essential if we 

are to assess the long-term results of implementing 

CVPIA actions and programs, make needed 

adjustments to improve our effectiveness, and 

achieve the purposes of the Act. A three-tiered 

monitoring process has been established that 

consists of: 

(1) CVPIA action-specific monitoring to assess 

an individual measure’s results and 

effectiveness. The responsibility for 

developing this tier of information is at the 

project level. CAMP serves as the 

repository for the information once it has 

been collected; 

(2) ecosystem-level monitoring provided to 

assess the overall effectiveness of programs 

and groups of actions carried out under 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 20

Section 3406(b) of the CVPIA. CAMP 

develops this tier of information with input 

from the various CVPIA programs. An 

example of this type of information would be 

an assessment of the effectiveness of a suite 

of actions undertaken on a specific stream, 

such as on Clear Creek or Butte Creek, or the 

overall and relative effectiveness of a single 

program, such as the Anadromous Fish 

Screen Program, towards achieving the 

CVPIA doubling goal; and 

(3) the analysis of monitoring data from many 

other related efforts to ascertain “landscape 

level” results. Good examples of this tier of 

the CAMP program would be the use of 

Pacific Fisheries Management Council 

salmon data and funding the Department of 

Fish and Game to conduct angler surveys. 

The combined collected data would then be 

analyzed to determine progress towards 

achieving the doubling goal valley-wide. 

Interior began in 1994 by evaluating existing 

monitoring programs to determine their suitability 

for meeting CVPIA needs. This also provided a 

baseline for development of a CVPIA program to 

evaluate the biological results and effectiveness of 

CVPIA actions. Following that assessment, an 

ecosystem-level monitoring effort, the 

Comprehensive Assessment and Monitoring 

Program (CAMP), was developed to monitor 

various target fish species including Chinook 

salmon, steelhead, striped bass, and American 

shad. This program includes an Implementation 

Plan that describes in detail how field monitoring 

is to be accomplished and how data is to be 

processed and evaluated, and a Conceptual Plan 

for evaluating the overall success of various 

actions. The program will provide information on 

long-term changes at the population or landscape 

level that accrue as a result of programs or suites 

of actions. 

Data under the CAMP program began to be 

gathered in 1995 and has been collected insofar as 

funding has allowed every year since. Data 

generated by CAMP is provided to the 

Interagency Ecological Program for management 

and to be shared with others working on related 

activities. (The IEP was established to provide 

information on factors that affect ecological 

resources associated with the Sacramento-San 

Joaquin Delta) CAMP has supported several 

monitoring efforts, including surveys of shad and 

striped bass populations in the estuary, emigration 

monitoring of juvenile salmonids in the Yuba, 

Merced, and Tuolumne rivers, and a creel survey 

to gauge the numbers of Central Valley salmon 

and steelhead being caught in the inland 

recreational fisheries. To date, however, the 

ability to undertake a truly comprehensive 

assessment has been constrained somewhat by the 

availability of funds to implement needed 

assessment measures and meet established 

sampling protocols. 

Annual reports of the findings of the CAMPfunded and other monitoring activities are 

prepared and disseminated. CAMP also 

undertook and completed a riparian mapping 

program for the Sacramento River and its 

tributaries in 1994. 

Studies, Investigations and Modeling 

Extensive studies, investigations and modeling 

efforts are required to help develop some of the 

actions needed to implement the CVPIA. They 

have been, and will continue to be, important 

sources of information to help make CVPIA 

implementation decisions and to evaluate the 

probable results of proposed changes. These are a 

necessary first step in planning for many CVPIA 

actions. Many studies, investigations and models 

have been prepared jointly with, or contracted to, 

other agencies. 

Numerous studies have been completed, and 

others are ongoing, in connection with efforts to 

restore anadromous fish. These include analyses 

of flow fluctuations due to CVP operations, 

release patterns on the American and Stanislaus 

rivers, and carryover storage requirements; 

evaluations of temperature control and tributary 

enhancement opportunities; and an assessment of 

the major impacts of CVP facilities and operations 

on anadromous fish. 

With regard to the Refuges and Waterfowl thrust, 

the Central Valley Wetlands Water Supply 

Investigations has developed a geographic 

information system (GIS) database to identify 

private wetlands and additional water needs, as 

well as to identify potential water supplies for 

supplemental wetlands. 

Ecological and hydrologic models are being 

prepared to evaluate effects of various operations 

of water facilities and systems in the Sacramento, 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 21

San Joaquin and Trinity River watersheds. This is 

a cooperative effort with the California 

Department of Water Resources, U.S. Geological 

Survey (USGS) and others to evaluate potential 

impacts of various CVP actions. 

A study has also been completed to develop a 

least-cost plan to increase the yield of the CVP by 

the amount dedicated to fish and wildlife purposes 

in the CVPIA. This plan was submitted to 

Congress in 1996. To date, there has been no 

congressional action on the plan. A copy of the 

plan is available through the Mid-Pacific Regional 

Office, Bureau of Reclamation, and Public Affairs 

Office, at 2800 Cottage Way in Sacramento. 
Table 1 - Summary of Activities and Accomplishments – 1993-2002

CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 22 

CVPIA 

SECTION PROGRAM OR PROJECT STATUS 

Appendix A: Administrative Processes

3406(h) Cost-Share Agreement with 

State of California 

Agreement signed 6/27/94. Twelve Task Orders processed. 

Additional State funding required. Continuing.

3407 Restoration Fund Established Fund. Collected $354,998,786 (1993-2002). 

Continuing. 

3408(a) Rules and Regulations Interim guidelines & criteria developed for 10 CVPIA sections. 

Administrative Proposal process concluded. Final rules will 

follow now that PEIS Record of Decision has been signed. 

Continuing. 

3409 Programmatic EIS Draft PEIS released November 1997. Final released November 

1999. Record of Decision signed January 2001. Completed.

Appendix B: Contracting and Improved Water Management

3404 Contracting Negotiated and executed 68 interim renewal contracts and 

executed 44 of 45 binding agreements for early renewal of 

long-term contracts. Since completion of PEIS, executed 27 

long-term contracts and negotiated 24 others. Negotiations with 

remaining CVP contractors suspended pending development of 

a CVP-wide form of contract. Continuing.

3405(a) Water Transfers Developed & streamlined transfer approval process within 

CVP. Approved transfers of more than 4.3 million acre-feet for 

agricultural and municipal uses and more than 396,000 acre-feet 

for Level 4 refuge needs. No transfers yet approved outside 

CVP service area. Most of the 4.3 million acre-feet of CVP 

water approved for transfer were approved for a period of up to 

5 years with annual reviews. Approved transfer of 5,000 acrefeet to CALFED Environmental Water Account. Continuing. 

3405(b) and (e) Water Conservation Established Water Conservation and Advisory Center. 

Developed criteria and database to track plan implementation. 

Approved 85 water management plans. Provided cost-share 

and technical help. Continuing. 

3408(i) Water Conservation Projects Program established, but no serious interest from CVP 

contractors before 1999 sunset date. Completed.

Appendix C: Anadromous Fish - Habitat Restoration

3406(b) (1) Anadromous Fish Restoration 

Program 

Established AFRP and developed Restoration Plan to guide 

implementation of efforts. Partnered with local watershed 

groups in acquisition of nearly 8,000 acres and restoration of 

883 acres of riparian habitat. Restored over 15 miles of stream 

channel and placed 71,388 tons of spawning gravels. 

Eliminated predator habitat in San Joaquin River tributaries. 

Provided for fish protective devices at seven diversion 

structures on Butte Creek. Continuing.

3406(b)(2) Dedicated CVP Yield Implemented management of 800,000 acre-feet of water 

dedicated to CVPIA purposes. Continuing.

3406(b) (3) Water Acquisition Program 

(Anadromous Fish Focus) 

Acquired 913,452 acre-feet of water for anadromous fish from 

1993-2002. Continuing.

3406(b)(12) Clear Creek Fishery Restoration Removed Saeltzer Dam and diversion. Increased flows, 

restored 2.0 miles of stream channel and 68 acres of floodplain, 

and added 54,000 tons of spawning gravel to stream. 152 acres 

of shaded fuelbreak have been constructed and 12 miles of 

roadway treated to control erosion. Continuing.
Table 1 - Summary of Accomplishments

CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 23

CVPIA 

SECTION PROGRAM OR PROJECT STATUS 

3406(b)(13) Gravel Replenishment and 

Riparian Habitat Protection 

Developed long-term plans for CVP streams and placed 

126,488 tons of gravel in Sacramento, American and Stanislaus 

rivers. Continuing.

3406(b)(23) Trinity River Fishery Flow 

Evaluation Program 

Completed flow evaluation studies and EIR/EIS to analyze 

range of alternatives for restoring and maintaining fish 

populations downstream from Lewiston Dam. Record of 

Decision signed December 2000. Construction underway on 

improvements to infrastructure to accommodate increased 

streamflows. Continuing.

Appendix D: Anadromous Fish – Structural Measures

3406(b)(4) Tracy Pumping Plant Mitigation Improved predator removal and increased biological oversight 

of pumping. Developed better research program, new lab and 

aquaculture facilities and improved/modified existing facilities. 

Continuing.

3406(b)(5) Contra Costa Canal Pumping 

Plant Mitigation 

Established cooperative program for fish screen project for 

Rock Slough intake of Contra Costa Canal. 90% designs and 

environmental evaluation completed. New short-term, low-cost 

mitigation measures are being developed to allow for an 

extension of the construction completion date. Final design and 

construction pending results of CALFED Stage 1 and other 

studies. Continuing.

3406(b)(6) Shasta Temperature Control 

Device 

Construction finished 2/28/97. Dam now operated to reduce 

river temperatures without interruption to power generation 

operations. Completed.

3406(b)(10) Red Bluff Dam Fish Passage 

Program 

Completed interim actions and modification of Red Bluff 

Diversion Dam to meet needs of fish and water users. Studies 

of fish passage alternatives are ongoing. Continuing.

3406(b)(11) Coleman National Fish 

Hatchery Restoration and 

Keswick Fish Trap Modification

Installed ozone water treatment system, improved raceways and 

barrier weir and ladders, and installed interim screens at CNFH 

intakes. Installed fish trap improvements at Keswick dam. 

Established Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery. 

Continuing.

3406(b)(17) Anderson-Cottonwood I.D. Fish 

Passage 

Modified dam and operations to improve fish passage. 

Designed new fish ladders and screens for project completed 

with ERP funding. Completed.

3406(b)(20) Glenn-Colusa I.D. Pumping 

Plant 

Constructed fish screen for 3,000 cfs diversion. Completed 

water control structure and access bridge and improvements on 

side channel. Construction completed, testing underway.

3406(b)(21) Anadromous Fish Screen 

Program 

Established program. Installed 18 screens and 3 fish ladders at 

diversions totaling about 2,500 cfs capacity; removed 4 dams 

and 14 diversions totaling 750 cfs. Three screens under 

construction: others in design. Continuing.

Appendix E: Refuges and Waterfowl

3406(b)(3) & 

(d)(2) 

Water Acquisition Program 

(Refuge Focus) 

Acquired 484,114 acre-feet of interim and 6,300 acre-feet of 

long-term water for refuge Level 4 supplies. Continuing.

3406(b)(22) Agricultural Waterfowl 

Incentives Program 

Created nearly 238,000 acres of new seasonal waterfowl habitat 

during the six winters the program has been in existence. 

Program expired.

3406(d)(1,3-5) Refuge Water Conveyance 

(Wheeling) and Construction

Assisted in the acquisition of 484,114 acre-feet of Level 4 water 

supplies. Executed 8 interim “wheeling” agreements. 

Completed construction on 4 conveyance facilities. 

Continuing.
Table 1 - Summary of Accomplishments

CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 24

CVPIA 

SECTION PROGRAM OR PROJECT STATUS 

Appendix F: Other Fish and Wildlife 

3406(b)(1) Habitat Restoration Program Established Habitat Restoration Program and San Joaquin River 

Riparian Habitat Restoration Program. Participated in 

acquisition of 88,364 acres of native habitat and restore 1,111 

acres. Continuing.

3408(h) Land Retirement Program Established land retirement program to decrease drainage 

problems in San Joaquin Valley and enhance wildlife habitat 

and recovery of endangered species. Acquired 8,694 acres 

from willing sellers and added 485 from Habitat Restoration 

Program. Demonstration project underway with various land 

treatments applied on over 1,800 acres of retired lands to date. 

Continuing.

Appendix G: Monitoring

3406(b)(16) Comprehensive Assessment and 

Monitoring Program 

Established program to evaluate success of restoration efforts. 

Continuing.

Appendix H: Studies, Investigations and Modeling

3406(b)(9) Flow Fluctuation Coordinated management of CVP facilities and developed 

standards to minimize fishery impacts from flow fluctuation. 

Conducting studies on American and Stanislaus rivers. 

Continuing.

3406(b)(19) Shasta and Trinity Reservoir 

Carryover Storage Studies 

Studies underway. [related studies funded under 3406(b)(9)]. 

Continuing.

3406(c)(1) San Joaquin River 

Comprehensive Plan 

Initiated evaluation to reestablish anadromous fish from Friant 

Dam to Bay-Delta Estuary. Continuing.

3406(c)(2) Stanislaus River Basin Water 

Needs 

Prepared Stanislaus and Calaveras River water use program and 

ESA report. Additional studies ongoing concurrent with 

development of Stanislaus River long-term management plans. 

Continuing.

3406(d)(6) Central Valley Wetlands Water 

Supply Investigations 

Report completed identifying private wetlands and water needs, 

alternative supplies and potential water supplies for 

supplemental wetlands. Developed GIS database to identify 

potential water supply sources. Completed.

3406(e)(1) Investigation on Maintaining 

Temperatures for Anadromous 

Fish 

Completed field investigations and report on interaction 

between riparian forests and river water temperatures and on the 

general effects on water temperature of vegetation, irrigation 

return flow and sewage effluent discharge. Completed.

3406(e)(3, 6) Investigations on Tributary 

Enhancement 

Prepared report in 1998 on investigations to eliminate fish 

barriers and improve habitat on all Central Valley tributary 

streams. Completed.

3406(f) Report on Fishery Impacts Prepared report in 1995 describing major impacts of CVP 

reservoir facilities and operations on anadromous fish. 

Completed.

3406(g) Ecological and Hydrologic 

Models 

Developing models and data to evaluate effects of various 

operations of water facilities and systems in Sacramento, San 

Joaquin and Trinity River watersheds (to evaluate potential 

impacts of various CVP actions). Cooperative effort with 

DWR, USGS, others. Continuing.

3408(j) Project Yield Increase (Water 

Augmentation Program) 

Developed least-cost plan considering supply increase and 

demand reduction opportunities and submitted to Congress. 

Completed.
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 25
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 26

Figure 6 CVPIA Anadromous Fish Restoration Activities 

Sacramento River Basin - 1993-2002 

Activities by Watershed 

American River 

Am-1 Initiated construction of fish screen at Fairbairn diversion 

Am-2 Enhanced and replenished gravels below Nimbus dam 

Am-3 Reconfigured Folsom Dam shutters for temperature control 

NSA Developed and implemented more appropriate instream 

flows 

 

Antelope Creek 

An-1 Completed flow and temperature gage installation 

NSA Funded increased enforcement of regulations 

Battle Creek 

Ba-1 Completed ozonation, interim screening of diversion, 

raceway rehabilitation ladder improvements, and instream 

work at Coleman NFH 

Ba-2 Partnered in acquisition of a 990 acre conservation 

easement at Eagle Canyon 

NSA Partnered in acquisition of a total of 86,569 acre-feet of 

water for instream use 

Big Chico Creek 

BC-1 Partnered in acquisition of 0.5 miles (58 acres) of riparian 

corridor – Peterson property 

BC-2 Eliminated M&T diversion 

BC-3 Installed flow and temperature gage 

BC-4 Installed bypass structure at One-mile Pool 

BC-5 Partnered in acquisition of the 2,724 acre Simmons Ranch 

Butte Creek 

Bu-1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 16 Installed flow & temperature gages 

Bu-2 Constructed fish passage improvements on west side of 

Sutter Bypass 

Bu-6 Constructed fish exclusion device at Drumheller Slough 

Bu-7 Constructed fish passage improvements at Sanborn Slough 

Bifurcation 

Bu-9 Removed McPherin Dam 

Bu-10 Removed McGowan Dam 

Bu-11 Removed two Western Canal Dams and diversions; 

construct siphon 

Bu-12 Constructed ladder and screen at Gorrill Dam and diversion 

Bu-13 Constructed ladder and screens at Rancho Esquon Dam and 

diversion 

Bu-14 Participated in acquisition of 0.7 miles (56 miles) of riparian 

corridor – Keeney property 

Bu-15 Removed concrete blockage from stream 

Bu-17 Constructed ladder and screens at Durham Mutual Dam 

Bu-18 Constructed screen at Parrott-Phelen Dam 

Bu-19 Participated in acquisition of 0.8 miles (90 acres) of riparian 

corridor – McAmis property 

NSA Provided additional 40 cfs through water exchange 

Clear Creek 

Cl-1 Completed instream channel restoration along 1.5 miles of 

stream 

Cl-2 Restored 68 acres of floodplain along 2 miles of stream 

Cl-3 Placed spawning gravel below McCormick-Saeltzer Dam 

Cl-4 Removed McCormick-Saeltzer Dam 

Cl-5 Restored 0.5 miles of channel at Reading Bar 

Cl-6 Completed flow and temperature gage installation 

Cl-7 Placed spawning gravel below Whiskeytown Dam 

NSA Increased minimum instream flows between Oct to May 

NSA Constructed fuel breaks and road improvements to control 

erosion in watershed 

Deer Creek 

De-1 and 5 Installed flow and temperature gages 

De-2 Fenced 8.7 acres of riparian habitat along 2.7 miles of 

stream Leininger property 

De-3 Participated in acquisition of 4.7 miles (456 acres) of riparian 

corridor – L&L Hamilton property 

De-4 Acquired 7.1 miles (967 acres) of riparian corridor – L&L 

Gaumer property 

Feather River 

Fe-1 Installed flow & temperature gage 

Mill Creek 

Mi-1 and 4 Completed flow and temperature gage installation 

Mi-2 Restored 2.4 acres of riparian along 0.2 miles of stream - 

Brown’s Ranch 

Mi-3 Restored 1.5 acres of riparian along 0.1 miles of stream - 

Runyon site 

Mi-5 Participated in acquisition of 0.2 miles (2.0 acres) of riparian 

corridor – Birkes property 

Mi-6 Converted groundwater pumps facilitating additional instream 

flows 

Mi-7 Removed concrete debris from stream channel 

Mi-8 Participated in acquisition of 0.1 miles (5.5 acres) of riparian 

corridor – Dana property 

Mi-7 Participated in acquisition of 3.8 miles (1,629 acres) of riparian 

corridor – Latimer property 

Sacramento River Mainstem 

Sa-1 Participated in acquisition of 1.5 miles (10.5 acres) of riparian 

corridor at Chicory Bend 

Sa-2 Initiated construction of the City of Sacramento Fish Screen 

Sa-3 Completed flow and temperature gage installation 

Sa-4 Completed screening of Pelger-Mutual Water Company 

diversion 

Sa-5 Completed screening of Reclamation District 108 diversions 

Sa-6 Completed screening of Maxwell ID diversion 

Sa-7 Completed screening of Reclamation District 1004 diversion 

Sa-8 Participated in acquisition of 189 acres of riparian habitat 

property at Hartley Island 

Sa-9 Near completion of screen at Princeton-CordoraGlenn/Provident ID diversion 

Sa-10 Participated in acquisition of 122 acres of riparian habitat at 

Millar-Farms property 

Sa-11 Completed screening M&T Ranch diversion 

Sa-12 Participated in acquisition of 430 acres of riparian habitat at 

Pine Creek Orchards property 

Sa-13 Completed screening of Wilson Ranch diversion 

Sa-14 Continued effort to screen Glenn-Colusa ID diversion 

Sa-15 Initiated efforts to evaluate fish passage at Red Bluff Diversion 

Dam 

Sa-16 Anderson-Cottonwood ID: Completed initial improvement of 

operations; Completed agreement eliminating flow reduction 

requests below 10,000 cfs; Initiated efforts to screen & place a 

ladder at the diversion 

Sa-17 Placed gravel below Keswick Dam at Salt Creek 

Sa-18 Placed gravel below Keswick Dam 

Sa-19 Constructed Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery 

Sa-18 Completed renovation of fish escape channel at Keswick Dam 

Sa-19 Completed temperature control device at Shasta Dam 

NSA Developed & implemented a more appropriate instream flow 

Stony Creek 

St-1 Installed siphon on Stony Creek, improving anadromous fish 

passage 

Yuba River 

Yu-1 Constructed fish screen at Browns Valley Irrigation District 

diversion 
CVPIA — 10-Year Report Page 22

MSA = Non-Point Specific Activity

Activities Along the River Corridor 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 27

Figure 7 CVPIA Anadromous Fish Restoration Activities 

San Joaquin River Basin and Delta Area - 1993-2002 

Activities by Watershed 

Delta Area 

 De-1 Initiated improvements at Tracy Pumping 

Plant 

 De-2 Initiated screening of Contra Costa Canal 

Pumping Plant 

 De-3 Installed fish screens at 5 Suisun Resource 

Conservation District diversions 

 De-4 Installed fish screens at Dayly Lee diversion 

 De-5 Modified operations at Delta Cross Channel 

 NSA Improved flows and modified operations 

during anadromous fish migration periods 

Cosumnes River 

 Co-1 Removed barrier to fish migration 

Mokelumne River 

 Mo-1 Enhanced and replenished (11,450 tons) 

spawning gravels 

 Mo-2 Fenced/restored 0.8 miles (2.3 acres) of 

riparian corridor 

Merced River 

 Me-1 Restored riparian (30 acres) and instream 

habitat (0.5 miles) at Ratzlaff site 

 NSA Acquired 96,609 acre-feet of water for 

instream flows 

San Joaquin River 

 SJ-1 Constructed fish screen at Banta-Carbona ID 

diversion 

 NSA Acquired 453,275 acre-feet of water for 

pulse flows 

Stanislaus River 

 St-1 Participated in acquisition of 0.2 miles (35 

acres) of riparian corridor - Mohler property 

 St-2 Replenished spawning gravel (9,488 tons) 

below New Melones Dam 

 NSA Acquired 272,031 acre-feet of water for 

instream flows 

 NSA Modified operations using (b)(2) water 

NSA = Non-Point Specific Activity

Tuolumne River 

Tu-1 Participated in acquisition of an easement and 

restored 1.2 miles (137 acres) of riparian 

corridor - Greyson River Ranch 

Tu-2 Enhanced riparian (30.3 acres) & channel 

habitat (0.8 miles) at “Special Run Pool 9 & 

10” 

Tu-3 Initiated efforts to restore 0.9 miles of channel 

in the Reed segment of Mining Reach 

Tu-4 Initiated riparian (84.8 acres) & channel 

habitat (1.4 miles) restoration at WarnerDeardorff segment 

Tu-5 Initiated 66.7 acre riparian restoration along 

1.1 miles of stream at Ruddy Reach segment 

Tu-6 Enhanced riparian (163.6 acres) & channel 

habitat (2.7 miles) at 7/11 segment 

Tu-7 Placed 50,850 tons of gravel for spawning 

below LaGrange Dam 

NSA Acquired 4,998 acre-feet of water for instream 

flows 

CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 28
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 29

Figure 8 CVPIA Terrestrial Habitat Restoration Activities 

Sacramento River Basin and Delta Area – 1993-2002 

Refuge Activities

R-1 Completed siphon on Stony Creek to assist water conveyance to refuges 

R-2 Initiated planning for conveyance to Gray Lodge WA 

R-3 Initiated planning for conveyance to Sutter NWR 

NSA Acquired 107,980 acre-feet of water supplies for Sacramento River Basin refuges 

NSA Acquired 6,300 acre-feet of long-term water supplies for Sacramento River Basin refuges 

Other Fish and Wildlife Activities 

O-1 Participated in acquisition of the 2,180 acre Fenwood property for multiple species benefits 

O-2 Participated in acquisition of 264 acre Schmidbauer property for multiple species benefits 

O-3 Participated in the restoration of 206 acres of riparian at Llano Seco to benefit valley elderberry longhorn 

beetle and neo-tropical songbirds 

O-4 Participated in acquisition of 73 acres at the Southam property to benefit valley elderberry longhorn beetle 

and neo-tropical songbirds 

O-5 Participated in acquisition of 376 acres of the Boeger and Ward properties to benefit valley elderberry 

longhorn beetle and neo-tropical songbirds 

O-6 Funded studies and enhancement of habitat for giant garter snake on 450 acres at Colusa NWR 

O-7 Participated in acquisition of 476 acres at the Pine Hills Ecological Reserve for rare plant protection 

O-8 Participated in acquisition of 54 acres along North Webber Creek for red-legged frog 

O-9 Funded the acquisition of 100 acres at Stone Lakes NWR to benefit vernal pool species 

O-10 Participated in acquisition of 80 acres at the Silva property to benefit vernal pool species 

O-11 Participated in acquisition of 2,054 acres at Deer Creek Hills for multiple species benefits 

O-12 Participated in acquisition of the 4,356 acre Valensin Ranch for multiple species benefits 

O-13 Participated in acquisition of the 1,136 acre Schneider Ranch to benefit vernal pool species 

O-14 Participated in acquisition of a conservation easement on 370 acres at the Ben Brown Ranch to benefit 

vernal pool and grassland species 

O-15 Participated in acquisition of the 13,000 acre Howard Ranch for multiple species benefits 

NSA Enrolled 231,909 acres of agricultural lands in the section 3406(b)(22) Agricultural Waterfowl Incentives 

Program over 6 years, providing seasonal habitat for waterfowl and other water-oriented wildlife 

Land Retirement Program 

L-1 Completed acquisition of 1,228 acre Prospect Island for multiple species benefits 

NSA – Non-Point Specific Activity
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 30
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 31

Figure 9 CVPIA Terrestrial Habitat Restoration Activities 

San Joaquin Valley Area – 1993-2002 

Refuge Activities

R-4 Completed Newman Canal and J Lateral for China Island Unit 

R-5 Initiated construction of pumping plant/pipeline at China Island unit 

R-6 Completed construction on Island “C” Canal San Luis NWR 

R-7 Completed repair of Merced ID diversion helping to “firm” refuge water supplies 

R-8 Initiated evaluations to replace Mendota Dam 

R-9 Initiated planning to develop water supply to Pixley NWR 

R-10 Completed well and associated facilities at Pixley NWR 

R-11 Initiated planning to develop water supply to Kern NWR 

NSA Acquired 376,134 acre-feet of water for San Joaquin Valley refuges 

Other Fish and Wildlife Activities 

O-16 Participated in acquisition of the 960 acre Farmington property to benefit vernal pool species 

O-17 Developed & implemented restoration and management program for large-flowered fiddleneck 

O-18 Enhanced 258 acres of riparian brush rabbit habitat at Caswell State Park 

O-19 Participated in acquisition of 61,043 acres at (a) Newman & (b) Romero Ranches for various species 

O-20 Participated in placement of fencing at Alkali Sink 

O-21 Developed management and restoration plan for San Joaquin kangaroo rat at Livermore NAS 

O-22 Participated in acquisition of 156 acre Jensen Ranch for multiple species benefits 

O-23 Funded acquisition of 16 acres at Stone Corral Ecological Reserve to benefit vernal pool species 

O-24 Participated in acquisition of the 725 acre Herbert Property and the enhancement of 100 acres to benefit 

vernal pool species 

O-25 Participated in acquisition of 460 acres at Allensworth Ecological Reserve for multiple species benefits 

NSA Enrolled 6,000 acres of agricultural lands in the section 3406(b)(22) Agricultural Waterfowl Incentives 

Program over 3 years, providing seasonal habitat for waterfowl and other water-oriented wildlife 

Land Retirement Program Activities 

L-2 Acquired 591 acres in Westlands Water District in FY 96 

L-3 Acquired 1,055 acres in Westlands Water District in FY 98 

L-4 Acquired 444 acres and improved 800 acres in Westlands Water District in FY 01and FY 02 

L-5 Acquired 5,861 acres (485 acres from Habitat Restoration Program, pg. F3) and improved 1,000 acres in 

Atwell Island Irrigation District in FY 00, FY 01, and FY 02 

NSA – Non-Point Specific Activity 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 32

PART IV - ASSESSING THE RESULTS 

The Ecosystem Response 

From all indications, the CVPIA has had very 

positive results from its efforts to protect, restore 

and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats in 

the Central Valley. The numbers of anadromous 

fish returning to Central Valley rivers and streams 

have increased, and salmon have returned to 

spawn in areas where they have not been seen for 

many years. Hundreds of thousands of ducks and 

geese and other migrating birds and waterfowl 

have used new wetlands areas the CVPIA 

programs have created, and avian diseases have 

declined. 

While the ecosystem and fish and wildlife 

populations are undoubtedly influenced by other 

factors, it is certain that many of the beneficial 

effects being observed throughout the Central 

Valley are due to CVPIA actions. However, it 

will be difficult to separate the effects of CVPIA 

actions from other influences. Factors such as 

weather, ocean conditions, pollution, and the 

introduction of non-native species, also affect fish 

and wildlife and their ecosystems. It will take 

many years of study and monitoring before the 

results of CVPIA actions, individually and 

collectively, can be teased apart from other causes 

of ecosystem change and assessed with 

confidence. 

Interior has developed and is implementing 

programs to assess the results and effectiveness of 

CVPIA actions in terms of ecosystem response. 

The largest of these programs is the 

Comprehensive Assessment and Monitoring 

Program. This program will provide information 

on long-term changes at the population or 

landscape level that accrue as a result of programs 

or suites of actions. 

Separating CVPIA implementation effects from 

other influences also requires a thorough 

understanding of the ecosystem of the Central 

Valley and its many inter-relationships. The 

Ecosystem and Water System Operations Models 

have furnished improved scientific understanding 

of the Central Valley ecosystem and hydrology, 

and the interactions of various factors in surface 

water and ground water, watersheds, reservoirs, 

and fish and wildlife habitats. The knowledge 

gained on ecosystem functions, together with the 

data gathered by the Comprehensive Assessment 

and Monitoring Program, will help Interior to 

develop model improvements to more accurately 

assess the results of CVPIA actions over time. 

CVPIA actions and monitoring programs have 

been in effect for a relatively few years. While we 

have been able to ascertain the effectiveness of 

many of the individual actions over this short time 

span and within a limited geographic area, 

assessing the overall effectiveness of CVPIA 

programs in meeting valley-wide goals will take 

many more years. At this time it is possible only 

to identify trends in fish and wildlife populations 

that align with Interior's CVPIA efforts and which 

suggest a likely response. When monitoring and 

modeling programs have been in effect longer, 

there will be a more scientific basis to show a 

cause and affect relationship between CVPIA 

actions and ecosystem response. 

Extensive research by Federal, State and local 

agencies has followed the changing Central Valley 

environment for many years. Data from this 

research have been used to discern environmental 

trends during the 1993 through 2002 period for 

this report. Though it does not conclusively 

identify the extent to which changes can be 

attributed to CVPIA, the trends aligned with 

CVPIA actions are a good indication that the 

ecosystem is responding positively to CVPIA 

implementation. 

Anadromous Fish Species 

Chinook salmon have been a high priority for 

CVPIA restoration efforts. While their numbers 

along the entire west coast have generally declined 

during this period, returns to the Central Valley 

and the catch off the California coast, as identified 

by the Pacific Fishery Management Council 

(Figure 10), have increased significantly since 

CVPIA measures began to be implemented in 

1993. Factors such as hydrology, ocean 

conditions, and fishing regulations have 

undoubtedly had some effect, however, other west 

coast fisheries have been subject to the same 

factors and, in many cases, similar conditions. To 

a large extent, factors within and unique to the 

Central Valley are responsible for the increasing 

salmon population trends valley-wide.
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 33
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 34

Figure 10 

Central Valley Chinook Salmon Abundance Indicies 

Some CVPIA actions, such as placement of gravel 

for spawning in the Sacramento, American, 

Mokelumne, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne rivers and 

Clear Creek, have resulted in almost immediate 

benefits to anadromous fish species such as 

Chinook salmon and steelhead. In several 

instances, fish successfully spawned where none 

had spawned for many years and juvenile 

production seems to have increased substantially 

as a result. Whether such immediate results will 

translate into long-term population increases will 

take more time to ascertain. The long-term 

benefits of measures to improve conditions for 

juvenile fishes generally do not become apparent 

until the resultant adult fishes return years later. 

However, there is strong evidence of the success 

of CVPIA actions in the Clear Creek and Butte 

Creek watersheds. After years of diversion and 

other human uses, anadromous fish populations 

were very low in these streams. Interior has 

focused CVPIA efforts in these watersheds since 

1993, and adult salmon returns have increased 

dramatically in both streams (Figures 11 and 12). 

Implementation of actions under the CVPIA is 

certainly providing momentum for these increases 

in Chinook salmon in the valley. Even if CVPIA 

actions are only partly responsible, the increased 

abundance is certain evidence that the ecosystem 

is resilient and can support greater fish 

populations. This is encouraging for the probable 

success of CVPIA efforts, and reinforces the 

importance of continuing the restoration efforts. 

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1970

197119721973197419751976197719781979

198019811982

1983

19841985

198619871988198919901991

1992199319941995

1996199719981999

2000

2001

2002

Year

Fish in Thousands

Adult In-River Escapement Ocean Harvest Total Estimated 2002 Run

Information from Pacific Fishery 

Management Council - Stock

 Abundance Analysis for 2004 Ocean 

Salmon Fisheries (February 2004)

PreCVPIA

PostCVPIA
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 35

Figure 11 

Clear Creek Fall-Run Chinook Salmon 

Escapement and CVPIA Implementation 

 

Figure 12 

Butte Creek Spring-Run Chinook Salmon 

Escapement and CVPIA Implementation

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

18000

1981198219841985198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002

Year

Salmon Returns

Increased minimum flows to 150-200 cfs from Oct 1 to May 

31 

Placed 54,000 tons of gravel for anadromous fish spawning 

Funded erosion control projects in watershed 

Removed McCormick-Saeltzer Dam 

Restored flood plain along 1 mile of stream corridor 

Restored 0.8 miles of stream channel

Pre-CVPIA Post-CVPIA 

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

1967-

1991

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Year

Salmon Returns

1994 Fishing regulation enforcement efforts increased

1995 Passage improved at Parrot-Phelan Dam

1996 Riparian habitat acquired and protected on the Keeney property 

 Real-time flow and temperature system installed

1997 Flows improved by acquiring 40 cfs water right from M&T Ranch 

 Western Canal siphon installed 

 McGowan, McPherrin and two Western Canal Dams removed

 Passage improved at Durham Mutual Dam

1998 Passage improved at Gorill Dam

 Passage improved at Adams Dam

 Riparian habitat acquired and protected on the McAmis property

 Passage improved at Sanborn Slough Bifurcation

1999 Adults excluded from Drumheller Slough

2002 Constructed fish protective measures at 3 diversions in Sutter By-

 pass

Pre- Post-CVPIA

CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 35 

Refuges and Waterfowl 

Most of the historic wetland areas in the Central 

Valley have been converted to other uses. Less 

than 5 percent of the more than 4 million acres of 

seasonal and permanent wetlands that existed 150 

years ago remain and the bulk of these must be 

intensively managed to continue to support the 20 

percent of North America's waterfowl populations 

that depend on the Central Valley for wintering 

habitat. Federal, State, and private refuges have 

had to operate on what is, in ecosystem terms, a 

critical edge. Thus, any wisely applied addition to 

the water supply, or increase in the acreage of 

wetlands under management, generates a 

reduction in the habitat deficit. As a result, the 

benefits of CVPIA efforts have made a dramatic 

difference. 

Central Valley wetlands receiving CVP water 

supplies have increased by more than 20,000 acres 

since passage of the CVPIA. The average annual 

increase was above 13,000 acres, a 35 percent 

increase. This increase in overall wetland acreage 

helps explain the 75 percent decrease in waterfowl 

disease-related mortality in some wetland areas as 

the birds spread out over a greater area. At least 

as important as the increase in acreage, however, 

is the improvement in the quality of previously 

existing wetlands that has resulted from having a 

firm and adequate supply of water available over 

more of the year, enabling managers to implement 

improved management techniques. 

Increased acreage and improved conditions have 

resulted in more waterfowl use and lower 

mortality rates. Sacramento Valley areas 

receiving CVP water have seen a 20-percent 

increase in waterfowl use, according to California 

Waterfowl Association data. 

On Grassland Resource Conservation District 

lands only limited moist-soil summer irrigation or 

soil salinity treatments were possible before the 

CVPIA. With the improved water supply, the area 

managed for production of waterfowl food plants 

such as swamp timothy and watergrass was 

increased from 4,000 acres in 1991-92 to 26,000 

acres by 2002. The yield per acre in these areas 

has doubled as well as a result of their improved 

water supply. The result was a net 300 percent 

increase in waterfowl use in some areas as early as 

1995. Waterfowl numbers and the health of these 

birds have responded commensurately. 

Other areas of the valley also experienced 

increases in waterfowl use. An increase of 18 

million waterfowl-use days occurred at the Gray 

Lodge Wildlife Area in 1995. In other areas, 

waterfowl and shore bird food production 

increased by more than 300 percent, with a 

corresponding increase in use. 

As a result of new wetlands and enhancement of 

previously existing wetlands made possible by 

improved water supplies, populations of Federal 

and State listed threatened species at Sacramento 

and San Joaquin Valley refuge areas have 

increased. The species benefited include the 

peregrine falcon, southern bald eagle, tri-colored 

blackbird and white-faced ibis. White-faced ibis 

have been particularly remarkable in their 

response to late-spring and summer water. This 

water provides nesting habitat and increases the 

numbers of frogs, snails, insects, and small fish on 

which they feed. At Sutter National Wildlife 

Refuge, the population of ibis increased for 100 

birds in 1991 to over 15,000 in 2002. Kern 

National Wildlife Refuge experienced a similar 

increase, with the number of white-faced ibis 

increasing from 50 birds to 5,600 birds from 1993 

to 2001. 

In addition to enhanced conditions on established 

refuges, the incentive program for farmers to flood 

harvested fields has created seasonal habitat for a 

host of wildlife species, including waterfowl and 

shore birds. This program has resulted in an 

average of nearly 40,000 acres of additional 

habitat being available each year for migratory 

water birds in the 6 years the program has been in 

existence. These have supported tens of millions 

of bird use-days annually over the same period. 

This increase in available habitat area off-refuge 

during peak waterfowl use periods, in combination 

with increases on refuge areas provided by the 

delivery of Level 2 and Level 4 water supplies, 

seems to have contributed to the significant 

decrease in overall waterfowl disease-related 

mortality that we have observed. The additional 

food supply also helps to ensure that birds are in 

peak condition when they begin their migrations 

back to their breeding grounds in spring. 

The improvement of conditions at refuges also 

increases the support they provide for a very long 

list of species other than waterfowl, including 

many special-status species. Protecting these 

plants and animals, many of which are 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress Page 36

interdependent, makes the overall ecosystem more 

stable and increases its ability to function despite 

adverse changes. 

Increasing water supplies to wetlands also has the 

effect of improving water quality, both on and off 

refuges. The increased seepage has had the 

benefit of bio-filtration, thus entering the ground 

water as a much more valuable contribution to the 

overall water supply. Providing firm, quality 

water supplies has also reduced the exposure of 

waterfowl and shore birds spending the winter in 

the Grasslands area of the valley to contaminants. 

In a report on selenium in aquatic birds from the 

Central Valley, 1986-1994, Fish and Wildlife 

Service scientists noted that application of 

freshwater resulted in the decline of selenium 

contamination in mallard and northern pintail 

ducks, American coots and black necked stilts. 

Other Fish and Wildlife 

Since 1996, the CVPIA Habitat Restoration 

Program has implemented actions to mitigate for 

impacts of the CVP to habitats and species not 

specifically provided for elsewhere in the Act. 

Primary emphasis has been on the protection, 

acquisition, and enhancement of habitats most 

dramatically affected since construction of the 

CVP began and on improving conditions for a 

variety of Federal and State listed species. As 

described earlier, the Habitat Restoration Program 

has participated in the acquisition of 88,364 acres 

of crucial terrestrial habitats throughout the valley 

and in the restoration of more than 1,111 acres to 

benefit listed plants and animals. (See figures 8 

and 9 and Appendix F for a complete list of 

actions) 

These efforts have resulted in the preservation, in 

perpetuity, of many native habitats including 

riparian, wetland, grassland, hardwood woodland, 

and vernal pool habitats, and have directly 

improved conditions for numerous fish and 

wildlife species, including several listed species. 

In some instances, immediate improvement of 

habitat conditions for listed species like the giant 

garter snake, vernal pool plant and invertebrate 

species, and gabbro soil plant species in the 

foothills of the Sierra Nevada has been realized. 

For example, restoration activities for giant garter 

snake habitat at the 450-acre Zumwalt tract of the 

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge were initially 

funded in 1997. Construction of wetlands on this 

parcel was completed in 1999 and a 3-year 

monitoring program was initiated in 2000 to 

assess the benefits of the restored wetland habitat 

for giant garter snakes. Results to date indicate a 

healthy population of giant garter snakes with 

successful recruitment of the young in the vicinity 

of the restoration project. Data from this effort 

will also provide valuable information for use in 

developing a giant garter snake habitat 

management plan for the refuge and contribute 

towards species recovery. 

In addition to the efforts of the Habitat Restoration 

Program, the Land Retirement Program also 

provides benefits to fish and wildlife. To date, 

this program has acquired and retired from 

irrigated agriculture 10,000 acres of land in the 

valley. The acquisition of Prospect Island 

provided for the preservation and restoration of 

1,228 acres of wetland habitat in the Delta, 

benefiting both fish and wildlife species. The 

retirement of an additional 7,951 acres of drainage 

impacted agricultural land in the San Joaquin 

Valley began an evaluation process that will shape 

the program in the future. The various treatments 

and restoration measures on these retired lands 

have demonstrated that they can safely provide 

much needed habitat for many valley floor species 

while simultaneously lowering the levels of the 

highly saline perched groundwater tables and 

reducing the volume of contaminated drainwater 

they generate. Almost immediately following 

restoration efforts, treated lands in the Westlands 

Water District were supporting 17 special status 

bird species. In addition, populations of small 

mammals increased significantly, including 3 

special status mammalian species found on retired 

lands in the Atwell Island Irrigation District. 

Monitoring of vegetation, invertebrates, and small 

mammals for bio-accumulated selenium in these 

areas has shown no significant increases of this 

sometimes-toxic element. All levels measured 

have been well below concentrations of concern to 

the Service and the Environmental Protection 

Agency. 
 

APPENDIX A 

Administrative Processes
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress 

Appendix A Administrative Processes 

Cost-Share Agreement with the State of California (Section 3406[h]) ....................................................A-1 

Restoration Fund (Section 3407) ..............................................................................................................A-2 

Rules and Regulations (Section 3408[a])..................................................................................................A-3 

Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Section 3409)..............................................................A-5
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress A-1

Cost-Share Agreement with the State of California 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(h) Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing

Section 3406(h) states, “The Secretary shall enter into a binding costshare agreement with the State of California with respect to the timely 

reimbursement of costs allocated to the State in this title. Such 

agreement shall provide for consideration of the value of direct 

reimbursements, specific contributions to the Restoration Fund, and 

water, conveyance capacity, or other contributions in-kind that would 

supplement existing programs and that would, as determined by the 

Secretary, materially contribute to attainment of the goals and 

objectives of this title.” 

A State-Federal Master Cost-Share Agreement for implementation of 

the CVPIA was signed by the Regional Directors of Reclamation and 

the Service and by the Directors of the DWR and DFG on June 27, 

1994. The agreement includes provisions describing the term and 

scope of the agreement, cost-sharing principles, task orders, budgeting, 

funding, and coordination of 16 restoration actions identified in the 

agreement and in CVPIA Sections 3406 (b), (d), and (g). 

The Cost-Share Agreement establishes a common goal to maximize flexibility to carry out these restoration 

actions. The agreement was structured so that either party may fund all, none, or any percentage of a specific 

restoration action in any year, based on available appropriations. The Cost-Share Agreement allows the State 

to fund its share or provide in-lieu services. 

In 1996, State Senator Costa introduced Senate Bill (SB) 900, the “Water Resources and Delta Restoration 

Act of 1996,” as amended. Voters subsequently approved Proposition 204, a bond issue based on SB 900 to 

provide funds for, among other things, water projects, facilities, and programs associated with the CVPIA 

process. It authorized $93 million to meet the State’s cost-share responsibility for fish, wildlife, and habitat 

restoration measures required by the CVPIA. 

The State identified sections of the CVPIA considered priorities for the bond monies and suggested that this 

funding be incorporated into a 3- to 5-year budget allocation process. The State and Interior have negotiated 

task order agreements for eight projects pursuant to the Master Cost-Share Agreement (Shasta Dam 

Temperature Control Device, Red Bluff Diversion Dam Improvements, Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District Fish 

Screen, Anadromous Fish Screen Program, Clear Creek Restoration, Anderson Cottonwood Irrigation District 

Fish Passage, Contra Costa Canal Fish Screen, and Spawning Gravel Replenishment. A task order agreement 

is being negotiated for the Refuge Water Supply and Facilities program.

Objective 

C Enter into a binding cost share 

agreement with the State of California 

to address State responsibilities under 

CVPIA

Accomplishments 

C Signed a State-Federal Master CostShare Agreement on June 27, 1994 

C Executed seven task order agreements 

pursuant to the Master Agreement 

providing State funds for CVPIA 

projects 

Projects Identified for State Funding 

C Shasta Dam Temperature Control Device 

C Red Bluff Diversion Dam improvements 

C Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District fish screen 

C Contra Costa Canal fish screen 

C Anadromous Fish Screen Program 

C Vernalis Adaptive Management Plan 

C Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District fish passage 

C Spawning Gravel Replenishment Program 

C Refuge Water Supply and Facilities Program 

C Clear Creek restoration 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress A-2

Restoration Fund 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3407 Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing

Section 3407 states, “There is hereby established ... the “Central 

Valley Project Restoration Fund” (hereafter “Restoration Fund”) 

which shall be available for deposit of donations from any source and 

revenues provided under sections 3404(c)(3), 3405(f), 3406(c)(1), 

and 3407(d) of this title. Such sums as are necessary, up to 

$50,000,000 per year (October 1992 price levels), are authorized...to 

carry out programs, projects, plans, and habitat restoration, 

improvement, and acquisition provisions of this title.” 

In 1992, the Restoration Fund was established in the Treasury of the 

United States for deposit of revenues associated with the CVPIA. 

Separate fund codes were established to identify the different sources 

of payments and contributions received as well as to track 

expenditures. Consistent with section 3407, collections into the 

Restoration Fund began immediately and, in that first year (fiscal 

year 1993), $8,771,053 was collected. Total Restoration Fund 

revenues collected for fiscal years 1993-2002 were $354,998,786. 

In 1993, interim guidelines were developed that provide instruction 

on the calculation, assessment, collection, and crediting of payments 

and charges to be paid by CVP water and power beneficiaries. Rules 

and regulations are being written for many of the subjects covered by 

the interim guidelines. 

Although the CVPIA became law on October 30, 1992, and 

Restoration fund collections began that same fiscal year (fiscal year 

1993), funds were not appropriated to Interior to implement 

provisions of the Act until fiscal year 1994. Consequently, existing 

fund sources were used in that first fiscal year to initiate CVPIA 

implementation. Most CVPIA actions in fiscal years since 1993 have 

been funded by the Restoration Fund; however, a number were 

funded (or partly funded) with a combination of Reclamation’s Water 

and Related Resources Appropriation and California State cost-share 

funding provided under section 3406(h). About 62 percent of the 

total funds obligated for CVPIA were for actions to benefit 

anadromous fish.

The Restoration Fund has an extensive public involvement component, including interaction and coordination 

with the Restoration Fund Roundtable (a stakeholder organization) and CALFED. 

Objective 

C Provide a funding source for 

implementing CVPIA habitat 

restoration, improvement, and 

acquisition provisions 

Accomplishments 

C Established the Restoration Fund in 

the U.S. Treasury 

C Created separate fund codes to 

identify CVPIA payments, 

contributions, and charges 

C Established interim guidelines for 

calculation, assessment, and 

collection of revenues and surcharges 

C Collected $354,998,786 in revenues 

for fiscal years 1993-2002 

Fiscal Data

Fiscal Year Collections 

1993 $8,771,053 

1994 $20,980,543 

1995 $33,562,061 

1996 $46,825,028 

1997 $36,671,962 

1998 $24,631,645 

1999 $48,700,853 

2000 $46,994,978 

2001 $36,110,545 

2002 $51,750,118 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress A-3

Rules and Regulations

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3408(a) Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing

Section 3408(a) states, “The Secretary is authorized and directed to 

promulgate such regulations and enter into such agreements as may 

be necessary to implement the intent, purposes and provisions of this 

title.” 

Interior has been conducting a public involvement process to develop 

rules and regulations for CVPIA implementation. In August and 

December 1994, Federal Register notices announced public scoping 

and requested comments on the preliminary list of CVPIA sections 

designated for rulemaking. Through a series of public workshops, 

Interior obtained comments on the proposed rules. Interior is 

currently developing a detailed analysis for each section of CVPIA 

identified for rulemaking to see whether rulemaking is necessary for 

those sections. Implementation of each CVPIA section is at a 

different stage of progress; for example, studies are ongoing on 

sections such as land retirement and “3406(b)(2) water” (dedication 

of 800,000 acre-feet of CVP water for fish and wildlife restoration). 

As a result, rules and regulations are being accomplished in two 

phases. 

The following CVPIA sections were identified for rulemaking: 

Phase 1

• 3404(c) - Renewal of Existing Long-Term Contracts 

• 3405(a) - Water Transfers 

• 3405(b) - Metering of Water Use Required 

• 3405(c) - State and Federal Water Quality Standards 

• 3405(d) - Water Pricing Reform 

• 3405(e) - Water Conservation Standards 

• 3407 - Restoration Fund 

• 3408(c) - Contracts for Additional Storage and Delivery of Water 

• 3408(d) - Use of Project Facilities for Water Banking 

Phase 2

• 3406(b)(2) - Fish and Wildlife Restoration, 800,000 acre-feet of CVP Yield 

• 3406(b)(3) - Fish and Wildlife Restoration, Supplemental Water Acquisition 

• 3406(d) - Central Valley Refuges and Wildlife Habitat Areas 

• 3408(b) - Use of Electrical Energy (Project Power for Fish and Wildlife) 

• 3408(h) - Land Retirement 

Objective 

• Establish guidelines and regulations for 

implementing CVPIA 

Accomplishments 

• Developed interim guidelines or 

criteria for 10 CVPIA sections 

• Held public scoping workshops to 

solicit comments on rulemaking 

• Published “Advance Notice of 

Proposed Rulemaking” and listed 

CVPIA sections proposed for 

rulemaking 

• Prepared nine Administrative 

Proposals interpreting the intent of 

CVPIA to be included in rules and 

regulations 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress A-4

CVPIA Administrative Proposals 

Proposal Date of Release 

Trinity River March 20, 1997 

Water Conservation March 20, 1997 

Urban Reliability June 9, 1997 

San Joaquin River June 9, 1997 

Stanislaus River June 23, 1997 

3406 (b)(2) Water November 20, 

1997 

Water Transfers April 16, 1998 

Contracting Policies April 16, 1998 

Refuge Water Supplies April 16, 1998 

AFRP 

Addressed through 

proposal for 3406 

(b)(2)

Between September 1995 and April 1996, Interior 

held a series of public meetings to identify 

concerns regarding implementation of the CVPIA. 

 Interior identified twelve major areas of concern. 

In April 1996, Interior committed to prepare 

“Administrative Proposals” to address the 

principal areas of concern about how Interior 

would implement specific sections of CVPIA. 

Nine final Administrative Proposals were 

completed and released to the public. The 

proposals on 3406 (b)(2) and AFRP were 

combined. An Administrative Proposal dealing 

with the Restoration Fund was not completed at 

the time the process concluded. 

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Guidelines were developed for: 

• Interim renewal contracts 

• Water transfers 

• Restoration Fund payments and charges 

• Section 3406(b)(2) water 

• Land retirement 

• Water conservation cost-share proposals 

• Flooding agricultural lands for waterfowl habitat and the 

CVP yield enhancement and incentive program 

Criteria were developed for: 

• Evaluating water management plans 

• Project-use power for CVPIA (Draft) 

Both the initial process to develop interim 

guidelines and criteria and the Administrative 

Proposal process are a significant part of the 

administrative record for promulgation of the rules 

and regulations. Also important are issues 

identified during preparation and review of the 

PEIS. The drafting of final rules has been initiated. 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress A-5

Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3409 Start Date: 1993 Status: Completed

Section 3409 states, “Not later than three years after the date of 

enactment of this title, the Secretary shall prepare and complete a 

programmatic environmental impact statement pursuant to the 

National Environmental Policy Act analyzing the direct and indirect 

impacts and benefits of implementing this title, including all fish, 

wildlife, and habitat restoration actions and the potential renewal of 

all existing Central Valley Project water contracts.” 

In coordination with the Service, Reclamation took the lead in 

developing the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement 

(PEIS) for implementing the CVPIA. The Notice of Intent to prepare 

a PEIS and the notice of scoping meetings were published in the 

Federal Register (Vol. 58, No. 23) on February 5, 1993. A Plan of 

Action and Public Involvement Plan were developed in 1993. 

Extensive public workshops and briefings were conducted 

throughout the preparation of the draft PEIS to describe key 

assumptions, analysis techniques, and results. 

In March and April 1993, Interior conducted public scoping sessions 

to identify the issues, selected a contractor to assist with preparing 

the PEIS, and prepared cooperating agency agreements with nine 

governmental entities. These governmental agencies, the 

“Interagency Group,” met at least four times a year during the draft 

PEIS process to guide the development of the document. 

Representatives from the Interagency Group also served on work 

groups that contributed to the preparation of major PEIS work 

products. 

In 1996, the PEIS was updated to include the changes occasioned by 

the Bay-Delta Accord and subsequent State Water Resources Control 

Board issuance of a water rights permit to support the Accord. 

Additionally, the PEIS database was updated to reflect current 

interpretations of dedicated water described in Section 3406(b)(2), 

refuge water supply, and estimates of future Trinity River flows. The 

PEIS team worked with the AFRP team to properly reflect the 

actions to be taken to make reasonable attempts to double 

anadromous fish populations in the Central Valley rivers and streams 

as prescribed by the CVPIA. 

The draft PEIS was released in November 1997, and the public comment period closed in April 1998. The 

PEIS includes 33 technical appendices that describe the major work efforts on the PEIS. Of the 33 

appendices, 18 are technical appendices describing specialized resource issues such as surface water; soils and 

geology; recreation; and fish, wildlife, and recreation economics. A CD-ROM set was developed that 

contains the PEIS and all technical appendices, as well as the models, input data, and output files that were 

used in PEIS. 

The final PEIS was released in October 1999. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine 

Fisheries Service issued Biological Opinions pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act on the 

implementation of the CVPIA in November 2000. The Record of Decision, reflecting a decision that was a 

Objectives 

• Describe the impacts of implementing 

the CVPIA 

• Provide a public forum to exchange 

information about the CVPIA 

• Allow for public input and refinement 

of alternatives

• Provide information to Federal 

decision makers to allow an informed 

decision

Accomplishments 

• Completed and released the draft and 

final PEIS 

• Maintained an extensive public 

involvement process and modified 

alternatives accordingly 

• Record of Decision signed January 

2001 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1993 $3,754,962 

1994 $3,800,000 

1995 $7,091,119 

1996 $6,880,075 

1997 $4,197,745 

1998 $1,103,491 

1999 $1,397,189 

2000 $2,069,651 

2001 -$973,733 

** The negative is a credit 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress A-6

hybrid of the alternatives in the PEIS and which was in conformance with the Biological Opinions, was 

signed in January, 2001. 

REPORTS PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3409 

• Scoping Report, May 1993 

• Various Public Involvement Documents 

• Draft PEIS, November 1997 

• Supplement to Draft PEIS, June 1999 

• Final PEIS, October 1999 

• ESA Biological Opinions, November 2000 

• Record of Decision, January 2001 
APPENDIX B 

Contracting and Improved Water Management
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress 

Appendix B Contracting and Improved Water Management 

Limitation on Contracting and Contract Reform (Section 3404[a-c]) ...................................................... B-1 

Water Transfers (Section 3405[a])............................................................................................................ B-3 

Water Conservation (Section 3405[b] and [e]) ......................................................................................... B-4 

Water Conservation Projects (Section 3408[i]) ........................................................................................ B-5
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress B-1

 Limitation on Contracting and Contract Reform 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3404(a-c) Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3404 states, “...[T]he Secretary shall not enter into any new 

short-term, temporary, or long-term contracts or agreements for water 

supply from the Central Valley Project for any purpose other than fish 

and wildlife before: (1) the provisions of subsections 3406(b)-(d) of 

this title are met...The prohibition on execution of new 

contracts...shall not apply to contracts executed pursuant to...Pub. L. 

102-250 or...Pub. L. 101-514 or to one-year contracts for delivery of 

surplus flood flows or contracts not to exceed two years in length for 

delivery of class II water in the Friant Unit...The Secretary shall, upon 

request, renew any existing long-term repayment or water service 

contract for the delivery of water from the Central Valley Project for a 

period of 25 years and may renew such contracts for successive 

periods of up to 25 years each.” 

Section 3404(c)(3) precludes long-term renewals until completion of 

required environmental documentation. Pending completion, contract 

renewals are limited to an initial interim period not to exceed 3 years 

and successive periods of no more than 2 years. Consistent with these 

requirements, the Secretary finalized guidelines to address the interim 

renewal program (1994) and subsequently negotiated and executed 

initial interim renewal contracts providing for continued water service 

to 68 contractors, all of which have been subsequently renewed at least 

once. 

Section 3404(c)(1) requires the Secretary to incorporate all 

modifications necessary to comply with existing law into all CVP 

contracts renewed since January 1, 1988. The required modifications, 

which were delayed pending completion of a Federal court appeal 

related to the subject contracts, were completed in 1998 through 

negotiation and execution of interim renewal contracts with the “Friant 

14” (Chowchilla Water District, Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District, 

Exeter Irrigation District, Ivanhoe Irrigation District, Lindmore 

Irrigation District, Lindsay-Strathmore Irrigation District, Lower Tule 

River Irrigation District, Orange Cove Irrigation District, Porterville 

Water District, Saucelito Water District, Southern San Joaquin 

Municipal Utilities District, Stone Corral Irrigation District, Terra 

Bella Irrigation District, and Tulare Irrigation District) 

As provided in Section 3404(c)(2), all interim renewal contracts must 

include provision for payments required by the CVPIA and other 

modifications to comply with existing law. Consistent with this 

directive, all existing interim renewal contracts, including the Friant 

14, incorporated all legal requirements related to the assessment and 

collection of restoration payments and Friant surcharges, water 

metering, State and Federal water quality, water conservation, and 

repayment and water rate deficits. In addition to these requirements, 

Reclamation has also included the tiered water pricing provisions of Section 3405(c) in the two long-term 

water service contracts that have been amended since passage of the CVPIA. 

Objectives

C Restrict new contracts for CVP water, 

except for fish and wildlife 

C Provide for successive interim 

renewal contracts pending 

environmental review 

C Amend “Friant 14” contracts to 

comply with existing law 

C Encourage early renewal of existing 

long-term contracts 

C Make successive long-term renewal a 

discretionary action and limit such 

renewals to 25 years 

C Assess and collect all payments and 

charges from all contractors in 

accordance with CVPIA 

Accomplishments 

C Entered into a new contract to meet 

water needs of the San Joaquin Valley 

National Cemetery 

C Negotiated and executed 68 interim 

renewal contracts for 3-year periods 

and subsequent successive 2-year 

contracts 

C Negotiated and executed interim 

renewal contracts with Friant 14 

C Executed 44 of 45 proposed binding 

agreements providing for early 

renewal of existing long-term 

contracts 

C Assessed and collected all required 

payments and charges consistent with 

the CVPIA and Restoration Fund 

guidelines 

C Post-PEIS, executed 27 long-term 

contracts and negotiated an additional 

24 to be executed 

C Negotiations with remaining 

contractors underway
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress B-2

Section 3404(c)(2) requires the Secretary to 

administer all existing contracts (that is, those that 

have not been renewed or amended under CVPIA) 

in conformance with the CVPIA. Such 

requirements principally focus upon application of 

various payments and charges. Such rates and 

charges have been assessed and collected from all 

contractors subject to existing long-term contracts 

in full accordance with the CVPIA. 

With the exception of the long-term contracts 

previously held by the Friant 14, Section 

3404(c)(3) also requires the Secretary to impose 

on all contractors having existing long-term 

contracts an additional mitigation and restoration 

payment beginning on October 1, 1997, for each 

acre-foot of delivered CVP water, unless the 

contractor has previously executed a binding 

agreement stating the contractor’s intent to renew 

early. In 1997, Reclamation developed and 

offered a proposed form of binding agreement to 

each of 41 CVP contractors having a total of 45 

existing long-term contracts. The contractors and 

the United States subsequently executed binding 

agreements covering 44 of the 45 existing longterm contracts. 

Following completion of all required 

environmental documentation, the Secretary is 

authorized to enter into long-term renewal 

contracts having a term of 25 years. Reclamation 

opened negotiations with 114 contractors in 

November 1999 and 27 long-term contracts in the 

Friant, Hidden and Buchanan units were executed. 

An additional 24 contracts with the Delta-Mendota 

Canal and Cross-Valley Canal contractors and the 

Feather Water District had been negotiated when 

efforts were suspended pending development of a 

CVP-wide form of contract. That effort was still 

underway at the close of fiscal year 2002. In the 

interim, Reclamation is continuing to deliver water 

to the contractors pursuant to the binding 

agreements and interim renewal contracts. 

REPORTS PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3404 (a-c) 

C Interim Contract Renewal 

Guidelines, 1994 

C Environmental Assessments for 

Interim Contract Renewals
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress B-3

Water Transfers 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3405(a) Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3405(a) states, “In order to assist California urban areas, 

agricultural water users, and others in meeting their future water 

needs...all individuals or districts who receive Central Valley Project 

water under water service or repayment contracts, water rights 

settlement contracts or exchange contracts entered into prior to or after 

the date of enactment of this title are authorized to transfer all or a 

portion of the water subject to such contract to any other California 

water user or water agency, State or Federal agency, Indian Tribe, or 

private non-profit organization for project purposes or any purpose 

recognized as beneficial under applicable State law.” 

Reclamation finalized Interim Guidelines for implementing the water 

transfer provisions of CVPIA in February 1993, following public 

review and comment. 

In 1995, Reclamation established a formal procedure with the Service 

to coordinate the Service’s review of water transfers to ensure that 

conditions necessary for compliance with the Endangered Species Act 

would be met under each transfer action. 

In 1996, Interior developed an Administrative Proposal on water 

transfers to address public concerns on Interior’s implementation of 

the CVPIA water transfer provisions. Interior’s final Administrative 

Proposal on water transfers was completed in April 1998. The Interim 

Guidelines and the Administrative Proposal provide information to 

CVP water contractors and interested parties on how Reclamation will 

consider water transfer proposals pending final rules and regulations. 

In addition, Reclamation developed a programmatic review and 

approval process to facilitate the approval of those water transfers 

within the CVP that had historically occurred between contractors 

within the same service area. This review streamlined the transfer 

approval process and resolved issues raised by CVP contractors that 

the transfer provisions were cumbersome and an impediment to 

meeting short-term water management goals. 

Active markets have developed for short-term transfers of CVP water (periods of 1 year or less). Since 

enactment of the CVPIA, more than 4.3 million acre-feet of CVP water has been approved for transfer by 

contractors within the various divisions of the CVP both north and south of the Delta. The majority of these 

transfers were accomplished for agricultural uses under the CVPIA programmatic review and approval 

process. More than 396,000 acre-feet of water has also been transferred by CVP contractors to Interior’s 

Water Acquisition Program to meet Level 4 refuge water supply needs within the Central Valley and 5,000 

acre-feet has been transferred to the CALFED Environmental Water Account (EWA). 

As of the end of fiscal year 2002, two long-term (25-year) transfers had been approved. One involved the 

transfer of 22 acre-feet of water to a non-CVP customer for municipal and industrial (M&I) uses and is 

subject to the required additional M&I restoration surcharge and the M&I cost-of-service rate. The second 

long-term transfer involved the transfer of up to 25,000 acre-feet of water between CVP contractors for 

agricultural purposes. No transfers involving the CVP water outside the CVP service area have occurred. 

Objective 

C Assist water users in meeting future 

water needs through voluntary 

transfers of CVP water 

Accomplishments

C Developed Interim Guidelines for 

implementation of water transfers 

C Developed a final Administrative 

Proposal on water transfers 

C Developed and implemented a 

programmatic approval process to 

facilitate water transfers 

C Executed a Memorandum of 

Understanding with DWR and 

SWRCB establishing a water transfer 

clearinghouse 

C Approved the transfer of more than 4.3 

million acre-feet of CVP water for 

agricultural and municipal purposes 

within the CVP and more than 396,000 

acre-feet of CVP water to meet Level 4 

refuge water supply needs and 5,000 

acre-feet for the CALFED EWA 

C Established a formal procedure to 

coordinate the Service’s review of 

water transfers and ensure compliance 

with the ESA 

C Approved two long-term (25-year) 

transfers of CVP water 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress B-4

Water Conservation 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3405(b) and (e) Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3405(e) states, “The Secretary shall establish and administer 

an office on Central Valley Project water conservation best 

management practices,...develop criteria for evaluating the adequacy 

of all water conservation plans developed by project contractors, 

including those plans required by section 210 of the Reclamation 

Reform Act of 1982. Criteria... shall be established within six months 

following enactment of this title and shall be reviewed periodically 

thereafter, but no less than every three years...” 

A Water Conservation and Educational Center was opened in early 

1993 at Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Regional Office in Sacramento and 

later was relocated to Reclamation’s Central California Area Office in 

Folsom. The American River Water Education Center, which 

incorporates the original Center, was constructed at Folsom Dam and 

opened in 1999. A virtual water conservation advisory center was 

established on the Internet at: www.watershare.usbr.gov. It features 

interactive water conservation units on the environment, urban 

conservation, and agriculture, targeting students and providing teacher 

lesson plans. 

Reclamation released “Criteria for Evaluating Water Conservation 

Plans” in April 1993 and revised the document in September 1996 and 

December 1999. This revised document describes the criteria 

Reclamation follows in evaluating water management plans submitted 

by water and irrigation districts. Reclamation has deemed more than 

100 water management plans adequate under the CVPIA. Contractors 

are required to update the progress of their Best Management Practices 

by filing annual update reports. These reports can now be filed on the 

internet via the WaterShare web site at www.watershare.usbr.gov (for 

agricultural contractors) and at the California Urban Water 

Conservation Council’s website, www.cuwcc.org (for urban 

contractors). 

The water management plans also require contractors to address water 

measurement. Section 3405(b) states, “...the contracting district or 

agency shall ensure that all surface water delivery systems within its 

boundaries are equipped with water measuring devices or water 

measuring methods of comparable effectiveness acceptable to the 

Secretary...” The evaluation criteria establish measurement to the 

customer by devices with, in most cases, an accuracy of plus or minus 

6 percent. 

To support conservation efforts, Reclamation developed a database 

with examples of successful water conservation programs to help 

districts to prepare their annual water management plan update. A 

guidebook and training were offered to districts in both the urban and 

agricultural sectors. Technical assistance to implement plan measures 

was provided to districts through California Polytechnic State 

University’s Irrigation Training and Research Center and through the 

Water Conservation Field Services Program and Efficiency Incentives 

Program. 

Objectives 

C Establish a water conservation center 

C Develop criteria to evaluate water 

management plans 

C Review and evaluate new and revised 

water management plans 

C Make sure districts use water 

measuring devices 

Accomplishments 

C Established a Water Conservation and 

Advisory Center and constructed the 

American River Water Education 

Center 

C Developed criteria for evaluating water 

management plans in 1993, 1996, and 

1999 

C Deemed 85 water management plans 

adequate 

C Developed a water conservation 

database to track plan implementation 

C Developed a final Administrative 

Proposal on water conservation 

C Provided cost-share and technical 

assistance to implement best 

management practices 

Fiscal Data

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1994 $32,474 

1995 $17,553 

1996 $777 

1997 $1,773 

1998 $4,385 

1999 $196,240 

2000 $193,440 

2001 $232,655 

***Includes funds for Section 

3408(i) actions 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress B-5

Water Conservation Projects 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3408(i) Start Date: 1994 Status: Concluded 

Section 3408(i) states, “The Secretary is authorized to undertake, in 

cooperation with Central Valley Project irrigation contractors, water 

conservation projects or measures needed to meet the requirements of 

this title.” All projects or measures must be fully implemented by 

September 30, 1999. The water conserved under this cost-sharing 

program can be used to achieve the restoration goals of the CVPIA and 

provide additional benefits for fish, wildlife, and associated habitats in 

the Central Valley. 

In 1995, Reclamation’s Water Conservation Office developed 

guidelines for administering this section of the CVPIA and established 

criteria to assess water conservation proposals submitted by CVP 

contractors. 

Interior issued four requests for cost-sharing proposals between 

November 1995 and September 1997. In response, Tulare Irrigation 

District submitted a preliminary proposal in 1996, and Chowchilla 

Water District submitted one in 1997. Each district submitted 

information so Reclamation could determine whether the proposed 

projects would meet the minimum eligibility requirements under the 

guidelines. 

The preliminary proposal submitted by the Tulare Irrigation District was accepted; however, the District 

chose not to follow up with a complete proposal. The preliminary proposal from the Chowchilla Water 

District was determined to be economically infeasible; therefore, Chowchilla did not submit a complete 

proposal. 

The program was concluded on November 30, 1997, because no viable proposals had been received in 

response to the four proposal solicitations and so few CVP contractors had expressed interest in participating. 

 Further, there was insufficient time to solicit and evaluate an additional round of proposals before the 

program was scheduled to sunset in 1999. The main reason for the limited response to this program was that 

districts found it to be more profitable to finance water conservation projects on their own and then provide 

the conserved water to their customers or sell the water on the open market. 

 Objective

C Establish cost-sharing agreements with 

CVP contractors to implement water 

conservation projects 

 

Accomplishments

 C Developed guidelines to administer the 

cost-sharing program 

 C Solicited proposals for water 

conservation projects in 1995, 1996, 

and 1997. No final proposals 

submitted. 

Fiscal Data 

 Refer to Section 3405(b) and (e) above. 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress B-6
APPENDIX C 

Anadromous Fish - Habitat Restoration 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress 

Appendix C Anadromous Fish - Habitat Restoration 

Anadromous Fish Restoration Program (Section 3406[b][1]) .................................................................. C-1 

Management of Dedicated CVP Yield (Section 3406[b][2]).................................................................... C-4 

Water Acquisition Program (Anadromous Fish Focus) (Section 3406[b][3]) .......................................... C-6 

Clear Creek Fishery Restoration (Section 3406 [b][12]) .......................................................................... C-8 

Gravel Replenishment and Riparian Habitat Protection (Section 3406[b][13]) ..................................... C-10 

Trinity River Fishery Flow Evaluation Program (Section 3406[b][23])................................................. C-12 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress C-1

 

Anadromous Fish Restoration Program

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(1) Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(1) states, “The Secretary... is authorized and directed 

to...develop within three years of enactment and implement a program 

which makes all reasonable efforts to ensure that, by the year 2002, 

natural production of anadromous fish in Central Valley rivers and 

streams will be sustainable, on a long-term basis, at levels not less than 

twice the average levels attained during the period of 1967- 1991.” 

The section also states, “this goal shall not apply to the San Joaquin 

River between Friant Dam and the Mendota Pool.” 

The Service and Reclamation approached the directive to “at least 

double natural production of anadromous fish” by developing the 

Anadromous Fish Restoration Program (AFRP). The AFRP is the 

cornerstone of many actions aimed at restoring natural production of 

anadromous fish in the Central 

Valley and includes partnerships, 

local involvement, public support, 

adaptive management, and 

flexibility. Early in the AFRP 

process, a Core Group was formed 

to direct program development. 

This group was comprised of a 

coalition of senior fish experts 

from the Service and Reclamation, 

the Environmental Protection 

Agency, the National Marine 

Fisheries Service, and California’s 

Departments of Fish and Game, 

and Water Resources. 

To plan and implement a comprehensive program, the AFRP requires 

ongoing, intensive public involvement at two levels. The first level is 

programmatic, involving efforts to plan a comprehensive program. 

The second level is action-specific and involves implementing specific 

actions in individual watersheds. At the action-specific level, AFRP 

staff has worked extensively with local agencies and local watershed 

workgroups. 

After extensive public review and input on initial program documents, 

Interior released a Final Restoration Plan for the AFRP in January 

2001. The Restoration Plan presented the overall goal, objectives, and 

strategies of the AFRP. The Restoration Plan identified and listed in 

priority order nearly 300 restoration actions and evaluations. The 

Restoration Plan is a programmatic-level guide to implementation of 

all applicable sections of the CVPIA. A detailed implementation plan 

will be completed later. This plan will be an evolving document, 

amended over time as additional information is gathered, partnerships 

are formed, and actions are implemented. 

By coordinating its actions and forming partnerships with various 

State and Federal agencies and private interests representing 

Objectives

C Improve habitat for all life stages of 

anadromous fish by providing flows 

of suitable quality, quantity, and 

timing 

C Reduce or eliminate entrainment of 

juveniles at diversions 

C Improve the opportunity for adult fish 

to reach their spawning habitats 

C Collect fish population, health, and 

habitat data to help evaluate 

restoration actions 

C Integrate habitat restoration efforts 

with harvest and hatchery 

management 

C Involve partners in the 

implementation and evaluation of 

restoration actions 

General Accomplishments

C Established the AFRP Core Group to 

guide implementation of anadromous 

fish-related sections of CVPIA 

C Released Final Restoration Plan for 

the Anadromous Fish Restoration 

Program, January 2001 

C Conducted an extensive public 

involvement and education process 

and coordinated participation in 

anadromous fish technical workshops 

C Provided criteria for application of 

water dedicated under Section 

3406(b)(2) 

C Funded numerous studies on 

anadromous fish flow and habitat 

needs, life histories and genetics, 

habitat and status surveys, and 

geomorphologic investigations 

C Participated in numerous watershed 

planning groups 

C Completed a Handbook of Regulatory 

Compliance for AFRP restoration 

planning 

Goals of the Anadromous 

Fish Restoration Program 

• Determine the quantity, quality, 

and timing of flows necessary to 

protect anadromous fish 

• Provide a framework for the 

management of CVP water 

dedicated to anadromous fish 

• Recommend structural habitat 

restoration measures 

• Guide the acquisition and 

management of supplemental 

water needed to meet the 

biological goals of the CVPIA 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress C-2

agriculture, urban, and industrial interests, Interior has been able to implement a substantial number of 

restoration activities at crucial locations throughout the Central 

Valley. These actions included restoration of instream and riparian 

habitats, improvement of flow and temperature conditions, removal 

of barriers to migration, screening diversions, and replenishing 

gravels necessary for spawning and egg incubation. Interior’s 

anadromous fish restoration actions, although broad in scope and 

complexity, have focused on four geographic areas since 1993: 

• Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta - Emphasis on offsetting effects 

of CVP and SWP export facilities (entrainment, impingement, 

diversion, and increased predation). 

• Sacramento River Tributaries - Actions have focused on 

improving instream habitat conditions, riparian and shaded 

riverine aquatic habitat restoration; improved access to upstream 

habitat; and reduction of losses at diversions, especially for 

spring – run Chinook 

salmon and steelhead. 

• Sacramento River - Actions have focused on restoration of spawning habitat and acquisition of riparian 

lands to improve rearing habitat, especially for winter-run Chinook salmon. 

• San Joaquin River and Tributaries - Actions focused on flow improvements, restoration of river 

channels, spawning gravels, and riparian cover, and on elimination of predator habitat on tributaries. 

Restoration actions were selected and prioritized based 

on the expected magnitude of their contributions to 

doubling natural production, the status of target species 

and races, and on section 3406(b)(1)(A), which directs 

Interior to give first priority to: (1) measures which 

protect and restore natural channel and riparian habitat 

values through habitat restoration actions, (2) 

modifications to CVP operations, and (3) 

implementation of the supporting measures mandated 

by Subsection 3406(b). 

To allow for adaptive management in the restoration of 

anadromous fish populations, a major effort was 

initiated to determine the flow and habitat needs of the 

species and the associated impacts of implementing the 

CVPIA. Using existing information and data gathered 

from associated studies and investigations, the AFRP 

has been able to guide or provide an immense array of 

restoration actions since 1993. 

The AFRP developed guidelines and objectives for 

using the water management tools provided by the 

CVPIA. These guidelines and objectives for water 

management, as well as the AFRP itself were then used 

in developing alternatives for the Programmatic EIS 

for the CVPIA. They continue to form the basis for 

discussion among various parties interested in 

Interior’s efforts to develop a long-term water 

management plan. 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1994 $ 338,581 

1995 $ 791,722 

1996 $ 4,129,927 

1997 $11,151,633 

1998 $ 6,545,050 

1999 $ 6,797,019 

2000 $ 6,754,980 

2001 $ 5,311,970 

2002 $ 4,999,863 

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta 

• Developed management conditions and flow targets for 

Delta application of 3406 (b)(2) water and VAMP 

studies. Assisting in analysis of data for VAMP. 

• Assisted other CVPIA efforts at the Tracy Pumping 

Plant, Contra Costa Canal Pumping Plant, Delta Cross 

Channel and Georgiana Slough, and in efforts to screen 

diversions in Suisun Bay. 

Sacramento River Tributaries 

C Annually provided flow-related objectives for 

application of water dedicated under Section 3406(b)(2) 

on the American River.

C Participated in acquisition of 86,569 acre-feet of water 

supplies for instream flows on Battle Creek, 1995-2000. 

C Participated in acquisition of over 6,977 acres and 

restoration of 81 acres of riparian habitat. 

C Improved access to 105 miles of stream habitat by: 

C Providing for installation of fish screens, ladders, and 

other passage protective devices at Durham Mutual and 

Parrott-Phelan Dams and at five other water diversion 

facilities on Butte Creek and the Sutter Bypass. 

C Participating in removal of McCormick-Saeltzer Dam 

on Clear Creek 

C Participating in development of managed fish passage 

above Coleman National Fish Hatchery on Battle Creek. 

C Partnered with Corps of Engineers to evaluate passage at 

Daguerre Point Dam on the Yuba River. 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress C-3

Combined with other actions under CVPIA, it is expected that the actions identified in the AFRP will stabilize 

populations of spring-run Chinook salmon at an enhanced level on tributary streams they currently use, and 

the identification of areas for expansion of habitat for 

this species. Similarly, improved spawning and 

rearing habitat, the elimination of predator habitat, 

and improved outmigration conditions will help 

increase and stabilize populations of San Joaquin 

River fall-run Chinook salmon. Natural populations 

of steelhead, fall-run Chinook salmon, and late fallrun Chinook salmon should begin to increase 

dramatically on Battle Creek, and all species should 

benefit from actions on the Sacramento River 

mainstem. These actions will not only enhance 

natural production of target species but will benefit 

other species of fish (both resident and other 

anadromous species) and riparian-oriented wildlife. 

San Joaquin River and Tributaries

• Annually provided basin-specific flow-related objectives 

for application of water dedicated under Section 3406(b)(2) 

on the Stanislaus and lower San Joaquin Rivers. 

• Partnered with Lower Tuolumne River Technical Advisory 

Committee on watershed improvement projects. 

• Participated in acquisition of over 844,000 acre-feet of 

water supplies in the basin, 1994-2002. 

• Provided for acquisition of 172 acres and restoration of 

514 acres of riparian habitat. 

• Restored and/or enhanced approximately 7 miles of stream 

channel on the Tuolumne River. 

• Provided for the placement of over 71,000 tons of gravel for 

fish spawning on the Mokelumne and Tuolumne rivers. 

REPORT PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(b)(1) 

C Final Restoration Plan for the 

Anadromous Fish Restoration 

Program (released as a revised 

draft in May 1997 and adopted as 

final in January 2001) 

Sacramento River 

• Provided flow-related objectives for application of water 

dedicated under Section 3406(b)(2) on the Sacramento 

River annually.

• Initiated and/or completed many studies assisting in the 

continued survival of winter-run Chinook salmon.

• Participated in acquisition of 751 acres and the restoration 

of 288 acres of riparian habitat.

• Partnered with local watershed workgroups on Mill, Deer, 

and Butte Creeks, with the American River Watershed 

Forum, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 

and Sacramento River Conservation Area Forum on efforts 

to restore the Sacramento River meander belt. 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress C-4

Management of Dedicated CVP Yield

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(2) Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing

Section 3406(b)(2) states, “The Secretary... is...authorized and directed 

to...dedicate and manage annually 800,000 acre-feet of Central Valley 

Project yield for the primary purpose of implementing the fish, 

wildlife, and habitat restoration purposes and measures authorized by 

this title; to assist the State of California in its efforts to protect the 

waters of the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta 

Estuary; and to help meet such obligations as may be legally imposed 

upon the Central Valley Project under State or Federal law following 

the date of enactment of this title, including but not limited to 

additional obligations under the Federal Endangered Species Act.” 

Management of water dedicated under Section 3406(b)(2) has been 

coordinated annually between Reclamation and the Service since 

1993. Each year, as part of the management process, the Service has 

provided flow-related habitat objectives for use of this water, and 

Reclamation has modified operations as possible or necessary to meet 

the objectives. Interior has applied flow-related objectives on Clear 

Creek, the Sacramento, American, and Stanislaus rivers, and the Delta. 

In 2001 and 2002, Interior coordinated the implementation of Section 

3406(b)(2) with the implementation of CALFED Bay Delta Programs’ 

Environmental Water Account (EWA). In August 2000, the CALFED 

Programmatic Record of Decision established an EWA to provide 

protection (supplemental to a baseline level of protection) to the fish of 

the Bay-Delta estuary. 

Administrative tasks necessary 

for proper management and 

accounting of the water 

dedicated under this section 

began in 1994 as part of a longterm water management 

planning effort. Considerable 

debate occurred over 

interpretation of Section 3406 

(b)(2), primarily regarding how 

the water may be used and how 

it should be accounted. 

In December 1994, Interior issued draft guidelines on management of 

the water, and received comments from many sources. The draft 

guidelines were revised and reissued in September 1995. Further 

discussions began in 1995 when stakeholders identified a long list of 

issues surrounding management of the dedicated water. In an attempt 

to reach consensus on the issues, Interior convened a large and diverse 

group of stakeholders into a work team to develop an Administrative 

Proposal dealing with the management and accounting of the dedicated 

water. After 2 years of work and a series of public outreach efforts, 

the final Administrative Proposal was released in November 1997. It 

Objectives 

• Provide instream flows for fish, 

wildlife, and habitat restoration

• Assist State efforts to protect the 

Bay/Delta estuary

• Help meet additional obligations as 

may be legally imposed on the CVP

• Increase integrated ecological 

management of all Central Valley fish 

and wildlife and their habitat 

Accomplishments 

• Provided water to implement flow and 

habitat objectives for CVP rivers and 

the Delta

• Provided water to help meet the 

Biological Opinions for winter run 

Chinook salmon, and Delta smelt.

• Provided water for CVP share of the 

Delta Accord, 1994-2002

• Coordinated interim management of 

the dedicated water annually since 

1993 

• Prepared the final CVPIA 

Administrative Proposal, 1997

• Initiated updates of the Operational 

Criteria and Plan to reflect AFRP 

implementation

• Initiated monitoring and evaluation to 

assess effectiveness of Section 3406 

(b)(2) environmental measures 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1994 $ 605,598 

1995 $ 435,778 

1996 $1,296,689 

1997 $1,009,202 

1998 $1,105,113 

1999 $ 939,321 

2000 $ 827,967 

2001 $ 676,871 

2002 $1,026,107 

Anticipated Benefits of 

Dedicated Yield 

• Instream temperatures suitable for 

incubation and juvenile anadromous 

fish rearing 

• Restoration of instream habitat 

• Improved migration conditions 

• Assistance for riparian and wetland 

habitat restoration efforts 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress C-5

described Interior’s approach to resolution on the 

major issues. However, despite the lengthy public 

involvement process and Interior’s best efforts to 

move the stakeholders to consensus, the matter 

ended up in the courts. 

Interior was subsequently ordered by the court to 

devise a new method of managing and accounting 

for the dedicated yield. As directed, Interior 

developed a “final” Decision on Implementation of 

Section 3406(b)(2) of the Central Valley Project 

Improvement Act in October 1999. This decision 

also was litigated and in March 2002, the Court 

held that parts of the decision were unlawful, 

arbitrary, and capricious. Pursuant to the Court’s 

direction, Interior has revised the accounting 

procedures and, at the close of fiscal year 2002, 

was in the process of modifying the October 1999 

decision. 

Since 1993, under the various management and 

accounting procedures that have been developed, 

the dedicated CVP yield has been applied to 

improve instream conditions for anadromous 

fishes, primarily salmon and steelhead. It has also 

been directed to help protect species listed under 

the Federal Endangered Species Act and to meet 

the CVP share of protecting the Delta. To date, 

actions under this program have included 

improved instream flows from increased releases 

and/or increased reservoir carryover, Delta export 

curtailments, and Delta Cross Channel gate 

closures. These efforts have provided benefits for 

anadromous fish in the form of improved adult 

attraction flows; better instream temperatures for 

spawning, incubation, and juvenile rearing; and 

improved flows for juvenile migration, resulting in 

increased anadromous fish production in Central 

Valley streams and the Delta. They have also 

helped greatly to reduce mortality of both 

anadromous fish and the listed delta smelt in 

proximity to pumping facilities in the delta. 

Application of dedicated water to meet these fish 

needs has also assisted in restoring riparian and 

adjacent wetland habitats and estuarine areas, and 

has provided associated wildlife benefits. 

Adult salmon returning to Central Valley rivers 

and streams in fall 1995 were the first to utilize 

1993 flow and export conditions improved, in 

part, as a result of Section 3406(b)(2). The 

numbers of returning adults were the best in over 

40 years, and both recreational and commercial 

harvests improved significantly. Counts in 

subsequent years were equally improved, 

especially on Clear Creek and on Butte Creek, 

where other CVPIA actions have also been 

employed. Although these other actions and other 

factors outside the control of Interior have 

undoubtedly played a role in these increases, the 

valley-wide improvements in returns indicate that 

actions taken under (b)(2) have played a major 

role. The extent of that role is being analyzed in 

many ongoing study and evaluation efforts. 

REPORTS PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(b)(2) 

• Draft Water Management Plan, 

February 1996 

• Draft Administration Proposal, 

July 1996 

• Final Administrative Proposal, 

November 1997 

• Final Decision on 

Implementation of Section 

3406(b)(2), October 1999 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress C-6

Water Acquisition Program (Anadromous Fish Focus)

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(3) Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(3) states, “The Secretary...is authorized and directed to 

develop and implement a program in coordination and in conformance 

with the plan required under paragraph (1) of this subsection for the 

acquisition of a water supply to supplement the quantity of water 

dedicated to fish and wildlife purposes under paragraph (2) of this 

subsection and to fulfill the Secretary's obligations under paragraph 

3406(d)(2) of this title. The program should identify how the Secretary 

intends to utilize, in particular the following options: improvements in 

or modifications of the operations of the project; water banking; 

conservation; transfers; conjunctive use; and temporary and permanent 

land fallowing, including purchase, lease, and option of water, water 

rights, and associated agricultural land.” 

Interior has focused its efforts to acquire water in those areas offering 

opportunities to meet the most urgent fish and wildlife water needs. For 

example, on Battle Creek supplemental water for anadromous fish was 

acquired by paying for foregone power generation. Battle Creek, a 

Sacramento River tributary, has exceptionally high restoration potential 

to support winter-run, tributary spring-run, fall-run, and late-fall run 

Chinook salmon and steelhead. Flow in the north and south forks of the 

creek are regulated for hydropower generation by the Pacific Gas and 

Electric Company (PG&E). One of the major restoration actions 

identified in the AFRP’s Anadromous Fish Restoration Plan is to 

increase flow past PG&E’s hydropower diversions. 

Interior, the National Marine Fisheries Service, State of California, and 

PG&E are working to develop a long-term restoration plan for Battle 

Creek. To initiate restoration efforts, Interior compensates PG&E to 

maintain minimum year-round flows of 30 cfs on the north and south 

fork and mainstem of Battle Creek. PG&E contributes the first 12.5 cfs 

of flow without cost to Interior. Without this partnering arrangement, 

flows on Battle Creek could be as little as 3-5 cfs during summer and fall. Increasing the minimum flow 

provides improved emigration, migration, holding, spawning, and rearing habitat for spring-run Chinook 

salmon and steelhead. This partnering arrangement has been in place since 1995 and is expected to continue 

until long-term restoration plan actions are implemented. 

In the San Joaquin River Basin, the AFRP Restoration Plan has identified an urgent need to increase flows on 

the Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Merced, and lower San Joaquin Rivers to facilitate migration, attraction, 

production, and survival of fall-run Chinook salmon. Since 1994, Interior has acquired temporary water 

supplies from willing sellers as needed for these purposes, to assist Reclamation in meeting flow and waterquality requirements of the 1995 SWRCB Plan for the San Francisco Bay/ Sacramento-San Joaquin River 

Delta Estuary, to help meet requirements of the Biological Opinion for delta smelt, and to implement the 

Vernalis Adaptive Management Plan (VAMP). The VAMP is an important experiment for assessing how 

juvenile salmon coming down the San Joaquin River in springtime en route to the sea respond to changes in 

river flows and Bay-Delta operations. A summary of the VAMP is provided in the discussion of Section 

3406(g), Ecological and Hydrologic Models, in Appendix H of this document. 

To date, acquisition of water to meet the needs of anadromous fish have averaged about 100,000 acre- feet per 

year. To help focus this effort and make most efficient use of the water and funds available, Interior, in 

cooperation with the CALFED Environmental Water Program, is developing a “Water Management Strategy 

and Water Acquisition Plan” for meeting the needs of anadromous fish as well as other CVPIA needs. This 

Objective 

• Acquire supplemental water for 

improved instream flow on Central 

Valley rivers and streams 

Accomplishments 

• Acquired 86,569 acre-feet of water for 

improved migration and spawning 

conditions for spring-run Chinook 

salmon and steelhead on Battle Creek 

• Acquired 826,883 acre-feet of water 

for improved migration and spawning 

conditions for fall-run Chinook salmon 

on the Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Merced, 

and lower San Joaquin rivers 

Fiscal Data

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1994 $1,908,138 

1995 $1,950,558 

1996 $ 0 

1997 $8,752,979 

1998 $4,030,454 

1999 $8,583,771 

2000 $6,797,914 

2001 $8,034,451 

2002 $7,770,016 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress C-7

joint effort with CALFED is another example of the partnering that has been taking place between Interior 

under CVPIA and other programs and entities. 

WATER ACQUIRED FOR INSTREAM FLOWS 

FOR ANADROMOUS FISH 

(acre-feet) 

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 

 12,090 16,660 20,517 5,948 21,559 9,795 

 85,985 30,000 147,500 77,680 78,650 33,430 

Merced River 28,450 16,161 15,000 11,998 12,500 12,500 

Stanislaus River 14,872 33,119 50,000 50,000 65,000 18,700 18,135 22,205 

Tuolumne River 4,998 

43,322 45,209 32,821 176,500 85,948 246,057 118,675 109,285 55,635 

REPORTS PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(b)(3) 

• EA and FONSI for interim water 

acquisition 

• EA’s for various water 

acquisition 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress C-8

Clear Creek Fishery Restoration

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(12) Start Date: 1996 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(12) states, “The Secretary... is...authorized and directed 

to...develop and implement a comprehensive program to provide flows 

to allow sufficient spawning, incubation, rearing, and outmigration for 

salmon and steelhead from Whiskeytown Dam as determined by 

instream flow studies conducted by the California Department of Fish 

and Game after Clear Creek has been restored and a new fish ladder has 

been constructed at the McCormick-Saeltzer Dam.” 

Interior has worked closely with DFG, DWR, the National Park Service, 

Bureau of Land Management, county and local agencies and 

organizations, stakeholder groups, and the general public to provide 

planning and implementation of restoration actions in the Clear Creek 

watershed. Restoration focused on increases in minimum flows, river 

channel and floodplain restoration, fish passage at McCormick-Saeltzer 

Dam, spawning gravel improvement, and watershed management 

including upland erosion and wildfire fuels control. 

Historically, 100 cfs was released from Whiskeytown Dam in 

November and December, and 50 cfs the remaining months. Since 1995, 

the amount released between October and May was increased to 150 or 

200 cfs. This additional flow was formalized under Section 3406(b)(2) 

in November 1997. Additional flow in Clear Creek improved fish 

passage, decreased water temperatures, and increased spawning and 

rearing habitat for Chinook salmon and steelhead. 

Past gravel mining activities in the channel have removed a majority of 

the gravel and created many gravel pits and braided channels. 

Beginning in fiscal year 1998, a channel restoration plan was 

implemented, filling several braided channels and eliminating 

streamflow into a large gravel pit. This effort removed a significant 

stranding problem for anadromous fish and concentrated flow in the 

main channel to improve adult fish passage. In addition, 68.4 acres of 

floodplain along 2.0 miles of the stream were acquired and restored, 

improving riparian habitats and enhancing ecosystem functions. 

For nearly 100 years, McCormick-Saeltzer Dam has blocked access for 

spawning salmon and steelhead to upstream habitat areas. Section 3406 

(b)(12) of CVPIA envisioned a fish ladder to improve passage. 

However, after exploring alternatives to solve this passage problem, it 

was determined more practicable to remove the dam and replace the 

existing irrigation diversion. The dam and diversion were removed in 

the fall of 2000, providing unimpeded access to 10 miles of additional 

habitat for Chinook salmon and steelhead. Elimination of the diversion 

has resulted in up to 55 cfs of additional flow in the lower portions of 

the stream. 

The lack of appropriately sized gravel in Clear Creek has been a major 

limiting factor for salmon and steelhead ascending Clear Creek to 

spawn. Beginning in 1995, spawning gravels have been placed below 

Whiskeytow n Dam as necessary to support the runs of salmon 

Objectives 

• Increase minimum flows to increase 

salmon and steelhead populations 

• Restore the degraded stream channel 

• Improve salmon and steelhead passage 

at McCormick-Saeltzer Dam 

• Improve spawning habitat by 

introducing spawning gravel below 

dams 

• Reduce watershed erosion and fine 

sediment that kills salmon and 

steelhead eggs 

Accomplishments 

• Developed a comprehensive proposal 

for restoration of the lower Clear Creek 

channel 

• Maintained October to May instream 

flow of 150-plus cubic feet per second 

since 1995 

• Completed 2.0 miles of stream channel 

restoration 

• Acquired and restored 68 acres of 

floodplain along 2.0 miles of stream 

• Placed 54,000 tons of spawning gravel 

into Clear Creek 

• Completed removal of McCormickSaeltzer Dam 

• Eliminated the only significant water 

diversion from Clear Creek, improving 

flow to mouth of stream 

• Decreased fine sediment input because 

of erosion control projects along 12 

miles of roadway 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1996 $ 279,144 

1997 $ 591,553 

1998 $1,073,057 

1999 $1,135,007 

2000 $6,857,168 

2001 $640,678 

2002 $598,228 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress C-9

and steelhead. High water flows naturally 

distributed these gravels downstream, creating 

new spawning riffles. To date, approximately 

54,000 tons of gravel has been provided. 

In 1996, the Clear Creek Coordinated Resource 

Management Planning Group was formed to help 

coordinate restoration activities and increase 

public involvement on Clear Creek. Composed 

primarily of local landowners within the Clear 

Creek watershed, the group released the Lower

Clear Creek Watershed Management Plan in 

September of 1998. Restoration activities outlined 

in the plan were, and will continue to be, used to 

assist in meeting Interior’s restoration goals and 

objectives. The plan provides for many associated 

efforts including the completion of inventories and 

actions for control of erosion and wildfire fuels 

within the watershed. 

As CVPIA measures began to be implemented 

over the past several years, adult Chinook salmon 

escapement in Clear Creek has increased 

dramatically. While all CVPIA restoration 

activities in the watershed have benefited instream 

resources, the most significant contribution thus 

far has been the increase in baseline instream 

flows. Since flows were increased, fall-run 

Chinook salmon escapement increased to an 

average 7,657 fish annually from 1995 to 2002. 

This represents a 350 percent increase over the 

baseline average of 1,689 fish from 1967 to 1991. 

REPORTS PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(b)(12) 

• Benefits of Increased Minimum Instream Flows on Chinook Salmon and Steelhead in 

Clear Creek, Shasta County, California, 1995-1996 

• Lower Clear Creek Watershed Analysis, 1996 

• Saeltzer Dam Fish Passage Project Engineering Technical Report, 1997 

• Lower Clear Creek Spawning Gravel Restoration Projects 1997, 2000, 2001 

• Conceptual Plan for Restoration of the Lower Clear Creek Floodway, 1999 

• Riparian and Wetland Habitat Restoration Plan, 1999 

• Channel Reconstruction, Riparian Vegetation, and Wetland Creation Design 

Document, 1999 

• Flushing Flows: Review of Concepts Relevant to Clear Creek, California, 1999 

• Lower Clear Creek Hydraulic Analysis at Whiskeytown Dam – Value Engineering 

Report, 1999 

• Geomorphic Evaluation of Lower Clear Creek Downstream of Whiskeytown Dam, 

California, 2001 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress C-10

Gravel Replenishment and Riparian Habitat Protection

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(13) Start Date: 1995 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(13) states, “The Secretary... is authorized and directed 

to...develop and implement a continuing program for the purpose of 

restoring and replenishing, as needed, spawning gravel lost due to the 

construction and operation of Central Valley Project dams, bank 

protection projects, and other actions that have reduced the availability 

of spawning gravel and roaming habitat in the Upper Sacramento 

River from Keswick Dam to Red Bluff Diversion Dam [and] in the 

American and Stanislaus Rivers downstream from the Nimbus and 

Goodwin Dams, respectively. The program shall include preventive 

measures, such as re-establishment of meander belts and limitations on 

future bank protection activities, in order to avoid further losses of 

instream and riparian habitats.” 

An Interagency Technical Team created to assist in the implementation 

of this section helped to develop a Long-Term Restoration and 

Protection Plans for spawning habitat in the American, Stanislaus, and 

Sacramento Rivers. 

Work to restore anadromous fish spawning substrate in the upper 

Sacramento River began in 1995 and resulted in placement of 10,000 

tons of gravel below Keswick Dam in 1996. Another 101,000 tons 

have been placed in the river since that time. In addition, to trace the 

fate of gravels placed in the river, electronic “pingers” (gravel with 

electronic transmitters inserted into holes in individual stones) have 

been used to track the movement of gravels as they are flushed 

downstream. Information from this effort will help to guide future 

efforts. 

In 1997, approximately 1,000 tons of gravel was placed in the 

Stanislaus River downstream from Goodwin Dam, resulting in salmon 

spawning in the area for the first time in 13 years. An additional 8,400 

tons have been placed since then, on occasion requiring the use of 

helicopters to place the gravels in appropriate, but otherwise 

inaccessible, areas. Also, several agencies working together initiated a 

project to fill an in-river pit used by fish species that prey on juvenile 

anadromous fishes. When complete, this project will also reconfigure 

the stream channel and substrate below Goodwin Dam at a site 

approximately 6 miles downstream. 

On the American River, DFG surveyed spawning gravel and 

completed a summary report on recommended gravel management. 

This program participates with and supports DFG in a pilot gravel 

management project on the river. Because of high instream flows 

during 1997, work focused on reaffirming American River “preproject” conditions. Based on this work, manipulation of gravels, such 

as streambed ripping and gravel placement in selected riffles, began in 

1999. Over 6,000 tons have been placed in the river to be sorted and 

spread naturally by the river currents. 

Objectivies 

• Restore and replenish spawning gravel 

for salmon and steelhead 

• Reestablish river meander belts 

• Limit bank protection activities 

Accomplishments

• Developed a draft Long-Term 

Restoration and Protection Plan for the 

American, Stanislaus, Sacramento 

Rivers 

• Placed 111,000 tons of gravel in the 

Sacramento River for salmon and 

steelhead spawning 

• Placed 9,488 tons of gravel in the 

Stanislaus River, resulting in salmon 

spawning there for the first time in 13 

years 

• Participated in efforts to fill an in-river 

pit and reconfigure a portion of the 

stream channel on the Stanislaus River 

• Assisted DFG in continuing a 

spawning gravel management program 

on the American River which involves 

the enhancement of existing gravels 

and the placement of an additional 

6,000 tons to date 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1996 $554,355 

1997 $778,345 

1998 $ 87,457 

1999 $665,623 

2000 $886,894 

2001 $ 40,196 

2002 $559,082 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress C-11

 

REPORT PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(b)(13) 

• Long-Term Restoration and 

Protection Plan for the 

Sacramento River 

Gravel Replenishment under the CVPIA 

• 1996 - Sacramento River below Keswick Dam, 10,000 tons 

• 1997 - Sacramento River below Keswick Dam, 34,000 tons 

• 1997 - Stanislaus River below Goodwin Dam, 1,000 tons 

• 1999 - Sacramento River below Keswick Dam, 20,000 tons 

• 1999 - American River below Nimbus Dam, 6,000 tons 

• 2000 - Sacramento River below Keswick Dam, 32,000 tons 

• 2000 - Stanislaus River below Goodwin Dam, 8,000 tons 

• 2001 - Stanislaus River below Goodwin Dam, 488 tons 

• 2002 - Sacramento River below Keswick Dam, 15,000 tons
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress C-12

Trinity River Fishery Flow Evaluation Program

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(23) Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(23) states, “The Secretary...in consultation with other 

State and Federal agencies, Indian tribes, and affected interests, is 

authorized and directed to...provide through the Trinity River Division, 

for water years 1992 through 1996, an instream release of water to the 

Trinity River of not less than 340,000 acre-feet per year...and by 

September 30, 1996, after consultation with the Hoopa Valley Tribe, shall 

complete the Trinity River Flow Evaluation Study currently being 

conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service...Not later than 

December 31, 1996, the Secretary shall forward the recommendations of 

the Trinity River Flow Evaluation Study to...[Congress].” 

The Service had initiated the Trinity River Fishery Flow Evaluation 

Study in 1985 as part of the Trinity River Basin Fish and Wildlife 

Management Program, a program authorized and funded by Congress 

prior to enactment of CVPIA. The purpose of the study was to evaluate 

the effects of increased river flows, in conjunction with other habitat 

restoration efforts, on fishery habitat and the anadromous fish resources 

in the Trinity River. In January 1998, a draft Trinity River Fishery Flow 

Evaluation Report was released for peer and interested party review. The 

report included salmonid habitat measurement at an intermediate fishery 

flow and studies on the effects of Trinity River flows on riparian 

vegetation, water temperatures, and sediment transport. However, prior 

to completion of the final flow study report, authorization and funding for 

the Trinity River Basin Fish and Wildlife Management Program expired. 

 A Solicitor’s opinion in 1998 concluded that, absent reauthorization of 

the Trinity River Basin Fish and Wildlife Management Program, the 

CVPIA provided sufficient authority, subject to certain limitations, to 

implement the resulting recommendations of the Trinity River Flow 

Evaluation Study report. Consequently, CVPIA funds were applied to 

appropriate Trinity River actions commencing in fiscal year 2001. 

An Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report, analyzing a range of alternatives for 

restoring and maintaining the natural production of anadromous fish populations of the Trinity River 

downstream of Lewiston Dam, was prepared and a final “record of decision” signed in December 2000. 

(Note. This did not entail expenditure of CVPIA funds.) The decision called for a range of flows to be 

released down the Trinity River for anadromous fish, from 369,000 acre-feet in 

critically dry years to 815,000 acre-feet in wet years. It also called for physical 

channel rehabilitation to accommodate the increased flows. 

It was subsequently determined that, to handle the increased instream flows, 

certain bridge modifications need to be made. Four bridges were identified as 

needing modification. In FY 2001, hydraulic modeling for the projects was 

completed and design work on the structures was initiated. Environmental 

compliance documents were prepared and design work continued. Contracts 

for construction of necessary modifications to one of the four bridges was 

awarded. This work was accomplished using the CVPIA funds shown above. 

Objectives 

• Determine the effectiveness of 

increased flows and other habitat 

restoration measures on habitat and 

fishery populations in the Trinity 

River

• Implement measures necessary to 

restore anadromous fish populations 

to pre-project levels 

Accomplishments

• Prepared and released draft and 

final reports concerning the 

effectiveness of increased flows on 

anadromous fish populations 

• Completed draft EIS/EIR in 

October 1999 

• Completed Final EIS/EIR in 

January 2000 

• Record of Decision signed in 

December 2000 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

2001 $ 429,990 

2002 $6,933,421 

REPORTS PREPARED 

RELATED TO 

SECTION 3406(b)(23)

• Draft Trinity River Flow 

Evaluation Report, January 

1998 

• Final Trinity River Flow 

Evaluation Report, April 

1999 

• Draft EIS/EIR, October 1999 

• Final EIS/EIR, January 2002 

Record of Decision, 

December 2002 
APPENDIX D 

Anadromous Fish - Structural Measures 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress

Appendix D Anadromous Fish - Structural Measures 

Tracy Pumping Plant Mitigation (Section 3404[b][4]).............................................................................D-1 

Contra Costa Canal Pumping Plant Mitigation (Section 3406[b][5]) .......................................................D-2 

Shasta Temperature Control Device (Section 3406[b][6]) .......................................................................D-4 

Red Bluff Dam Fish Passage Program (Section 3406[b][10])..................................................................D-6 

Coleman National Fish Hatchery Restoration/Keswick Fish Trap Modification (Section 3406[b][11]) .D-8 

Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District Fish Passage (Section 3406[b][17])......................................D-11 

Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District Pumping Plant (Section 3406[b][20]).................................................D-12 

Anadromous Fish Screen Program (Section 3406[b][21])......................................................................D-14 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-1

Tracy Pumping Plant Mitigation

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(4) Start Date: 1998 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(4) states, “The Secretary...is authorized and directed to 

develop and implement a program to mitigate for fishery impacts 

associated with operation of the Tracy Pumping Plant. Such a program 

shall include, but is not limited to, improvement or replacement of the 

fish screen and fish recovery facilities and practices associated with the 

Tracy Pumping Plant.” 

Since 1990, Reclamation has been improving fish survival at the Tracy 

Fish Collection Facilities under the Tracy Fish Facility Improvement 

Program (TFFIP). This program is a cooperative effort between 

Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Region and Denver Technical Service 

Center, and is coordinated with other agencies including the Service, 

National Marine Fisheries Service, DFG, and DWR. 

Reclamation is identifying and making physical improvements and 

operational changes, assessing fishery conditions, and monitoring 

salvage operations at the collection facility. Activities are being 

performed in conformance with existing Endangered Species Act 

Biological Opinions, operating permit requirements, and agreements 

reached with DFG in 1992. 

 

The program was expanded in 1998 to include activities leading to 

development of a modern on-site demonstration fish screen, the Tracy 

Experimental Test Fish Facility (TFTF). It is anticipated that this 

experimental facility will be used to evaluate new technologies for 

replacement of the existing 40+ year-old facilities at both Tracy 

(Federal) and Clifton Court (State) intakes. Such a research facility will 

permit testing and evaluation of all aspects of the fish salvage program 

at Tracy and Clifton Court and will support technological research 

needed by CALFED for other South Delta fish screen needs. Design 

continued through FY02. 

Prior to FY98, funding for this program was obtained from Reclamation 

appropriations for activities other than implementation of the CVPIA. In FY98, CVPIA funding was made 

available for work at the Tracy Pumping Plant. 

Objectives 

C Mitigate fishery impacts associated 

with Tracy Pumping Plant operations 

Accomplishments

C Developed new predator removal 

operations 

C Increased biological oversight of 

pumping operations 

C Developed an expanded program with 

more focused research 

C Developed new fisheries laboratories 

and aquaculture facilities 

C Improved and modified existing 

facilities 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year 

Obligation 

1998 $305,178 

1999 $2,254,518 

2000 $431,735 

2001 $4,313,743 

2002 $5,259,676 

Biological Benefits 

C Reduce fish mortality at Tracy fish screen 

C Reduce entrainment of fish at the fish screen 

C Improve conditions for salmon, striped bass, 

American shad, splittail and Delta smelt 

C Separate debris from entrained fish 

C Separate larger predatory fish from juvenile fish 

C Provide fish-friendly pumps and lifting devices to 

safely transport sensitive species 

C Evaluate screen-cleaning mechanisms 

C Improve overall handling, fish transportation, and 

release 

Possible Tracy Test Fish 

Facility Evaluations 

C Develop optimum fish screen configuration and 

operation of bypass flows 

C Separate debris from entrained fish 

C Separate larger predatory fish from juvenile fish 

C Provide fish-friendly pumps and lifting devices to 

safely transport sensitive species 

C Evaluate screen-cleaning mechanisms 

C Improve overall handling fish transportation and 

release 

C Develop optimum fish screen configuration and 

operation of bypass flows 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-2

Contra Costa Canal Pumping Plant Mitigation

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(5) Start Date: 1996 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(5) states, “The Secretary...is authorized and 

directed...to develop and implement a program to mitigate for fishery 

impacts resulting from operations of the Contra Costa Canal 

Pumping Plant No. 1. Such program shall provide for construction 

and operation of fish screening and recovery facilities, and for 

modified practices and operations.” 

In FY96, the Contra Costa Fish Screen Management Team and the 

Contra Costa Technical Advisory Committee were established, 

consisting of representatives from the Service, Reclamation, National 

Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), California Department of Fish and 

Game (DFG), California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and 

Contra Costa Water District. These two groups have been assisting 

in the development and implementation of the fish screen project for 

the Rock Slough intake of the Contra Costa Canal. In addition, a 

Peer Review Team reviews planning and design documents. 

The Peer Review Team reviewed preliminary conceptual designs and 

recommended improvements for the fish screen project. A Value 

Engineering Team explored cost saving alternatives and made 

recommendations and the 90% designs were completed. 

Environmental documentation was completed, and an agreement was 

signed to provide funding participation from the State of California. 

Currently, a number of CALFED Stage 1 studies are underway. 

These include the CALFED Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion 

Study, the CALFED Rock Slough Water Quality Improvement 

Study, and various ecosystem restoration projects and studies. All 

these studies and projects have the potential of significantly altering 

the currently designed fish screen at Rock Slough or possibly 

eliminating the need for a screened diversion entirely. 

As a result of these developments, alternative short-term, lower cost 

fisheries mitigation measures such as short-term operational 

flexibility, alternative exclusionary measures, and/or salvage 

procedures are currently being investigated and developed through an 

interagency team consisting of Reclamation, the Service, NMFS, 

DFG, DWR, and the Contra Costa Water District. Progress on the 

completion of the Rock Slough fish screen project will continue: however, it will now be scheduled more 

closely with the results of the CALFED Stage 1 and other studies. Preliminary study results are anticipated by 

December 2004. 

With alternative short-term mitigation measures being developed this year, Reclamation will most likely 

present these measures to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and request an amendment to the Los Vaqueros 

Biological Opinion for Delta Smelt. The amendment would then extend the construction completion date of 

the Rock slough fish screen project through December 2008. 

Objective 

C Mitigate fishery impacts of the Contra 

Costa Pumping Plant diversion at Rock 

Slough 

Accomplishments 

C Established multi-agency management 

and technical teams 

C Prepared a Project Management Plan 

C Completed 90% designs 

C Completed Value Engineering Report 

C Performed laboratory-model test of 

screen structure and cleaner 

mechanisms 

C Completed environmental evaluation 

requirements 

C Prepared an Environmental 

Commitments Report 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1996 $58,694 

1997 $441,352 

1998 $1,196,226 

1999 $9,799 

2000 $344,926 

2001 $405,726 

2002 $66,729 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-3

REPORTS PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(b)(5) 

C Phase I Feasibility/Pre-design Report 

C Phase II Concept/Alternatives Report 

C Project Management Plan 

C Value Engineering Report 

C Environmental Assessment and Initial 

Study 

C Finding of No Significant Impact and 

Negative Declaration issued 

C Endangered Species Act Consultation 

completed 

C Environmental Commitments Report 

C Miscellaneous Design Reports 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-4

Shasta Temperature Control Device

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(6) Start Date: 1993 Status: Completed

Section 3406(b)(6) states, “The Secretary, in consultation with other 

State and Federal agencies, Indian tribes, and affected interests, 

is...authorized and directed to install and operate a structural 

temperature control device at Shasta Dam and develop and implement 

modifications in CVP operations as needed to assist in the Secretary’s 

efforts to control water temperatures in the upper Sacramento River in 

order to protect anadromous fish in the upper Sacramento River.” 

Instream conditions (especially water temperature) in the upper 

Sacramento River were found to be inadequate for many native fish 

species, especially the Federally listed winter-run Chinook salmon, 

during summer and fall months. During the summers of 1987-1993, 

temporary river temperature improvement downstream from Shasta 

Dam was achieved by releasing water through the Shasta Dam lower 

outlet works, bypassing the Shasta powerplant. Although this 

operation assisted in meeting instream temperature needs for Chinook 

salmon, it resulted in a loss in power generation in excess of 

$35 million over a 7-year period. 

The purpose of the Shasta Temperature Control Device (TCD) is to 

allow the selective withdrawal of water from Shasta Reservoir to 

enhance downstream temperatures in the Sacramento River without 

bypassing power generation. Shasta Reservoir, a feature of the CVP 

located on the Sacramento River just northwest of Redding, stores up 

to 4.5 million acre-feet of water providing flood control and water for 

urban, agricultural, power, and environmental benefits. 

The TCD includes a gated shutter structure 250 feet wide and 300 feet 

high that encloses all five powerplant penstock intakes. A low-level 

intake structure measuring 125 feet wide and 170 feet high accesses 

the deeper, colder water near the center of the dam and diverts it to the 

shutter structure. This 8,000-ton, 300-foot-tall steel-frame structure is 

connected to the upstream face of the dam. A series of gates allows 

the withdrawal of water at various lake levels, helping with the control 

of water temperatures downstream. 

In 1993, planning and design efforts resulted in the completion of a contract to construct the Temperature 

Control Device at Shasta Dam. Construction began in November of 1994 and was completed in 1997. After 

a series of structural load performance tests, the TCD was approved for operation in February 1997. 

The temperature device draws water of different temperatures from different reservoir depths. Its operation 

has increased the ability to control river temperatures, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen, without bypassing 

power generation. The TCD has benefited upper Sacramento River salmon populations while better allowing 

CVP operations to meet existing water and power contractual obligations. 

The Shasta TCD, which cost approximately $80 million to build, is operated remotely from the Central Valley 

Control Center in Sacramento. 

Objective 

C Allow selective withdrawal of water 

from Shasta Reservoir to improve 

temperatures in the Sacramento River 

to benefit winter-run Chinook salmon 

and other anadromous fish species 

without bypassing power generation 

Accomplishments 

C Completed construction and began 

operation of the TCD on February 28, 

1997 

C Operated TCD since 1997 to reduce 

river temperatures downstream without 

bypassing power generation operations 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1993 $1,802,807 

1994 $1,710,555 

1995 $25,911,631 

1996 $41,292,648 

1997 $7,156,076 

1998 $4,080,150 

1999 $1,979,489 

2000 $1,599 

2001 -$305 

**The negative is a credit 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-5

Preparation of inspection documents and drafting 

of standard operating procedures were ongoing 

during FY97 and FY98. In FY98, a 1-year 

underwater inspection of the TCD structure was 

conducted to evaluate the protective coating 

needed for protection of the structure. No 

additional concerns or items were identified. The 

final construction report and closeout of the 

construction contract were completed and the 

project was transferred to O&M status in FY99. 

The collection of data to evaluate any effects of 

TCD operation will be ongoing. 

REPORTS PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(b)(6) 

C Shasta Dam Fish Entrainment Study, Pre-TCD Evaluation 

C First Year Performance of the Shasta Dam Temperature Control Device 

C Shasta TCD Transfer Stipulation Report 

C Physical Forcing of Phytoplankton Bloom Dynamics in Shasta Lake, CA 

C Pre- and Post-Operational Effects of Temperature Control Device on Physical, Chemical, 

and Biological Attributes of Shasta Lake, CA, Phase 1, Spring 1995 Through Fall 1997 

C One-year Underwater Inspection Report, 1999 

C Final Report of Computer Modeling Study, October 1999 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-6

Red Bluff Dam Fish Passage Program

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(10) Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(10) states, “The Secretary is...authorized and directed 

to...develop and implement measures to minimize fish passage 

problems for adult and juvenile anadromous fish at the Red Bluff 

Diversion Dam in a manner that provides for the use of associated 

Central Valley Project conveyance facilities for delivery of water to 

the Sacramento Valley National Wildlife Refuge complex...”. 

Red Bluff Diversion Dam (RBDD) provides for the diversion of 

Sacramento River water into the Corning and Tehama-Colusa Canals. 

The dam has affected anadromous fish by delaying and blocking adult 

migration, entraining juveniles into diversion canals, killing or injuring 

juveniles passing through the dam, and increasing juvenile predation 

due to disorientation as they pass through the dam. 

Implementation of this section provides for the continuation of the Red 

Bluff Diversion Dam Fish Passage Program, started in the late 1980s. 

This program has evolved through several phases in which fish 

passage problems were researched and a variety of alternative 

solutions were evaluated at a preliminary level of analysis. Early 

solution to the fish passage problem was to remove the gates of the 

dam and allow the Sacramento River flow unimpeded. This solution, 

however, affected recreation at 

Lake Red Bluff immediately 

upstream from the dam and 

affected water diversions in the 

Tehama-Colusa Canal (TCC). 

The interim approach to solving 

fish passage problems at RBDD 

currently includes: use of CVP 

water from Black Butte Reservoir 

located on Stony Creek to supply 

water to TCC; use of the Research Pumping Plant during key spring 

and fall periods; and modifications to facilities and operations during 

the time when the RBDD gates are out of the water to maximize the 

use of available water supplies. These interim actions have provided a 

balance for both natural resource protection and water deliveries. 

Program activities have been grouped into four categories: Research 

Pumping Plant (RPP), planning studies of alternatives to improve fish 

passage at RBDD, improvements to existing facilities, and other 

actions. 

The purpose of the RPP is to research development of innovative 

“fish-friendly” pumps to meet water delivery demands when the 

RBDD gates are out of the river. Reclamation and the Service began 

baseline studies in 1994 and later entered into a cooperative agreement 

to conduct additional research when the RPP was completed in 1995. 

Objectives 

C Improve upstream and downstream 

passage of anadromous fish and other 

species

C Deliver water at the time and quantity 

required by users, including the 

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

C Implement improvements to existing 

operations and facilities to benefit fish 

passage and water delivery

C Maintain Lake Red Bluff and other 

authorized CVP uses

C Solve fish passage problems while 

incorporating changes in 

environmental, institutional, and 

regulatory environments 

Accomplishments 

C Conducted studies to evaluate impacts 

of Research Pumping Plant, including 

97-99% survival of juvenile salmon

C Modified the Research Pumping Plant 

facility to assist in its operation

C Conducted studies to evaluate longterm fish passage and water delivery 

solutions at Red Bluff Diversion Dam

C Modified Red Bluff Diversion Dam 

facilities to meet needs of anadromous 

fish and water users 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1993 $9,754,979 

1994 $6,553,673 

1995 $3,871,389 

1996 $3,420,577 

1997 $2,308,180 

1998 $1,792,222 

1999 $1,529,130 

2000 $1,607,371 

2001 $2,621,074 

2002 $1,367,005 

Potential Benefits of Program 

C Improved access to habitat for 

salmon and steelhead spawning 

C Better survival rates for 

downstream-migrating juveniles 

C Improved passage for sturgeon, 

American shad, and striped bass 

C More dependable water 

deliveries to contractors 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-7

Research Pumping Plant Studies Status

Abundance and distribution of juvenile 

salmonids in vicinity of RPP 

Complete

Species, abundance, and distribution of fish 

predators near RBDD, including RPP+ 

Complete

Evaluation of colonization of intake sump 

area by predatory fish species 

Complete

Radio telemetry tracking of adult 

Sacramento pikeminnow and adult Chinook 

salmon in vicinity of RPP 

Complete

Study to develop fish handling and 

experiment techniques 

Complete

Monitoring of entrapment of juvenile 

anadromous larval fish by pumping plant 

Complete

Evaluation of juvenile salmonid 

survival/injury through pumps 

Complete

Studies of bypass pipeline to determine 

residence time and survival of juvenile 

salmon 

Complete

Field studies to evaluate injury and mortality 

rates to fish entrained in the existing fish 

bypass system 

Complete

Evaluation of stress and disorientation of 

juvenile Chinook salmon passing through 

RPP 

Complete

Instrumentation and automation of pump 

operation and maintenance features 

Complete

Installation of additional baffles on the veescreen structure Complete

Evaluations of the RPP operational and 

hydraulic characteristics 

Complete

Mechanical evaluations of pumps and 

facilities 

Complete

Synopsis Report summarizing results of the 

overall biological and engineering studies of 

the RPP Program 

Underway

The planning studies were designed to evaluate 

technical and environmental issues associated with 

solutions to fish passage and water delivery 

problems at Red Bluff Diversion Dam and to 

arrive at a permanent solution to those problems.

Planning Activities Year

Report on RBDD fish bypass alternatives Complete

Study of recreational activity near the RBDD Complete

Physical model of water delivery 

requirements 

Complete

Assessment of water delivery requirements Complete

Report on juvenile salmonid migration at 

RBDD 

Complete

Report on adult salmonid behavior at RBDD Complete

Report on striped bass and squawfish at 

RBDD 

Complete

Select alternatives for final evaluation Complete

Prepare NEPA compliance documents Underway

Initiate permitting Underway

Finalize implementation plan Underway

In an effort to improve existing facilities, annual 

operation and maintenance actions were 

implemented to benefit anadromous fish and water 

delivery capabilities at Red Bluff Diversion Dam.

Improvements to Existing Facilities Year

Modified contour of East Sand Slough to 

prevent entrapment of fish during low water 

levels 

1993 

Evaluated approach velocities to the existing 

rotary drum screen when gates are lowered 

1993 

Modified west bank fish ladder entrance to 

improve fish attraction and entrance conditions 

1994 

Improved fish screens for a series of temporary 

pumps 

1996 

Other actions taken to improve resource protection 

and water delivery capabilities at Red Bluff 

Diversion Dam included evaluating and permitting 

the use of Stony Creek as part of the interim 

solution to fish passage. 

Other Actions Year

Receipt of State Water Resources Control 

Board permit to allow re-diversion of CVP 

water stored in Black Butte Reservoir into the 

Tehama-Colusa Canal 

1996 

Prepared Water Use and Management Plan for 

the lower Stony Creek watershed 

1998 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-8

Coleman National Fish Hatchery Restoration and 

Keswick Fish Trap Modification

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(11) Start Date: 1994 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(11) states, “The Secretary...is...authorized and 

directed to...rehabilitate and expand the Coleman National Fish 

Hatchery by implementing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 

Coleman National Fish Hatchery Development Plan, and modify the 

Keswick Dam Fish Trap to provide for its efficient operation at all 

project flow release levels and modify the basin below the Keswick 

Dam spillway to prevent the trapping of fish.” 

Coleman National Fish Hatchery (NFH) is now 60 years old. The 

facility was originally constructed in 1942 to offset fish habitat losses 

resulting from the construction of Shasta and Keswick Dams (the 

cornerstone of the CVP). Planning efforts in the 1980s resulted in 

completion of the Coleman National Fish Hatchery Station 

Development Plan, which prioritized recommendations for 

rehabilitation. The following are actions implemented to date to 

implement this section of the CVPIA consistent with the Station 

Development Plan. 

Construction of an Ozone water treatment facility at Coleman NFH

Part of the plan included the development and construction of an 

ozone water treatment plant. Disease and sediment problems 

associated with the water supply have confounded fish culture 

programs at Coleman NFH since its inception. 

To reduce sediment in the hatchery water supply and to alleviate 

recurrent disease problems, a water treatment facility capable of 

filtering 45,000 gallons per minute (gpm) and ozonating 30,000 gpm 

has been constructed at Coleman NFH. Components of the water 

treatment facility include: oxygen and ozone generation equipment, 

ozone removal equipment, water pumping and distribution facilities, 

and sand filters. Prior to construction and installation, a Water 

Treatment Cost Study and Alternatives Analysis was completed for 

Coleman in March 1997 and evaluations pursuant to the National 

Environmental Policy Act undertaken. Information from these 

processes resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of water 

previously thought necessary for ozonation at the facility. 

 

Operation of the ozone water treatment facility is expected to 

substantially lessen the occurrence of disease in hatchery production 

and reduce the potential for disease transmission to naturally produced 

stocks. The ozone facility reached full capacity in 2000, and juvenile 

fall-run Chinook salmon from brood years 1999, 2000 and 2001 have 

been reared and released with no incidence of 

IHNV (infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus), a particularly deadly 

disease. This is a first in the history of the hatchery. Additionally, 

higher water quality (i.e., reduced turbidity) resulted in more fish from 

these brood years reaching the proper size at release than in the past. 

Proper release size promotes rapid out-migration and potentially 

higher 

Objectives 

C Improve conditions for production of 

hatchery-raised fish at Coleman Fish 

Hatchery, including installation of 

ozone treatment for disease control 

C Improve operation of anadromous fish 

survival at the Keswick Dam Fish Trap 

Accomplishments

C Replacement of the barrier weir in 

Battle Creek 

C Replacement of the 50 ft. x 150 ft. 

raceways 

C Hatchery building seismic retrofit 

completed 

C Completed Level 1 water treatment 

with a capacity of 45,000 gpm by 

filtration and 30,000 gpm by ozone 

treatment 

C Established the Livingston Stone Fish 

Hatchery 

C Completed designs and associated 

purchases for modification of the 

Keswick Dam Fish Trap 

C Planning and environmental 

compliance for hatchery intake 

modifications initiated 

Fiscal Data

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1994 $1,685,834 

1995 $1,360,509 

1996 $2,289,223 

1997 $2,632,601 

1998 $7,852,348 

1999 $3,149,952 

2000 $1,394,418 

2001 $402,257 

2002 $517,088 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-9

survivorship. Rapid out-migraton also limits 

ecological interactions between hatchery and 

natural origin juveniles in the freshwater 

environment. Also of extreme importance, 

construction of the water treatment facility 

alleviates concern that passage of salmonids into 

the watershed above Coleman could result in the 

introduction of diseases into the hatchery’s water 

supply. This action, therefore, ties directly with 

efforts to restore 42 miles of habitat in upper 

Battle Creek. 

A 5 to 7-year test period to evaluate efficiency of 

the system and provide information to help 

determine the need for any additional disinfection 

capacity will be continued. Funds from CVPIA 

have been used to mark and coded-wire tag groups 

of fish reared on ozonated water as part of an 

ozone water treatment facility efficacy study. 

Data from that study will continue to be collected 

over the next several years. 

Replacement of twenty-eight 15 ft. by 150 ft 

rearing ponds at Coleman NFH 

In 1994 and 1995, rehabilitation was completed on 

28 badly deteriorated rearing ponds. Replacement 

of these ponds has resulted in reduced mortality in 

each pond during to handling events (i.e., fish 

killed or injured on uneven surfaces) and direct 

losses of fish in cracks and fissures in the rearing 

pond walls and floor. 

Construction of Livingston Stone National Fish 

Hatchery 

The CVPIA also provided over $1 million to 

establish the Livingston Stone National Fish 

Hatchery on the Sacramento River. Livingston 

Stone NFH, a substation of Coleman NFH, was 

constructed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 

late-1997 and is one of the newest hatcheries in 

the National Fish Hatchery System. The facility 

was constructed for the explicit purpose of 

propagating ESA-listed winter-run Chinook 

salmon to assist in its recovery. The hatchery 

allows for rearing of winter-run Chinook salmon 

in a Sacramento River water supply. Prior to its 

establishment, winter-run Chinook collected at the 

Keswick Dam fish trap on the Sacramento River 

had to be reared at the Coleman NFH, potentially 

imprinting them to Battle Creek water chemistry 

and possibly hampering their recovery in the 

Sacramento River. The construction of the 

Livingston Stone NFH should assure that the 

hatchery-origin adults will return to spawning 

grounds in the upper Sacramento River and not to 

Battle Creek. 

Propagation efforts for winter-run Chinook 

salmon consist of two programs, the artificial 

propagation program and the captive broodstock 

program. Together, these programs are intended to 

prevent further loss of genetic variability and 

supplement reproduction of the naturally 

spawning population. Both programs are 

supported in the National Marine Fisheries 

Service’s draft Recovery Plan for the species. 

The newly constructed hatchery contains facilities 

for broodstock holding, spawning, and rearing. 

The production capacity of the facility is about 

250,000 juveniles. Between 30,000 and 250,000 

juveniles have been reared at the facility annually 

since it was constructed. As a result primarily of 

the release of brood year 1998, it has been 

estimated that about 300 hatchery-origin winterrun Chinook salmon adults from this program 

returned to the upper Sacramento River in 2001. 

For the captive broodstock program, a small 

number of juveniles (300-1,200) from each brood 

year are withheld from the release group and are 

reared to maturity at the Livingston Stone NFH 

and University of California, Davis’ Bodega 

Marine Laboratory. The main goal of the captive 

broodstock program is to assure a source of 

gametes for the winter-run Chinook propagation 

program if natural returns are too low to provide 

adequate numbers of adults as broodstock. As of 

July 2002, approximately 580 captive broodstock 

from three brood years are currently being held at 

Livingston Stone NFH. 

Modifications at the Keswick Dam Fish Trap and 

Stilling Basin 

The fish trap at Keswick Dam on the Sacramento 

River is used to collect broodstock for production 

at both the Coleman and Livingston Stone 

hatcheries. Historically, the trap has been 

inefficient, failing to effectively trap and maintain 

fish at higher flows and to provide a safe work 

environment for fish collection or facility repairs. 

Section 3406(b)(11) provides for modification of 

the trap at Keswick to make it more efficient and 

safe at all flows. 

Design modifications of the Keswick Dam Fish 

Trap were completed in 1996. These 

modifications will increase the trap’s operational 

capacity from 15,000 cubic feet per second to 

about 32,000 cubic feet per second and will 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-10

enhance capture of winter-run Chinook salmon 

during high releases from Keswick Dam. Purchase 

and installation of bulkhead stop-log structures, a 

blower system and four winches for operating the 

stoplogs, and a dewatering pump and associated 

electrical power supply have been completed. 

Other modifications include the removal of the 

ineffective sweep, modifications in the brail, and 

modifications to the trap/ladder floor. The 

bulkheads should be fully functional by October 

2002, work on the brail should be completed 

during the fall and winter of 2002, and work on 

the elevator upgrades should begin in August of 

2002. An escape channel was also constructed 

which permanently connects the Keswick Dam 

Stilling Basin to the Sacramento River. 

Modifications at the Keswick Dam Fish Trap and 

Stilling Basin have decreased the potential for 

losses of anadromous salmonids in the trap and in 

the stilling basin and allow for greater flexibility 

in operations. Historically, when the river flow 

inundated the stilling basin, fish of all species 

would be stranded when the flows receded. The 

construction of the escape channel has alleviated 

this trapping/stranding issue and has decreased 

losses of adult salmon and steelhead in the upper 

Sacramento River. 

Likewise, the improvements have increased 

efficiency (i.e., operation at higher flows). The 

trap can now be fished at flows up to 32,000 cfs: 

at flows above this, escape channels in the brail 

can be opened to allow fish to exit the trap and 

move back down the fish ladder. Previously, if 

dam releases were not reduced to less than 15,000 

cfs, the trap could not be safely cleared of all 

occupants. This meant that fish within the trap 

would need to remain within the trap until flows 

could be lowered. Lowering of the flows also 

meant potential impacts to fish in the river due to 

flow fluctuations. 

The bulkhead system is designed to allow the fish 

ladder at the trap to be dewatered at any river level 

(previously the ladder/trap could not be dewatered 

at flows over 5,000 cfs). Increased/improved seals 

around the brail have reduced the loss of smaller 

fish and have helped reduce fish injury in general. 

The new controls on the elevator will also allow 

increased flexibility and safety to fish and the 

operator. 

Coleman NFH intake modifications 

Planning efforts have been initiated to modify 

(i.e., screen) the water intake structures at 

Coleman NFH. The primary purpose of the effort 

is to protect (i.e., avoid the entrainment and 

impingement of) natural-origin salmon and 

steelhead juveniles produced in Battle Creek 

following restoration efforts within the watershed. 

Coleman NFH hatchery building rehabilitation 

In its existing condition, the hatchery building 

(tankhouse), does not meet current earthquake and 

other life-safety codes. The tankhouse is a critical 

structure for all propagation programs at Coleman 

NFH. The building houses structures, equipment, 

incubators and tanks to facilitate early-life stage 

rearing of all species produced on station. 

Rehabilitation of the building, as per the Station 

Development Plan, will increase efficiency of fish 

culture operations, enhancing egg and juvenile 

survival. It will also rectify all safety deficiencies 

currently associated with the existing building. 

Construction is currently unscheduled.

REPORTS PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(b)(11) 

C Water Treatment Cost Study and 

Alternatives Analysis 

C EA and FONSI
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-11

Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District Fish Passage

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(17) Start Date: 1996 Status: Completed

Section 3406(b)(17) states, “The Secretary...is authorized and directed 

to develop and implement a program to resolve fishery passage 

problems at the Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District Diversion 

Dam as well as upstream stranding problems related to AndersonCottonwood Irrigation District Diversion Dam operations.” 

The Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District (ACID) Diversion Dam is 

within critical habitat of the endangered winter-run Chinook salmon and 

the threatened spring-run Chinook salmon and Central Valley steelhead. 

 It is also within an area crucial to fall and late fall-run Chinook salmon, 

species currently not listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act 

but that are candidates for listing. 

The ACID Diversion Dam is installed annually in April and removed in 

November. A catwalk suspended above the dam allows workers to 

install wooden flashboards to raise or lower the dam level. Installing or 

removing the heavy flashboards was unsafe and impossible during even 

moderate flows, making it necessary for Reclamation to reduce 

Sacramento River flows to allow ACID to change the dam level. 

Reducing river flows stranded fish and dewatered salmon spawning 

areas, often killing eggs and young. In 1996 and 1997, Interior 

designed and funded the manufacture of lightweight flashboards and a 

new catwalk, allowing ACID to use the flashboards safely at higher 

flows. Also, ACID signed an agreement with Reclamation eliminating 

requests for flow reductions below 10,000 cubic feet per second for 

adjustment of the dam. 

The ACID Diversion Dam has two fish ladders, both of which required 

replacement. One ladder was old and undersized, and its entrance is 

poorly oriented for passage of salmon and steelhead. The Service 

evaluated the structure’s effectiveness and determined that only a small 

percentage of salmon in the river use the ladder. The other fish ladder, 

small and temporary, was installed in 1991. New fish ladders were 

designed that will provide better access to prime spawning habitat 

upstream from the dam. 

Historically, the existing fish screen on the ACID diversion failed due to 

high debris loads when salmon are emerging and in most need of a 

screening structure. Because ACID has a high rate of diversion during 

periods when winter-run Chinook salmon emerge from spawning 

gravels, it was important that the facility be well screened. Also, with 

the listing of Central Valley steelhead, the screen no longer met the 

requirements of the Endangered Species Act. A heavier, more adequate 

screen was designed in coordination with the Anadromous Fish Screen 

Program. 

In 1997, a team was organized to plan, design, and implement the 

resolution of fishery problems at ACID. The team agreed on the 

objectives and methods to resolve all fish passage problems. 

Preliminary designs and environmental permitting were finished in 

1998. Funding for final design and construction was obtained from 

CALFED with the assistance of the team. Construction of the project 

is complete and monitoring is underway. 

Objectives 

C Eliminate or avoid dewatering of 

redds and stranding of juveniles 

caused by operation of ACID 

Diversion Dam 

C Improve fish passage and decrease 

fish injury at ACID Diversion Dam 

and increase access to 3.6 miles of 

habitat between ACID Diversion and 

Keswick Dams 

C Reduce entrainment of juvenile 

salmonids into ACID canal 

Accomplishments

C Eliminated dewatering of redds and 

stranding of juvenile salmon 

upstream from ACID Dam by 

modifying the dam’s structure and 

operations 

C Created ACID Fish Passage Team to 

plan, design, and implement 

successful resolution of fishery 

problems 

C Reached consensus on how to resolve 

all fishery passage problems at ACID 

C Evaluated effectiveness of fish 

passage through old fish ladder 

C Finished preliminary designs and 

permitting and obtained funding for 

final design. 

C Two new state of the art fish ladders 

and screens at ACID’ main diversion 

were installed with funding provided 

by CALFED ($10.2 million) 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1997 $14,349 

1998 $309,462 

1999 $14,803 

2000 $4,552 

2001 -$1,532 

**The negative is a credit 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-12

Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District Pumping Plant

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(20) Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(20) states, “The Secretary...is...authorized and 

directed to...participate with the State of California and other Federal 

agencies in the implementation of the on-going program to mitigate 

fully for the fishery impacts associated with operations of the GlennColusa Irrigation District’s Hamilton City Pumping Plant. Such 

participation shall include replacement of the defective fish screens 

and fish recovery facilities associated with the Hamilton City Pumping 

Plant.”

Fishery impacts associated with operation of the Glenn-Colusa 

Irrigation District’s (GCID) Hamilton City Pumping Plant have been 

significant. Although GCID’s intake channel allows water not 

diverted through the plant’s pumps to flow back to the river, the 

pumping velocity prevents small fish from escaping back to the river 

with the flow. Thus, fish screens that allow for the escapement of 

these small fish back to the river are required. 

The effort to design a state-of-the art fish screening system started in 

the late 1980’s. Information from this effort was incorporated into the 

program to implement Section 3406(b)(20). This program involves a 

multi-agency team including Reclamation, the Service, U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers, National Marine Fisheries Service, DWR, State 

Reclamation Board, DFG, and GCID. 

In 1993, a draft feasibility report presented a wide range of screen 

designs and locations as well as other facilities in the Sacramento 

River mainstem for restoring the hydraulic gradient at the screen. 

During this period, GCID installed flat-plate screen panels on the 

upstream face of the existing drum screen facility and modified intake 

and discharge channels to improve hydraulic conditions for returning 

fish to the river. These interim measures allowed GCID to continue to 

pump part of its water allocation while meeting fish protection 

requirements. 

In 1994, Interior and the Corps of Engineers initiated the design phase 

of the project, focusing on the most favorable alternatives identified in 

the feasibility study. Concept-level designs were developed with 

significant input and oversight by the participating agencies. Criteria 

were also developed to aid in selecting the best overall alternative for 

final design. In 1995, physical and numerical model studies were 

initiated to better analyze characteristics of the alternatives. These 

studies showed that a fish screen in the vicinity of the existing screens 

was the preferred location. 

In December 1996, the involved agencies agreed on the preferred 

alternative, which includes a retrofit and extension of the existing fish 

screen structure, channel modifications, a gradient facility in the river, 

and appurtenant facilities. 

During 1996 and 1997 final designs were completed for the fish screen 

and open channel work. Three additional physical model studies were 

required to ensure the hydraulic designs would meet fish 

Objectives

C Provide state-of-the-art fish screens 

that are reliable, cost effective, and 

minimize fish losses 

C Enable GCID to meet instantaneous 

peak demands and provide reliable 

long-term deliveries 

C Minimize the potential for failure of 

the fish screen because of changes in 

Sacramento River alignment or 

gradient 

Accomplishments

C Completed construction of the fish 

screen facility, the bypass channel, and 

downstream side channel 

improvements 

C Completed construction of the water 

control structure and access bridge 

C Completed construction of the gradient 

control facility in the mainstem of the 

Sacramento River 

C Initiated fish screen system testing 

program 

C Mitigated impacts to valley elderberry 

longhorn beetle by transplanting 

elderberry shrubs from the fish screen 

area to an adjacent parcel 

Fiscal Data

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1993 $259,237 

1994 $1,296,731 

1995 $800,874 

1996 $1,379,055 

1997 $1,376,455 

1998 $11,606,499 

1999 $16,450,067 

2000 $2,803,935 

2001 $2,045,603 

2002 $2,944,892 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-13

protection requirements. In addition, environmental compliance

requirements were completed, including a joint 

State-Federal EIR/EIS, State and Federal 

Biological Assessments and Opinions, a Fish and 

Wildlife Coordination Act report, and various 

construction permits. 

Construction on the fish screen extension, on 

retrofitting the existing fish screen, and on the 

open channel work began in spring 1998. A 

replacement water control structure and access 

bridge was completed just downstream from the 

existing fish screen structure along with placement 

of a cofferdam for the 634-foot-long fish screen 

structure extension. The Corps completed the 

design of the gradient facility and initiated 

construction of that component in 1999. 

Construction on all features of the project was 

completed in 2001. Mitigation for impacts of the 

fish screen project on valley elderberry longhorn 

beetle was accomplished by transplanting 

elderberry shrubs from the fish screen construction 

area to an adjacent site. A 4-year fish screen 

system testing/operation optimization program has 

been initiated. 

REPORTS PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(b)(20) 

C Biological Assessments/Biological Opinions 

C Joint State-Federal EIR/EIS 

C Gradient Restoration Facility Limited 

Reevaluation Report 

C Value Engineering for fish screen system 

C Design reports 

C Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Report 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-14

Anadromous Fish Screen Program

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(21) Start Date: 1994 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(21) states, “The Secretary, in consultation with other 

State and Federal agencies, Indian tribes, and affected interests, 

is...authorized and directed to...assist the State of California in efforts 

to develop and implement measures to avoid losses of juvenile 

anadromous fish resulting from unscreened or inadequately screened 

diversions on the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, their tributaries, 

the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and the Suisun Marsh. Such 

measures shall include but shall not be limited to construction of 

screens on unscreened diversions, rehabilitation of existing screens, 

replacement of existing non-functioning screens, and relocation of 

diversions to less fishery-sensitive areas.” 

The Anadromous Fish Screen Program was established to reduce fish 

mortality associated with diversions in the Central Valley. Currently, 

2,109 agricultural diversions are located in the Delta, 450 in the 

Sacramento River system, 152 in the San Joaquin River system, and 

370 in the Suisun Marsh basin. Considering the large number of these 

diversions, a basinwide screen program, in a context of cooperation 

and partnership, is the most promising strategy for control of juvenile 

anadromous fish losses associated with their operation. 

Since 1994, Interior has worked with the State of California in efforts 

to minimize losses of anadromous fish at Central Valley diversions on 

the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and their tributaries, in the 

Delta, and in Suisun Marsh. To help accomplish that goal, technical 

and policy teams were established to evaluate screening proposals and 

other loss-minimizing methodologies. 

Participation by water diverters in the program is voluntary. Proposals 

are evaluated using established criteria, and those rated the highest are 

selected. 

To date, 25 grants for feasibility and/or construction of fish screen 

projects in the Central Valley have been executed. Construction was 

initiated on 18 of these, 15 of which have been completed. Through 

Anadromous Fish Screen Program cost share and other funding 

sources, approximately 70% of individual diversions over 250 cfs are 

now screened throughout the Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Delta 

systems. 

The cumulative total of diversions screened or eliminated with 

Anadromous Fish Screen Program cost shared funding equals about 

3,500 cfs from the Delta, Sacramento River system, and San Joaquin 

River systems combined. Another 2000 cfs will be screened by 2005 

 through this program. 

A program description was prepared in January 1999 

to address the program organization, project 

eligibility, funding, and project application process, 

guidelines for prioritization, screen construction 

criteria, and assurances relative to the Federal 

Endangered Species Act. 

Objectives 

C Develop a basinwide strategy to 

control anadromous fish loss at 

diversions 

C Implement measures to avoid 

anadromous fish loss at diversions

Accomplishments

C Established Anadromous Fish Screen 

Program technical and policy teams 

C Completed documentation for program 

description, screen monitoring and 

maintenance, and environmental 

compliance 

C Accepted 19 proposals to the program 

C Initiated construction on 18 projects, 

15 of which have been completed: 3 

are still in construction 

C Five projects are in various stages of 

planning 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1994 $838,957 

1995 $2,665,025 

1996 $8,202,526 

1997 $11,062,634 

1998 $13,173,392 

1999 $3,781,948 

2000 $9,242,018 

2001 $7,204,267 

2002 $8,938,817 

REPORTS PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(b)(21) 

C Program Description 

C Evaluation, monitoring, and maintenance plan 

C Anadromous Fish Screen Program environmental 

compliance guidelines 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-15

Project Name Structure

s

Diversion 

Capability 

(in cfs) 

Estimated 

Total Cost 

Estimated 

Federal Cos Status

American River 

City of Sacramento, Fairbairn Site 1Sc* 210 44,000,000 $14,000,000*Under construction 

Big Chico Creek 

Parrot-Phelan Irrigation District/M&T Ranch 

Eliminate 1 Diversion 150 $4,585,000 $2,284,000 Completed 

Butte Creek 

Durham Mutual Water Company 1Sc/ILd 60 $930,000 $465,000 Completed 

Gorrill Land Company 1Sc/1Ld 120 $1,551,897 $756,000 Completed 

Rancho Esquon Partners 2Sc/1Ld 110 $1,090,000 $545,000 Completed 

Western Canal Water District/Western Canal 

Siphon Construction 

 Remove 2 Western Canal WD Dams 

 Remove McGowan Dam 

 Remove McPherrin Dam 

 Eliminate 12 Unscreened Diversions 

1 Siphon 

600 

$9,460,000 $3,023,000 Completed 

Butte Creek Weir #5 1 Ld 70 $480,000 $240,000 Under construction 

Sacramento River 

City of Sacramento, Water Treatment Site 1Sc* 245 $44,000,000 $225,000* Under construction 

Maxwell Irrigation District 1Sc 80 $1,545,000 $709,000 Completed 

Meridian Farms 1Sc 190 $2,300,000 $1,150,000 Final design 

Natomas Mutual Water Company 2Sc 630 $22,800,000 11,000,000 Final design 

Parrot-Phelan Irrigation District/M&T Ranch 1Sc 150 $4,585,000 $2,284,000 Completed 

Pelger Mutual Water Company 1Sc 40 $278,000 $139,000 Completed 

Pleasant Grove-Verona 1Sc 160 $6,600,000 $3,000,000 Final design 

Princeton-Cordora-Glenn/Provident ID 1Sc 605 $10,958,000 $5,350,000 Completed 

Reclamation District 108 1Sc 832 $12,051,000 $6,001,000 Completed 

Reclamation District 108 2Sc 377 $15,000,000 $7,500,000 Final Design 

Reclamation District 1004 1Sc 290 $7,250,000 $1,535,000 Completed 

Sutter Mutual Water Company 1 Sc 1,000 $3,154,005 Final design 

Wilson Ranch 1Sc 30 $231,000 $90,000 Completed 

Yuba River 

Brown’s Valley Irrigation District 1Sc 65 $364,000 $115,000 Completed 

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta 

Dayly Lee Diversion 1Sc 17 $38,000 $0 Completed 

Suisun Resource Conservation District 5Sc 93 $900,000 $450,000 Completed 

San Joaquin River 

Banta-Carbona irrigation District 1Sc 250 $8,800,000 $2,877,000 Under construction 

Notes: 

* = Counted as same project 

Sc = Screen constructed 

Ld = Ladder constructed 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress D-16
APPENDIX E 

Refuges and Waterfowl
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress

Appendix E Refuges and Waterfowl 

Water Acquisition Program (Refuge Focus) (Section 3406[b][3] & [d][2])............................................. E-1 

Agricultural Waterfowl Incentives Program (Section 3406[b][22]) ......................................................... E-3 

Refuge Water Supply and Conveyance (Section 3406[d][1,3-5]) ............................................................ E-5 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress E-1

Objectives

C Acquire water to assure firm 

reliable supplies of suitable 

quality water to meet Level 2 and 

Level 4 refuge water supply 

requirements. 

C Negotiate and execute long-term 

refuge water supply contracts 

Accomplishment 

C Acquired 484,114 acre-feet of 

interim (short-term) water 

supplies and 6,300 acre-feet of 

permanent supply to meet the 

annual Level 4 refuge water 

supply needs 

Fiscal Data 

Water Acquisition Program (Refuge Focus) 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(3) & (d)(2) Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(3) states, “The Secretary...is authorized and directed 

to develop and implement a program in coordination and in 

conformance with the plan required under paragraph (1) of this 

subsection for the acquisition of a water supply to supplement the 

quantity of water dedicated to fish and wildlife purposes under 

paragraph (2) of this subsection and to fulfill the Secretary's 

obligations under paragraph 3406(d)(2) of this title. The program 

should identify how the Secretary intends to utilize, in particular, the 

following options: improvements in or modifications of the operations 

of the project; water banking; conservation; transfers; conjunctive use; 

and temporary and permanent land fallowing, including purchase, 

lease, and option of water, water rights, and associated agricultural 

land.” 

Section 3406(d)(2) directs the Secretary to acquire Level 4 refuge 

water supplies at increments of not less than 10 percent per year. Total 

Level 4 incremental water supply is approximately 159,000 acre-feet. 

Level 4 water supplies provide critical wetland wintering habitat and 

help to increase production of forage for migratory waterfowl and 

shorebirds of the Pacific flyway, threatened and endangered species, 

and resident wetland-dependent wildlife resources.

To date, Interior has acquired 484,114 acre-feet of annual water 

supplies to meet each year’s Level 4 requirements. In addition, in 

early 1998, Interior acquired its first permanent water supply of 6,300 

acre-feet from the Corning, Proberta, and Thomes Creek Water 

Districts. The districts sold this supply (from the Central Valley 

Project) at a one-time fee of $700 per acre-foot. This CVP water is 

now available each year to help meet the Level 4 refuge water supply 

requirements for CVPIA refuge units located within the Sacramento 

Valley. Through fiscal year 2002, deliveries of Level 4 supplies to 

various refuge units have been as prescribed by the CVPIA except in instances where the refuge units were 

not able to receive such supplies, either because facilities were not available to deliver the water or because 

the on-refuge distribution facilities necessary to apply the water had not been completed. The annual cost of 

meeting the Level 4 requirements in the future can be expected to increase significantly when facilities are no 

longer a constraint and full Level 4 deliveries are required at each refuge unit. 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1994 $440,165 

1995 $2,689,512 

1996 $1,785,939 

1997 $3,929,771 

1998 $2,171,002 

1999 $1,200,000 

2000 $5,103,924 

2001 $7,833,879 

2002 $13,835,252 

REPORTS PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(b)(3) 

C EA and FONSI for Interim Water Acquisition 

Program, 1995 

C EA's for various water acquisitions
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress E-2

WATER ACQUIRED FOR LEVEL 4 REFUGE WATER SUPPLIES (acre-feet)

Willing Seller 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Totals

SACRAMENTO RIVER BASIN 

California Department of Fish and 

Game 15,856 15,856 

Corning, Proberta, and Thomes Creek 

Water Districts 4,800 6,300* 4,800 

Natomas Central Mutual Water 

Company 855 855 

Reclamation District #108 2,458 2,458 

Sacramento River Water Rights 

Settlement Contractors 57,809 57,809 

Sutter Mutual Water Co. 1,202 1,202 

Yuba Co. Water Agency 25,000 25,000 

TOTAL 15,856 57,809 29,800 4,515 107,980 

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY 

Banta-Carbona Irrigation District 300 6,000 6,300 

Broadview Water District 4,000 4,000 

Del Puerto Water District 2,000 2,000 

Delta-Mendota Canal Contractors 1,559 1,559 

Hills Valley Irrigation District 2,324 2,324 

Lost Hills Water District 3,550 3,550 

Merced Irrigation District 24,748 24,748 

Mercy Springs Water District 154 154 

Oro Loma Water District 57 57 

Pacheco Water District 28 28 

Patterson Water District 191 191 

Plain View Water District 114 114 

San Joaquin River Exchange 

Contractors 25,000 30,348 40,000 20,000 21,500 49,000 64,500 250,348 

San Luis Canal Company 12,000 10,667 16,500 10,905 50,072 

San Luis Water District 3,100 3,100 

Semitropic Water Storage District 5,200 6,047 6,112 17,359 

Tri-Valley Water District 799 799 

Tulare County 3,716 3,716 

West Side Irrigation District 691 691 

West Stanislaus Irrigation District 12 5,000 5,012 

Widren Water District 12 12 

TOTAL 15,118 30,200 36,395 40,000 43,618 67,748 63,005 80,050 376,134 

* Permanent Water Supply – not included in totals 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress E-3

Agricultural Waterfowl Incentives Program 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(22) Start Date: 1995 Status: Completed 

Section 3406(b)(22) states, “The Secretary... is authorized and directed 

to...provide such incentives as...to encourage farmers to participate in a 

program, which the Secretary shall develop, under which such farmers 

will keep fields flooded during appropriate time periods for the 

purposes of waterfowl habitat creation and maintenance and for 

Central Valley Project yield enhancement...” The incentives are not to 

exceed $2 million each year, either directly or through credits against 

other CVP contractual payment obligations, including tiered pricing 

waivers. This program is scheduled to terminate on December 31, 

2002, in accordance with its CVPIA authorization. 

The Agricultural Waterfowl Incentives Program focuses on providing 

environmental benefits for waterfowl and wetland-dependent 

migratory birds by encouraging seasonal flooding of agricultural fields 

to create additional waterfowl habitat and additional food supplies. 

Planning for the program began in 1995. The Service, working with 

Reclamation and the Central Valley Habitat Joint Venture, developed 

Draft Interim Guidelines for the program, that were provided to over 

2,500 interested parties for review and comment. NEPA 

documentation was completed in 1996 and the Interim Guidelines 

were finalized. 

During the winter of 1997-98, 41 farmers participated in the program. 

Through cooperative agreements, these farmers created 22,314 acres 

of habitat for wintering migratory waterfowl and enhancement of CVP 

water supplies. The flooded fields were predominantly post-harvest 

rice fields in the Sacramento Valley, 

with one participant each in the 

Delta (corn) and San Joaquin Valley 

(wheat). Winter flooding of rice 

provides both an excellent 

supplement to existing local wetland 

habitat and a mechanism to 

decompose remaining rice straw that 

must be removed prior to planting 

the following spring. 

Monitoring showed that as many as 40,000 ducks or geese used these 

newly flooded fields, resulting in tens of millions of bird-use days over 

the course of the winter. Herons, egrets, cranes, ibis, and several 

species of shore birds also used these new seasonal wetlands, adding to 

the increased species diversity of the areas. 

Objectives 

C Create and maintain waterfowl 

habitat by providing incentives to 

flood agricultural fields during 

appropriate time periods

C Enhance migratory bird resources 

of the Pacific flyway 

C Help protect, enhance, and 

recover threatened and 

endangered species 

C Enhance CVP water supplies 

Accomplishments 

C Finalized interim guidelines and 

completed NEPA requirements

C Since 1997, the first year that 

farmers could enroll in the 

program, created an average of 

40,000 acres of waterfowl habitat 

each winter, resulting in tens of 

millions of bird-days of use by 

ducks and geese each year 

C As many as 40,000 birds 

documented using one 80-acre 

field in one day 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1995 $17,027 

1996 $33,373 

1997 $1,068,553 

1998 $933,184 

1999 $996,898 

2000 $979,154 

2001 $514,603 

2002 $544,768 

Program Benefits 

C Encourages a wider distribution of 

waterfowl populations 

C Decreases potential for avian disease 

C Increases available waterfowl food 

resources 

C Potentially increases available water 

supplies

Fiscal 

Year 

Farmers 

Enrolled 

Acreage 

Enrolled 

1997 41 22,314 

1998 45 41,055 

1999 61 53,540 

2000 84 58,000 

2001 50 31,000 

2002 50 32,000 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress E-4

Program participation in the winter 1998-99 

increased substantially, both in the number of 

farmers participating and in the acreage flooded. 

A total of 41,055 acres were flooded, almost 

double the acreage flooded in 1997-98. Interest 

has continued to grow each year and the program 

seems limited only by the funds available. A total 

of 58,000 acres were flooded in the 2001-02 

season. The program, however, expired with the 

expenditure of fiscal year 2002 funds as provided 

in this section of the Act. 

REPORTS PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(b)(22) 

C Agricultural Waterfowl 

Incentives Program 

Accomplishments Report, 

FY 1997-2001
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress E-5

Refuge Water Conveyance (Wheeling) and Construction 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(d)(1-5) Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(d) states, “...The Secretary shall provide...firm water 

supplies of suitable quality to maintain and improve wetland habitat 

areas on units of the National Wildlife Refuge System in the Central 

Valley of California; on the Gray Lodge, Los Banos, Volta, North 

Grasslands, and Mendota State Wildlife Areas; and on the Grassland 

Resources Conservation District in the Central Valley of 

California...[T]he quantity and delivery schedules of water measured at 

the boundaries of each wetland habitat area...shall be in accordance 

with Level 2 of the "Dependable Water Supply Needs"...as set forth in 

the Refuge Water Supply Report and two-thirds of the water supply 

needed for full habitat development for those habitat areas identified in 

the San Joaquin Basin Action Plan/Kesterson Mitigation Action Plan 

Report prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation.” Section 3406(d) also 

states that the refuge supplies described above shall be provided 

through long-term contractual agreements and shall be supplemented 

in increments over ten years until the total supplies provided are in 

accordance with Level 4 of the “Dependable Water Supply Need” 

table in the Refuge Water Supply Report and the full water supply for 

lands identified in the San Joaquin Basin Action Plan/Kesterson 

Mitigation Action Plan report (commonly referred to as the “Action 

Plan Lands”). This section also authorizes the Secretary to construct 

or to acquire from non-Federal entities such water conveyance 

facilities, conveyance capacity, and wells as are necessary to 

implement these refuge water supply requirements. 

The Refuge Water Supply Program is a joint Reclamation/Service 

effort to implement Section 3406(d)(1-5) of the CVPIA by providing 

long-term reliable water supplies to specified Federal, State, and 

private wildlife refuges in the Central Valley. The program is 

composed of three distinct yet interrelated components: acquisition of 

water to meet the specified requirements; obtaining conveyance 

capacity in non-Federal facilities (referred to as wheeling) to deliver 

the acquired water to the refuge boundaries; and construction of 

facilities when appropriate to deliver the acquired water. This section 

specifically addresses the conveyance/wheeling and the facilities 

construction components. The refuge water supply acquisitions are 

discussed in the Water Acquisition Program (Refuge Focus) section on 

page E-1. 

Level 2 and Level 4 Water Supplies

The refuge water identified in Section 3406(d)(1) as Level 2 and twothirds of the full supply for the Action Plan Lands, collectively 

referred to as Level 2 supply, equals approximately 404,000 acre-feet. 

 This base level of firm supply was to be provided immediately upon 

enactment of the CVPIA and has generally been supplied from the 

yield of the Central Valley Project. There are, however, some 

exceptions such as when refuges have their own water rights that can 

be exercised to provide all or a portion of their Level 2 entitlement. 

Objectives 

C Assure firm reliable water 

supplies of suitable quality to 

CVPIA refuge areas 

C Negotiate and execute long-term 

water service contracts 

C Implement construction of 

required conveyance facilities 

C Negotiate and execute long-term 

water conveyance/wheeling 

agreements 

Accomplishments 

C Refuge Water Service Contracts. 

Executed five 25-year water 

service contracts providing for 

delivery of approximately 404,000 

acre-feet of Level 2 water and 

approximately 159,000 acre-feet 

of Level 4 water to refuge 

boundaries 

C Conveyance/Wheeling. Executed 

five 25-year and three interim 

cooperative agreements with nonFederal entities to convey (wheel) 

up to 581,000 acre-feet of Levels 

2 and 4 water to refuges 

C Facilities Construction. Initiated 

construction of conveyance 

system improvements at five

conveyance facilities, completing 

four 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1994 $2,438,922 

1995 $2,079,880 

1996 $4,295,075 

1997 $10,822,006 

1998 $18,316,333 

1999 $16,729,480 

2000 $12,487,094 

2001 $9,417,893 

2002 $10,883,598
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress E-6

The amount of supplemental water identified in Section 3406(d)(2) as the Level 4 supplies and the full supply 

for the Action Plan Lands, to be provided in increasing increments of 10 percent per year over ten years, is 

estimated to be approximately 159,000 acre-feet. This supplemental water, generally referred to as the

incremental Level 4 supply, is to be acquired from 

willing sellers. The first increments were 

provided in 1993 and the full incremental supply 

is to be available in contract year 2002 (March 

2002 through February 2003). 

All refuge units have received their respective 

Level 2 and Level 4 water allocations each year 

since enactment of CVPIA, except for reductions 

due to conveyance capacity and distribution 

system limitations at some units and/or reductions 

specifically requested and scheduled by the refuge 

managers. Two north-of-Delta and three south-ofDelta refuges will not be able to receive their full 

allocation of water until construction on 

conveyance facilities is completed. This is 

currently scheduled for 2006. 

Refuge Water Service Contracts

Section 3406(d) requires that refuge water 

supplies be provided through long-term 

contractual agreements. In 2001, Reclamation 

entered into five long-term (25 year) water service 

contracts; two with the Department of Water 

Resources for delivery of water to the Gray 

Lodge, Los Banos, Volta, Mendota, and North 

Grasslands Wildlife Areas; two with the Service 

for delivery of water to Sacramento, Delevan, 

Colusa, Sutter, San Luis, Merced, Kern, and 

Pixley National Wildlife Refuges; and one with 

Grassland Water District for delivery of water to 

the Grassland Resource Conservation District 

lands. (See map for location of these areas.) The 

water service contracts provide for the delivery of 

the full 404,000 acre-feet of Level 2 supplies and 

the 159,000 acre-feet of Level 4 supplies to the 

boundaries of the refuges. The contracts also 

provide for the pooling, transfer, and exchange of 

water among the various refuge units and limit any 

dry-year reduction in Level 2 supply to 25 percent. 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress E-7

Conveyance/Wheeling

Reclamation has negotiated five long-term (25 

year) and three interim cooperative conveyance 

agreements with non-Federal entities to convey or 

wheel water to refuges. The long-term agreements 

are with the San Luis Canal Company, Central 

California Irrigation District, Grassland Water 

District, San Luis-Delta Mendota Water 

Authority, and the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation 

District. The three interim agreements are with 

the Buena Vista Water Storage District, the BiggsWest Gridley Water District, and the Department 

of Water Resources. The interim agreements will 

provide for water conveyance until the long-term 

recommended alternatives identified in the 

facilities construction component of the Refuge 

Water Supply Program can be implemented. 

Facilities Construction

To accommodate full Level 2 and Level 4 

deliveries, it was, and in many cases remains, 

necessary to improve existing or construct new 

facilities as authorized under Section 3406(d)(5). 

From 1996 through 2002, Interior prepared five 

NEPA documents analyzing the impacts of 

constructing conveyance facilities and delivering 

water to refuges. Within the San Joaquin Valley, 

construction has been completed on several 

facilities, including in 1994,the installation of a 

well and associated groundwater pumping 

facilities at Pixley National Wildlife Refuge; in 

1996, the extension of the San Luis Canal 

Company’s Island “C” Canal, providing supplies 

to the Federal West Bear Creek Unit of the San 

Joaquin Basin Action Plan lands; and in 2000, the 

Central California Irrigation District’s Newman 

Canal and “J” Lateral, providing conveyance to 

the State China Island Unit. 

In the Sacramento Valley, one major project has 

been constructed. In 2001, the Stony Creek 

Siphon, a feature critical for providing water 

supplies to the Sacramento NWR Complex using 

Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District facilities, was 

completed. In addition, 127 other facility 

improvements within GCID were implemented, 

providing for reliable water deliveries to 

Sacramento Delevan, and Colusa National 

Wildlife Refuges. 

Additional conveyance system improvements are 

anticipated under this program component, 

pending negotiation of long-term agreements and 

receipt of necessary funding. 

Biological Benefits

Provision of additional and/or more “firm” water 

supplies to Central Valley refuges has allowed 

managers to respond better to the needs of 

wetland-dependent species. Refuges receiving 

CVPIA water supplies experienced an 

approximate 12,000-acre valley-wide increase in 

average annual wetland acreage when compared to 

pre-CVPIA conditions. Several wetland types 

have benefited from the improved supplies, 

including seasonal, semi-permanent, and 

permanent regimes. The refuges now have an 

increased ability to more intensively manage moist 

soil vegetation. They now have options to provide 

one or more spring/summer irrigations of essential 

waterfowl food plants and have been able to 

increase the amount of wetted habitats for 

migrating shorebirds and nesting waterfowl. They 

can also provide for earlier flooding of seasonal 

wetlands to maximize habitat for early fall migrant 

waterfowl. As an example of the results of some 

of these measures, the Grassland Resource 

Conservation District was able to increase its 

acreage of enhanced seed production on an annual 

basis from 4,000 to 40,000 acres. 

Responding to more favorable conditions, valley 

waterfowl populations seem to have increased 

accordingly. However, because wetland acreage 

in the Central Valley is only a portion of the 

overall environmental habitat requirements of the 

Pacific Flyway waterfowl that use the Central 

Valley, it is important to remember that other 

factors have no doubt played a part in the increase. 

 These include conditions elsewhere in the flyway 

and, within the Central Valley area, upland 

restorations, agricultural buffer strips and “setaside” land, and winter flooding of rice fields. 

The Grassland Resource Conservation District has 

seen waterfowl use in the early fall increase by 

300 percent, while other areas have recorded 

increases in waterfowl use of 800 percent, from 2 

million to over 18 million use-days. Although not 

necessarily indicative of overall waterfowl trends, 

winter migratory waterfowl numbers have 

increased by as much as 100 percent on some 

refuges receiving CVPIA water supplies (e.g., the 

Grassland Resource Conservation District). At the 

same time, waterfowl disease-related mortality 

appears to be on the decline. This is believed to 

be the result of increased availability of resting 

habitat and increased and alternative food 

supplies. These have all combined to lower the 

density of waterfowl concentrations (a factor 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress E-8

known to facilitate the spread of disease), 

producing healthier waterfowl that are more 

appropriately dispersed. 

Refuges receiving CVPIA water supplies have 

also experienced a significant increase in public 

use opportunities. The Sacramento NWR 

Complex was able to enhance habitat associated 

with tour routes and walking trails, and 

consequently experienced a 61 percent increase in 

visitor use. Many Central Valley refuges have 

been able to provide expanded hunting 

opportunities, opening new areas to hunting and 

increasing quotas. As an example, the Salt Slough 

Unit of the North Grasslands WA has had a tenfold increase in hunter use. 

Other species, including special status species, 

have also benefited from new opportunities for 

Central Valley wetland management brought on 

by application of additional water provided under 

the CVPIA. 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 noted increases 

in populations of giant garter snake and in the 

nesting of western, Clark’s, and eared grebes; 

black-crowned night herons; redhead and ruddy 

ducks; and tri-colored blackbirds. Valley-wide, 

shore-bird use on shallow wetlands has increased 

by hundreds of thousands as sandpipers, dunlins, 

yellowlegs, phalarope, and dowitchers respond to 

increased wetland acreage during fall and spring 

migrations and to increases in their invertebrate 

food supply. 

White-faced ibis and sandhill cranes provide a 

stellar example of how the availability of adequate 

water supplies enables refuge managers to provide 

habitat for endemic species that had been in severe 

decline for decades. Improved and more 

permanent water supplies have led to an increase 

in the numbers of frogs, snails, aquatic insects, 

and small fish and provided habitat for late-spring 

and summer nesting, essential components for 

these species. The returns started slowly. Sutter 

National Wildlife Refuge, for example, hosted 100 

white-faced ibis in 1991. That number has 

increased to 1,000 birds in 2000, 7,000 in 2001, 

and a staggering 15,000 ibis in 2002. Kern 

National Wildlife Refuge had a similar experience, 

with 50 ibis in 1991 and over 5,600 in 2001. 

Pixley National Wildlife Refuge supported 200 

sandhill cranes in 1992 when the CVPIA was 

passed. They received their first allocation of 

CVPIA water in 1993 and provided habitat for 

over 2,000 cranes that year. In 2001, the number 

had risen to 5,100 sandhill cranes. 

REPORTS PREPARED FOR SECTION 3406(d)(1-5) 

C NEPA documentation for Level 2 Refuge Water Supply Delivery, 1994 

C Report of Recommended Alternatives, Refuge Water Supply and SJBAP Lands, 1995 

C Refuge Water Supply Conveyance Alternatives Refinement Memorandum, 1995 

C Refuge Water Supply Implementation Plan, 1996 

C Draft NEPA documentation for Conveyance of Refuge Water Supply, South San Joaquin Valley Refuges, 1996 

C Draft NEPA documentation for Conveyance of Refuge Water Supply, Mendota WMA, 1996 

C NEPA documentation for Conveyance of Refuge Water Supply, West Sacramento Valley Refuges, 1997 

C NEPA documentation for Conveyance of Refuge Water Supply, East Sacramento Valley Refuges, 1998 

C NEPA documentation for Conveyance of Refuge Water Supply, Grasslands/SJBAP Refuges, 1998 

C Administrative Proposal on Refuge Water Supply, 1998 

C Final Implementation Plan, SJBAP Preferred Alternative, 1998 

C Refuge Water Supply Implementation Plan, 1998 

C China Island Implementation Plan, 1998
APPENDIX F 

Other Fish and Wildlife
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress

Appendix F Other Fish and Wildlife 

Habitat Restoration Program (Section 3406[b][1] “other”) .......................................................................F-1 

Land Retirement Program (Section 3408[h]).............................................................................................F-6
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress F-1

Habitat Restoration Program

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(1) “other” Start Date: 1996 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(1) states, “...in the course of developing and 

implementing this program the Secretary shall make all reasonable 

efforts consistent with the requirements of this section to address other 

identified adverse environmental impacts of the Central Valley Project 

not specifically enumerated in this section.” 

Two restoration programs were established in response to Section 

3406(b)(1). 

The first program, termed the Habitat Restoration Program, addresses 

the needs of native fish and wildlife affected by the CVP and not 

specifically addressed in other portions of Section 3406. The program 

has focused on: 

• habitats affected by construction and operation activities of the CVP 

and experiencing the greatest declines; 

• species that are Federally listed, proposed, or candidate for listing; 

• non-listed State and Federal species of special concern; and 

• other associated native wildlife species within the above habitats. 

Projects and studies that meet program objectives were identified during 

other efforts, including the various Endangered Species Act section 7 

consultations associated with the CVP, CVP contract renewals, the 

CVPIA PEIS, and implementation of other CVPIA provisions. 

Accordingly, the Habitat Restoration Program works in concert with the 

Central Valley Project Conservation Program. A Central Valley Project 

Conservation Program Team, comprised of agency professionals with 

expertise in habitat restoration and the recovery of listed species, ensures 

integration of the two programs during the solicitation, funding, and 

implementation of projects. 

Program studies focused on the identification and evaluation of potential 

restoration opportunities, and program projects concentrated on the 

protection and restoration of native habitats and species in the Central 

Valley. Two notable examples of funded projects meeting these criteria 

include the Pine Hills Ecological Reserve and the reintroduction of the 

riparian brush rabbit. 

The Habitat Restoration Program has contributed funding over 

multiple years towards the acquisition of the Pine Hill Ecological 

Reserve in El Dorado County. As of spring 2002, 2,615 acres of the 

planned 5,000-acre reserve have been acquired through multiple 

funding sources. The Habitat Restoration Program participated in the acquisition of 427 acres of this 

total. This reserve is being established to protect five Federally listed and three Federal candidates plant 

species associated with the extremely rare natural community associated with gabbro soils. In addition to 

the acquisition of lands for the Ecological Reserve, there is a multi-agency effort underway to develop 

and implement a fire management plan for this fire dependent community. Both the Service and 

Reclamation are actively involved in this effort. 

A riparian brush rabbit habitat restoration, captive breeding and reintroduction program at Caswell Memorial 

State Park has been supported by the Habitat Restoration Program. This program, first funded in 1997, 

Objectives 

C Protect and restore native habitats 

C Stabilize and improve populations 

of native species 

C Restore a continuous riparian 

corridor along the San Joaquin 

River from Friant Dam to the 

Merced River 

Accomplishments 

C Obtained partner contributions of 

approximately $48 million (match 

of 4.8 partner: 1 Federal) 

C Participated, with partners, in the 

acquisition of 88,364 acres and 

restoration or enhancement of more 

than 1,111 acres, focusing on 

protection and restoration of native 

habitats and on stabilization and 

improvement in populations of 

native species 

C Conducted biological surveys for 

Federally listed species 

C Contributed to development of a 

breeding program for riparian brush 

rabbit 

C Developed a habitat trend analysis 

study for the Central Valley 

C Completed analyses of historic 

biological conditions and physical 

process for the San Joaquin River 

from Friant Dam to the Merced 

River 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1996 $1,643,236 

1997 $5,668,182 

1998 $2,104,716

1999 $2,586,442 

2000 $4,865,128

2001 $5,044,540 

2002 $2,369,651 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress F-2

represents a last-ditch effort to save an 

endangered species that once was among the 

most abundant in the Central Valley. To date, 

the Habitat Restoration Program has participated 

in the restoration/enhancement of 258 acres of 

brush rabbit habitat. The captive-breeding 

component of the project is a joint venture of 

several State and Federal agencies. Reclamation, 

the Service, and the Endangered Species Recovery 

Program at California State University/Stanislaus 

in Turlock are managing the program, and primary 

funding – about $400,000 a year – is being 

provided under the CVPIA. Other partners include 

the California Departments of Fish and Game, 

Water Resources, and Parks and Recreation. 

To date, funding has contributed to species 

surveys, construction of captive breeding pens, 

genetic studies, radio tagging, removal of exotic 

species, brush clearing for fire prevention, and 

educational outreach. More than 40 rabbits have 

been born in captivity and are being reintroduced 

into the wild at the San Joaquin River National 

Wildlife Refuge. This is the first time an 

endangered mammal has been bred in captivity in 

California. 

The second program established in response to 

Section 3406 (b)(1), the San Joaquin River 

Riparian Habitat Restoration Program, was 

developed to address the fact that the quantity and 

quality of riparian habitat along the San Joaquin 

River is inadequate to support production and 

survival of desirable plant and animal species. 

Working with the public, interested stakeholders, 

and agency staff, the program is pursuing a 

mutually acceptable riparian restoration effort on 

the San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the 

confluence with the Merced River. 

Initial efforts 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 

Corps of Engineers and California Department of 

Water Resources are gathering additional 

scientific data in conjunction with CVPIA efforts. 

HABITAT RESTORATION PROGRAM 

ACQUISITION AND RESTORATION PROJECTS 

Project 

Acres 

Acquired 

Acres 

Enhanced 

Benefit 

Participated in Valensin Ranch acquisition on 

the Consumnes River, Sacramento County. 

4,356 

Protects grasslands, hardwood woodlands, 

riparian, and vernal pool habitats to benefit 

several special status species including giant 

garter snake, bald eagle, Swainson’s hawk, 

and tri-colored blackbird. 

Participated in Howard Ranch acquisition on 

the Consumnes River, Sacramento County 13,000 

Protects existing vernal pool, grassland, and 

valley oak hardwood habitats to benefit 

multiple species, including Federally listed 

vernal pool species. 

Participated in Pine Hills Ecological Reserve 

protection in El Dorado County 476 

Contributes to survival and recovery of five 

listed plant species associated with gabbro 

soil formations. 

Participated in Allensworth Ecological 

Reserve acquisition, Tulare County 460 

Protects vernal pool and alkali sink habitats to 

benefit Federally listed vernal pool species 

and the San Joaquin kit fox. 

Participated in North Weber Creek acquisition 

in El Dorado County 54 

Protects habitat for one of two known 

populations of California red-legged frog, a 

Federally listed species. 

Participated in the Simon Newman and 

Romero Ranches acquisition, western Merced 

County 61,043 

Provides protection of habitat for listed 

species, including San Joaquin kit fox and 

California red-legged frog, as well as several 

other sensitive native wildlife species. 

Participated in the Caswell State Park 

restoration 258 Protects, enhances, and restores habitat for riparian brush rabbit and riparian woodrat. 

Participated in Jensen Ranch acquisition on 

the San Joaquin River, Fresno County 156 Protects habitat along the San Joaquin River for valley elderberry longhorn beetle. 

Participated in the acquisition of the 960 Protects a variety of vernal pool species 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress F-3

Project 

Acres 

Acquired 

Acres 

Enhanced 

Benefit 

Farmington Property, San Joaquin County 

Participated with Sacramento Open Space 

Conservancy in the acquisition of a large 

vernal pool complex at the Silva property, 

Sacramento County 

80 

Protects a variety of vernal pool species 

Participated with The Nature Conservancy 

(TNC) and Shasta Land Trust in the 

acquisition of native habitat at the Fenwood 

property, Shasta County 

2,180 

Protects oak woodland, riparian, vernal pool, 

and willow scrub habitat for bank swallow, 

willow flycatcher, bald eagle, and valley 

elderberry longhorn beetle 

Participated in the acquisition of the Herbert 

Property, Tulare County 725 100 Protects and improves habitat for a variety of 

vernal pool species 

Participated with TNC in the acquisition of a 

conservation easement on the Ben Brown 

Ranch in Sacramento County 

370 

Protects vernal pool and grassland habitat to 

benefit Federally listed vernal pool 

invertebrates 

Participated with the Land Retirement 

Program in the acquisition of the Nickell 

property in Tulare County 

485 

(included 

in Land 

Retiremen

t Program) 

Provides protection of habitat for listed 

species, including San Joaquin kit fox, blunt 

nosed leopard lizard and kangaroo rats 

Participated with TNC in the acquisition of a 

conservation easement on the Schneider 

Ranch in Sacramento County 

1,136 

Provides protection of vernal pool and 

grassland habitat to protect listed vernal pool 

species 

Participated with Sacramento River Partners 

in the restoration of riparian habitat at Llano 

Seco in Colusa County 206 

Enhances distribution of valley elderberry 

longhorn beetle and provides habitat for 

neotropical migrant birds. Provides water 

quality and lessens sedimentation of the 

Sacramento River 

Participated in the acquisition of property for 

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, 

Sacramento County 

100 

Contributes to the survival and recovery of 

vernal pool habitat and associated listed 

vernal pool invertebrates 

Participated in the acquisition of habitat at 

Deer Creek Hills, Sacramento County 2,054 Protects oak woodland, grassland, and 

riparian habitat for a variety of species 

Participated in the acquisition of riparian 

habitat at the Schmidbauer property, Butte 

County 

264 

Provides restoration potential for valley 

elderberry longhorn beetle and habitat for 

neotropical migrant birds. 

Participated in the acquisition of riparian 

habitat at the Southam property, Colusa 

County 73 

Provides restoration potential for valley 

elderberry longhorn beetle and habitat for 

neotropical migrant birds. Provides 

opportunity to enhance water quality and 

lessen sedimentation of the Sacramento River

Participated in the acquisition of riparian 

habitat at the Boeger and Ward properties, 

Colusa County 

376 

Provides restoration potential for the valley 

elderberry longhorn beetle and habitat for 

neotropical migrant birds. 

Funded the enhancement of habitat for the 

giant garter snake at Colusa NWR, Colusa 

County 

 450 

Improves habitat conditions and supports 

recovery of the listed giant garter snake 

Funded the restoration of habitat for the San 

Joaquin kangaroo rat at Lemmore Naval Air 

Station, Fresno and Kings County 

 97 

Improves habitat conditions and supports 

recovery of the kangaroo rat and other valley 

floor species

Participated in the acquisition of property for 

the Stone Corral Ecological Reserve, Tulare 

County 

16 

Protects a variety of vernal pool species 

TOTAL 88,364 1,111 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress F-4

HABITAT RESTORATION PROGRAM 

STUDIES AND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES 

Study/Activity Benefit 

Conducted biological surveys for Federally listed 

species 

Provides additional life history and population information for listed 

species in the Central Valley, including California red-legged frog, 

yellow-billed cuckoo, and giant garter snake. 

Funded a captive breeding program for the riparian 

brush rabbit. 

Provides a gene pool for ultimate recovery of the species and a 

safeguard against extinction in the event of another major flood or 

other natural catastrophe. 

Funded population and genetic studies of the riparian 

brush rabbit. 

Provides critical information to assist in the recovery of the species.. 

Developed restoration and/or management programs Provides benefits for large-flowered fiddleneck, giant garter snake, 

riparian brush rabbit, and riparian woodrat. 

Developed a habitat trend analysis study for the 

Central Valley 

Assists in development of restoration goals for priority habitat in the 

Central Valley. 

Developed a riparian model for the Sacramento River Assists prioritization and location of riparian parcels for acquisition 

and/or restoration. 

Partnered with Alameda County and the City of 

Livermore to fund a groundwater hydrological model 

for the Springtown Alkali Sink 

Will assist in the prioritization and conservation of key parcels of 

land in the Springtown Alkali Sink 

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER RIPARIAN HABITAT RESTORATION PROGRAM 

STUDIES AND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES 

Activity Benefit 

Funded report on “Historical Riparian Habitat 

Conditions of the San Joaquin River – Friant Dam to 

Merced River”, April 1998 

Provides baseline for evaluating riparian restoration efforts 

Funded report on “Analysis of Physical Processes 

and Riparian Habitat Potential of the San Joaquin 

River”, October 1998 

Provides baseline information to assist in identifying and prioritizing 

areas with potential for riparian restoration 

Initiated development of a Geographical Information 

System (GIS) for the San Joaquin River corridor with 

layers for physical, biological, and land 

use/landowner information 

Allows joining geo-referenced results of data from other programs 

and outside analytical efforts. Provides avenue to contact parties that 

may be affected by proposed site-specific projects. 

In cooperation with the Department of Water 

Resources, mapped riparian vegetation, rip-rapped 

areas, and water diversions along San Joaquin River 

from Friant Dam to the Merced River 

Provides baseline information to assist in identifying and prioritizing 

areas with potential for riparian restoration 

Funding the development of a Restoration Plan for 

the 300 acre Milburn/Hansen Unit near Fresno 

Provides blueprint for restoration of the habitat and species on site 

Funded development of a model and report entitled 

“Groundwater Model of the San Joaquin River 

Riparian Zone – Friant Dam to the Merced River”, 

October 2000 

Provides information on groundwater/riparian interactions that could 

enhance riparian restoration efforts 

Funded development of a model and report entitled 

“Hydraulic and Sediment Continuity Modeling of the 

San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the Merced 

River”, March 2000 

Provides analytical tool to simulate effects of various river 

restoration and management scenarios 

At the request of CVP Friant Division water districts, 

completed 3 distinct experimental projects on the San 

Joaquin River between Friant Dam and the Merced 

River area. 

During each experimental project, releases from Friant Dam were 

made to evaluate the effects of flow on riparian vegetation growth 

and regeneration, riparian wildlife species, channel roughness, 

groundwater-surface water interactions, and various other physical 

and biological functions 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress F-5

Activity Benefit 

Funded Department of Water Resources to identify 

areas of recent riparian recruitment and study 

survivorship, to evaluate age class distribution, and 

evaluate potential for natural recruitment and survival 

of native riparian under existing hydrologic 

conditions 

Will help identify conditions necessary for riparian recruitment and 

survival 

Initiated development of an “Invasive Plant Control 

and Re-vegetation Prioritization Plan for the San 

Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the Merced River 

Will provide information essential to control non-native invasive 

plant species and facilitate restoration with native riparian species 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress F-6

Land Retirement Program

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3408(h) Start Date: 1994 Status: Ongoing

Section 3408(h) states, “The Secretary is authorized to purchase from 

willing sellers land and associated water rights and other property 

interests...which receives Central Valley Project water under a contract 

executed with the United States, and to target such purchases to areas 

deemed most beneficial to the overall purchase program, including the 

purposes of this title.” The Secretary is authorized to purchase 

agricultural land which, in the opinion of the Secretary, would, “if 

permanently retired from irrigation, improve water conservation by the 

district, or improve the quality of an irrigation district’s agricultural 

wastewater and assist the district in implementing provisions of a 

water conservation plan; or are no longer suitable for sustained 

agricultural production...” 

The Land Retirement Program is based, in part, upon 

recommendations of the San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program. The 

program’s two principal objectives are to decrease drainage problems 

in the San Joaquin Valley and to enhance wildlife habitat and the 

recovery of endangered species. The potential to retire large blocks of 

land from willing sellers best meets these objectives. 

Currently, retirement of land is accomplished under Interim Guidelines 

and existing Federal regulations. The program, stressing adaptive 

management, is considered a pilot, or demonstration, program. After 

the 5-year demonstration program is complete, accumulated 

information will be used to conduct an ecological risk assessment and 

complete a programmatic NEPA document. The interim program is 

based on a competitive process, designed to retain maximum 

flexibility to the government in selecting and retiring lands. 

In 1995, Prospect Island was acquired for nearly $2.9 million. The 

island, in the northwest Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, contains 1,228 

acres of existing and potential wildlife and fisheries habitats. 

The Land Retirement Program established an interagency team with 

representatives from Reclamation, the Service, and the Bureau of Land 

Management and issued Interim Guidelines in 1996. Also in 1996, 

Interior purchased 591 acres of agricultural land in the Westlands 

Water District, on which DFG began a testing program to evaluate 

habitat restoration techniques using interim program guidelines and 

Federal regulations. 

Objectives 

C Decrease drainage-related water 

quality problems in the San Joaquin 

Valley 

C Enhance wildlife habitat and 

contribute to the recovery of 

endangered species 

C Restore and protect aquatic habitat in 

the San Joaquin River through 

improved water quality 

C Evaluate habitat rehabilitation 

techniques and land management 

options 

C Acquire associated water rights for 

beneficial uses under CVPIA 

Accomplishments 

C Acquired 1,228 acres of existing and 

potential fish and wildlife habitat at 

Prospect Island 

C Acquired 7,466 acres of agricultural 

land in San Joaquin Valley and added 

485 acres acquired by Habitat 

Restoration Program. 

C Completed NEPA compliance and 

initiated a program demonstration 

project on 1,800 acres of retired lands 

C Initiated extensive public involvement 

and information program 

C Created program parcel selection 

criteria 

C Completed a groundwater model of 

the Panoche Fan 

C Funded feasibility study for PanocheSilver Creek Corridor Project 

Fiscal Data 

Benefits of Land Retirement 

C Improved water conservation 

C Improved quality of irrigation wastewater 

C Potential source of water for Water Acquisition 

Program 

C Potentially enhanced recovery of wildlife 

resources, including endangered species 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1994 $50,497 

1995 $2,885,152 

1996 $1,368,250 

1997 $3,206,868 

1998 $2,429,889 

1999 $1,440,265 

2000 $9,157,361

2001 $3,009,695

2002 $4,640,527 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress F-7

Active public involvement began with public 

meetings and the publishing of notices in local 

newspapers in 1997. A Memorandum of 

Understanding was developed between Federal 

and State agencies outlining a shared vision and 

solidifying support for the Land Retirement 

Program. The Interim Guidelines were revised in 

November 1997, based on insight gained during 

the first year. Generalized parcel selection criteria 

addressing drainage, fish and wildlife 

enhancement, and the acquisition of water for 

other purposes of the CVPIA were developed, and 

a total of 12,563 acres were specified for 

retirement in the first round. Also, in 1997, a 

1,891-acre demonstration program was established 

to monitor groundwater, soils, and biota; to 

determine effective habitat rehabilitation methods; 

and to demonstrate alternatives for the disposition 

of water. 

In 1998, Interior expanded the demonstration 

program to 15,000 acres in an effort to determine 

if current selection criteria were adequate to 

accomplish the program’s mission. NEPA 

documentation for the expanded demonstration 

program has been completed and the 

demonstration program is well underway. A 

variety of land treatments and habitat restoration 

techniques have been applied to approximately 

1,800 acres of the retired lands. Twenty 40-acre 

test plots have been established for four trials and 

their replicates. In addition, on-going ancillary 

trials are being conducted on a smaller scale to test 

alternate restoration techniques. Trials to date 

have compared imprinting versus drilling of native 

seeds, seeding calibration, seeding mixes, 

mychorrizal amendments, nutrient amendments, 

various topographic contouring methods, and 

seedbed preparations. 

Extensive monitoring of the test and ancillary 

plots, as well as the remaining acres of the 

demonstration project lands is providing valuable 

data that will guide the program in the future and 

allow management to more quickly adapt to 

concerns, particularly establishment of non-native 

vegetation, as habitat is restored. 

In 1998, the land retirement program team entered 

into a 5-year cooperative agreement with BLM to 

acquire land and conduct restoration activities in 

Atwell Island Water District in the amount of $12 

million dollars. Lands were retired in the Atwell 

Island Water District beginning in January of 2000 

and, as of June 30, 2002, the program had 

acquired 7,466 acres in the San Joaquin Valley 

and added 485 acres acquired by the Habitat 

Restoration Program. An additional 580 acres are 

in escrow and are expected to close in fiscal year 

2003. Approximately 1,240 acres remain in the 

Atwell Island Water District and these lands are 

targeted for acquisition by BLM in FY 2003. 

BLM spends approximately $200,000 each year 

for habitat restoration costs, which include seed 

collection and growing nursery stock for 

transplanting within the project area, as well as the 

purchase of necessary equipment and supplies. 

Land Retirement Program dollars fund the current 

land acquisition and habitat restoration efforts, 

however, BLM will fund future operation and 

maintenance costs for these retired lands through 

the agency’s normal budget process. These lands 

will be managed primarily for upland wildlife 

habitat. As of June 30, 2002, approximately $1.6 

million dollars remain in this interagency 

agreement, most of the which will be used to 

acquire the remaining acres within the Atwell 

Island Water District, and some adjacent lands 

within the Alpaugh Irrigation District, that have 

applied to the program. 

A Feasibility Report was completed in 1999. This 

Report analyzed the feasibility and cost of 

developing a riparian habitat and flood control 

corridor using retired lands in the vicinity of 

Panoche Creek. Groundwater model studies of 

various land retirement scenarios were completed 

as part of the planning process for the 

demonstration project. Model results and 

subsequent monitoring have confirmed the 

drainage reduction benefits of land retirement in 

the western San Joaquin Valley. 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress F-8

REPORTS PREPARED FOR SECTION 3408(h)

C Interim Guidelines for Land Retirement, 1996 and 1997 

C Demonstration Project Study Plan, 1998 

C Environmental Compliance Documents for the Demonstration 

Program 

C Annual Reports for Years 1999, 2000, and 2001 
APPENDIX G 

Monitoring
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress

Appendix G Monitoring 

Comprehensive Assessment and Monitoring Program (Section 3406[b][16]) .........................................G-1 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress G-1

Comprehensive Assessment and Monitoring Program 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(16) Start Date: 1994 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(16) states, “The Secretary, is...authorized and directed 

to establish, in cooperation with independent entities and the State of 

California, a comprehensive assessment program to monitor fish and 

wildlife resources in the Central Valley to assess the biological results 

and effectiveness of actions implemented pursuant to this subsection.” 

In response to this directive, the Comprehensive Assessment and 

Monitoring Program (CAMP) was developed to assess four categories 

of CVPIA actions: (1) water management modifications, (2) fish 

screens, (3) other structural actions, and (4) habitat restoration efforts. 

The results of these assessments will be used to identify additional 

actions that may be required to meet the goals of the Act. 

In developing the CAMP program, the Service first evaluated existing 

fish monitoring programs. This provided the baseline for development 

of a comprehensive program in 1995 and 1996 specifically focused on 

evaluating the biological results and effectiveness of CVPIA actions. 

Initiation of CAMP proceeded at two levels: (1) development of a 

Conceptual Plan for evaluating the overall success of various 

implemented actions (completed in 1995); and (2) development of an 

Implementation Plan to identify details of actual field work, data 

processing, and needed evaluations (completed in 1996). 

To implement CAMP, several contracts were developed with DFG in 

order to assess the effectiveness of CVPIA actions. These contracts 

included efforts to estimate the American shad population, a program 

to help estimate adult striped bass populations, an angler survey to 

help estimate changes in adult salmon and steelhead populations, and 

screw trapping of juvenile chinook salmon on selected streams. 

CAMP implemented a data management system through the 

Interagency Ecological Program, including the establishment of a 

CAMP Internet homepage. Annual reports of CAMP findings are 

prepared and disseminated to interested parties approximately 1 year 

after data collection. 

In addition to the monitoring component, Interior provided matching 

funds to develop a sophisticated mapping program for the Sacramento 

River and tributaries. The purpose of the mapping program was to 

develop high-definition maps of riparian habitat. These maps provide 

baseline data and will assist in evaluating the success of restoration 

efforts.

Objectives 

C Assess the overall effectiveness of 

CVPIA restoration actions within 

Section 3406(b) 

C Assess the relative effectiveness of: 

(1) water management modifications, 

(2) fish screens, (3) other structural 

actions, and (4) habitat restoration 

Accomplishments 

C Developed Conceptual Plan and 

initiated Implementation Plan 

C Contracted with DFG to estimate 

adult American shad population and 

to monitor adult striped bass, harvest 

of adult salmon and steelhead, and out 

migration of juvenile salmonids 

C Developed and implemented a fish 

screen evaluation program 

C Funded a hatchery marking program 

C Contracted for data management 

through the Interagency Ecological 

Program 

C Reports of CAMP data and findings 

are completed and disseminated 

annually 

C Developed plan for constant fractional 

marking of hatchery salmonids 

C Completed a riparian mapping 

program for the Sacramento River 

and tributaries 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1994 $125,137 

1995 $373,526 

1996 $1,867,315 

1997 $2,034,394 

1998 $1,617,838

1999 $1,497,847 

2000 $868,778 

2001 -$435,955 

2002 $530,546 

** The negative is a credit 

REPORTS PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(b)(16) 

C Comprehensive Assessment and Monitoring Plan - Conceptual Plan 

C Comprehensive Assessment and Monitoring Plan - Implementation Plan 

C Annual Reports for 1995-1997, 1998, and 1999
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress G-2
APPENDIX H 

Studies, Investigations and Modeling 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress 

Appendix H Studies, Investigations and Modeling 

Flow Fluctuation Losses (Section 3406[b][9]) .........................................................................................H-1 

Shasta and Trinity Reservoir Carryover Storage Studies (Section 3406[b][19])......................................H-2 

San Joaquin River Comprehensive Plan (Section 3406[c][1])..................................................................H-3 

Stanislaus River Basin Water Needs (Section 3406[c][2]) .......................................................................H-4 

Central Valley Wetlands Water Supply Investigations (Section 3406[d][6])...........................................H-6 

Investigation on Maintaining Temperatures for Anadromous Fish (Section 3406[e][1]).........................H-7 

Investigations on Tributary Enhancement (Section 3406[e][3 and 6]) .....................................................H-8 

Report on Fishery Impacts (Section 3406[f])............................................................................................H-9 

Ecological and Hydrologic Models (Section 3406[g]) ...........................................................................H-10 

Project Yield Increase (Water Augmentation Program) (Section 3408[j]).............................................H-12 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress H-1 

Flow Fluctuation 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(9) Start Date: 1994 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(9) states, “The Secretary is authorized and directed to 

develop and implement a program to eliminate losses of anadromous 

fish due to flow fluctuations caused by the operation of any Central 

Valley Project storage or re-regulating facility. The program shall be 

patterned where appropriate after the agreement between the California 

Department of Water Resources and the California Department of Fish 

and Game with respect to the operation of the California State Water 

Project Oroville Dam complex.” 

Beginning in 1994, technical staff from Reclamation, the Service, and 

DFG initiated preliminary work on criteria to reduce flow fluctuations. 

In 1996, Interior contracted with DFG to conduct a 3-year study to 

determine threshold flows and ramping rates required protecting lower 

American River fishery resources. A multiagency American River 

Operations Work Group was formed to oversee the contract, develop 

interim criteria, and adaptively manage reservoir releases to benefit all 

project purposes including water supply and fish and wildlife 

management. The operations group has coordinated with stakeholders 

including water districts and municipalities, public safety organizations, 

recreational interests, and the environmental community to maintain the 

best habitat and water temperature conditions for anadromous fish 

consistent with water availability and reservoir storage. Aided by 

generally wet weather patterns, the group moderated potential flow 

fluctuations, provided cool water in spawning areas earlier than had 

been achieved in the past, and instituted a means of quickly responding 

in a coordinated fashion to changing meteorological conditions and 

management needs. 

Work accomplished during the cooperative study included aerial and 

ground surveys, topographic surveys of areas sensitive to flow 

fluctuation, detailed evaluation of the relationships between water 

levels and the distribution and quality of salmon spawning and rearing 

habitat, and biological studies to define the effects of flow management 

on aquatic populations. A final report, including recommended 

operational criteria, was completed in 2001. A similar effort on the 

Stanislaus River was initiated in 1999 and is ongoing. 

Evaluation of the effects of flow fluctuations on anadromous fish in all CVP-controlled streams is ongoing. 

Coordination and cooperation among agencies continue to identify new measures to eliminate losses of 

anadromous fish as study findings become available. 

Other operations criteria to reduce flow fluctuations caused by CVP operations are addressed by the action in 

Section 3406(b)(2) regarding dedicated water. 

Objective 

C Eliminate, to the extent possible, 

anadromous fish losses due to 

flow fluctuations caused by the 

operation of any CVP storage or 

re-regulating facility 

Accomplishments 

C Coordinated management of CVP 

facilities to reduce flow 

fluctuations on the American and 

Stanislaus Rivers 

C Worked toward developing 

reservoir release standards that 

minimize impacts on fisheries 

C Initiated a study to determine 

threshold flows and ramping rates 

required protecting anadromous 

fish species on the American and 

Stanislaus Rivers 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1994 $18,417 

1995 $55,552 

1996 $309,667 

1997 $144,364 

1998 $65,516 

1999 $173,843 

2000 $61,675 

2001 $78,349 

2002 $44,402 

REPORT PREPARED FOR 

 SECTION 3406 (b)(9)

• Evaluation of the Effects of Flow Fluctuations on 

Anadromous Fish Populations in the Lower 

American River November 2001
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress H-2 

Shasta and Trinity Reservoir Carryover Storage Studies 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(b)(19) Start Date: 1998 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(b)(19) states, “The Secretary... is...authorized and 

directed to...reevaluate existing operational criteria in order to maintain 

minimum carryover storage at Sacramento and Trinity River reservoirs 

to protect and restore the anadromous fish of the Sacramento and 

Trinity Rivers...subject to the Secretary’s responsibility to fulfill all 

project purposes, including agricultural water delivery.” 

Minimal planning under this CVPIA section was done pending 

completion of the Anadromous Fish Restoration Plan (Section 

3406[b][1]) and the Water Management Plan for the 800,000 acre-feet 

of CVP dedicated yield (Section 3406[b][2]). Related studies 

conducted include evaluation of Shasta Temperature Control Device 

(TCD) and Trinity River operations. 

Actions completed under this section include the evaluation of 

operational criteria to meet water temperature requirements and water 

supplies in response to changing project operations. Water 

temperature model studies, combined with the monitoring of actual 

operations, were used to evaluate the Shasta TCD operations and 

determine the most efficient use of cold-water resources for various water year types (for example, wet or 

normal). Results of this study will be incorporated into future studies on Shasta and Trinity Reservoir 

carryover storage. 

In developing the Biological Opinion for winter-run Chinook salmon, the National Marine Fisheries Service 

evaluated the operational criteria needed to maintain minimum carryover storage in Shasta Reservoir to 

protect the anadromous fish in the Sacramento River. The Biological Opinion specified that 1.9 million acrefeet should be the minimum carryover storage in Shasta for protection of the winter-run Chinook salmon. 

Results from the Trinity Reservoir Carryover Study will be used in developing the final storage and 

operational criteria for the reservoir. 

Objective 

C Protect and restore the 

anadromous fishes in the 

Sacramento and Trinity Rivers 

Accomplishments 

C Evaluated Shasta Temperature 

Control Device operations 

C Conducted temperature model 

studies of effects of the Shasta 

Temperature Control Device 

Fiscal Data 

 Funding for this activity provided 

under Section 3406(b)(9) 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress H-3 

San Joaquin River Comprehensive Plan 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(c)(1) Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(c)(1) states, “The Secretary shall...develop a 

comprehensive plan which is reasonable, prudent, and feasible to 

address fish, wildlife, and habitat concerns on the San Joaquin River, 

including but not limited to the streamflow, channel, riparian habitat, 

and water quality improvements that would be needed to reestablish 

where necessary and to sustain naturally reproducing anadromous 

fisheries from Friant Dam to its confluence with the San Francisco 

Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary.” 

Development of a San Joaquin River comprehensive plan 

(Comprehensive Plan) for the specific purpose of complying with 

Section 3406 (c)(1) was initiated in 1993. However the effort to 

develop such information to support river restoration did not begin 

with the CVPIA. In 1989, prior to the enactment of the CVPIA, 

Reclamation was directed by the Secretary to explore opportunities 

for environmental restoration in the San Joaquin River Basin 

through the San Joaquin River Basin Resource Management 

Initiative (Initiative). In 1991 Reclamation and the California 

Resources Agency (Agency) entered into a Memorandum of 

Agreement (MOU) for sharing the cost for the Initiative. Among 

other things, the MOU provides for Reclamation and the Agency to 

develop a mutually acceptable plan of study for the Initiative which 

is consistent with the work activities underway in California 

Department of Water Resources’ San Joaquin River Management 

Program effort, and that the Initiative shall focus primarily on 

Chinook salmon, water quality conditions, wetlands for waterfowl, 

wildlife, reservoir fishery, and recreation. When the CVPIA was 

signed into law, work efforts on the Initiative were redirected to 

begin working on the Comprehensive Plan which share nearly 

identical objectives. As data gathering continues including useful 

information gathered under other CVPIA programs, various 

complex technical restoration issues have been identified. These issues have included, but are not limited 

to, the overgrown condition of various reaches of the historic mainstem San Joaquin River channel due to 

re-direction of Friant Dam flood releases for flood control purposes, the potential effect of different gene 

pools of anadromous fisheries in the upper and lower San Joaquin, water temperature, water quality, 

water quantity, and the timing of flows from the San Joaquin to the Delta Estuary. A number of 

institutional matters were also identified such as determining how to develop and implement a program to 

restore ecosystem values to the River while ensuring the accomplishment of the authorized purposes of 

the Friant Division; the need for fish hatcheries, the reliance on human intervention; and private property 

rights. 

 

Recent efforts to complete the preparation of the Comprehensive Plan have been complicated by (1) public 

concerns which, in 1995, led to a congressional conference committee directive that funds not be expended on 

 the Initiative in fiscal year 1996; and (2) the ongoing litigation in the NRDC v. Rodgers et.al. lawsuit. 

Objective 

C Develop a comprehensive plan to 

restore fish, wildlife, and 

associated habitat along the San 

Joaquin River 

Accomplishments 

C Outlined study parameters to 

address environmental and social 

needs

C Initiated data collection to 

establish study area baseline and 

potential conditions 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1993 $596,732 

1994 $642,968 

1995 $927,725 

1996 $ 2,638 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress H-4 

Stanislaus River Basin Water Needs 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(c)(2) Start Date: 1993 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(c)(2) states, “The Secretary shall, by not later than 

September 30, 1996...evaluate and determine existing and anticipated 

future basin needs in the Stanislaus River Basin. In the course of such 

evaluation, the Secretary shall investigate alternative storage, release, 

and delivery regimes, including but not limited to conjunctive use 

operations, conservation strategies, exchange arrangements, and the use 

of base and channel maintenance flows, in order to best satisfy both 

basin and out-of-basin needs consistent, on a continuing basis, with the 

limitations and priorities established in the Act of October 23, 1962 (76 

Stat. 173)...” 

On March 26, 1993, Reclamation and DWR signed a Memorandum of 

Agreement describing each agency’s role in the preparation of an 

Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the 

Stanislaus River Basin and Calaveras River Water Use Program. 

Reclamation began development of a surface-water model for use in 

analyzing alternatives, and DWR began development of a groundwater 

model. The agencies also formulated several alternatives and completed 

operations studies (computer modeling) for the alternatives. 

Reclamation developed a temperature model of the Calaveras River 

from New Hogan Reservoir to the mouth of the Calaveras River. 

The Service completed an initial terrestrial habitat model (Habitat 

Evaluation Procedure [HEP]) for the Stanislaus River riparian corridor 

from Goodwin Dam to the confluence of the San Joaquin River. A 

report was also prepared addressing potential impacts that 

implementation of the Stanislaus River Basin and Calaveras River 

Water Use Program might have on Federally listed species. 

In March 1995, DWR withdrew as a partner in the study after model 

studies indicated that no additional dependable water supply was 

available from the Stanislaus River. Reclamation was unable to identify 

another non-Federal cost sharing partner to continue the study. The 

results of the data collection and analysis were published in a transition 

report titled “American River/Folsom South Conjunctive Use 

Optimization Study,” dated May 1996. 

 This report includes information 

obtained from the American River 

Water Resources Investigation intended to meet the requirements under 

Section 3406(c)(2). 

Additional study of the Stanislaus River Basin water needs was initiated in 

1998 to assess the water temperature parameters and refine the analysis of 

the groundwater resources. Two water temperature profilers were purchased 

for installation in New Melones Reservoir and will collect data to quantify 

the coldwater resource in the reservoir and help manage river temperatures 

for Chinook salmon. Work was initiated to extend the groundwater model 

(San Joaquin County Integrated Groundwater Surface Water Model) to 

include the area between the Stanislaus River and the Tuolumne River. The extended model will be used to 

analyze conjunctive use opportunities in the Stanislaus Basin. 

Objective 

C Evaluate and determine existing 

and future basin needs in the 

Stanislaus River Basin 

Accomplishments 

C Developed surface-water and 

groundwater models 

C Conducted environmental 

modeling (HEP) for the Stanislaus 

River 

C Developed alternatives 

C Developed temperature model of 

the Calaveras River 

C Prepared transition report that 

documented study activities 

C Prepared a Stanislaus River Basin 

and Calaveras River Water Use 

Program, Threatened and 

Endangered Species Report 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1993 $0 

1994 $405,047 

1995 $286,182 

1996 $24,485 

1997 $0 

1998 $221,894 

1999 $113 

2000 $68,669 

2001 -$7,284 REPORTS PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(C)(2) 

C Transition Report, 

American River/Folsom 

South Conjunctive Use 

Optimization Study, 1996 

C Stanislaus River Basin 

and Calaveras River 

Watershed Use Program, 

Threatened and 

Endangered Species 

Report, 1995
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress H-5 

Additional evaluations include a study of the effects of flood-plain development, and the relationship between 

reservoir management and the ecological functioning of the river. 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress H-6 

Central Valley Wetlands Water Supply Investigations 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(d)(6) Start Date: 1995 Status: Completed 

Section 3406(d)(6) states, “The Secretary, in consultation with the 

State of California, the Central Valley Habitat Joint Venture, and other 

interests, shall investigate and report on the following supplemental 

actions by not later than September 30, 1997: alternative means of 

improving the reliability and quality of water supplies currently 

available to privately owned wetlands in the Central Valley and the 

need, if any, for additional supplies; and water supply and delivery 

requirements necessary to permit full habitat development for water 

dependent wildlife on 120,000 acres supplemental to the existing 

wetland habitat acreage identified in Table 8 of the Central Valley 

Habitat Joint Venture’s “Implementation Plan” dated April 19, 1990, 

as well as feasible means of meeting associated water supply 

requirements.” 

Interior designated the Service to lead efforts associated with these 

investigations and reports. Working through the Central Valley 

Habitat Joint Venture, the Service formed an Interagency Management 

Team consisting of the Service, Reclamation, DFG, Ducks Unlimited, 

California Wildlife Conservation Board, California Waterfowl 

Association, and The Nature Conservancy. This team provided 

technical guidance. 

Completed investigations reviewed water supply needs and quality 

requirements for private wetlands, identified means to meet those 

requirements, and assessed the reliability of identified supplies. The 

investigations also identified potential locations, delivery 

requirements, and water supplies for full development of 120,000 acres 

of wetlands supplemental to existing habitats. 

The final report on Central Valley Wetland Water Supply 

Investigations was completed and released in December 2000. It has 

served as a valuable tool for Federal, State, and local government 

agencies, conservation organizations, water districts, and individual 

landowners interested in further investigation of wetland water needs 

and supplies on a site-specific basis. 

Objectives 

C Identify alternatives for improving 

water supply quality and 

reliability to privately owned 

wetlands 

C Determine potential water supply 

locations and delivery 

requirements for 120,000 acres of 

potentially restorable wetlands 

Accomplishments 

C Developed an Interagency 

Management Team and prepared 

an administrative draft report 

C Identified private wetlands 

locations and identified some 

water needs and reliable water 

supply alternatives 

C Developed a GIS database and 

model to assist in identifying areas 

of potentially restorable wetlands 

and associated water supply and 

delivery requirements 

C Completed Water Supply Report 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1996 $1,467,425 

1997 $488,749 

1998 $49,100 

1999 $32,433 

2000 $11,660 

2001 $61,789 

REPORT PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406 (d)(6)

• Central Valley Wetland Water Supply Investigations 

December 2000 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress H-7 

Investigation on Maintaining Temperatures for Anadromous Fish 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(e)(1) Start Date: 1994 Status: Completed 

Section 3406(e)(1) states, “Not later than 5 years after the date of 

enactment of the title, the Secretary shall investigate and provide 

recommendations to...[Congress]...on the feasibility, cost, and 

desirability of developing and implementing...measures to maintain 

suitable temperatures for anadromous fish survival in the Sacramento 

and San Joaquin rivers and their tributaries, and the Sacramento-San 

Joaquin Delta by controlling or relocating the discharge of irrigation 

return flows and sewage effluent, and by restoring riparian forests.” 

Salmon and steelhead in the Central Valley evolved in an environment 

obligating their survival to areas of cold, uncontaminated flowing 

waters connected to the sea. The temperatures of these streams have 

changed significantly as a result of modifications to meet society’s 

needs, and some anadromous fish populations, such as winter-run 

Chinook salmon, are near extinction. The potential benefits of 

improving instream temperatures in these natal streams include more 

appropriate instream spawning and rearing conditions, improved 

survival of adult anadromous fish during migration, and enhanced 

riparian habitat for feeding, predator avoidance, and resting. 

This investigation focused primarily on the interaction between 

riparian forests and water temperature along the Sacramento River and 

evaluated the effects of vegetation, agricultural drainage, and sewage 

discharge on water temperatures in Central Valley rivers and 

tributaries. A report on the investigation was completed in January 

2001. 

Objective 

C Investigate measures to control 

water temperature by controlling 

or relocating irrigation and 

sewage effluent return flows or 

restoring riparian forests 

Accomplishments 

C Completed field investigations on 

the interaction between riparian 

forests and river water 

temperatures along Sacramento 

River

C Evaluated effects of vegetation, 

agricultural drainage, and sewage 

discharge on water temperatures 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1994 $84 

1995 $31,465 

1996 $828,177 

1997 $985,197 

1998 $125,098 

***Includes funding for both 

3406(e)(1) investigation and 

3406(e)(3 and 6) investigation 

REPORT PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(e)(1) 

C Influence of Riparian Vegetation on Water 

Temperature in the Sacramento River, California 

January, 2001
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress H-8 

Investigations on Tributary Enhancement 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(e)(3 and 6) Start Date: 1994 Status: Completed 

Section 3406(e)(3) states, “Not later than five years after the date of 

enactment of this title, the Secretary shall investigate and provide 

recommendations to...[Congress]...on the feasibility, cost, and 

desirability of developing and implementing measures to eliminate 

barriers to upstream and downstream migration of salmonids in the 

Central Valley, including but not limited to screening programs, 

barrier removal programs and programs for the construction or 

rehabilitation of fish ladders on tributary streams.” 

Section 3406(e)(6) states, “Not later than five years after the date of 

enactment of this title, the Secretary shall investigate and provide 

recommendations to...[Congress]...on the feasibility, cost, and 

desirability of developing and implementing other measures which the 

Secretary determines would protect, restore, and enhance natural 

production of salmon and steel-head in tributary streams of the 

Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, including but not limited to the 

Merced, Mokelumne, and Calaveras Rivers and Battle, Butte, Deer, 

Elder, Mill, and Thomes Creeks.” 

Both of these studies were conducted in coordination with the 

Anadromous Fish Restoration Program [3406(b)(1)] and investigated the potential benefits of removing 

anadromous fish barriers and constructing passage facilities. These studies evaluated opportunities for habitat 

improvement, flow augmentation, and riparian management on all Central Valley streams. 

Actions suggested in these studies could increase fish habitat and the production of juvenile anadromous fish 

in important rivers and streams not regulated by the CVP. Additionally, wildlife species will benefit as 

riparian and other adjacent terrestrial habitats are included in restoration activities. 

A report was completed in 1998 and was submitted to Congress in 2000 along with the report for 

Section 3406(e)(1). The information in the report has proven to be of great value in identifying potential 

actions to help in the doubling of anadromous fish populations in Central Valley streams. 

REPORT PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(e)(3 and 6) 

C CVPIA Tributary Production 

Enhancement Report

Objectives 

C Investigate measures to eliminate 

barriers to fish passage in Central 

Valley rivers and tributaries

C Investigate methods to improve 

habitat on Central Valley tributary 

streams 

Accomplishment 

C Completed CVPIA Tributary 

Production Enhancement Report 

Fiscal Data 

 Funding for this investigation 

included under Section 3406(e)(1) 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress H-9 

Report on Fishery Impacts 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(f) Start Date: 1994 Status: Completed 

Section 3406(f) states, “The Secretary, in consultation with the 

Secretary of Commerce, the State of California, appropriate Indian 

tribes, and other appropriate public and private entities, shall 

investigate and report on all effects of the Central Valley Project on 

anadromous fish populations and the fisheries, communities, tribes, 

businesses and other interests and entities that have now or in the past 

had significant economic, social or cultural association with those 

fishery resources. The Secretary shall provide such report 

to...[Congress]...not later than two years after the date of enactment of 

this title.” 

In October 1995, a draft report was prepared based on a review of 

numerous reports and file documents; public meetings; and meetings 

with appropriate entities such as sport and commercial anglers, 

business owners, and Indian tribe representatives. The report was 

finalized in December 1995 and describes the major impacts of CVP 

reservoir facilities and operations on anadromous fish. 

REPORT PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(f) 

C Report on Fishery Impacts of 

the Central Valley Project

Objective 

C Prepare a report detailing all 

effects of the CVP on anadromous 

fish 

Accomplishment 

C Completed report in December 

1995 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1994 $5,374 

1995 $951,672 

1996 $906,148 

1997 -$392,227 

** The negative is a credit
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress H-10 

Ecological and Hydrologic Models 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3406(g) Start Date: 1994 Status: Ongoing 

Section 3406(g) states, “The Secretary, in cooperation with the 

State of California and other relevant interests and experts, shall 

develop readily usable and broadly available models and supporting 

data to evaluate the ecologic and hydrologic effects of existing and 

alternative operations of public and private water facilities and 

systems in the Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Trinity River 

watersheds.” 

The goal of the program is to develop an integrated modeling 

environment that enables interested parties to use both ecologic and 

hydrologic models to systematically evaluate the potential impacts 

of various CVP actions. 

To date, efforts have focused 

on new model development 

(primarily CALSIM and water 

temperature models) and 

documenting the data and 

logic to improve models. 

Model development has been 

coordinated with the U.S. 

Geological Survey, the U.S. 

Army Corps of Engineers, CALFED, DFG and DWR. Interior 

participated in multiagency work groups, including CALSIM 

development, the Bay-Delta Modeling Forum, the Water Forum, the 

California Water Plan Update, and the San Joaquin River Technical 

Committee (SJRTC) and has entered into cooperative agreements 

with other agencies and research organizations as a means of 

expanding and complementing its expertise. 

CALSIM II development and application is jointly funded and 

executed by Reclamation and DWR. CALSIM II, a reservoir 

system model, replaces the separate models and data sets 

Reclamation and DWR used to simulate the operations of the CVP 

and the State Water Project. CALSIM II logic explicitly addresses 

activities such as the Vernalis Adaptive Management Program, 

Section 3406(b)(2) implementation, and the CALFED 

Environmental Water Account. 

Efforts are under way to document data, model logic, development, 

and application to assure understanding and acceptance by the 

widest possible audience. Several multi-day classes have been held 

for CALSIM. The CALSIM development teams have offered ongoing forums to discuss logic and application and have been 

responsive to requests for change. 

Interior’s participation in the Vernalis Adaptive Management Plan 

(VAMP) is evidence of its commitment to better understand how 

Bay-Delta operations affect the estuarine ecosystem. VAMP brings 

together scientists from various agencies and stakeholder groups to 

Benefits of Improved Models 

C Better technical evaluation of 

actions proposed under CVPIA 

C Better understanding of surfacewater and ground- water impacts 

C Assistance in setting priorities 

and adaptively managing 

implementation of CVPIA

Objectives 

C Develop and improve scientific 

models to evaluate existing and 

alternative Central Valley water 

system operations and ecologic 

restoration efforts 

C Ensure models are broadly available 

and readily usable 

Accomplishments 

C Participated in other modeling efforts 

C Increased public awareness of 

availability and use of models 

C Developed model data including 

hydrology and biological data 

C Initiated development of hydrologic, 

water temperature and ecological 

models including CALSIM 

C Developed specifications to design 

an integrated modeling environment 

C Modified existing models to help 

plan and execute CVPIA water 

management provisions 

C Initiated the Vernalis Adaptive 

Management Plan 

C Developed simulation routines to 

address CVPIA components such as 

VAMP and (b)(2) 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1994 $569,985 

1995 $328,039 

1996 $1,293,680 

1997 $1,252,382 

1998 $1,379,263 

1999 $898,457 

2000 $702,741

2001 $869,070

2002 $831,236 

***Funds do not include the costs of water for 

VAMP. Those costs are displayed under 

Section 3406(b)(3) Water Acquisition 

Program – Anadromous Fish Focus on page 

C-6 of this document
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress H-11 

study how Chinook salmon respond to changes in river 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress H-12 

Ecological Model Development in Progress 

C Sacramento River and tributaries Chinook salmon life 

history 

C Sacramento River meander processes 

C Response of floodplains and riparian habitat to flow patterns 

C Reservoir and stream temperatures for the Stanislaus River 

C 3-D estuarine hydrodynamic and salt transport 

flows, Bay-Delta water exports, and to the 

installation of a seasonal barrier at the head of 

Old River intended to keep juvenile fish 

migrating down the San Joaquin River away 

from the State and Federal pumps. The VAMP 

is essentially an experiment initiated during 

April-May of each year when juvenile salmon 

from the San Joaquin River system are outmigrating to the sea. VAMP began in 1999 and 

is currently in the fourth year of a 12-year 

program. 

Pursuant to a agreement with the San Joaquin 

River Group Authority, Interior funds the 

authority to have its member agencies make 

available up to 110,000 acre-feet of water to meet 

experimental flow targets at Vernalis on the lower 

San Joaquin River. The experimental flow targets 

are met by releases as necessary from reservoirs in 

the Merced, Tuolumne, and/or Stanislaus rivers. 

Information on the flows acquired for the lower 

San Joaquin River to implement the VAMP is 

included under Section 3406(b)(3) Supplemental 

Water Acquisition Program, in the table on page 

C-7 of this document. 

Data on fish survival and entrainment in relation 

to the various flows, export operations, and the 

Old River barrier are recorded and, as the 

experiment progresses, is expected to aid in the 

development of ecological and hydrologic models 

of the system and in more informed decisions on 

project operations during these critical 

anadromous fish migration periods. 

REPORTS PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3406(g) 

C Consensus Project, Phase I 

C Plunging Flows Study 

C Integrated modeling 

environment design

Hydrologic Model Development in Progress 

C CALSIM II, the Reclamation/CADWR jointly developed model of the CVP and SWP delivery system which features a 

common model with common data 

C Surface-water reservoir operations: 

 - Modified SIMYLD, Labadie, et al, Colorado State University (MODSIM) 

 - California Simulation Model (CALSIM) 

 Ecologically Cogent Operations Simulation Model (ECOSIM-W) 

 River and Reservoir temperature models for Sacramento River and tributaries 

 Ecologically Cogent Operations Simulation Model (ECOSIM) 

 Land-Air-Water Simulator (LAWS) which applies remote sensing technology to software interpretation of satellite 

imagery (LANDSAT) to identify crop types and areas (initiated and currently support by other funding but candidate for 

3406(g) 

C Groundwater management: 

 - Update Central Valley Groundwater/Surface Water Model (CVGSM) 

 - San Joaquin County Integrated Surface/Ground Water Model 

 - Tulare Groundwater Model 

C Variable time-step surface-water operations 

C Three-dimensional temperature for Whiskeytown Reservoir 
CVPIA — 10 Years of Progress H-13 

Project Yield Increase (Water Augmentation Program) 

Reference Section of CVPIA: 3408(j) Start Date: 1994 Status: Completed 

Section 3408(j) states, “In order to minimize adverse effects, if any, 

upon existing Central Valley Project water contractors resulting from 

the water dedicated to fish and wildlife under this title, and to assist the 

State of California in meeting its future water needs, the Secretary 

shall...develop and submit to the Congress, a least-cost plan to 

increase, within fifteen years after the date of enactment of this title, 

the yield of the Central Valley Project by the amount dedicated to fish 

and wildlife purposes under this title.” 

The Least-Cost CVP Yield Increase Plan was developed with 

consideration of all reasonable options, including supply increase and 

demand reduction. The perspectives and viewpoints of various 

individuals and agencies affected by the CVPIA were incorporated 

into the planning process. More than 100 yield increase options were 

identified and evaluated for annual cost, yield, environmental effects, 

social effects, implementation time, and associated institutional issues. 

 Options that did not have known unacceptable environmental or social 

impacts, and that could be implemented in the required timeframe 

(CVPIA requires the plan be implementable by 2007), were 

incorporated into the plan. The plan also addressed the effects of nearterm competition for water in California, both for currently developed 

supplies and for future supply increases. These effects are increased 

water costs and loss of options to other developers or purchasers. 

Options evaluated in the plan had a cumulative yield of approximately 

3 million acre-feet. 

The marginal cost for 

implementing the first 

800,000 acre-feet of yield 

increase was estimated to be $175 per acre-foot under 1995 market 

conditions. As competition increases and options are implemented 

by others, some options involving the purchase of water could 

reach $650 to $700 per acre-foot. These higher costs, affected by 

competitive forces, make non-purchase options such as conjunctive 

use relatively more attractive than others. 

The Least-Cost CVP Yield Increase Plan was submitted to Congress in 1996. To date, Congress has not acted 

on any of the recommendations in the submitted plan. 

Water Augmentation 

Program Options 

C Land Fallowing 

C Conservation 

C Modifications to CVP/SWP Operation 

C Supplies from Local Water Projects 

C Conjunctive Use 

C Water Reuse 

C Surface Storage and Conveyance

Objectives 

C Develop a least-cost plan to 

increase the yield of the CVP by 

the amount dedicated by the 

CVPIA, and to assist the State of 

California in meeting future water 

needs 

Accomplishments 

C Prepared a least-cost plan 

describing options for increasing 

CVP yield by evaluating supply 

increase and demand reduction 

opportunities 

C Submitted plan to Congress in 

July 1996 

Fiscal Data 

Fiscal Year Obligation 

1994 $738,170 

1995 $991,446 

1996 $59,964 

1997 -$712 

1998 $0 

1999 -$558 

REPORT PREPARED FOR 

SECTION 3408(j) 

C Least-Cost CVP Yield 

Increase Plan