UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460

OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION

DRAFT BIOLOGICAL OPINIONS ISSUED UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT, BY THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, RELATED TO PESTICIDES AND PACIFIC SALMON AND STEELHEAD SPECIES
COMMENTS ACCEPTED THROUGH JUNE 12, 2012

EPA has initiated formal consultation with th e National Marine Fish eries Service on the potential effects of certain pesticides to Pacific salmon and steelhead listed under the Endangered Species Act as either threatened or endangered. As EPA receives draft Biological Opinions relative to these consultations, they will be posted to www.epa.gov/espp and included in a public docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0654 so EPA may receive public input on any changes to a pesticide’s registration recommended by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

BACKGROUND The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires that Federal Agencies assess their “actions” to determine whether species listed as thr eatened or endangered under the ESA may be affected by those actions, or whether crit ical habitat may be adversely modified. The registered uses of a pesticide constitute an EPA "action" under the ESA.
If EPA determines a pesticide's registered uses are likely to adversely affect a federally listed threatened or endangered species (listed species) or m odify its critical habitat, EPA initiates "formal consultation" with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service (the Service or Services), as appropriate. In response to a Federal Agency initiating formal consultation, the Service(s) develops a Biological Opinion (BO) in which it provides its opinion on whether the "action" is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species and/or is likely to adversely modify designated critical habitat and, if so, describes alternatives to avoid jeopardy.

PUBLIC INPUT In 2005, EPA published in the Federal Re gister (FR 70 No. 211 pp. 66392-66402), a document titled Endangered Species Protection Program Field Implementation . That notice of how EPA intends to implement its respon sibilities under the ESA, states (p 66401):
"If EPA must formally consult with the Se rvices, after the Services issue a draft Biological Opinion, EPA will welcom e input from State, Tribal and local governments on draft reasonable and prudent measures and alternatives . The purpose of this review would be to determine whether the alternatives or measures can be reasonably implemented and whether there are different measures that may provide adequate protection but result in less impact to pesticide users. The Agency will consider this input in developing itsresponse to draft Biological Opinions."
EPA also is seeking input from the public in general, pesticide users, and public interest organizations on whether the alternatives or measures can be reasonably implemented and whether there are different measures that may provide adequate protection but result in less impact to pesticide users. The Agency will also consider this input in developing its response to draft Biological Opinions.

APPLICANT INPUT Further, the Services’ Consultation Handbook (pp. 2-13), supports their consultation regulations and states:
“... the Service and the action agency meet their obligations to [the applicant or pesticide registrant] as outlined in 50 CFR section 402 through the following: The applicant is entitled to review draft Biological Opinions obtained through the action agency and to provide comments through the action agency. The Service will di scuss the basis of their biological determination with the applicant and seek the applicant’s expertise in identifying reasonable and prudent alternatives ...”.

COMMENTS Draft Biological Opinions are being includ ed in the docket (EPA- HQ-OPP-2008-0654) and posted to EPA’s Web site (http://www.epa.gov/oppf ead1/endanger/litstatus /effects) to seek input on the Service’s recommended reasonable and prudent measures and alternatives, as noted above. Such input should be submitted by June 12, 2012 . Comments received by EPA will be forwarded to the Serv ice for their c onsideration.
As stated in the Services’ regulations (50 CFR 402.14(g)(5)):
“All comments on the draft Biological Opinion must be submitted to the Service through the Federal agency, although the applicant may send a copy of its comments directly to the Service.”

SUBMITTING YOUR COMMENTS You may submit your comments, identified by the docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0654 an d the pesticide to which the Biol ogical Opinion pertains, by one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal : http://www.regulations.gov . Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.

Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Docke t, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460.
Delivery: EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.Instructions: EPA's policy is that all comments rece ived will be included in the docket without change and may be made available on-line at http://www.regulations.gov , including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or othe r information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through regulations.gov or e-mail. The regulat ions.gov website is an ''anonymous access'' system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact in formation unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic co mment, EPA recommends that you include yourname and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CDROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your co mment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.

Docket: All documents in the docket are list ed in the docket index available at http://www.regulations.gov . To access the electronic docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov , select ''Advanced Search,'' then ''Docket Search.'' Insert the docket ID number where indicated and select the ''Submit'' button. Follow the instructions on the regulations.gov website to view the docket index or access available documents. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available either in the electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov , or, if only available in hard copy, at the OPP Docket located in the EPA/DC, Room 3334, EPA West, 1301 Consti tution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room ho urs of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number of the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPP Docket is (703) 305-5805. EPA/DC visitors are required to show photogr aphic identification, pass through a metal detector, and sign the EPA visitor log. All visitor bags are processed through an X-ray machine and subject to search. Visitors will be provided an EPA/DC badge that must be visible at all times in the building and returned upon departure.

# The Draft Reasonable and Prudent Measures on which EPA is seeking input begin on page 334 of

this PDF file (page 315 of the document itself).UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT DF CCMMERCE National Caaanic and Atmospheric Administration NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE Silver Spring, MD 20910

Dr. Steven Bradbury Director, Office of Pesticide Programs U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

### MAY 

### 1 1 2012 One Potomac Yard 2777 S. Crystal Drive Arlington, VA 22202

Dear Dr. Bradbury:

Enclosed is the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service's (NOAA Fisheries) draft biological opinion (BiOp), issued under the authority of section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 as amended (16 U.S.C. 1 5 36(a)(2», on the effects of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) registration of the pesticide thiobencarb on endangered species, threatened species, and critical habitat that has been designated for those species.

After considering the status of the listed resources, the environmental baseline, and the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of EPA's proposed action on listed salmonid species, NOAA Fisheries concludes that thiobencarb is not likely to jeopardize three listed Pacific salmonid Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs)lDistinct Population Segments (DPSs) or adversely modifY their designated critical habitat. California is the only state within the range oflisted Pacific salmonids that hCl;s approved the use ofthiobencarb, and

use is only approved for rice. As a result, this draft BiOp addresses the effects of thiobencarb on three listed Pacific salmonid ESUslDPSs located in California's Central Valley where rice is grown. Re-initiation of this consultation will be necessary if thiobencarb is approved for use in other states with listed Pacific salmonids, or if thiobencarb use expands to other parts of California within the range of listed Pacific salmonids.

Molinate, another herbicide, was originally paired with thiobencarb for this consultation. However, molinate was cancelled and its use has not been allowed since August 2009. Cancellation renders consultation on molinate moot.

This draft BiOp assesses effects ofthiobencarb on listed Pacific salmonids pursuant to the ESA. It does not address EPA's obligation under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to consult on effects to essential fish habitat (EFH) for salmonids and other federally-managed species. Please contact 

### Mr. Tom Bigford or Ms. Susan-Marie Stedman in NOAA Fisheries' Office of Habitat Conservation at 301­ 713-4300 regarding the EFH consultation process.



# *

Printed on Recycled PaperIf you have questions regarding this BiOp please contact me or Ms. Gina Shultz, Chief of

our Endangered Species Act Interagency Consultation Division, at (301) 427-8495.

Sincerely,

HelenM. Golde Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion



## Draft Biological Opinion

National Marine Fisheries Service Endangered Species Act
Section 7 Consultation on Environmental Protection Agency ’s

Registration of Thiobencarb

Reprinted with permission f rom the photographer, Chris Haile, c hris h aile p hotography .com , Marysville, CA.



### May 11, 2012

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

ii 

### Table of Contents

1. Background

................................ ................................ ................................ . 3 2. Consultation History

................................ ................................ ................... 5 2.1. Species Addressed in the BE

................................ ................................ .................. 13 

### 3. Description of the Proposed Action

................................ .......................... 16

3.1.1. Thiobenc arb

................................ ................................ ........................... 22 

### 4. Action Area

................................ ................................ ............................... 26 5. Approach to the Assessment

................................ ................................ ..... 29 5.1. Evidence Available for the Consultation

................................ ............................... 32 5.2. Appl ication of Approach in this Consultation

................................ ....................... 33
5.2.1. Problem Formulation

................................ ................................ ............. 33 5.2.2. Designated Critical Habitat

................................ ................................ ... 36 5.2.3. Critical Habitat Risk Hypotheses

................................ ........................... 38
5.2.4. Evalua ting Exposure and Response

................................ ....................... 38 5.2.5. Analysis Plan

................................ ................................ ......................... 42
5.3. Other Considerations

................................ ................................ ............................. 43 

### 6. Status of Listed Resources

................................ ................................ ........ 45 6.1. Species Status

................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 46 6.2. Conservation Role of Critical Habitat for the Species

................................ .......... 48
6.3. Chinook Salmon

................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 51 6.3.2. Central Valley Spring

- run Chinook Salmon

................................ .......... 55
6.3.3. Sacramento River Winter

- run Chinook Salmon

................................ .... 69
6.4 . California Central Valley Steelhead

................................ ................................ ...... 80 

### 7. Environmental Baseline

................................ ................................ ............ 94 7.1. Natural Mortality Factors

................................ ................................ ..................... 95
7.1.1. Parasites and/or Disease

................................ ................................ ....... 95

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

iii 7.1.2. Predation

................................ ................................ ................................ 96
7.1.3. Wildland Fire

................................ ................................ ......................... 98
7.1.4. Oceanographic Features, Climatic Variability and Climate Change

... 99 7.2. Anthropogenic Mortality Factors

................................ ................................ ........ 101 7.2.1. Habitat Blockages

................................ ................................ .................. 102 7.2.2. Water Development

................................ ................................ ................ 103 7.2.3. Water Conveyance and Flood Control

................................ .................. 1 06
7.2.4. Land Use Activities

................................ ................................ ................ 108 7.2.5. Water Quality

................................ ................................ ......................... 118 7.2.6. Baseline Water Temperature

- Clean Water Act

................................ ... 121 7.2.7. Hatchery Operations and Practices

................................ ....................... 125
7.3. Baseline Habitat Condition

................................ ................................ ................. 127 7.4. Baseline Pesticide Detections in Aquatic Environments

................................ ..... 129
7.5. Baseline Pesticide Consultations

................................ ................................ ......... 132 7.6. Rice Production and the Use of Thiobencarb in California

................................ 134 7.6.1. Water Management

................................ ................................ ................ 139 7.6.2. Drift Minimization

................................ ................................ ................. 142 7.6.3. Applicator Education

................................ ................................ ............. 143 

### 8. Effects of the Propose d Action to Threatened and Endangered Pacific
Salmonids

................................ ................................ ................................ .... 145 8.1. Exposure Analysis

................................ ................................ ................................ 145 8.1.1. Threatened and Endangered Pacific Salmonids use of Aquatic Habitats 146 8.1.2. Chemical Exposure Pathways to Salmonids Habitats

........................... 148 8.1.3. Summary of Chemical Fate of Thiobencarb

................................ .......... 149 8.1.4. Exposure of salmonid habitats to the stressors of the action

................. 153 8.1.5. Analysis of Species Presence in Rice Growing Areas

........................... 160 8.2. Modeling: Estimates of exposure to thiobencarb

................................ ............... 172
8 .2.1. EPA exposure estimates

................................ ................................ ......... 172 8.2.2. Utility of EPA

- derived EECs for defining exposure to Pacific salmonid habitats

................................ ................................ ................................ .......................... 172

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

iv 8.2.3. NMFS exposure estimates for floodplain habitats

................................ . 174 8.2.4. NMFS exposure estimates for pesticide mixtures

................................ .. 176 8.3. Monitoring Data: Measured Concentrations of Parent Compounds in Surface
Waters

................................ ................................ ................................ ......................... 177 8.3.1. Monitoring data considerations

................................ ............................. 178 8.3.2. USGS NAWQA Data

................................ ................................ .............. 181 8.3.3. Targeted monitoring of thiobencarb during applications

..................... 196 8.3.4. Exposure to Other Action Stressors

................................ ....................... 202 8.4. Exposu re Conclusions

................................ ................................ .......................... 206 8.5. Response Analysis

................................ ................................ ................................ 213 8.5.1. Thiobencarb’s Mode and Mechanism of Action

................................ .... 214 8.5.2. Temperature and toxicity

................................ ................................ ....... 215 8.5.3. pH and toxicit

y

................................ ................................ ....................... 215 8.5.4. Herbicide effects to salmonids and their habitats

................................ .. 216 8.5.5. Importance of plants and other photosynthetic organisms in fueling secondary production within salmonid habitats

................................ ............................... 217 8.5.6. Effects of herbicides on non

- target aquatic communities

...................... 219 8.5.7. Challenges in scaling up effects and making predictions across salmonid
habitats

................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 223 8.5.8. Toxicity of Thiobencarb (Assessment Endpoints)

................................ .. 229 8.5.9. Indirect Effects to Salmonids (Prey effects and Habitat Modifications) 240 8.5.10. Degradate Toxicity

................................ ................................ ............... 245
8.5.11. Tank Mixtures

................................ ................................ ...................... 246 8.5.12. Adjuvant Toxicity

................................ ................................ ................. 247 8.5.13. Uncertainties and Data Gaps Identified from Review of Available Toxicity Information fo r Thiobencarb

................................ ................................ ........... 249 8.5.14. Evaluation of Data Available for Response Analysis

.......................... 249 

### 9. Risk Characterization

................................ ................................ ............. 252

9 .1. Exposure and Response Integration

................................ ................................ .... 254 9.2. Evaluation of Risk Hypotheses

................................ ................................ ............ 257

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

v 9.2.1. Risk Hypotheses

................................ ................................ ..................... 262
9.2.2. Population Level Responses

................................ ................................ .. 274 

### 10. Cumulative Effects

................................ ................................ ................ 279 11. Integration and Synthesis for Listed Species

................................ ........ 283 12. Effects of the Propos ed Action on Designated Critical Habitat

.......... 292
12.1. Risk Characterization

................................ ................................ ........................ 297 12.1.1. Summary of the Effects of the Action on PCEs

................................ .... 304
1 2.2. Integration and Synthesis for Designated Critical Habitat

............................... 307 

### 13. Conclusion

................................ ................................ ............................ 311
14. Incidental Take Statement

................................ ................................ ..... 312 14.1. Amount or Extent of Take

................................ ................................ .................. 312
14.2. Reasonable and Pr udent Measures

................................ ................................ ... 315
14.3. Terms and Conditions

................................ ................................ ........................ 316
14.4 Conservation Recommendations

................................ ................................ ..... 317
14.5 Reinitiation Notice

................................ ................................ .......................... 318 

### 15. References

................................ ................................ ............................. 319 16. Appendix 1 Abbreviations / Acronyms

................................ .................. 349 17. Appendix 2: Glossary

................................ ................................ .......... 356 18. Appendix 3: Median and 95th percentile rate of thiobencarb application to rice in California (1980

- 2010)

................................ ............................... 365 19. Appendix 4: Thiobencarb tank mixture applications in California (1999

- 2010)

................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 367 20. Appendix 5: Toxicity of Eleven Pesticides to Embryonic Zebrafish

... 379 21. Appendix 6: Conservation Values of Designated Critical Habitat for Listed Salmonids in California’s Central Valley

................................ ........ 399 22. Appendix 7: Implementing RPM 1

................................ ....................... 404

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

vi 

### List of Tables
Table 1. EPA’s effects determinations for thiobencarb and molinate on Pacific salmon. 14 Table 2. Thiobencarb use patterns in the action area.

................................ ...................... 25 Table 3. Salmonid life stage and habitat assessment endpoints and measures.

............... 34 Table 4. Essential physical a nd biological features of PCEs in salmonid critical habitat designations.

................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... 37 Table 5. Listed Species and Critical Habitat in the A ction Area.

................................ .... 45 Table 6. Species and population annual growth rates (Good et al., 2005)

...................... 47 Table 7. Temporal occurrence of adult and juvenile CV Spring

- run Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River. Darker shades indicate months of greatest relative ab undance. Note: Yearling rear in their natal streams through the first summer following their birth. Downstream migration generally occurs the following fall and winter. Young of year migrate during the first spring after they hatch.

................................ ................................ 58 Table 8. Criteria for assessing the level of risk of extinction for populations of Pacific salmonids in the Central Valley of California. Overall r isk is determined by the highest risk score for any category.

................................ ................................ ............................... 61 Table 9. Central Valley Spring

- run Chinook salmon

-- preliminary po pulation structure, historic and most recent natural production, spawner abundance, and hatchery contributions (Good et al. 2005, USFWS and Reclamation 2007, Williams et al. 2011). 62 Table 10. CV Spring

- run Chinook salmon CALWATER HSA watersheds with
conservation values.

................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 68 Table 11. Temporal occurrence of adult and juvenile winter

- run Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River. Darker shades indicate months of greatest relative abun dance.

........ 71 Table 12. Temporal occurrence of adult and juvenile CCV steelhead in the Central Valley. Darker shades indicate months o f greatest relative abundance.

.......................... 83 Table 13. CCV spring

- run Chinook salmon CALWATER HSA watersheds with
conservation values.

................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 88
Table 14. Generalized life

- history timing for listed salmonids in the upper Sacramento
River.

................................ ................................ ................................ ............................... 105

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

vii Table 15. Land uses and population density in the Sacramento and San Joaquin watersheds (Carter and Resh 2005).

................................ ................................ ............... 108 Table 16. Area of land use catagories within the range of listed salmonids in the Central Valley (km2). Total area for each category is given in bold. Land c over was determined via the National Land Cover Database 2006, developed by the Multi

- Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) Consortium, comprised of nine federal agencies (USGS, EPA, USFS, NOAA, NASA, BLM, NPS, NRCS, and USFWS). Land cover class definiti ons are available at: http://www.mrlc.gov/nlcd_definitions.php . Rice information was obtained from the California Rice Commission (2010 values) and from the Cal. DPR pesticide use reporting data base (2010 county reports).

................................ ................ 115 Table 17. Kilometers of river, stream, and estuary included in state 303(d) lists due to temperature. Data from most recent GIS layers available from CA 201 0

..................... 125 Table 18. Consultations with EPA’s proposed FIFRA actions. Past Opinion's jeopardy and adverse modification determinations p ertaining to California Central Valley ESA
listed salmonids.

................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 133 Table 19. California DPR thiobencarb water management requirement s summary.

.... 139 Table 20. RPP Monitoring Sites (CRWQCB

- CVR 2005)

................................ ............. 141 Table 21. General life histories of Pacific salmonids which utilize habitat that overlaps with thiobencarb spatial use patterns.

................................ ................................ ............. 147
Table 22. Environmental fate characteristics of thiobencarb 1

. ................................ ...... 150 Table 23. Degradates of thiobencarb (EPA 2009b).

................................ ...................... 151 Table 24. Concentration of thiobencarb and metabolites reported in field dissipation
studies

................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. 151
Table 25. Co

- occurrence of listed Pacific salmonids with potential application of pesticides to use sites within the salmons freshwater distribution.

................................ . 154
Table 26. Generalized run

- timing of ESA

- listed Central Valley Pacific Salmonids by life stage.

................................ ................................ ................................ ............................... 156 Table 27. Temporal occurrence of adult and juvenile CV spring

- run Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River. Darker shades indicate months of greatest relative abundance in each location along the river.

................................ ................................ .......................... 163

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

viii Table 28. CV spring

- run Chinook relative abundance in rice areas (Figure 25) during thiobencarb use periods April

- July.

................................ ................................ .............. 164 Table 29. Temporal occurrence of adult and juvenile winter

- run Chinook salmon in the
Sacramento River. Darker shades i ndicate months of greatest relative abundance in each location along the river.

................................ ................................ ................................ .. 167
Table 30. Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook relative abundance in rice areas (Figure 25) during thiobencarb use periods April

– July.

................................ ............................ 167 Table 31. Temporal occurrence of adult and juvenile CV steelhead in the Central Valley. Darker shades indicate months of greatest relative abundance in each location.

........... 171 Table 32. CV steelhead relative abundance in rice areas (Figure 25) during thiobencarb use periods April

- July.

................................ ................................ ................................ .. 171 Table 33. Estimated average initial thiobencarb concentrations in a floodplain habitat
that is 2m wide and of variable de pths using AgDrift 2.0.05.

................................ ........ 175 Table 34. AgDrift Estimates for point deposition of thiobencarb applied at the 4 lbs a.i./A

rate.

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 176
Table 35. Estimated average initial pesticide concentration in a floodplain habitat that is 2m wide and 0.1m deep using AgDrift 2.0.05.

................................ ............................... 177 Table 36. Number of NAWQA sample sites within the freshwater distribution of listed
Pacific salmonids in the Central V alley of California, as determined through GIS analysis

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 182 Table 37. Detections and concentrations of thiobencarb reported in the N AWQA
database.

................................ ................................ ................................ .......................... 183 Table 38. Number of CDPR database sample sites within the distribution of listed Pacific
salmonids in California , as determined through GIS analysis.

................................ ....... 185
Table 39. Detections and concentrations of thiobencarb from the CDPR database

....... 187 Table 40. Summary of Irrigated Lands Study data from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (2004

- 2006).

................................ ................................ .... 189 Table 41. Annual monitoring results for thiobencarb at stations associated with rice cultivation (1995

- 2002; LRL=0.5 ug/L)

................................ ................................ ......... 192

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

ix Table 42. Results of County Agricultural Commissioner's monitoring of seepage associated with thiobencarb applications and compliance with state regulations (2006

- 2010).

................................ ................................ ................................ .............................. 195 Table 43. Results of County Agricultural Commissioner's monitoring of compliance with

state regulations associated with the use of thiobencarb (2006

- 2010).

.......................... 196
Table 44. Texas field studies that evaluated offsite drift and r unoff with thiobencarb in three tidally influenced bayous (Lauck 1979)

................................ ................................ 198 Table 45. Registrant submitted field studies in Arkansas and Texas that evaluated off

- site drift and runoff with thiobencarb and thiobencarbsulfoxide (MRID 434040

- 03)

.......... 200 Table 46. Examp les of thiobencarb product ingredients.

................................ .............. 204 Table 47. Detection and concentrations of nonionic detergent degradates in streams of

t he U.S. (Koplin et al 2002).

................................ ................................ ........................... 204 Table 48. Chemical exposure data ranges in monitoring data and modeling.

................ 207 Table 49. Relative abundance of listed salmonids near rice fields during the period when thiobencarb is applied and water is dis charged from thiobencarb treated fields (April

- July).

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ 211 Table 50 Thiobencarb toxicity values (μg/L) for aquatic organisms and pl ants reported in EPA salmonid BE, CRLF BE, RED, IRED, EFED science chapter, and ECOTOX. Abbreviations as follows: a.i. = active ingredient; NR = Not Reported; T= Technical grade; F = Formulated product; sw = estuarine/marine species; [ ] = 95% Confidence
interval.

................................ ................................ ................................ ........................... 231 Table 51 Study designs and results with aquatic species

................................ ................ 241 Table 52. Summary of Toxicity Data for Thiobencarb

................................ ................... 250 Table 53. Risk Hypotheses

................................ ................................ ............................. 261
Table 54. Summary of determinations to risk hypotheses.

................................ ............ 273 Table 55. Relative abundance of listed salmonids in rice areas during thiobe ncarb use periods, April

- July.

................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 276 Table 56. Salmonid risk hypotheses and population level effects.

................................ . 278 Table 57. Population growth rates among major rice growing counties.

...................... 280 Table 58. Key Findings of Effects of the Proposed Action Section

............................... 287

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

x Table 59. Summary Find ings for Species

................................ ................................ ....... 291 Table 60. Thiobencarb’s assessment endpoint toxicity values (μg/L) for saltwater aquatic organisms presented i n California Red

- Legged Frog (CRLF) BEs.

............................... 303 Table 61. Risk to the primary constituent elements (PCEs) from stressors of the proposed
action.

................................ ................................ ................................ .............................. 306 Table 62. Key Findings from the Effects of the Proposed Action Section to Critical
Habitat

................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. 308 Table 63. Summary findings for Designated Critical Habitats

................................ ....... 310 Table 64. Conclusions for EPA's Reregistration of Thiobencarb

................................ ... 311

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

xi 

### List of Figures

Figure 1. Stressors of the Action

................................ ................................ ...................... 19 Figure 2. The Central Valley steelhead ESU encompasses the Sacra mento River winter

run Chinook, and the Central Valley spring

- run Chinook ESUs. Rice is only grown within these boundaries, consequently, the CV steelhead ESU comprises the area of
interest for this consultation.

................................ ................................ ............................. 27 Figure 3. Conceptual framework for assessing risks of EPA’s action to ESA listed

resources.

................................ ................................ ................................ .......................... 40 Figure 4. Exposure pathways for stressors of the action, and general response of Pacific
salmonids and habitat.

................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 41 Figure 5. Central Valley Spring

- run Chinook salmon distribution.

................................ . 56 Figure 7. Central Valley Spring

- run Chinook salmon Conservation Values per Sub

- Area.

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 69 Figure 8. Sacramento River Winter

- run Chinook salmon distribution.

........................... 73 Figure 9. Estimated yearly adult natural production and in

- river adult escapement of
winter

- run from 1967

- 2007 based on RBDD ladder counts.

................................ .......... 76 Figure 10. CCV steelhead distribution.

................................ ................................ ............ 84 Figure 11. California Central Valley Steelhead Conservation Value per Sub

- area.

......... 91 Figure 12. Landuse in California (National Land Cover Database 2006).

.................... 110 Figure 13. CV spring

- run Chinook ESU with associated land

- use patterns.

................. 111 Figure 14. Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook ESU with associated land use patterns.

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 112 Figure 15. CV steelhead DPS with associated land use patterns.

................................ .. 113 Figure 1 6. California dams and NPDES permit sites.

................................ ................... 122 Figure 17. California 303(d) list: water bodies and stram segments included in the 2010 Integrated Report.

................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 123 Figure 18. 2011 Sacramento Valley Rice Acres by County (CRC 2011).

.................... 134 Figure 19. Central Valley rice growing overlay with listed CV spring

- run Chinook ESU.

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 135

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

xii Figure 20. Central Valley rice growing overlay with Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook ESU.

................................ ................................ ................................ ................. 136 Figure 21. Central Valley rice growing overlay with CV steelhead DPS (note change in scale from previous figures).

................................ ................................ ........................... 137 Figure 22. Rice Pesticide Program (RPP) Monitoring Sites

................................ .......... 141 Figure 23. Exposure analysis

................................ ................................ ......................... 146 Figure 24. Chemical structure of thiobencarb

................................ ................................ . 149 Figure 25. Number of thiobencarb applications in California by month from 1995

- 2010 (source: CDPR PUR database). Points in figure represent the number of application for a year. Months with zero applications are not plotted. T he solid horizontal line represents the monthly mean number of applications over all of the years.

................................ .... 155 Figure 26. Distribution of rice in the Sacramento Valley based on the 2010 NASS Crop Data Layer. North Delta, Knights Landing (KL) and Red Bluff Diversion Dam (RBDD) fish sampling sites and distribution of the Central Valley Spring Run Chinnok are also
shown.

................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. 158 Figure 27. CV spring

- run Chinook probable and known spawning areas in relation to 2010 rice growing areas.

................................ ................................ ................................ . 161 Figure 28. Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook spawning areas relative to rice growing areas. Spawning is confined to the 44 river miles immediately downstream of Keswi ck Dam (Yoshiyama et al. 1998). In California, Rice is primarily cultivated in the Sacramento Valley downstream of the Red Bluff Diversion Dam (RBDD).

................. 165 Figure 29. CV steelhead probable and known spawning areas in relation to 2010 rice growing areas.

................................ ................................ ................................ ................. 170 Figure 30. Acres treated with thiobencarb in California. Data from the California Pesticide Use Reporting Database 1980

– 2010.

................................ ............................ 180 Figure 31. Distribution of NAWQA monitoring sites that have sampled for the presence of thiobencarb relative to the range of threatened and endangered Pacific salmonids in
California.

................................ ................................ ................................ ....................... 181

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

xiii Figure 32. Distribution of CDPR monitoring sites that have sampled for the presence of thiobencarb relative to the range of threatened and endangered Pacific salmonids in
California.

................................ ................................ ................................ ....................... 184 Figure 33. The location of seven sample sites accounting for 95% of the detections in thiobencarb in the CDPR monitoring database.

................................ .............................. 186 Figure 34. Sacramento Valley RPP monitoring locations (source: Moran 2012)

.......... 190 Figure 35. Box and whisker chart showing thiobencarb concentrations at Colusa Basin Drain #5 during May and June. Diamonds represent thiobencarb concentrations
measured in indivi dual samples. The lower edge of the box represents the 1 st quartile of the distribution (25 th percentile), the horizontal line dividing the box represent the 2 nd quartile (50 th percentile, or median), the upper edge of the box represents the 3 rd quartile ( 75 th percentile), and the whiskers represent the lowest datum within a factor of 1.5 of the interquartile range of the lower quartile.

................................ ................................ ......... 193 Figure 36. Response Analysis Conceptual Model

................................ .......................... 213 Figure 37. Part I of a conceptual model of potential effects of herbicides to aquatic communities. This figure focuses on potential effects of herbicides applied to riparian areas adjacent to salmonid habitats. Bolded arrows and text note those effects that are most likely to occur based on the frequency th at they are reported in the literature.

..... 226 Figure 38. Part II of a conceptual model of potential effects of herbicides to aquatic communities. This figure focuses on potential effects of herbicides that are applied to or
otherwise reach salmonid habitats. Bolded arrows and text note those effects that are most likely to occur based on the frequency that they are reported in the liter ature.

..... 227 Figure 39. Species sensitivity distribution of freshwater fish 96 h LC50s derived from EPA denoted "acceptable" studies

................................ ................................ .................. 235 Figure 40. Schematic of Risk Characterization Phase.

................................ .................. 252 Figure 41. Thiobencarb exposure concentrations and effect concentrations for assessment endpoints

................................ ................................ ................................ ......................... 256 Figure 42. Assessment Framework for Designated Critical Habitat Assessment Framework for Designated Critical Habitat

................................ ................................ .... 293

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

National Marine Fisheries Service
Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation 

### Draft Biological Opinion

Agency: United States Environmental Protection Agency

Activities Considered: Authorization of pesticide products (as described by product labels) containing the active ingredient
thiobencarb 1 , and their formulations in the United
States and its aff

i liated territories.

Consultation Conducted by: Endangered Species Division of the O ffice of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries
Service

Approved by:

_________________________________________________

Date:

_________________________________________________

Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (E SA; 16 U.S.C. §1531 et seq. ) requires each federal agency to insure that any action they authorize, fund, or carry out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modif ication of critical habitat of such species. When a federal agency’s action ―may affect‖ a protected species or designated critical habitat , that agency is required to consult formally with the National

1 EPA paired molinate and thiobencarb for this consultation, However, EPA has cancelled all registrations of molinate and has not allowed its use after August 2009. Cancellation of this active ingredient renders the need for consultation moot.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

2 Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2

, depending upon the endangered species, threatened species, or designated critical habitat that may be affected by the action (50 CFR §402.14(a)). Federal agencies are exempt from this general requirement if they have concluded, with written concurrence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NMFS or both, that an action ―may affect but is not likely to adversely affect‖ endangered species, threatened species or designated critical habitat (50 CFR §420.14(b)).

The United States (U.S.) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated consultation with NMFS on its proposals to authorize use, pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq. , of pesticide products

cont aining the active ingredient s (a.i.) thiobencarb and molinate from August 1, 200 2

. EPA authorization of pesticide uses are categorized as FIFRA sections 3 (new product registrations), 4 ( re

- registrations and special review), 18 (emergency use), or 24(c) [S pecial Local Needs (SLN)]. At that time, EPA determined that uses of pesticide products containing molinate and thiobencarb would have ―no effect‖ on most listed
salmonids and ―may affect , but is not likely to adversely affect ‖ three species (Central
Val ley spring

- run Chinook, Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook, and California Central Valley steelhead) and designated critical habitat for the se ESUs. NMFS does not concur with EPA’s not likely to adversely affect determinations and conducted formal
consul tation. This document represents NMFS’ biological opinion (Opinion) on the impacts of EPA’s authorization of pesticide products containing th iobencarb on the listed ESUs. This is a partial consultation intended to comply with a court order 3 requiring EPA to make a determination on the effect of thiobencarb and 53 other active ingredients
on listed Pacific Salmonids. Two additional Pacific salmonids species have been listed
since the court order. Although the court’s order did not address t he se two species
, NMFS analyzed the effects of EPA’s action to them because they belong to the same

2 Generally, NMFS conducts consultation for marine and anadromous speci es, while FWS conducts consultations for freshwater and terrestrial species. 3 Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides vs. National Marine Fisheries Service , Civ. NO 07

- 1791 (W.D. Wa).

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

3 taxon and require consideration of the same information . Consultation with NMFS will
not be complete for registration of this a.i. until EPA makes effect determinations on all
other species under NMFS jurisdiction and consults with NMFS as necessary.

This Opinion is prepared in accordance with section 7(a)(2) of the ESA and implementing regulations at 50 CFR Part 402. However, consistent with the decision in Gifford Pinchot Task Force v. USFWS, 378 F.3d 1059 (Ninth Cir. 2004) , we did not apply the regulatory definition of ―destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat‖ at 50 CFR §402.02. Instead, we relied on the statutory provisions of the ESA to complete our analysis of the effects of the action on designated critical habitat.

This Opinion is based on NMFS’ review of the package of information the EPA submitted with its 2003 and 2004 requests for formal consultation on the proposed
authorizati ons of the above a.i.s. It also includes our review of recovery plans for listed Pacific salmonids, past and current research and population dynamics modeling efforts, monitoring reports from prior research, previous Opinions , published and unpublished

s cientific information on the biology and ecology of threatened and endangered salmonids in the action area, and other sources of information gathered and evaluated during the consultation on the proposed authorization of the a.i. thiobencarb

. NMFS also

re viewed pesticide labels, available monitoring data and other local, county, and state information, online toxicity databases, incident reports, data generated by pesticide registrants, and exposure models run by NMFS. NMFS also considered information and comments provided by EPA and by the registrants identified as applicants by EPA.



### 1. Background

On January 30, 2001, the Washington Toxics Coalition, Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, an d Institute for Fisheries Resources filed a lawsuit against EPA in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, Civ. No. 01

- 132. This lawsuit alleged that EPA

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

4 violated section 7(a)(2) of the ESA by failing to consult on the effects of i ts continuing approval of 54 pesticide a.i.s on 26 listed Pacific salmonid ESUs

.

On July 2, 2002, the court ruled that EPA had violated ESA section 7(a)(2) and ordered EPA to initiate interagency consultation and make determinations regarding effects of a ll
54 a.i.s on listed salmonids by December 2004. Washington Toxics Coalition v. EPA
, C01

- 132C (W.D. Wash. 7/2/2002).

On January 22, 2004, the court enjoined application of pesticides within 20 (for ground) and 100 (for aerial) feet (ft) of streams suppo rting salmon. Washington Toxics Coalition
v. EPA , C01

- 132C (W.D. Wash. 1/22/2004). The court imposed several additional restrictions on pesticide use in specific settings.

On November 5, 2007, the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides and others filed a legal complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington,
Civ. No. 07

- 1791, against NMFS for its unreasonable delay in completing the section 7 consultations for EPA’s registration of 54 pesticide a.i.s.

On July 30, 2008, NMFS and the plaintiffs entered into a settlement agreement with the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides. NMFS agreed to complete consultation within four years on 37 a.i.s. EPA had concluded that 17 of the 54 a.i.s at
issue in the first litigation would not affect any listed salmonid species or any of their designated critical habitat, and so did not initiate consultation on those a.i.s.

On November 18, 2008, NMFS issued its first Opinion for three organophosphates: chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion.

On April 20, 2009, NMFS issued its second Opinion for three carbamates: carbaryl, carbofuran, and methomyl.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

5 On August 31, 2010, NMFS issued its third Opinion. This third consultation evaluated 12 organophosphate insecticides: azinphos methyl, bensulide, dimethoate, disulfoton, ethoprop, fenamiphos, methamidophos, methidathion, methyl parathion, naled, phorate, and phosmet.

On June 30, 2011, NMFS issued its fourth Opinion. This fourth consultation evaluated
four herbicides : 2,4

- D, triclopyr BEE, diuron and linuron; and 2 fungicides: captan and
chlorothalonil.

On May 31, 2012 , NMFS issued it s fifth Opinion. This fifth consultation evaluated herbicides: oryzalin, trifluralin, and pendimethalin.



### 2. Consultation History

On August 1, 200 2 EPA transmitted a letter to NMFS’ Office of Protected Resources (OPR) requesting section 7(a)(2) consultation for the registration of the two a.i

. ’s:
thiobencarb and molinate providing their effects determinations on 26 ESUs of Pacific
salmon ids listed at that time (Puget Sound steelhead and Lower Columbia River coho

w ere not evaluated). In the BE , and summarized in Table 1 , EPA’s Office of Pesticide Prog rams (OPP) determined that the use of thiobencarb and molinate may affect , but is not likely to adversely affect
, three salmonid species: Central Valley (CV) spring

- run Chinook, Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook ESUs, and CV steelhead DPS . EPA
determine d that these products would have no effect on the remaining salmonid ESUs
and DPSs.

On June 28, 2005, NMFS listed the Lower Columbia River coho salmon ESU as
threatened.

On May 22, 2007, NMFS listed the Puget Sound Steelhead Distinct Population Segment (DPS) as threatened.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

6 On November 5, 2007, the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides and others filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western D istrict of Washington, Civ.
No. 07

- 1791, against NMFS for its unreasonable delay in completing the section 7 consultations for EPA’s registration of 54 pesticide a.i.s.

On December 10

- 12, 2007, EPA, NMFS and the USFWS met and discussed approaches
for movi ng forward with ESA consultations on pesticide registrations. The agencies agreed to develop methodologies for filling existing data gaps. In the interim, NMFS and USFWS agreed to develop approaches to address these gaps within their Opinions. The

agenc ies identified communication and coordination mechanisms to address technical and policy issues and procedures for conflict resolution.

On February 11, 2008, NMFS listed the Oregon Coast coho salmon evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) as threatened. Th is ESU was considered in EPA’s Biological
Evaluation for the a.i.s. in the five previous Opinions referenced in the Background
section above

.

On August 20, 2008, NMFS met with EPA and requested EPA to identify applicants for this and subsequent pesticide consultations.

On September 17, 2008, NMFS requested EPA approval of Confidential Business Information (CBI) clearance for certain staff members in accordance with FIFRA regulations and access to EPA’s incident database so NMFS staff could evaluate CBI

m aterials from the applicants and incident reports for the a.i.s under consultation. EPA conveyed to NMFS that no access to the incident database would be authorized and the reports would be sent directly from EPA to NMFS.

On September 23, 2008, NMFS staff received notification of CBI clearance from EPA.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

7 On September 26, 2008, NMFS sent correspondence to EPA regarding the roles of the federal action agency and applicants identified by such agency during formal consultation. NMFS also requested incide nt reports and label information for this and subsequent pesticide consultations from EPA. The specified timeline for NMFS’ receipt of incident reports and label information for the two a.i.s (thiobencarb and molinate) considered in this Opinion was Decem ber 1, 2010. On December 7, 2010, EPA sent to NMFS via email incident monitoring data for the remaining chemicals , including thiobencarb

.

On December 8, 2010, NMFS received notification from EPA that registration of molinate and another a.i. (lindane) sch eduled to be addressed in a subsequent Opinion were canceled. EPA and NMFS agreed that consultation on label reviews for molinate and lindane would not be necessary. EPA provided NMFS an internal EPA memo dated July 14, 2008 that stated no use of molinat e will be permitted after August 31, 2009.

On December 20, 2010, NMFS sent EPA (via email) a request for the label on thiobenarb along with a copy of the Sept. 26, 2008, letter requesting that EPA provide NMFS incident data and labels for the remaining a. i.s by December 1, 2010.

On January 10, 2011, EPA called NMFS to give an update on the status of the labels for the last batch of a.i.s. They also indicated that they would not provide labels for molinate and lindane because their registration had been canceled.

On January 11, 2011, NMFS requested from EPA (via email) final cancelation orders documenting cancellation of all lindane and molinate products registered by EPA.

On January 11, 2011, EPA provided to NMFS final cancelation orders documenting the
cancellation of lindane and molinate.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

8 On March 1, 2011, NMFS recei ved preliminary thiobencarb labels from EPA. EPA said that they would send official labels later.

On April 27, 2011, NMFS received the official thiobencarb labels from EPA.

On June 2 9, 2011, NMFS received a letter from Valent U.S.A. Corporation (Valent), which request ing they be considered an ―applicant‖ for purposes of EPA’s ESA consultation with NMFS regarding the effects of thiobencarb on threatened and endangered Pacific salmonids and their designated critical habitat.

On July 18, 2011, NMFS sent an email to EPA seeking clarification on thiobencarb uses. NMFS noticed in EPA’s R egistration E ligibility D ecision (RED) , thiobencarb was listed
for other use s (e.g., celery, lettuce, en dive).

On July 19, 2011, EPA confirmed (via email) that rice is the only use approved for
thiobencarb on the west coast , within the range of the listed Pacific salmonids

.

On July 19, 2011, NMFS met with applicant Valent and EPA to talk about the
thioben carb consultation and to exchange general information to assist with the consultation process. Valent, EPA and NMFS each provide d presentations at this meeting. NMFS confirmed with Valent that thiobencarb is only approved for rice on the

west coast , and confirmed that they are the only registrant for thiobencarb.

On August 25, 2011
, NMFS sought to confirm that thiobencarb is only permitted for use
on rice and that there are no th i obencarb products labeled for use in Washington or Oregon. This email was sent because monitoring data showed recent detections of
thiobencarb in both states.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

9 On September 15, 2011, EPA confirmed that there are no uses of thiobencarb in Washington or Oregon. EPA suggested thiobencarb detections in the monitoring data
were eith er from misuse, atmospheric transport, or errors in the monitoring data.

On September 29, 2011, Valent sent NMFS (via email) a list of studies they had submitted to EPA. Valent indicated that they did not have information to characterize the potential for off

- target drift of aerially applied granular products of thiobencarb. They stated that the drift potential for aerially

- applied granular formulations is ―significantly less‖ than for liquid formulations, however, they could provide no comparisons giving
numerical values.

On September 30, 2011, NMFS requested (via email) EPA provide copies of the 15 studies Valent referenced in their September 29 email to NMFS.

On December 7, 2011, NMFS received (via email) one of the studies (MRID 43404005) requested on September 30, 2011.

On December 9, 20ll, NMFS received (via email) eig ht (MRID 46091402, MRID 46091401, MRID 42460401, MRID 43252001, MRID 42257801, MRID 45695101, MRID 44628601, MRID 44628602) additional studies NMFS requested on Sept. 30,
2011.

On December 9, 2011, NMFS sent a request (via email) to EPA for copies of th e remaining six studies referenced in Valent’s September 29, 2011 email.

On January 5, 2012, NMFS sent an email to EPA to ask about EPA’s assessment of risks
of thiobencarb to the California red

- legged frog and Delta smelt.

On January 6, 2012, in response to NMFS Jan. 5, 2012, email, EPA explained that in the
course their routine data quality review for risk assessment, the half

- lives were

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

10 recalculated from the raw data provided in the studies, using a non

- linear first

- order equation. EPA used thi s recalculation of half

- lives in the effect determination, rather
than the face value reported in the studies

.

On January 9, 2012, NMFS sent EPA follow up questions and asked for additional
information on the method EPA used for the recalculations. NMFS also requested a copy of the Louisiana study (MRID 434040

- 04) referenced in EPA’s Jan. 6, 2012 email

. EPA provided a response to NMFS’ questions. NMFS sent EPA an email seeking clarifications to responses provided by EPA.

On January 10, 2012, NMFS rec eived from EPA (via email) a copy of the Louisiana study referenced above (MRID 42003404).

On January 30, 2012, in response to an earlier inquiry by NMFS, the California Rice
Commission (CRC) confirmed that representatives would be available to meet with NMFS in Sacramento on February 28, 2012 to discuss the CRC role and to introduce NMFS to rice growers in the region

.

On February 7, 2012, NMFS received from EPA (via email) the remaining six studies (MRID 42680401, MRID 43252001 [already received on Dec. 9, 2011], MRID 43404001, MRID 43404004, MRID 42384701, MRID 43404003) requested by NMFS September 30, 2011 and December 9 , 2011

.

On February 13, 2012, NMFS requested EPA to send MRID 25179 ( Lauck, JE. 1979) Final Report of Field Study: Ortho Bolero 8 EC

-- Rice, 1979. (Unpublished study received Dec 11, 1979 under 239

- 2450; submitted by Chevron Chemical Co., Richmond, Calif.; CDL:241490

- F)

.

On February 14, 2012, NMFS requested (via email) another stud y from EPA (MRID 79986) cited in EPA’s California Red

- legged frog assessment.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

11 On February 15, 2012, EPA informed NMFS (via email) th at the studies requested on
Feb 13 and Feb 14 were old studies and that it may take a week to get an electronic copy.
NMFS responded by email back to EPA that these studies were important as they represent some of the higher concentrations and it was critical NMFS evaluate the study design.

On February 21, 2012, the court in Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides v. NMFS , Civ. No. 07

- 1791 (W.D. WA ) granted NMFS’ request, agreed to by the plaintiffs, to extend the schedule for completion of consultation established in the July 30, 2008 settlement agreement

. The deadline for this Biological Opinion was extended until June 30, 2012.

On February 21, 2012, NMFS notified EPA and Valent that NMFS was granted an extension to June 30, 2012, for the thiobencarb final Biological Opinion.

On February 23, 2012, EPA sent NMFS an email confirming that Bolero Ultramax (a thiobencarb formulation) is the same as Bolero 15G.

On February 27, 2012, NMFS staff working on this Opinion flew to Sacramento to gather information about rice growing, water monitoring, rice regulation and over

- sight, and
Sacramento River salmonids. NMFS gave a webinar presentation to California Department of Pesticide Regulation staff, Valent representatives, and others on the process used to develop NMFS Opinions on EPA FIFRA actions.

On February 28, 2012, NMFS met with a representative of the Cali fornia Rice Commission (CRC). The CRC took NMFS staff on a tour of the rice areas including the Yolo Bypass, four of the five water monitoring stations where we observed how water samples are taken, and the Sacramento weir bypass. The CRC also arranged a meeting with a rice farmer who dry seeded rice and used the liquid formulation of thiobencarb.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

12 On February 29, 2012, EPA sent to NMFS (via email) the two studies requested in NMFS February 13,14, and 15, 2012, email.

On February 29, 2012, NMFS met again with the CRC who arranged to meet with a second rice farmer that wet seeded rice and used the granular formulation of thiobencarb. Later in the morning, NMFS met with California Department of Water Resources (CDWR) to gather information on salmon us e on the Yolo Bypass floodplain. In the afternoon, NMFS met with California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) to gather information on rice pesticide use enforcement issues and rice pesticide modeling. NMFS also met with CDPR Endangered Species D ivision to learn more about California’s County Bulletins.

On March 1, 2012, NMFS met with U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) staff to gather information on water monitoring, results from recent studies related to thiobencarb use,
and to discuss future data ne eds. Later in the day, NMFS met with CDWR and EPA Region 9 staff to discuss a new pesticide loading model developed for the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and Bay Delta.

On March 2, 2012, NMFS met again with USGS and California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) staff to discuss salmonids’ temporal and spatial use of the Sacramento
River.

On March 14, 2012, Valent sent NMFS (via email) examples of state, regional, and county permit requirements for thiobencarb use in California. Seven documents wer e included in this email. Recommended Permit Conditions for Rice Pesticides (Rice Pesticide Program), obtained from Sutter County but written by the California Department of
Pesticide Regulation and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control
Board for all rice thiobencarb use in California

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

13 Sutter County Rice Permit Conditions for Water Holding Requirements (Rice Water Holding Conditions) 2011 Butte County 2011 Rice Permit Conditions for Bolero/Abolish Yolo County Rice Pesticide Drift Control Requir ements Yolo County Rice Water Seepage Management Yolo County 2008 Rice Pesticide Permit Conditions Cover Letter Yolo County 2008 Rice Pesticide Permit Conditions

On March 15, 2012, NMFS sent an email to Valent and EPA seeking clarification on the
hold tim es for Abolish 8 EC liquid formulation of thiobencarb. NMFS also requested updated labels for these products. Valent responded (via email) by providing the
California SLN label for Abolish 8 EC. Valent confirmed the water hold time.

On March 15, 2012, Valent provided NMFS (via email) relative use proportions of active ingredient thiobencarb used in California as Abolish 8 EC (liquid) and Bolero UltraMax (granular). Valent informed NMFS the ratio has been running approximately 30 percent
thiobencarb as Abolish 8 EC and 70 percent thiobencarb as Bolero UltraMax.

On April 11, 2012, NMFS sent (via email) a draft portion of the Environmental Baseline section of the Opinion to be CRC to review for accuracy. The CRC reviewed the section and returned it later this same day with suggested edits and additions. The CRC also provided additional information on rice water seepage management.

On May 11, 2012 NMFS, provided a draft of this Opinion to EPA.



### 2.1. Species Addressed in the B E

When an action agency concludes its action will not affect any listed species or critical habitat, section 7 consultation is not necessary (USFWS, & NMFS 1998). If an action agency concludes its action may affect but is not likely to adversely affect (NLAA) listed

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

14 species, it seeks concurrence from NMFS or USFWS on the conclusion. When an action may adversely affect listed species or designated crit ical habitat, NMFS or USFWS conducts a formal consultation to determine whether that action is likely to jeopardize listed species or destroy or adversely modify critical habitat issuing a biological opinion describing their determinations.

EPA’s BE con sidered the effects of pesticides containing thiobencarb and molinate to 26 species of listed Pacific salmonids and their designated critical habitat (EPA undated
Memorandum

– Effects Determinations for Molinate and Thiobencarb for Pacific
Anadromous Salmo nids ; August 1, 2002 ). Three listed species, Central Valley spring

run Chinook, Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook, and Central Valley steelhead were determined to be may affect, but not likely to adversely affect. All other ESUs and DPSs
were determine d to be no effect. Two species, Lower Columbia River coho and Puget Sound steelhead, were not considered in the BE.

NMFS did not concur with any of EPA’s ―NLAA‖ determinations for thiobencarb and
determined that thiobencarb may adversely affect some ES Us or DPSs . Once NMFS enters into formal consultation it considers all species and critical habitat affected. In this Opinion, NMFS analyze d the impacts to all ESUs/DPSs of Pacific salmonids present in the action area, including those salmonid species id entified by EPA as being unaffected
, and including the two species of salmonid s listed after EPA provided its BEs to NMFS. EPA’s effect determinations are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1 . EPA’s effects determinations for thiobenc arb and molinate on Pacific salmon

. Species ESU or DPS Herbicide
Thiobencarb Molinate

Chinook Central Valley spring

- run Chinook NLAA NLAA

Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook NLAA NLAA
Steelhead Central Valley NLAA NLAA

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

15 Puget Sound Not evaluated Not Evaluated
Coho Lower Columbia River Not evaluated Not evaluated All other listed species ESUs and DPSs No effect No effect

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

16 

### 3. Description of the Proposed Action

The proposed action encompasses EPA’s registration of the uses (as described by product labels) of all pesticides containing thiobencarb

. The purpose of the proposed action is to provide tools for pest control that do not cause unreasonable adverse effects to the environment throughout the U.S. and its affiliated territories. Pursuant to F IFRA
, before a pesticide product may be sold or distributed in the U.S. it must be exempted or registered with a label identifying approved uses by EPA’s O ffice of P esticide P rograms (OPP) . Once registered, a pesticide may not legally be used unless the u se is consistent with directions on its approved label (http:www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/registering/index.htm). EPA authorization of pesticide uses are categorized as FIFRA sections 3 (new product registrations), 4 ( re

registrations and special revi ew), 18 (emergency use), or 24(c) Special Local Needs (SLN).

On April 7, 2004, EPA published the final cancelation notice for molinate (69 FR 18368).
Sale of end

- use products containing molinate was prohibited after June 30, 2008, and all
uses of those products were prohibited following August 31, 2009. As there are no remaining legal uses of molinate, there is no need for consultation and we will not provide an analysis of its effects to listed salmonids.

EPA’s pesticide registration process involves an examination of the ingredients of a pesticide, the site or crop on which it will be used, the amount, frequency and timing of its use, and its storage and disposal practices. Pesticide products may include a.i.s and other ingredients, such as adjuvants , and surfactants (described in greater detail below). The EPA evaluates the pesticide to ensure that it will not have unreasonable adverse effects on humans, the environment, and non

- target species. An unreasonable adverse
effect on the environment is d efined in FIFRA as, ―(1) any unreasonable risk to man or the environment, taking into account the economic, social, and environmental costs and benefits of the use of the pesticide, or (2) a human dietary risk from residues that result

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

17 from a use of a pest icide in or on any food inconsistent with the standard under section 408 of the FFDCA (21 U.S.C. §346a)‖ 7 U.S.C. 136(b).

After registering a pesticide, EPA retains discretionary involvement and control over such registration. EPA must periodically rev iew the registration to ensure compliance with FIFRA and other federal laws (7 U.S.C. §136d). A pesticide registration can be canceled whenever ―a pesticide or its labeling or other material does not comply with the provisions of FIFRA or, when used in ac cordance with widespread and commonly recognized practice, generally causes unreasonable adverse effects on the environment.‖

On December 12, 2007, EPA, NMFS, and FWS agreed that the federal action for EPA’s FIFRA registration actions will be defined as the ―authorization for use or uses described in labeling of a pesticide product containing a particular pesticide ingredient.‖ In order to ensure that EPA’s action will not jeopardize listed species or destroy or adversely modify critical habitat, NMFS’ a nalysis necessarily encompasses the impacts to listed Pacific salmonid ESUs/DPSs of all uses authorized by EPA, regardless of whether those uses have historically occurred.

Pesticide Labels

. For this consultation, EPA’s proposed action encompasses all approved product labels containing the a.i. thiobencarb ; its degradates, metabolites, and formulations, including other ingredients within the formulations; adjuvants; and tank mixtures. These activities comprise the stressors of the action ( Figure 1 ). The BE assessing the impacts to listed salmon and steelhead indicate s that the subject a.i. is
labeled for use on rice only (EPA 2002c)

. This partial consultation differs substantially from other consultations NMFS has completed or will complete on pesticide registrations
because thiobencarb is labeled for use on one crop only, and that crop is grown in only one area in California. It is unlikely rice production will expand beyond the current area because rice production needs certain environmental factors that are not wid ely found on
the west coast. Thre e of the four states, Washington, Oregon and Idaho, currently prohibit the use of thiobencarb, and there is no known rice production in those states. In

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

18 addition, California has imposed restrictions on thiobencarb use and conducts substantial monitoring to ensure that those restrictions are followed and effective. NMFS was therefore able to focus this consultation on the impacts of thiobencarb in the area where rice is grown, and evaluate the effects to three ESU/DPS and their designated critical
habit at. 4 Because there is no use elsewhere in the four western states, none of the other of the 28 ESU/DPS of Pacific salmon or their critical habitat will be exposed to the effects of the action. NMFS will not consider these 25 ESU/DPS or any critical hab itat designated for them further in this opinion.

4 EPA does not control where rice is grown or state authorization or restrictions on thiobencarb use. However, EPA has agreed to reinitiation triggers based on changes in state actions or expansion of rice production beyond its current location in Califor nia that would affect additional listed salmon and their critical habitat.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

19 Figure 1 . Stressors of the Action

Active and Other Ingredients. Thiobencarb is the a.i. that kill s or otherwise negatively
affect s targeted organisms (listed on the label). However, pesticide products that contain
th i s a.i. also contain inert ingredients. Inert ingredients are ingredients that EPA defines as not ―pesticidally‖ active. EPA also refers to inert ingredients as ―other ingredients .‖ The specific identification of the compounds that make up the inert fraction of a pesticide is not required on the label. However, this does not necessarily imply that inert ingredients are non

- toxic, non

- flammable, or otherwise non

- reactiv e. EPA authorizes the use of chemical adjuvants to make pesticide products more efficacious. An adjuvant aides the operation or improves the effectiveness of a pesticide. Examples include wetting agents, spreaders, emulsifiers, dispersing agents, solven ts, solubilizers, stickers, and surfactants. A surfactant is a substance that reduces surface tension of a system, allowing oil

- based and water

- based substances to mix more readily. A common group of Label

- recommended tank mixtures Metabolites and Degradates Active ingredients

Adjuvants/surfactants added to

formulations Registration and uses of pesticide labels

Other ingredients in formulations

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

20 non

- ionic surfactants is the alkylphenol polyethoxylat es (APEs), which may be used in pesticides or pesticide tank mixes, and also are used in many common household products. Nonylphenol (NP), one of the APEs, has been linked to endocrine

- disrupting effects in aquatic animals.

Formulations

. Pesticide produ cts come in a variety of solid and liquid formulations. Examples of formulation types include dusts, dry flowables, emulsifiable concentrates, granulars, solutions, soluble powders, ultra

- low volume concentrates, water

- soluble bags, powders , and baits

. T he formulation type can have implications for product efficacy and exposure to humans and other non

- target organisms.

Tank Mix. A tank mix is a combination by the user of two or more pesticide formulations as well as any adjuvants or surfactants added to the same tank prior to application. Typically, formulations are combined to reduce the number of spray operations or to obtain better pest control than if the individual products were applied alone

. The compatibility sectio n of a label may advise on t ank mixe s known to be incompatible or provide specific mixing instructions for use with compatible mixes. Labels m ay also recommend specific tank mixes. Pursuant to FIFRA, EPA has the discretion to prohibit
tank mixtures. Applicators are permitted to in clude any combination of pesticides in a tank mix as long as each pesticide in the mixture is permitted for use on the application site and the label does not explicitly prohibit the mix.

Pesticide Registration

. The Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) of 2003 became effective on March 23, 2004. The PRIA directed EPA to complete REDs for pesticides with food uses/tolerances by August 3, 2006, and to complete REDs for all remaining non

- food pesticides by October 3, 2008. The goal of the reregist ration program is to mitigate risks associated with the use of older pesticides while preserving their benefits. Pesticides that meet today’s scientific and regulatory standards may be declared ―eligible‖ for reregistration. The eligibility for continued registration may be contingent on label modifications to mitigate risk and can include phase

- out and

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

21 cancellation of uses and pesticide products. The terms of EPA’s re gulatory decisions are summarized in the RED (EPA 1997b)

.

Registrants can submit application s for the registration of new products and new uses following reregistration of an active ingredient. Several types of products are registered, including the pure (or nearly pure) active ingredient, often referred to as technical grade active ingredient ( TGAI), technical, or technical product. This is generally used in manufacturing and testing, and not applied directly to crops or other use sites. Products that are applied to crops, either on their own or in conjunction with other products or
surfactant s in tank mixes are called end

- use products (EUPs). Sometimes companies will also register the pesticide in a manufacturing formulation, intended for sale to another registrant who then includes it into a separately registered EUP. Manufacturing
formulat ions are not intended for application directly to use sites. EPA may also c ancel product registrations. With exceptions 5

, EPA allows the use of canceled products, and products that do not reflect RED label mitigation requirements, until those products hav e been exhausted. Labels that reflect current EPA mitigation requirements are referred to as ―active labels.‖ Products that do not reflect current label requirements are referred to as ―existing stocks.‖ EPA’s action includes all authorizations for use of pesticide products including use of existing stocks, and active labels, of products containing
thiobencarb for the duration of the proposed action.

Duration of the Proposed Action

. EPA’s goal for reassessing currently registered pesticide a.i.s is ev ery 15 years. Given EPA’s timeframe for pesticide registration reviews, NMFS’ evaluation of the affects of the proposed action on listed Pacific salmonids is also 15 years.

Interrelated and Interdependent Activities. No interrelated and interdependent a ctivities are associated with the proposed action.

5 For example, EPA placed an end date on authorized use of molinate.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

22 Registration Information of Pesticide a.i.s under Consultation. As discussed above, the proposed action encompasses EPA’s registration of the uses (as described by product labels) of all pesticides conta ining thiobencarb

. EPA provide d copies of all active product labels for this active ingredient

. The following descriptions represent information acquired from review of these labels as well as information conveyed in the EPA BEs, RED s, and other documents

.

3.1.1. T hiobencarb

T hiobencarb is a thiocarbamate. Thiobencarb is the common name for S

- ((4

- chlorophenyl)methyl )diethylcarbamothioate (CAS 28249

- 77

- 6). Thiobencarb is a systemic, preemergence herbicide that acts by inhibiting shoots of emerging seedlings. It is used to control grasses, sedge and broadleaf weeds in food crops such as rice (nationwide rice represen ts 95% of use), lettuce, celery, and endive. Thiobencarb was first registered for use on rice in 1982. In 1991, thiobencarb was issued regional tolerances for use on celery, endives, and lettuce in the State of Florida. Currently there are eight product s containing thiobencarb registered for use under Section 3 of FIFRA. They consist of one technical (manufacturing use) product containing 97% a.i.,
emulsifiable concentrate end

- use products containing 84% a.i., and granular end

- use products containing 10 to 15% a.i. Some products containing thiobencarb come premixed with propanil, another registered a.i. One of these products contains 31% thiobencarb and 35 % propanil (this product is not registered for use in California). In
addition there is one S peci al L ocal N eeds (SLN) registered for use in California (EPA Reg. No. 59639

- 79, EPA SLN CA

- 930003) under Section 24(c) of FIFRA (EPA 1997a)

. This SLN product is aerial spray applied for water seeded rice, and is to be applied to

non

- flooded fields only. While thiobencarb is registered for use nationwide, California is the only state within the range of listed Pacific s almon that has approved thiobencarb for use (rice only). Oregon, Idaho, and Washington have not approved the use of
thiobencarb. 6 Additionally, RiceBeaux®, which contains a mixture of propanil and

6 During a meeting between NMFS, EPA, and the applicant on July 19, 2011, EPA agreed that re

- initiation of this consultation over the registered use of thiobencarb would be necessary if rice farming expanded to

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

23 thi obencarb is not registered for use in California (EPA Reg. No. 71085

- 30). Trade names for thiobencarb currently used in the U.S. are Bolero and Abolish.

3.1.1.1. Usage Information

Reported annual use of thiobencarb in California declined from over one million lbs in 2000 to approximately 300 thousand lbs per year during the most recent surveys, 2006

- 2009 (cite most recent report CDPR 2009). Use of thiobencarb products within the state is reflective of the distribution of rice, the only registered use site for thio bencarb. Roughly 95 percent of the state’s rice acreage is in the Sacramento Valley, with most of the remaining rice grown in northern and central San Joaquin Valley (CDPR 2009 report). Although rice acreage and thiobencarb use has remained relatively st able in California in recent years, differences have been observed among the rice producing counties in both the amount of thiobencarb used, and the selection in thiobencarb products (CDPR 2010a) . As reported by California Department of Pesticide Regulation, from 1980 to 2010, thiobencarb has been typically applied at or near the maximum appli cation rate of 4 lbs/ A (Appendix Three)

.

3.1.1.2. Use Sites Authorized

Ag ricultural. Use of thiobencarb within the distribution of listed Pacific salmonids is limited to rice fields. Among the four states where listed salmon and steelhead occur,
California is the only state that has approved the use of thiobencarb. According to the registrants, there are no foreseeable plans to extend the use of thiobencarb in the Pacific Northwest States (July 19, 2011 meeting between EPA, NMFS, and the applicant).

Developed

. Thiobencarb is not registered for residential, commercial, or industrial uses.

Forestry. Thiobencarb is not registered for forestry uses.

any of the other states (or elsewhere in California) or if the other states authorized thiobencarb for rice or other uses containing one or more of the othe r ESA

- listed salmonid ESU/DPSs.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

24 Aquatic. Thiobencarb is not registered for aquatic uses , other than rice production in ponded fields

.

Other. Thiobencarb is not registered for other uses such as rights

- of

- way.

Registered Formulation Types

. Thiobencarb enduse products are typically formulated as liquid or granular. None of the products registered for use in California have more than
one a.i. in the formulation.

3.1.1.3. Methods and Rates of Application.

Methods. Thiobencarb may be applied via ground and aerial applications. Application methods include broadcast spray, granular applicator, high pressure sprayer, and dilute high volume spray. The timi ng of application of recommended application is either late preemergence (e.g.
, 5 to 9 days after planting of the rice), or early post emergence of weeds (e.g.
, rice leaf stage 2

- 3). Several products recommend use in combination with propanil for the cont rol of specific weeds.

Application Rates. Active labels within the action area allow a maximum single a nd
seasonal a pplication rate of up to 4 lbs thiobencarb/A to rice ( Table 2 )

. Current labels allow for a single application, or they do not specify a limit on the number of applications.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

25 Table 2 . Thiobencarb use patterns in the action are a. Use(s) Use Site Land Use category Max.

Single App. Rate (lbs a.i./A) Number

of App. per Year Annual

App. Rate (lbs a.i./A) App.

Interval (days) App.

Method Label

Number

Rice Crop Agriculture 4 NS 4 NS Aerial and ground broadcast 59639

- 79 1

Rice Crop Agriculture 3.5 NS 4 NS Aerial
and ground broadcast 59639

- 112

Notes:

1 EPA label for Abolish 8 EC formulation specifies not to release flood water within 14 days of application . Additionally, this product can be applied to non

- flooded fields only.

2 EPA label for Bolero Ultramax granular flake formulation specifies not to release flood water within 30 days of application. NS = not specified NA = not applicable

3.1.1.4. Metabolites and Degradates.

Thiobencarb has two major degradates (defined by EPA as those representing 10% or more of the applied radiation of the parent test substance) identified. These are 4

- chlorobenzoic acid (56% of applied radiation at 30 days) and 4

- chlorobenzaldehyde (29.4% at 14 days), both in a sensitized aquatic photodegradation study. Both of these degradates are expected to be soluble and mobile in water. Also, because of their simple molecular structure, both should be subject to further degradation by metabolism (EPA 2009b)

.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

26 

### 4. Action Area

The action area is defined as all areas to be affected directly or indirectly by the federal action and not merely the immediate area involved in the action (50 CFR §402.02). Given EPA’s nati onwide authorization of these pesticides, the action area would encompass the entire U.S. and its territories. Th is geographic area would include all listed species and designated critical habitat under NMFS jurisdiction.

In this instance, as a result o f the 2002 order in Washington Toxics Coalition v. EPA
, EPA initiated consultation on its authorization of 37 pesticide a.i.s and their effects on listed Pacific salmonids under NMFS’ jurisdiction and associated designated critical
habitat in the states of California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. However, in this consultation with EPA, NMFS is determining the effect of EPA’s proposed reauthorization of thiobencarb. Thiobencarb is only authorized for use on rice. In this case, rice is only grown in Cali fornia’s C entral V alley (CV) and nowhere else where
Pacific salmon are listed. Within the CV there are three listed Pacific anadromous
salmon ids: the CV steelhead, Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook salmon, and CV spring

- run Chinook salmon. Consequently , the action area consists of the entire range of these three listed salmonids and their designated critical habitat in California’s C entral
V alley ( Figure 2 ). The action area encompasses the following aquatic components of the central valley: all freshwater, estuarine, marsh, swamps, and nearshore marine surface

waters.

NMFS’ analysis focuses on the effects of EPA’s action on listed Pacific salmonids in the
California C entral V alley. It includes the effects of thiobencarb on CV steelhead,
Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook and CV spring

- run Chinook salmon and their
desi gnated critical habitats.

EPA’s consultation with NMFS remains incomplete until it analyzes the effects of its authorization of pesticide product labels with this compound for all remaining threatened

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

27 and endangered species and all designated critical habitat under NMFS’ jurisdiction

. EPA must ensure its action does not jeopardize the continued existence or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat for other listed species and

Figure 2 . The Central Valley steelhead ESU encompasses the Sacramento River winter

run Chinook, and the Central Valley spring

- run Chinook ESUs. Rice is only grown

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

28 within these b oundaries, consequently, the CV steelhead ESU comprises the area of
int erest for this consultation

.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

29 designated critical habitat under NMFS’ jurisdiction throughout the U.S. and its
territories.



### 5. Approach to th e Assessment

NMFS uses a series of steps to assess the effects of federal actions on endangered and threatened spec ies and designated critical habitat. The first step of our analysis identifies those physical, chemical, or biotic aspects of proposed actions that are likely to have individual, interactive, or cumulative direct and indirect effects on the environment (w e use the term ―potential stressors‖ for these aspects of an action). As part of this step, we identify the spatial extent of any potential stressors and recognize that the spatial extent of those stressors may change with time. The spatial extent of the se stressors is the ―action area‖ for a consultation.

The second step of our analyses identifies the listed resources (endangered and threatened species and designated critical habitat) that are likely to occur in the same space and at
the same time as th ese potential stressors. If we conclude that such co

- occurrence is likely, we then try to estimate the nature of co

- occurrence (these represent our Exposure
A nalys e s ). In the exposure analysis, we try to identify life stages and life histories of the
ind ividuals that are likely to be exposed to an action’s effects and the populations or subpopulations those individuals represent. Spatial analyses are used to overlay each species range with land types or crop types that pesticides are used on including

ag riculture, urban/residential, forested, and right of ways, to evaluate co

- occurrence of pesticides and salmonids.

Once we identify which listed resources are likely to be exposed to potential stressors associated with an action and the nature of that expo sure, in the third step of our analysis
we examine the scientific and commercial data available to determine whether and how those listed resources are likely to respond given their exposure (these represent our Response A nalys e s ). We integrate the exposu re and response analyses within the Risk

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

30 Characterization section to assess the risk to listed individuals and their habitat from the
stressors of the action.

In the Risk Characterization Section , we also determine whether population level effects

are anticipated (these analyses are conducted within the risk characterization phase). NMFS’ analysis is ultimately a qualitative assessment that draws on a variety of quantitative and qualitative tools and measures to address risk to listed resources.

In th e final steps of our analyses, we establish the risks posed to listed species and to designated critical habitat. This part of the analysis is found within the I ntegration and
S ynthesis section

.

Our jeopardy determinations for listed species must be ba sed on an action’s effects on the continued existence of threatened or endangered species as those ―species‖ have been listed, which can include true biological species, subspecies, or distinct population segments of vertebrate species. Because the contin ued existence of listed species depends on the fate of the populations that comprise them, the viability (that is, the probability of extinction or probability of persistence) of listed species depends on the viability of the populations that comprise the species. Similarly, the continued existence of populations are determined by the fate of the individuals that comprise them; populations grow or decline as the individuals that comprise the population live, die, grow, mature, migrate, and reproduce (or fa il to do so).

The structure of our risk analyses reflects the relationships between listed species, the populations that comprise each species, and the individuals that comprise each population. Our risk analyses begin by identifying the probable risks a ctions pose to listed individuals that are likely to be exposed to an action’s effects. Our analyses then integrates those individual

- level effects to identify consequences to the populations those individuals represent. Our analyses conclude by determin ing the consequences of those population

- level risks to the species those populations comprise.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

31 We evaluate risks to listed individuals by determining whether an individual’s ―fitness‖ defined as changes in an individual’s growth, survival, annual repro ductive success, or lifetime reproductive success is reduced. In particular, we examine the scientific and commercial data available to determine if an individual’s probable response to an action’s effect on the environment (which we identify in our Respo nse A nalys e s ) is likely to have consequences for the individual’s fitness.

Reductions in abundance, reproduction rates, or growth rates (or increased variance in one or more of these rates) of the populations those individuals represent is a necessary

con dition for reductions in a population’s viability, which is itself a necessary condition for reductions in a species’ viability. On the other hand, when listed plants or animals exposed to an action’s effects are not expected to experience reductions in f itness, we would not expect that action to have adverse consequences on the viability of the population those individuals represent or the species those populations comprise ( (Anderson et al. 2006)
, (Mills and Beatty 1979)
, (Stearns 1982) ). If we conclude that
individuals of listed species are not likely to experience reductions in their fitness, we
would conclude our assessment because an action that is not likely to affect the fitness of individuals is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species.

If, however, we conclude that listed plants or animals are likely to experience reduc tions in their fitness, our assessment determines if those fitness reductions are likely to be sufficient to reduce the viability of the populations those individuals represent (measured using changes in the populations’ abundance, reproduction, spatial st ructure and connectivity, growth rates, or variance in these measures to make inferences about the population’s extinction risks). In this step of our analyses, we use the population’s base condition (established in the Status of Listed Resources and Envi ronmental Baseline sections of this Opinion) as our point of reference. Finally, our assessment determines if changes in population viability are likely to be sufficient to reduce the viability of the species those populations comprise.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

32 We conduct a separate analysis on species’ designated c ritical habitat . The analysis focuses on reductions in the quality
, quantity , or availability of primary constituent elements ( PCEs ) from exposure to the stressors of the action

. Since c hemicals are the

stressors of the action for this Opinion, PCEs potentially affected are freshwater spawning sites, freshwater rearing sites, freshwater migration corridors, estuarine areas,
and nearshore marine areas. The PCE attributes of prey availability
, water quality , and

nat ural cover are the primary assessment endpoints addressed when evaluating the effects of an herbicide registration on designated critical habitat. Information evaluated for
effects to prey include prey survival, prey growth, prey drift, prey reproduction, abundance of prey, health of invertebrate aquatic communities, and recovery of aquatic communities following pesticide exposure. Information evaluated for d egradation of water quality include measured and anticipated exposure concentrations leading to toxic responses within aquatic organisms (including salmonids, their prey, and primary producers that support riparian areas and inwater natural cover) as well as in stances of
water bodie s not meeting local, state, or federal water quality standards and criteria

.



### 5.1. Evidence Available for the Consultation

We search, compile and use a variety of resources to conduct our analyses including: EPA’s BEs, REDs, IREDS, other documents developed by EPA Peer

- reviewed literature Gray literature Books Available pesticide labels Any correspondence (with EPA or others) Available monitoring data and other local, county, and state information Pesticide registrant generated data Online toxicity databases (PAN, EXTOXNET, ECOTOX, USGS, NPIC) Pesticide exposure models run by NMFS and EPA Population models run by NMFS Information and data provided by the registrants identified as applicants Comments on the draft Opinion from EPA, applicants , and others Inciden t reports

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

33 Collectively, this information provides the basis for our determination as to whether and to what degree listed resources under our jurisdiction are likely to be exposed to EPA’s action and whether and to what degree the EPA can ensure that its authorization of pesticides is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of threatened and endangered species or is not likely to result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat.



### 5.2. Application of Approach in this Consu ltation

For this consultation, we adapt our general approach to incorporate elements of EPA’s ecological risk assessment (ERA) framework (EPA 1998)

. Figure 3 sh ows the overall framework used in this Opinion. This risk as sessment framework organizes the available information in three phases: problem formulation, analysis of exposure and response,
and risk characterization (EPA 1998) . We adapted the EPA framework to address ESA

specific considerations. The NMFS framework follows a process for organizing, evaluating, and synth esizing the available information on listed resources and the
stressors of the action. We separately evaluate the risk to listed species and the risk to designated critical habitat from the stressors of the action (See Effects of the Proposed
Action to Th reatened and Endangered Pacific S almonids and Effects of the Proposed Action to Designated C ritical habitat ). Below, we briefly describe the problem formulation phase used to evaluate risk of thiobencarb products

.

5.2.1. Problem Formulation

Problem formulation includes conceptual models based on our initial evaluation of the relationships between stressors of the action (pesticides and other identified chemical stressors) and receptors (listed species and habitat). Unlike OPP’s pesticide ERAs 7

, which begin wit h the use, fate, and toxicity properties of thiobencarb, and evaluate risk based on a small number of standard toxicity test organisms exposed to thiobencarb, NMFS begins with the species’ range and life history to determine relevant assessment

7 Which may be referred to as ERAs, BEs (Biological Evaluations) or pesticide risk assessments in various locations throughout this document.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

34 endpoints, identifies if those endpoints are likely to be affected by the stressors of the action, and seeks data with which to evaluate those effects. In brief, we employ a species

- centric approach, rather than a chemical

- centric approach. Assessment endpoints
and measures may vary by life stage and are presented in Table 3 . Many of the relevant assessment endpoints and measures are not ones typically considere d or used in EPA’s registration of pesticide active ingredients.

Table 3 . Salmonid life stage and habitat assessment endpoints and measures.

Salmonid Life Stage Assessment Endpoint Assessment Measure

I ndividual fitness M easures of changes in individual fitness

Egg Development S ize, hatching success, morphological deformities

Survival V iability (percent survival)

Alevin (yolk

- sac fry) Respiratio n G as exchange, respiration rate Swimming: predator avoidance and/or site fidelity Swimming speed, orientation, burst speed
, predator avoidance assays
Yolk

- sac utilization, growth rate , size at first feeding R ate of yolk absorption, growth weight and length Development M orphology, histology

Survival LC 50 , (dose

- response slope), percent dead at a given concentration

Fry, juvenile, smolt First exogenous feeding (fry)

– post yolk

- sac absorption T ime to first feeding, starvation

Survival LC 50 , (dose

- response slope). Percent dead at a given concentration

Growth S tomach contents, weight, length, starvation, prey capture rates
Feeding S tomach contents, weight, length, starvation, prey capture rates

Swimming: predator avoidance behavior
, migration
, use of shelter S wi mming speed, orientation, burst swimming speed
, predator avoidance assays , swimming rate, downstream migration rate, fish monitoring,

bioassays

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

35 Salmonid Life Stage Assessment Endpoint Assessment Measure

I ndividual fitness M easures of changes in individual fitness Olfaction: kin recognition
, predator avoidance
, imprinting
,

feeding E lectro

- olfactogram (EOG) measurements, behavioral assays

Smoltification Na/K ATPase activity, sea water challenge tests

Returning adult Development L ength, weight, malformations

Survival LC 50 , (dose

- response slope). Percent dead at a given concentration

Feeding Prey consumption rates, s tomach contents , length and weight Swimming: predator avoidance
, migration
, spawning
, feeding B ehavioral assays
, numbers of adult returns, numbers of eggs fertilized or redds, stomach contents

Sexual development H istological assessment of ovaries/testis
, measurements of intersex

Olfaction: p redator avoidance
, h oming , s pawning E lectro

- olfactogram (EOG) measurements, behavioral assays

Habitat In

- stream:

Aquatic primary producers
,

salmonid prey abundance
, dissolved oxygen and pH
, natural cover for salmonids G rowth inhibition bioassays (EC 25 or EC 50 )
, prey survival (E C 50 ); field measured community metrics direct measurement

Riparian zone: Riparian zone vegetation
, natural cover for salmonids
, sedimentation
, temperature G rowth inhibition (EC 25 or EC 50 )
, salmonid monitoring (field) direct measurements

These assessment endpoints consider effects on all life stages of the salmon (direct effects), as well as effects on plants and prey items (indirect effects). Based on the assessment endpoints, we evaluate the foll owing risk hypotheses for the species.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

36 5.2.1.1. Species Risk Hypotheses

1. Exposure to thiobencarb and other chemical stressors of the action via drift or runoff is
sufficient to: a. kill salmonids from direct exposure; b. reduce salmonid survival through impacts t o growth;

c. reduce reproduction ; d. impair swimming; e. impair respiration f. reduce salmonids growth through impacts on the availability and quantity of

prey. 2. Exposure to the thiobencarb via drift or runoff is sufficient to:
a. reduce numbers of aquatic primary producers
, thereby affecting salmonid prey
communities
, salmonids and salmonids instream cover ; b. reduce riparian vegetation to such an extent that stream temperatures are elevated, erosion increases, and reduc tions in natural cover result s through reduced inputs of woody debris and vegetation

. 3 . Exposure to degradate s of thiobencarb will cause adverse effects to salmonids and their
habitat.
4 . Exposure to adjuvants, tank mixes and other chemicals within pesticide products containing thiobencarb will cause adverse effects to salmonids and their habitats.
5

. Exposure to other pesticides present in the action area will act in combination with
thiobencarb to increase effects to salmonids and their habitats.
6. Exposure to elevated tempe ratures will enhance the toxicity of thiobencarb.

5.2.2. Designated Critical Habitat
When designated critical habitat for the species is identified, primary constituent elements (PCEs) of that habitat are also identified Table 4

. To determine potential effects to designated critical habitat, we evaluate the effects of the action by first looking at
whether PCEs of critical habitat are potentially affected by the stressors o f the action.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

37 Effects to PCEs include changes to the functional condition of salmonid habitat caused by the action in the action area. Properly functioning salmonid PCEs are important to the
conservation of the ESU/DPS and have been ranked by NMFS as hig h, medium , or low in respect to their conservation value to the species . The st ressors of the action for this
O pinion are chemicals introduced into the environment by application of pesticide products containing thiobencarb. K ey PCEs potentially affecte d are f reshwater spawning sites, freshwater rearing sites, freshwater migration corridors, and estuarine areas . Based on the action we do not anticipate nearshore marine areas or offshore marine areas to be exposed.

Table 4 . Ess ential physical and biological features of PCEs in salmonid critical habitat designations.

Site Essential Physical and Biological features Species Life Stage and Functional Developmental Response Freshwater Spawning Water quality, water quantity, and substrate Spawning, incubation larval development Freshwater rearing Water quantity and floodplain connectivity Juvenile growth and mobility Water quality and forage Juvenile growth and development
Natural cover a Juvenile mobility and survival Freshwater migration Free of obstructions, water quality and quantity, and natural cover a Juvenile and adult mobility and survival

forage Juvenile growth and development
Estuarine areas Free of obstruction, water quality and quantity, and salinity Juvenile and adult physiological transitions between salt and freshwater
Natural cover a and forage b and water quantity Growth and maturation

Nearshore Marine areas Free of obstruction, water quality and quantity, natural cover a and forage b Growth and maturation, survival

Offshore marine areas Water quality and forage b Growth and maturation

a Natural cov er examples include shade, large wood, riparian systems, l og jams, beaver dams, aquatic vegetation, large rocks and boulders, side channels, and undercut banks.

b Forage includes aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates and fish and shellfish species that support growth and maturation of salmonids

.

Based on the PCEs and life stage potentially affected Table 4 , we developed risk hypotheses for critical habitat. Properly functioning salmonid PCEs are important to the

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

38 conservation of the ESU/DPS. The st ressors of the action for this O pinion are che micals introduced into the environment by application of pesticide products

.

5.2.3. C ritical Habitat Risk Hypotheses

1. Exposure to the stressors of the action is sufficient to degrade water quality
, natural cover, and/or reduce prey availability in freshwater rea ring and migrating

areas; 2. Exposure to the stressors of the action is sufficient to degrade riparian areas adjacent to rearing and migration corridors;
3. Exposure to the stressors of the action is sufficient to degrade water quality
, natural cover, and/or red uce prey availability in estuarine areas;

5.2.4. Evaluating Exposure and Respons e As part of the problem formulation phase, we consider the toxic mode and mechanism of
action of thiobencarb to provide insight into potential consequences following exposure.
I dent ification of the mode and mechanism of action allows us to identify other chemicals that might co

- occur and affect the response ( i.e., identify potential toxic mixtures in the environment). We consider authorized thiobencarb use sites to determine spatial overlap between its use on rice and the species and its designated critical habitat. We consider fate properties of thiobencarb to determine its persistence in aquatic systems. Conceptual diagrams are shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4

.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

39 Effects on individuals Effects on habitat

Effects on populations

Effects on species (ESU or DPS ) Effects on water quality and prey availability within primary constituent elements

Effects on the function of critical habitat to support the intended conservation role for the species Risk Characterization

Analyzed within the context of the Environmental Baseline (including multiple stressors such as temperature and environmental mixtures of pesticides); the Status of the Species; and Cumulative Effects

Can EPA ensure its action is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species? Can EPA ensure its action is not likely to adversely modify or destroy the designated critical habitat? Stressors of the Action

Co

- occurrence of pesticide products and geographic range of ESA

- listed species

Distribution of individuals Distribution of habitat

Exposure Profile Effects of pesticide products on ESA

- listed species and their habitat

Individual responses Habitat

responses

Response Profile Exposure Analysis Response Analysis Analyses based on the best scientific and commercial data available on pesticide products use, transport, fate, toxicity, and species ecology

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

40 Figure 3

. Conceptual framework for assessing risks of EPA’s action to ESA listed
resources.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

41 exposure to terrestrial invertebrates (salmon prey ) exposure to aquatic invertebrates (salmon prey) exposure to individual salmon life stages Environmental Matrices

Exposure of Receptors

Responses Interactions with water quality stressors in environmental baseline:

- other pesticides

- temperature

Life stage responses egg alevin fry/juvenile/ smolt adult Stressors of the Action other chemicals in formulated products thiobencarb and associated degradates and metabolites tank mixtures adjuvants +

terrestrial environment water column sediment/ pore water aquatic biota

effects to habitat effects to individuals exposure to riparian zone vegetation exposure to aquatic primary producers

Figure 4 . Exposure pathways for stressors of the action, and general response of Pacific salmonids and habitat.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

42 5.2.5. Analysis Plan

5.2.5.1. Status of the Species

In this section, we present information regarding each of the ESUs and DPSs considered in this Opinion. We discuss life history, population abundance and trends and overall viability of the species. This provides part of the context in which we evaluate the effect of the proposed action.

5.2.5.2. Environmental Baseline

In this section we discuss all stres sors affecting salmon populations including natural predators, events and disease; and anthropogenic effects such as pollution and habitat modification. This also provides part of the context in which we evaluate the effect of the proposed action.

5.2.5.3. Effects of the Proposed Action to Threatened and Endangered Pacific Salmonids

In the Exposure section we discuss life histories of the various species which may make them more or less likely to be exposed to stressors of the actions. Then we evaluate measured an d
estimated environmental concentrations of the stressors from various sources. In this section we also evaluate spatial and temporal co

- occurrences rice and salmon habitat. The Response section details toxicity information for the assessment endpoints i dentified in the problem formulation.
In the Risk Characterization sections for listed species and designated critical habitat, we integrate the exposure and response information and evaluate the risk hypotheses. Risk Characterization may also include po pulation

- level analyses to determine if effects on an individual fitness are sufficiently large to affect population parameters

5.2.5.4. Integration and Synthesis

We begin Integration and Synthesis with a summary of risk as described/identified in the Risk
Charact erization associated with each of the a.i.s. In separate sections for listed species and critical habitat, we combine these risk conclusions regarding the effects of the proposed action
with information in the Status of the Species and Environmental Basel ine to determine potential effects on populations and species.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

43 5.2.5.5. Conclusion

Based on the potential effects for each species, we determine if the proposed action is likely to jeopardize the species or cause destruction or adversely modify of destroy designa ted critical
habitat.



### 5.3. Other Considerations

In this Opinion, w e evaluated lines of evidence constructed as species

- specific risk hypotheses to

ensure relevant endpoints were addressed. The analysis weighs each line of evidence by evaluating the best commer cial and scientific data available that pertain to a given risk hypothesis. Overall
, the analysis is a qualitative approach that uses some quantitative tools to provide examples of potential risks to listed salmonids and their habitat. Multiple methods a nd tools currently exist for addressing contaminant

- induced risk to the environment. Hazard

- based assessments, probabilistic risk assessment techniques, combinations of the two, and deterministic approaches such as screening level assessments have been ap plied to questions of risk related to
human health and the environment

.

We also evaluated a recent assessment tool to quantify spatial and temporal loadings of pesticides in the Central Valley (Hoogeweg et al. 2011) . We found that much of the information on species, pesticide fate, monitoring data, and rice culture were similar to the information we
used in this assessment.

In recent pesticide risk assessments, prob abilistic techniques have been used to evaluate the probability of exceeding a ―toxic‖ threshold for aquatic organisms by combining pesticide monitoring data with species sensitivity distributions (Giddings 2009, Geisy et al. 1999)

. There is utility in information generated by probabilistic approaches if supported by robust data.

NMFS considered the use of probabilistic risk assessment techniques for addressing risk of
thiobencarb use at population and species (ESU and DPS) scales for the stressors of the action. However, we encountered significant limitations in available data th at suggested the information was not sufficient to define exposure and/or response probabilities necessary to determine the

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

44 probability of risk to thioben ca rb . Probabilistic techniques were not used in the Opinion due to issues with data collection, pauci ty of data, non

- normal distributions of data, and quality assurance and quality control. For example, it was not deemed appropriate to pair the salmonid prey responses with exposure probabilities based on monitoring results given the limitations of
that d ata set discussed in the Effects of the Proposed Action

.

To evaluate population consequences associated with potential lethality from thiobencarb exposure in salmon, NMFS selected the lowest reported salmonid LC 50 from the available
information to ensur e risk was not underestimated. When we consider the data limitations coupled with the inherent complexity of EPA’s proposed action in California ’s Central Valley
, we find that probabilistic assessment s at population and species scales introduce an unquant ifiable amount of uncertainty that undermines confidence in derived risk estimates. These same studies do not factor the status of the species and baseline conditions of the
environment into their assessment. At this time, the best available data do not support such an analysis and conclusions from such an analysis would be highly speculative.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

45 

### 6. Status of Listed Resources

The purpose of this section is to characterize the condition of the three salmonid species 8 under
consultation relative to their likel ihood of viability and to describe the conservation role and function of their respective critical habitats. NMFS has determined that the following species and critical habitat designations may occur in th e action area for EPA’s registration of
thiobencar

b containing products ( Table 5 ). More detailed information on the status of these species and critical habitat are found in a number of published documents including recent recovery plans, status reviews, stock assessment reports, and technical memorandums. Many are
available on the Internet at http://www.nmfs.noaa.go /pr/species/

.

Table 5 . Listed Species and Critical Habitat in the Action Area.
Common Name (Evolutionarily Significant Unit, or Distinct Population Segment) Scientific Name Status

Chinook (Sacramento River winter

- run) Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Endangered Chinook (California Central Valley spring

- run) Threatened Steelhead (California Central Valley) Oncorhynchus mykiss Threatened

The following narratives summarize the biology and ecology of threatened and endangered Pacific salmonids that are relevant to EPA’s proposed action. This includes a description of the timing and duration of each life stage such as adult river entry, spaw ning, egg incubation, freshwater rearing, smolt outmigration, and ocean migration. These s ummaries provide a
foundation for NMFS’ evaluation of the effects of the proposed action on listed salmonids . We
also highlight information related to the viability of salmonid populations and the primary constituent elements (PCEs) of designated critical habitat

.

8 We use the word “species” as it has been defined in section 3 of the ESA, whi ch include “species, subspecies, and any distinct population segment of any species of vertebrate fish or wildlife which interbreeds when mature (16 U.S. C 1533).” Pacific salmon other than steelhead that have been listed as endangered or threatened were listed as “evolutionarily significant units (ESU), which NMFS uses to identify distinct population segments of Pacific salmon. Any ESU or DPS is a “species” for the purposes of the ESA.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

46 

### 6.1. Species Status

The status of an ESU or DPS is determined by the degree that it (1) maintains sufficient genetic and phenotypic diversity to ensure continued fitness in the face of environmental change, (2) maintains spatial distribution of populations so that not all pop ulations would be affected by a catastrophic event, and (3) maintain s sufficient connectivity among populations within the ESU or DPS to maintain long

- term demographic and evolutionary processes (ICTRT 2007, McElhany et al. 2000, Spence et al. 2008)

. W e describe the current condition of the spatial structure and major life histories wi thin the ESUs or DPSs. In order to maintain a spatial distribution and diversity that support a viable ESU or DPS, a species must maintain multiple viable populations that are sustainable in the long

- term in the face of environmental variability.

Befor e assessing population viability, we first identify the historic and current populations that constitute a species. How NMFS defines a population and its function are found in McElhany et al. (2000) and in Bjorkstedt et al. (2005)
, NMFS’ Pacific salmon Technical Recovery Te ams ( TRTs ) have identified historic populations within ESUs/ DPSs

. These historical populations have been categorized based on their distribution and demographic role ( i.e., functionally independent, potentially independent, or dependent). Functionally in dependent (independent) populations were sufficiently large to be viable in isolation, ( i.e., a negligible extinction risk). Potentially independent populations were potentially viable in isolation, but were likely influenced by immigrants from adjacent p opulations. Dependent populations were unlikely to persist over a 100

- year time period in isolation. However, immigration from other nearby populations reduced the extinction risk for dependent populations. The historical conditions of the populations f

or each ESU/ DPS serve as a point of reference for evaluating the current viability of populations 9 and the status of the species

. The current viability is used as the base condition from which the effects of the proposed action on individuals are evaluate d to determine
whether these effects are likely to increase the probability of extinction of the populations those individuals represent

.

9 The TRTs did not propose that historical conditions are the criteri a or benchmark for evaluating population or ESU viability (extinction risk).

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

47 In our Approach to the Assessment section, NMFS introduced the VSP concept and its four
criteria. We restate that a VSP i s an independent population (a population of which extinction probability is not substantially affected by exchanges of individuals with other populations) with a negligible risk of extinction, over a 100

- year period, when threats from random catastro phic events, local environmental variation, demographic variation, and genetic diversity changes a re taken into account (McElhany et al. 2000) . The f our factors defin ing a viable population are a population’s: (1) spatial structure; (2) abundance; (3) annual growth rate, including trends and variability of annual growth rat es; and (4) diversity (McElhany et al. 2000)

.

A population’s tendenc y to increase in abundance (i.e., lambda (λ) > 1.000) and its variation in annual population growth defin es a viable population (McElhany et al. 2000, Morris a nd Doak 2002)

. A negative long

- term trend in average annual population growth rate (i.e., λ < 1.000) will eventually result in extinction. Further , a weak positive long

- term growth rate will increase the
risk of extinction as it maintains a small popu lation at low abundances over a longer time frame.
A large variation in the growth rate s also increases the likelihood of extinction (Lande 1993,
Morris and Doak 20 02)

.

Thus, i n our status reviews of each listed salmonid species, we provide information on population abundance and annual growth rate of extant populations. We use the median annual population growth rate (denoted as lambda, λ) from available time series of abundance for independent populations (Good et al. 2005) . Sev eral publications provide a detailed description
of the calc ulation of lambda (Good et al. 2005, McClure et al. 2003)

. The lambda values for salmonid popu lations of concern in this Opinion are summarized in Table 6

.

Table 6 . Species and population annual growth rates (Good et al., 2005) ESU Po pulation λ

– H=0 95% CI

– lower 95% CI

- upper CV spring

- run Chinook Butte Creek Deer Creek Mill Creek 1.300

1.170 1.190 1.060

1.040 1.000 1.600

1.350 1.470 Sac. River winter

- run Chinook Sacramento River 0.970 0.870 1.090

California CV steelhead Sacramento River 0.950 0.900 1.020

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

48 

### 6.2. Conservation Role of Critical Habitat for the Species

The action area for this consultation contains designated critical habitat. Critical habitat is defined as the specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the species, on which are found those physical or biological features that are essential to the conservation of the species, and which may require special management considerations or protection. Critical habitat can also include specific areas outsid e the geographical area occupied by the species that are determined by the Secretary to be essential for the conservation of the species (ESA of 1973, as amended, section 3(5)(A)).

The primary purpose in evaluating the status of critical habitat is to i dentify for each ESU or
DPS the function of the critical habitat to support the intended conservation role for each species. Such information is important for an adverse modification analysis as it establish es the context
f o r evaluat ing whether the propos ed action results in negative changes in the function and role of
the critical habitat for species conservation. NMFS bases its critical habitat analysis on the areas
of the critical habitat that are affected by the proposed ac t ion and the area’s physical or biological features that are essential to the conservation of a given species , and not on how individuals of the species will respond to changes in habitat quantity and quality.

In evaluating the status of designated critical habitat, we consider the current quantity, quality,
and distribution of those primary constituent elements or PCEs that are essential to the conservation of the species [50 CFR 424.12(b)]. NMFS has identified PCEs of critical habitat for each life stage ( e.g., migration, spawning, rearing, and estuary) common for each species. To fully understand the conservation role of these habitats, specific physical and biological habitat attributes ( e.g., water temperature, water quality, forage, etc.) were identified fo r each life stage. Specifically, during all freshwater life stages, salmonids require cool water that is free of contaminants. During the juvenile life stage, salmonids also require stream habitat that provides excess forage ( i.e. , prey abundance). Besi des potential toxicity, water free of contaminants is important as contaminants can disrupt normal behavior necessary for successful migration, spawning, and juvenile rearing. Sufficient forage is necessary for juveniles to maintain growth

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

49 that reduces fr eshwater predation mortality, increases overwintering success, initiates smoltification, and increases ocean survival. A description of the past, ongoing, and continuing
activities that threaten the functional condition of PCEs and their attributes are de scribed in the
Environmental Baseline section of this Opinion.

NMFS has identified six common PCEs for 7 California listed Chinook sal mon (including the
Sacramento winter

- run and Central Valley spring

- run) and steelhead (including the Central Valley DPS) (70 FR 52488, Sept. 2, 2005), 12 ESUs of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho salmon (chum, sockeye, Chinook) and steelhead (70 FR 52630 , Sept. 2, 2005 ) , and for the Oregon Coast coho salmon (73 FR 7816, Feb. 11, 2008). They are:

(1) Freshwater spawning sites with water quantity and quality
, and suitable substrate size as attributes necessary to support spawning, incubation and larval development;

(2) Freshwater rearing sites with the following attributes : (i) Water quantity and floodplain connectivity to f

orm and maintain physical habitat conditions and support juvenile growth and mobility; (ii) Water quality and forage supporting juvenile development; and (iii) Natural cover such as shade, submerged and overhanging large wood, log jams and beaver dams, aqu atic vegetation, large rocks and boulders, side channels, and undercut banks.

(3) Freshwater migration corridors free of obstruction and excessive predation with water quantity and quality conditions and natural cover such as submerged and overhanging la rge wood, aquatic vegetation, large rocks and boulders, side channels, and undercut banks supporting juvenile and adult mobility and survival.

(4) Estuarine areas free of obstruction and excessive predation with: (i) Water quality, water quantity, and salinity conditions supporting juvenile and adult physiological transitions between fresh

- and saltwater; (ii) Natural cover such as submerged and overhanging large wood, aquatic vegetation, large rocks and boulders, side channels; and (iii)
Juvenile and a dult forage, including aquatic invertebrates and fishes, supporting growth and
maturation.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

50 (5) Nearshore marine areas free of obstruction and excessive predation with: (i) Water quality and quantity conditions and forage, including aquatic invertebrates a nd fishes, supporting growth and maturation; and (ii) Natural cover such as submerged and overhanging large wood, aquatic vegetation, large rocks and boulders, and side channels.

(6) Offshore marine areas with water quality conditions and forage, includi ng aquatic invertebrates and fishes, supporting growth and maturation.

In this section, we also identify the conservation values of watersheds located within the critical habitat designated for a species. If the effects on PCEs are important at the water shed scale, then
the conservation value for the watershed is used to assess the conservation role of that watershed in the context of range wide critical habitat. The conservation value of a particular watershed was determined by Critical Habitat Analytic al Review Teams ( CHARTs ). These teams
considered the presence of PCEs within each occupied area of a watershed and the activities that potentially affect the PCEs, and assigned conservation value s for watersheds within designated
critical habitat.

E ach watershed was scored as low , m oderate , or high conservation value

. H igh value watersheds/areas have a high likelihood of promoting species conservation, while low value
watersheds/areas are less important f o r species conservation. Scores were based o n : (1) a comparison of current quantity of PCEs with in a watershed relative to other watershed s and probable historic quantity of PCEs within the watershed; (2) existing quality of PCE s in
watersheds ; (3) the likelihood of achieving PCE potential in a wat ershed; (4) the PCEs ’ support of rare genetic or life history characteristics or rare/important habitat types in the watershed; (5)
considerations of the PCEs ’ support of variable

- sized populations relative to other watershed s and the probable historical l evels in the watershed; and (6) considerations of the PCE support of spawning or rearing of varying numbers of populations.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

51 

### 6.3. Chinook Salmon

6.3.1.1. Description of the Species

Chinook salmon are the largest of the Pacific salmon and historically ranged from the Ve ntura River in California to Point Hope, Alaska in North America, and in northeastern Asia from Hokkaido, Japan to the Anadyr River in Russia (Healey 1991) . Chinook salmon prefer streams that are deeper and larger than those used by other Pacific salmon species. We discuss the
di stribution, life history, status, and critical habitat of the two species of endangered and threatened Chinook salmon separately.

Chinook salmon are generally described as one of two races, within which there is substantial
variation (Healey 1991, Groot and Margolis 1991)

. One race , the ―stream

- type , ‖ resides in fresh water for a year or more following emergence from gravel nests. J uveniles migr at e to sea as yearlings . Stream

- type Chinook salmon normally returns in late winter and early spring (spring

run) as immature adults and reside in deep pools during summer before spawning in fall. The
other race , the ―ocean

- type , ‖ migrate to the ocean wi thin their first year (sub

- yearlings) and usually return as full mature adults in fall (fall

- run). Fall

- run adults spawn soon after river entry.

The timing of return to fresh water, and ultimately spawning, often provides a temporal isolating
mechanism for populations with different life histories

. R eturn timing is often related to spawning location. Thus, differences in the timing of spawning migration also serve as a geographic isolating mechanism. Fall

- run C hinook salmon generally spawn in the mai nstem of larger rivers and are less dependent on flow, although early autumn rains and a drop in water temperature often provide cue s for movements to spawning areas. Spring

- run Chinook salmon take advantage of high flows from snowmelt to access the upper reaches of rivers.

Successful incubation depends on several factors including dissolved oxygen ( DO ) levels, temperature, substrate size, amount of fine sediment, and water velocity. Chinook salmon egg incubation time is highly correlated with water temp erature (McCullough 1999)

. Spawni ng sites have larger gravel and more water flow up through the gravel than the sites used by other Pacific
salmon. Maximum survival of incubating eggs and the pre

- emergent alevins occurs at water

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

52 temp eratures between about 5.5° and 13.5°C. Development ti me is influenced by degree days with fertilization to emergence taking up to 325 days at 2 °C and about 50 days at 16 °C (McCullough 1999)

. Fry emergence commonly begins in Decembe r and continues into mid

April (Leidy 1984) . When emerging from the redd, fry move through the interstitial spaces in the redd substrate to escape the gravel. However, a high content of fines and sand in the redd
substrate can s everely hinder fry emergence and cause high mortality (Bjornn and Reiser 1991)

. Optimal temperatures for both Chinook salmon fry and fingerlings range from 12° to 14° C (Boles 1988) . Temperatures above 15 °C increase the risk of di seases and lower the tolerance to
other stressors (McCullough 1999) . At about 19 °C , Chinook salmon cease to eat. In the laboratory, 50% mortality during a 24 hour period is observed at 24 ° to 25 °C (Brett 1952, Hanson 1997) the exact lethal temperature being somewhat dependent on the temperature that
the fish has been acclimated to.

Chinook salmon alevins, as is the case for other salmonids, rely on yolk for nutrition until the onset of active feeding. It is important that the young start feeding at the proper time since failure to start feeding can retard growth and lead to behavioral or developmental problems that
reduce survival

. In Chinook salmon, alevins may start feeding immediately upon emergence even if they have not yet absorbed all of the egg yolk (Linley 2001) . During freshwater residence, Chinook salmon juveniles feed in the water column and from the water surface. Food items include a variety of s mall terrestrial and aquatic insects and aquatic crustaceans; the prey species of juveniles depend on availability (habitat and months), prey size distribution, and the
size of the fish (Koehler et al. 2006, Rondorf et al. 1990) . The coarse bottom substrate found in faster flowing riverine habitats supports drift of larger aquatic insects such as caddisflies ( Trichoptera ), mayflies ( Ephemeroptera ), stoneflies ( Plecoptera ), and other benthic orga nisms when they are present in the water column during high flow events. These taxa, when present, are important food items in terms of biomass for Chinook salmon juveniles. Terrestrial insects and midges ( Diptera : Chironmidae ) often dominate the diet in slower moving water with finer bottom substrate such as floodplains like the Yolo Bypass, off

- channel ponds, sloughs, and in
lakes/reservoirs (Miller and Simenstad 1997, Rondorf et al. 1990, Sommer et al. 2001, Tabor et al. 2006) . In addition, copepods and daphnia may make up a high proportion of the diet in ponds, reservoirs and lakes, and in the mainstems of large rivers (Koehler et al. 2006, Rondorf et

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

53 al. 1990, Sommer et al. 2001) . At periods, swarming terrestrial insects such as ants can make up a substantial portion of the diet of Chinook salmon rearing in floodplains, ponds and reservoirs (Rondorf et al. 1990) . In estuaries, scuds, mysids, and gammarid amphipods may be major prey (Miller and Simenstad 1997)

.

Studies of stream habitat use show that there are velocity thresholds for rearing fry and juveniles, that fish move to faster and deeper water as they grow, and that fish use substrate and cover as refuge from high velocities (Chapman and Bjornn 1969, Everest and Chapman 1972, Johnson et al. 1992)

. In the mainstem of large rivers and in lakes
, fry and juveniles rear along the river margins and in nearshore areas that are less than one meter deep and have low lateral bank slopes (Sergeant and Beauchamp 2006, Tiffan et al. 2006) . Juveniles tend to avoid the elevated water velocities found in the thalweg of river channel s . As they grow larger, their habitat preferences chang e; j uveniles move away from stream margins and begin to use deeper water (Everest and Chapman 1972, Tabor et al. 2006)

. When the river channel is greater than 9

- to 10

- ft in depth, juvenile salmon tend to inhabit the surface waters (Healey 1982)

.

Chinook salmon fry may also move into non

- natal tributaries ( i.e., streams other than those where they incubated) to rear (Limm and Marchetti 2009, Teel et al. 2009) . In the Sacramento River, California, fry and juveniles move into seasonally inundated floodplains (Yolo Bypass)
and off

- channel water bodies to rear as they move downstream (Limm and Marchetti 2009, Sommer et al. 2001, Teel et al. 2009) . However, Chinook salmon use of floodpl ain and off

channel habitat depend on availability of these habitats, the life history of the race, time of year, flow, and temperatures. Up to a certain limit, distribution in floodplain habitat is positively correlated with water temperatures (Limm and Marchetti 2009, Sommer et al. 2001, Teel et al. 2009) . Floodplain wetlands and off

- channel habitat also often have higher prey densities (Sommer et al. 2001) . Several studies have shown that fry rearing on large floodplains experience a higher growth rate, and p ossibly higher survival, than fry remaining in the main
channel (Jeffres et al. 2008, Limm and Marchetti 2003, Sommer et al. 2001) . The increased growth rate is likely caused by the higher water temperatures as well as the higher prey densities in these habitats. Having sufficient growth during the juvenile stage is critical as some studies
indicate that size at smolting influence survival during the first year in the ocean. As flow

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

54 decreases and water temperature increases in summer, juveniles move out of the inundated floodplain habitat or succumb to lethal temperatures and stranding.

Many Chinook salmon populations use the estuary intensively for rearing, and a downstream movement of large numbers of fry is typical for many populations (Reimers 19 73, Sazaki 1966, Thorpe 1994) . Estuaries can provide a productive environment and additional growth, refuge from predators, and a transition to marine waters; availability of unmodified estuaries is correlated with difference between rivers in survival of hatchery reared fish from smolt to maturity (Magnusson and Hilborn 2003) . O c ean

- type Chinook salmon migrate downstream as fry immediately af

ter emerging from spawning beds (Healey 1991) . These smaller fry and sub

yearlings extensively use shallow water hab itat and sloughs within the estuary to rear to the smolt stage (Fresh et al. 2005) . Yearling juveniles of the river

- type life history enter the estuaries at the smolting stage; they usually spend less time in estuaries and use deeper water than fry or sub

- yearlings (Fresh et al. 2005)

.

Upon entering the marine environment, immature Chinook salmon maintain close proximity to nearshore areas. The highest ocean mortality of immature Chinook salmon occurs during the first year after entering the ocean. Expected survival during this period depends both on the condition of the fish such as size and the physical conditions of the marine environment. Ocean condition such as coastal upwelling and atmospheric condition su ch as El Niño have a significant influence on returning run size. Because of the annual variability in ocean and climatic conditions, the stock

- recruitment relationship in Chinook salmon is weak.

Immature Chinook salmon of the ocean

- and river

- type may h ave different dispersal and migration patterns during their first marine year (Healey 1991) . The larger stream

- type immature fish disappear from the surface waters of the Strait of Georgia in early summer. In contrast, during their first ocean year, ocean

- type fish are abundant i n the sheltered surface waters and estuaries of the Strait of Georgia and the Puget Sound from July through November and some continue to be present throughout winter. Estuaries provide the only shelter along the open coasts of Washington, Oregon, and Cal ifornia; in these areas, ocean

- type fry remain longer in their native estuaries. After ocean entry, immature Chinook salmon may move into large

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

55 estuaries and bays as they migrate along the coast. Chinook salmon remain at sea for one to six years (more co mmonly two to four years), with the exception of a small proportion of yearling males (called jack salmon) which mature in fresh water or return after two or three months in salt

water.

6.3.1.2. Status and Trends

Chinook salmon face natural threats from flooding, changes in ocean productivity, and predation. Chinook salmon have declined from over harvests, loss of genetic integrity by mixing with hatchery reared fish, re ductions in their distribution by migration barriers such as dams, mortality
and loss in water d iversions, loss of rearing habitat from gravel mining, degradation of riparian habitat, and modified stream function and reduced water quality from land use practi ces (logging, agriculture, and urbanization).

Climate change also poses significant hazards to the survival and recovery of salmonids . They
included elevated water temperature , earlier spring runoff and lower summer flows , and winter flooding

.

6.3.2. Central Valley Spring

- r un Chinook Salmon
The Sacramento River has sole distinction among the salmon

- pr oducing rivers of western North America of supporting four runs of Chinook salmon

– spring, fall, late

- fall, and winter runs (Yoshiyama et al. 2001 ) . The Central Valley (CV) Spring

- run Chinook salmon includes all naturally spawned populations of sprin g

- run Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River, California, and its tributaries ( Figure 5 ) . The Feather River Hatchery spring

- run Chinook salmon
is incl uded in this ESU. This artificially propagated population is no more divergent relative to the local natural populations than would be expected between closely related populations within
this ESU. Table 9 identifies populations within the CV Spring

- run Chinook salmon ESU, their abundances, and hatchery input.

Historically, spring

- run occupied the upper and middle reaches (1,000 to 6,000 feet in elevation) of the San Joaquin, American, Yuba, Feather, Sacramento, McCloud, and Pit rivers, with smaller

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

56 populations in most tributaries with sufficient habitat for ove r

- summering adults (Yoshiyama et al. 1998)

.

Figure 5 . Central Valley Spring

- ru n Chinook salmon distribution.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

57 6.3.2.1. Life History

The CV spring

- run exhibit a stream

- type life history. CV Spring

- run Chinook salmon are high

elevation mainstem spawners that migrate as 3

- 5 year old adults into the Sacramento River from March to May (Yoshiyam a et al. 2001 ) during peak snow

- melt flows. Typically, spring

- run Chinook salmon spawn higher in the watershed th an other stocks

. They over

- summer in cool temperature pools before migrating out beginning in late August (Lindley et al. 2004b) , or early September (Marcotte 1984b) to spawn. Adult spring

- run leave the ocean to begin their upstream migration in late January and early Februar y (CDFG 1998b) and enter the Sacramento River between March and September, primarily in May and June ( Table 7 ). When they enter fresh water, spring Chinook are immature. They typically utilize mid

- to high

- elevation streams that provide appropriate temperatures and sufficient flow, cover, and pool depth to allow over

summering while conserving energy and allowi ng their gonadal tissue to mature (Yoshiyama et al. 1998) . In Deer and Mill creeks, spawning occurs from la te August to mid

- October. Embryos hatch following a three to six month incubation period (Marcotte 1984b) , and the al e vins (sac

fry) remain in the gravel for another 2

- 3 weeks. Once their yolk sac is absorbed, juveniles emerge between November and March to immediately begin feeding (Moyle 2002) . Marcotte (1984b) reported observations that juvenile spring

- run Chinook in Deer and Mill creeks, during most years, spend 8 to 9 months in the higher elevation streams, where they feed on drift insects ( Table 7 ). Newly emerged fry tend to school in calm, shallow water near shoreline areas (Marcotte 1984b) . As they grow larger, juvenile salmon shift to faster deeper water (Groot and Margolis 1991) . The fry growing season is typically April to September with growth rate varying depending on stream productivity and water temperature (Spence et al. 1996a, Groot and Margolis 1991) . Adult Chinook salmon require cool fresh water while they mature over the summer. Adult upstream migration may be blocked by temperatures above 21oC (McCullough 1999) . Juvenile spring

- run emigration in the Sacramento River is highly varia ble and they may migrate either as soon as they emerge from the gravel or as yearlings. The majority of spring

- run fry emerging in the tributaries migrate downstream from December through February during high flows. Juvenile CV Spring

- run Chinook salmon have been observed rearing in the lower
reaches of non

- natal tributaries and intermittent streams in the Sacramento Valley during the
winter months

. Peak fry/sub

- yearling movements are observed farther downstream in lower

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

58 Sacramento River (Knights Landing ) and the Delta during March and April. Up to 25% of juveniles may remain in the tributaries to rear and outmigrate as yearlings the next fall, normally starting in December.

Table 7 . Temporal occurrence of adult and juvenile C V Spring

- run Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River. Darker shades indicate months of greatest relative abundance. Note: Yearling rear in their natal streams through the first summer following their birth. Downstream migration generally occurs the foll owing fall and winter. Young of year migrate during the first spring after they hatch. Adult migration a
Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Sac. River basin a,b
Up S ac. R. mainstem c
Mill Creek d

Dear Creek d

Butte Creek d
Adult Holding b Adult Spawning c

Juvenile migration d
Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Sac. R. Tribs e Upper Butte Ck. f
Mill, Deer, Butte Cks. d

Sac. R. at RBDD c
Sac. R. at KL g , h

North Delta i

Relative Abundance = High = Medium = Low
Sources: a Yoshiyama et al. (1998) ; b Moyle (2002) ; c Myers et al. (1998) ; d Lindley et al. (2007) a nd Marcotte (1984b) ; e CDFG (1998b) f McReynolds et al. (2005) and Ward et al. (2002, 2003) ; g Snider and Titus (2000b) ; h Bajjaliya and Vincik (2008b) ; i USFWS (2010a)

.

Studies by California’s Department of Fish and Game have shown Juvenile CV Spring

- run Chinook had mi grated past their sample sight just downstream of Knights Landing by the end of April (Bajjaliya and Vincik 2008b) . Spring

- run juvenile Chinook salmon were caught in screw

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

59 traps below Knights Landing from December through April. Bajjaliya and Vincik (2008b) found peak abundance of CV Spring

- run Chinook during this sampling period was late December into early January. Another peak of juvenile Chinook showed up later in the spring which they
determined to be fall

- run based on coded

- wire tags and size distribution of fall

- run released from
the Colm an National Fish Hatchery (Bajjaliya and Vincik 2008b) . However, estimating the race of juvenile Chinook in the field by size and date of capture has some uncertainty. Criteria for determining race was developed by the CDFG in 1992 (Fisher 1992) as a weekly model of juvenile salmonid growth. This was modified to a daily criterion by the California Department
of Water Resources (Greene 1992) . It is currently the only tool used by several salmon monitoring programs with the Central Valley to determine race of juvenile Chinook in the field. Until markers for genetic differentiation of races are developed, the race determinations reported
cannot be considered definitive (USFWS 2012b) . Some fish caught in the traps below Knights Landing later in the spring identified by biologists in the field as fall

- run, could in fact have some of the tail end of the spring

- run population intermixed.

Juvenile CV Spring

- run Chinook are likely to be lingering in the lower river and Sacramento

San Joaquin Delta into June before entering into San Francisco Bay (USFWS 2012b, USFWS 2010a) . Sampling conducted in the North Delta of the Sacramento River from 1993

– 2009 showed the abundance of CV Spring

- run juvenile Chinook (based on catch per unit effort) in most years peaked either in February or March ( Table 7 ). A combination of Spring

- and Fall

- run Chinook continue to migrate through the North delta through June (USFWS 2012b, USFWS 2010a)

.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

60 6.3.2.2. Status and Trends

NMFS originally listed CV S pring

- run Chinook salmon as threatened on September 16, 1999 (64 FR 50393), and reaffirmed their threatened status on June 28, 2005 (70 FR 37160) and again on August 15, 2011. Historically, spring

- run Chinook salmon were predominant throughout the Sacrame nto and San Joaquin River drainages. All runs within the San Joaquin River basin are now extirpated. The CV Technical Recovery Team (TRT) delineated 18 independent populations of CV spring

- run Chinook, along with a number of smaller populations, and four geographically separated groups (Lindley et al. 2004b) . Of these 18 populations, only three are extant on the upper Sacramento River and they represent only the Northern Sierra Nevada geographic

group.

Naturally spawning populations of CV Spring

- run Chinook salmon currently are restricted to accessible reaches of the upper mainstem Sacramento River and its tributaries Butte, Deer, and Mill Creeks. Limited spawning
occurs in the basins of smaller tributaries (CDFG 1998b, Lindley et al. 2004b) . Using data through 2005 and
the criteria in Table 8 , Lindley et al. (2007) found that the Mill Creek, Deer Creek, and Butte Creek population s were at or near low risk of extinction. However, the ESU as a whole, could not be considered viable because there were no extant populations in the three other diversity groups. In addition, Mill, Deer, and Butte creeks are close together, decreasing t he independence of their extinction risks due to catastrophic disturbance (Williams et al. 2011)

.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

61 Table 8 . Criteria for assessing the level of risk of extinction for populations of Pacific salmonids in the Central Valley of California. Overall risk is determined by the highest risk score for any category. Risk of Extinction

Criterion High Moderate Low

Extinction Risk from PVA >20 % within 20 years >5% within 100 years <5% within 100 years or any ONE of: or any ONE of: or any ONE of: Population size a N e ≤ 50 50 < N e ≤500 N e > 500

- or

- - or

- - or

N ≤ 250 250 < N ≤ 2500 N > 2500 Population decline Precipitous decline b Chronic decline or depression c No decline apparent or probable

Catastrophe, rate and effect d Order of magnitude decline within one generation Smaller but significant decline e Not apparent Hatchery influence High Moderate Low

a Census size N can be used if direct estimates of effective size N e are not available, assuming N e / N = 0.2. b Decline within last two generations to annual run size ≤ 500 spawners, or run size > 500 but declining at ≥ 10% p e r year over the past 10 years. Historically small but stable population not included.

c Run size has declined to ≤ 500, but now stable. d Catastrophes occurring within the last 10 years.

e Decline < 90% but biologically significant.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

62 Table 9 . Central Valley Spring

- run Chinook salmon

-- preliminary population structur e, historic and most recent natural production, spawner abundance, and hatchery contributions (Good et al. 2005, USFWS and Reclamation 2007, Williams et al. 2011)

. Population Historic Natural

Production (1967

– 1991) Most Recent Natural

Production 1 (2000

– 2006) Most Recent

Spawner Abundance 2 (2000

- 2006) Hatchery Abundance Contributions
Butte Creek 1,000 6,516

– 19,809 4,118

– 10,625 < 1% 3 Deer Creek 3,300 1,387

– 3,461 637

– 2,759 Unknown Mill Creek 2,200 1,184

– 26,190 544

– 1594 Unknown Sacramento River 29,000 0

– 1,134 0

– 394 Unknown

Total Estimated historic

abundance: ~700,000 for all populations 11,403

– 26,190 5,370

– 14,044 Unknown

1 Includes catches 2 i .e

. , escapement 3 (Williams et al. 2 011)

The Central Valley drainage supported spring

- run Chinook salmon runs as large as 700,000 fish between the
late 1880s and the 1940s (Brown et al. 1994)

. Before construction of Friant Dam, nearly 50,000 adults were counted in the San Joaquin River alone (Fry 1961)

.

Median natural production of spring

- run Chinook salmon from 1970 to 1989 was 30,220 fish. In the 1990s, the population experienced a substantial production failure with an estimated natural production ranging between 3,863 and 7,806 fish (with the exception of 1995 which had a natural production of an estimated 35,640 adults) during the years between 1991 and 1997 (USFWS and Reclamation 2007) . Numbers of naturally produced fish increased significantly in 1998 to an estimated 48,755 adults and estimated natural production has remained above 10,000 fish since then (USFWS and Reclamation 2007)

.

In previous Opinions, NMFS reported that the Sacramento River trends and lambda show a long

- and short

term negative trend and negative population growth (Good et al. 2005) . NMFS also reported the median production of Sacramento River tributary populatio ns increased from a low of 4,248 with only one year exceeding 10,000 fish before 1998 to a combined natural production of more than 10,000 spring

- run Chinook in all years after 1998 (data from (USFWS and Reclamation 2007) ). It was then stated that time series data for Mill, Deer, Butte, and Big Chico Creeks spring

- run Chinook salmon (updated through 2006) showed that all three tributary spring

- run Chinook populations have long

- and short

- term lambdas >1; indicating population growth (Good et al. 2005) . Finally we reported that although the populations are small, CV spring

- run Chinook salmon have some of the highest population growth rates in the Central Valley.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

63 Currently Williams et al. (2011) report that the esc apement of CV spring

- run Chinook salmon to various areas of the Central Valley, with few exceptions, have declined over the past 10 years, in particular since 2006. The recent declines in abundance place Mill and Deer Creek populations in the high risk ca tegory due to their rate of decline, and in the case of Deer Creek, also the level of escapement. Butte Creek continues to satisfy the criteria for low extinction risk, although the rate of decline is close to triggering the population decline criterion
f or high risk (Williams et al. 2011) . Overall, the recent declines have been significant but not severe enough to qualify as a catastrophe under the criteria of Lindley et al (2007) . On a positive note, spring

- run Chinook salmon appear to be repopulating Battle Creek, home to an historical independent population in the Basalt and
Porous Lav a diversity group that was extirpated for many decades. This population has increased in abundance to levels that would qualify it for a moderate extinction risk score (Williams et al. 2011) . Similarly, the spring

run Chinook salmon population in Clear Creek has been increasing, although Lindley et al. (2004b) classified this population as a dependent population, and thus is not expected to exceed the low

- risk population size
threshold of 2500 fish.

In order to determine the current likelihood of the spring

- run ESU becoming viable, we used the historical population structure of spring

- run presented in Lindley et al

. (2007) and McElhany et al.’s (2000) description of viable salmonid populations (VSP) for evaluating populations. While McElhany et al. (2000) introduced and described the concept of VSP, Lindley et al

. (2007) applied the concept to the spring

- run ESU. Lindley et al

. (2004b) identified 26 historical populations within the spring

- run ESU; 19 were independent populations, and 7 were depe ndent populations. Of the 19 independent populations of spring

- run that occurred historically, only three remain, in Deer, Mill, and Butte creeks. Extant dependent populations occur in Battle, Antelope, Big Chico, Clear, Beegum, and Thomes creeks, as well as in the Yuba River, the Feather River below Oroville Dam, and in the mainstem Sacramento River below Keswick Dam.

Table 8 provides various quantitative criteria to evaluate the risk of extinction. The following provides the evaluation of the likelihood of the threatened spring

- run ESU becoming viable based on the VSP parameters of population size, population growth rate, spatial structure, and diversity.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

64 6.3.2.3. Population Size

As discussed above, S pring

- run Chinook numbers declined drastically in the mid to late 1980s before stabilizing at very low levels in the early to mid 1990s. Since the late 1990s, there does not appear to be a trend in basin

wide abundance, having f luctuated from approximately 25,000 fish in 1999 to slightly more than 10,000 fish in
2008. Abundance is generally dominated by the Butte Creek population. Other independent and dependent populations are smaller. The cohort replacement rate behaved simi larly, falling below 1.0 in the 3 of the previous 4 years, in parallel with the reduced escapement numbers. The 5

- year moving average cohort replacement rate, however, has remained above 1.0 since 1995.

6.3.2.4. Population Growth Rate

Cohort replacement rates are indications of whether a cohort is replacing itself in the next generation. As mentioned in the previous subsection, the cohort replacement rate since the late 1990s has fluctuated, and does not appear to have a pattern. Since the cohort replacement rate is a reflection of population growth rate, there does not appear to be an increasing or decreasing trend. The 5

- year moving average of population estimate indicated an increasing population trend since the mid

- 1990s until very recently (2006), at which p oint the population has decreased in two consecutive years. Good et al., (2005) report lambda (λ) values slightly above replacement (1.000) for each of the three main spawning areas ( Table
6 ).

6.3.2.5. Spatial Structure

As stated above, Lindley et al

. (2007) indicated that of the 19 independent populations of spring

- run that occurred historically, only three (Butte, Mill, and Deer creeks) remain, and their current distribution makes the

spr ing

- run ESU vulnerable to catastrophic disturbance. Butte, Mill, and Deer Creeks all occur in the same biogeographic region (diversity group), whereas historically, independent spring

- run populations were distributed throughout the CV among at least three diversity groups ( i.e ., basalt and porous lava, northern Sierra Nevada, and southern Sierra Nevada). In addition, dependent spring

- run populations historically persisted in the Northwestern California diversity group (Lindley et al. 2004b)

. Currently, there are dependent populations of spring

- run in the Big Chico, Antelope, Clear, Thomes, Battle, and Beegum creeks, and in the Sacramento,

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

65 Feather, and Yuba rivers. T he extant Feather River and mainstem Sacramento River populations probably do not represent historical populations (Lindley et al. 2007)

.

6.3.2.6. Diversity
Diversity, both genetic and behavioral, provides a species the ability to react to sudden environmental changes. As a species’ abundance decreases, and spatial structure of the ESU is reduced, a species has less flexibility to respond to changes in the environment. Spring

- run have been entirely extirpated from the basalt and porous lava region and the southern Sierra Nevada region. The only viable and independent populations ( i.e ., Mill, Deer, and Butte creeks) of spring

- run are limited to the northern Sierra Nevada region, and a few ephemeral or dependent populations are found in t he Northwestern California region. A single catastrophe, for example, the eruption of Mount Lassen, a large wildland fire at the headwaters of Mill, Deer, and Butte creeks, or a drought, poses a significant threat to the extinction risk of the ESU that o therwise would not be there if the ESU’s spatial structure and diversity were greater. S pring

- run do reserve some genetic and behavioral variation in that in any given year, at least two cohorts are in the marine environment, and therefore, not exposed to the same
environmental stressors as their freshwater cohorts.

S pring

- run Chinook produced at the FRFH are part of the spring

- run ESU (June 28, 2005, 70 FR 37160), and they compromise the genetic diversity of naturally

- spawned spring

- run. More than 523,000 FRFH spring

- run fry were planted at the base of Whiskeytown Dam during the 3

- year period 1991−1993 (CDFG 1998b)

. The fact that these hatchery fish behave more like fall

- run (spawn later than spring

- run in Deer, Mill, and Butte creeks), likely increases introgression of the spring

- and fall

- runs, and reduces diversity.

Until recently NMFS was unaware of any current reports of hatchery

- origin fish spawning in the higher elevation areas of Butte, Deer, or Mi ll creeks utilized by spring

- run Chinook. However, i n 2010, McReynolds, CDFG, reported 10 coded

- wire tags of Feather River spring Chinook Salmon were recovered from a sample of 1,113 carcasses in the upper reach of Butte Creek (Williams et al. 2011) . As 100% of Feather River hatchery spring

- run Chinook are marked and tagged, this translates into slightly less than 1% of the Butte Creek returns ( Table 9 ) be ing compromised with hatchery strays. This is well below the 10% allowable stray rate for out

- of

diversity

- group

- origin fish within one generation as described in Williams et al. (2011)

.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

66 6.3.2.7. Summary of Current Viability

As reported in Williams et al. (2011) , the status of CV spring

- run Chinook salmon has probably deteriorated on
balance since the 2005 status review (Good et al. 2005) , and Lindley et al.’s (2007) assessment, with two of the three extant populations slipping from low or moderate extinction risk to high extinction risk. Butte Creek and Deer Creek spring

- run are at low risk of extinction, satisfying both the population viability analysis (PVA) and other viability criteria. However, continued documentation of hatchery strays to Butte Creek could put it on the verge of be ing moved to the high risk category. Mill Creek is at mo derate extinction risk according to the PVA, but appear to satisfy the other viability criteria for low

- risk status (Lindley et al. 2007)

. As a whole, the s pring

run fail the representation and redundancy rule for ESU viability . T he current distribution of independent populations has been severely constricted to only one of their former geographic di versity groups. Therefore, the spring

- run ESU is at moderate risk of extinction in 100 year s.

6.3.2.8. Critical Habitat

NMFS designated critical habitat for this species on September 2, 2005 (70 FR 52488). The critical habitat boundary includes the Sacramento River and several tributaries from the Big Chico tributary with Sacramento River upstream to Shasta Dam ( Table 10 ).

There are 38 occupied HS A watersheds within the fr eshwater and estuarine range of this ESU. As shown in Figure 6 , s even watersheds received a low rating, 3 received a medium rating, and 27 received a high rating of

c ons ervation value to the ESU (NMFS 2005)

. Fou r of these HSA watersheds comprise portions of the San
Francisco

- San Pablo

- Suisun Bay estuarine complex which provides rearing and migratory habitat for this ESU.

The current condition of PCEs of the CV Spring

- run Chinook salmon critical habitat indicates that PCEs are not currently functioning or are degraded; their conditions are likely to maintain a low population abundance across the ESU. Spawning and rearing PCEs are degraded by high water temperature caused by the loss of access to historic spawning areas in the upper watersheds which maintained cool and clean water throughout the summer. The rearing PCE is degraded by floodplain habitat being disconnected from the mainstem of larger rivers throughout the Sacramento River watershed, thereby reducing effective foraging. Migration PCE is degraded by lack of natural cover along the migration corridors. Juvenile migration is obstructed by water diversions along Sacramento River and by two large state and federal water

- export facilities in the Sacrament o

- San Joaquin Delta.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

67

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

68 Table 10 . CV Spring

- run Chinook salmon CALWATER HSA watersheds with conservation values.

HUC 4 Subbasin HUC 5 Watershed conservation Value (CV) High CV PCE(s) 1 Medium CV PCE(s) 1 Low CV PCE(s) 1

San Francisco Bay San Francisco Bay Estuary

PCEs 0 0 1 Estuary PCEs Suisun Bay Suisun Bay 1 0 0 0 Tehama 1 (1, 2, 3) 1 (1, 2, 3) 0 Whitmore 1 (1, 2, 3) 0 2 (1, 2, 3) Redding 2 (1, 2, 3) 0 0 Eastern Tehama 4 (1, 2, 3) 0 0 Sacramento Delta 1 (2, 3, 1) 0 0 Valley Putah

Cache 1 (1, 2, 3) 0 0 Marysville 3 (1, 2, 3) 0 0 Yuba River 2 (1, 2, 3) 1 (1, 2, 3) 1 (1, 2, 3) Valley

- American 2 (1, 2, 3) 0 0 Colusa Basin 4 (1, 2, 3) 0 0 Butte Creek 1 (1, 2, 3) 0 0 B a ll Mountain 0 0 1 (1, 2, 3) Shasta Bally 3 (1, 2, 3) 0 1 (1, 2, 3) North Diablo Range 0 1 (1, 2, 3) 0 San Joaquin Delta 0 0 1 (1, 2, 3) Total 28 3 7 1 Numbers in parenthesis refers to the dominant (in river miles) PCE(s) within the HUC 5 watersheds. PCE 1 is spawning and rearing, 2 is rearing and migration, and 3 is migration and presence. PCEs with < means that the number of river miles of th e PCE is much less than river miles of the other PCE.

Contaminants from agriculture and urban areas have degraded rearing and migration PCEs to the extent that they have lost their functions necessary to serve their intended role to conserve the species. Water qu ality impairments in the designated critical habitat of this ESU include inputs from fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, surfactants, heavy metals, petroleum products, animal and human sewage, sediment in the form of turbidity, and other ant hropogenic pollutants. Pollutants enter the surface waters and riverine sediments as contaminated stormwater runoff, aerial drift and deposition, and via point source discharges. Some contaminants such as mercury and pentachlorophenol enter the aquatic f ood web after reaching water and may be concentrated or even biomagnified in salmon tissue.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

69 Figure 6 . Central Valley Spring

- run Chinook salmon Conservation Values per Sub

- Area.

6.3.3. Sacramento River Winter

- r un Chinook Salmon

The ESU includes all winter

- run Chinook salmon entering and using the Sacramento River system in the Central Valley, California. The ESU boundary extends from the Carquinez Strait by the City of Vallejo and

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

70 Benicia upstream the Sacramento River, including all its tributaries, to below Keswick Dam ( Figure 7 ). The ESU now consists of a single spawning population.

6.3.3.1. Life History

The distribution of winter

- run spawning and most rearing is limited to the upper Sacramento River and its tributaries, where spring

- fed streams provide cold water throughout the summer, allowing for spawning, egg incubation, and rearing during the mid

- summ er period (Yoshiyama et al. 1998) . The headwaters of the McCloud, Pit, and Little Sacramento rivers, and Ha t and Battle creeks, historically provided clean, loose gravel; cold, well

- oxygenated water; and optimal stream flow in riffle habitats for spawning and incubation. These areas also provided the cold, productive waters for egg and fry development and surv ival, and juvenile rearing
over the summer.

The upper Sacramento River is the only spawning area used by winter

- run, although occasional strays have been reported in Battle and Clear Creek. In recent years, the majority of winter

- run (i.e., > 50 percent since 2007) spawn in the area from Keswick Dam downstream to the ACID Dam (approximately 5 miles). Keswick
Dam re

- regulates flow from Shasta Dam and mixes it with water diverted from the Trinity River through the Spring Creek tunnel. When the gates are d own at RBDD, or flashboards in at the ACID Dam, access to the upper Sacramento River basin, including tributaries, can only be achieved through the RBDD and ACID Dam
fish ladders.

The winter

- run Chinook salmon have characteristics of both stream

- and ocea n

- type races (Healey 1991)

. Adults enter fresh water in winter or early spring but delay spawning most years until May and June. During the 4 to 6 week period when alevins remain in the gravel, they utilize their yolk

- sac to nourish their bodies. As their yolk

- sac is depleted, f ry begin to emerge from the gravel to begin exogenous feeding in their natal stream. Fry typically range from 25 mm to 40 mm at this stage (Groot and Margolis 1991, Healey 1991) . Upon emergence, fry swim or are displaced downstream (Healey 1991) . The post

- emergent fry disperse to the margins of their natal stream, seeking out shallow waters with slower currents, finer sediments, and bank cover such as overhanging and submerged vegetation, root wads, and fallen woody debris, and begin feeding on zooplan kton, small insects, and other micro

- crustaceans. Some fry may take up residence in their natal stream for several weeks to a year or more, while others are displaced downstream by the stream’s current. Once started downstream, fry may continue downstrea m to the estuary and rear there, or may take up residence in

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

71 river reaches farther downstream for a period of time ranging from weeks to a year (Healey 1991) . Fry seek nearshore habitats containing riparian veget ation and associated substrates important for providing aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, predator avoidance, and slower velocities for resting. The benefits of shallow water habitats for salmonid rearing have been found to be more productive tha n th e main river channels, supporting higher growth rates, partially due to higher prey consumption rates, as well as favorable environmental temperatures (Sommer et al. 2001) . Fry emerge from the grav el in late June to early July and continue through
October (Fisher 1994) . As stated above, some offspring move downstream a s fry (ocean

- type) while other s rear in the upper Sacramento River and move down as smolt (river

- type). Monitoring programs have shown that young winter

- run Chinook salmon fry start migrating to sea and may migrate past the Red Bluff Diversion Dam (RBDD) as early as mid

- July with a peak movement over the RBDD in September (Vogel and Marine 1991, NMFS 1997, Bajjaliya and Vincik 2008b, 2010a, USFWS and Reclamation 2007) . Normally fry have passed
the RBD D by October, while smolts may pass over the RBDD until March ( Table 11 ). Juvenile winter

- runs occur in the Delta beginning in October, primarily from November throug h February, but can continue until early May. Winter

- run juveniles remain in the Delta until they are from 5 to 10 months of age, and then begin emigrating to the ocean as early as November and continue through May (Fisher 1994, Myers et al. 1998) . As with all runs, the timing of migration each year may var y somewhat due to changes in river flows, dam operations, and type of water year. The winter

- run race matures between two and six years of age with the majority returning as three

- year olds.
Table 11 . Temporal occurrence of adult and juvenile winter

- run Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River. Darker shades indicate months of greatest relative abundance. Adult migration Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sac. River basin a Upper Sac. R

. mainstem b

Juvenile migration Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sac. River at RBDD c
Sac. River at KL d
Lower Sac. River e
North Delta e

RBDD=Red Bluff Diversion Dam KL = Knights Landing

Relative Abundance: = High = Medium = Low

a Yoshiyama et al. (1998) ; b Moyle (2002) ; c Martin et al. (2001) ; d Snider and Titus (2000b) and Bajjaliya and Vincik (2008b) ; e USFWS (2010a, 2012b)

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

72 6.3.3.2. Status and Trends

NMFS listed Sacramento River w inter

- run Chinook salmon as endangered on January 4, 1994 (59 FR 440), and reaffirmed their endangered status on June 28, 2005 (70 FR 37160). The winter

- run Chinook salmon spawne d and reared in the upper Sacramento River and its tributaries (Slater 1963b, Yoshiyama et al. 1998) . Today the Shasta Dam eliminates access to the historic spawning habitat . Cold water releases from Shasta D am have also
created conditions suitable for winter

- run spawning and rearing in a 60

- to 100

- mile long portion of the
Sacramento River downstream of the dam. However, spawning only occurs from Keswick Dam to approximately 44 miles downstream (Yoshiyama et al. 1998)

. As a result, the Sacrament o River w inter

- run Chinook salmon has been reduced to a single spawning population confined to a portion of the main stem Sacramento River.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

73 Figure 7

. Sacramento River Winter

- run Chinook salmon distribution.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

74 Winter

- runs may have been as large as 200,000 fish based upon commercial fisher y records from the 1870s (Fisher 1994)

. During the first three years of operation of the counting facility at the RBDD ( Fro m 1967 to
1969 ) , an average of 86,500 winter

- run Chinook salmon were counted with a high of over 230,000 adults (C DFG 2008, Good et al. 2005) . A rapid decline occurred from 1969 to 1979 after completion of the RBDD. Over the next 20 years, the population eventually reached a low point of only 186 adults in 1994. At that point,
winter

- run was at a high risk of ex tinction, as defined in the guideline for recovery of CV salmonids (Lindley et
al. 200 7) . If not for a very successful captive broodstock program, construction of a temperature control device on Shasta Dam, changing operational procedures at the RBDD (keeping the gates up for most of the year), and restrictions in ocean harvest, the pop ulation would have likely failed to exist in the wild.

The population grew rapidly from the early 1990s to mid

- 2005. Mean run size increased from 1,363 before
2000 with all runs estimated to less than 10,000 fish to an average run of 8,470 adults between 2000 and 2006 with two runs estimated to more than 10,000 fish (USFWS and Reclamation 2007) . However, the natural produced winter

- run Chinook salmon plunged in 2007 and 2008, with 4,461 adults estimated for 2007 and a preliminary estimate between of 2,600

- 2,850 adults for 2008 (USFWS 2008)

.

The Sacramento River w inter

- run Chinook salmon is expected to have lost some genetic diversity through bottleneck effects in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Hatchery releases may also have affec ted population genetics. The loss of natural spawning habitat and hydrological conditions has further removed the natural evolutionary processes that maintained the unique winter

- run life history.

The status of winter

- run is typical of most endangered sp ecies populations, that is, a sharp downward decline followed by years of low abundance ( Figure 8 ). Lindley et al. (2004b) identified four historical populations
within the winter

- run ESU, all independent populations, defined as those sufficiently large to be historically viable in isolation and whose demographics and extinction risk were minimally influenced by immigrants fr om adjacent populations (McElhany et al. 2000) . All four independent populations, however, are extinct in their historical spawning ranges. Three (Little Sacramento; Pit, Fall, Hat; and McCloud River) are blocked by the impassable Ke swick and Shasta dams (Lindl ey et al. 2004b) , and Battle Creek independent population is no longer self

- sustaining (Lindley et al. 2007) . Lindley et al. (2007) provided various quantitative criteria to

ev aluate the risk of extinction ( Table 8 ). A population must meet all the low

- risk thresholds to be considered viable. The following provides the evaluation of the li kelihood of winter

- run becoming viable based on the

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

75 VSP parameters of size, population growth rate, spatial structure, and diversity. These specific parameters are important to evaluate because they are predictors of extinction risk, and the parameters re flect general biological and ecological processes that are critical to the growth and survival of salmon (McElhany et al. 2000)

.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

76 Figure 8 . Estimated yearly adult natural production and in

- river adult es capement of winter

- run from 1967

- 2007 based on RBDD ladder counts.

In a recent Biological Opinion on the long

- term operations of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project (NMFS 2009a)
, NMFS conclude d for all four VSP parameters that winter

- run Chinook salmon are at a high risk of extinction. These parameters are summarized below.

6.3.3.3. Population Size

Information about population size provides an indication of the type of extinction risk that a population faces. For instance, smaller populations are at a greater risk of extinction than large populations because the processes that affect populations operate differently in small populations than in large populations (McElhany et al. 2000)

. One risk of low population sizes is depensation. Depensation occurs when populations are reduced to very low densities and per capita growth rates decrease as a result of a variety of mechanisms [e.g., failure to find mates and therefore reduced probability of fertilization, failure to saturate predator populations (Liermann and Hilborn 2001) . The winter

- run population as represented by the 5

- year moving average from adult escapement was following an increasing trend from the mid

- 1990s until 2006. In 2007, the winter

- run population declined

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

77 precipitously. Low adult escapement was repeated in 2008. Likewise, the 5

- year moving average cohort replacement rate was relatively stable since the late 1990s, with each cohort approximately doubling in size. However, the cohort replacement of 6.08 in 2003 buffered the effect of the significant decline in th e cohort replacement rate of 0.32 in 2007. In consideration of the almost 7

- fold decrease in population in 2007, and the dry years that have followed, NMFS concludes that the winter

- run are at high risk of extinction based on population size.

6.3.3.4. Population Growth Rate

The productivity of a population ( i.e., production over the entire life cycle) can reflect conditions ( e.g., environmental conditions) that influence the dynamics of a population and determine abundance. In turn, the productivity of a population allows an understanding of the performance of a population across the landscape and habitats in which it exists and its response to those habitats (McElhany et al. 2000)

. In general, declining productivity e quates to declining population abundance. McElhany et al. (2000) suggested a population’s natural productivity should be sufficient to maintain its abundance above the viable level (a stable or increasing population growth rate). This guideline seem s reasonable in the absence of numeric abundance targets. Winter

run Chinook salmon have declined substantially from historic levels. The one remaining population of winter

run on the mainstem Sacramento River is also the entire current ESU. Good et al. (2005) reported the medium population growth rate at slightly under 1.000 ( Table 6 )

. Although the population growth rate (indicated by the cohort replacement rate λ ) increased since the late 1990s, it drastically decreased in 2007 and 2008, indicating that the population is not replacing itself, and is at a high risk of extinction in the foreseeable future.

6.3.3.5. Spatial Structure

In general, there is less information av ailable on how spatial processes relate to salmonid viability than there is for the other VSP parameters (McElhany et al. 2000)

. Understanding the spatial structure of a population is important because the population structure can affect evolutionary processes and, therefore, alter the ability of a population to adapt to spatial or temporal changes in the species’ environment (Mc Elhany et al. 2000)

. The spatial structure of Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook salmon resembles that of a panmictic population, where there are no subpopulations, and every mature male is equally likely to mate with every other mature
female. The f

our historical independent populations of winter

- run have been reduced to one population,

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

78 resulting in a significant reduction in their spatial diversity. An ESU comprised of one population is not viable because it is unlikely to be able to adapt to signi ficant environmental changes. A single catastrophe ( e.g ., volcanic eruption of Lassen Peak, prolonged drought which depletes the cold water pool at Lake Shasta, or some related failure to manage cold water storage, spill of toxic materials, or a disease o utbreak) could extirpate
the entire winter

- run ESU if its effects persisted for 3 or more years. The majority of winter

- run return to spawn in 3 years, so a single catastrophe with effects that persist for at least 3 years would affect all of the
winter

- r un cohorts. Therefore, NMFS concludes that winter

- run are at a high risk of extinction based on spatial

structure.

6.3.3.6. Diversity
Diversity, both genetic and behavioral, is critical to success in a changing environment. Salmonids express
variation in a suite of traits, such as anadromy, morphology, fecundity, run timing, spawn timing, juvenile behavior, age at smolting, age at maturity, egg size, developmental rate, ocean distribution patterns, male and female spawning behavior, and physiology and molecular ge netic characteristics. The more diverse these traits (or the more these traits are not restricted), the more adaptable a population is, and the more likely that individuals, and therefore the species, would survive and reproduce in the face of environment al variation (McElhany et al. 2000)

. However, when this diversity is reduced due to loss of entire life history strategies or to loss of habitat used by fish exhibiting variation in life history traits, the species is in all probability less able

to survive and reproduce given environmental variation. The primary factor affecting the diversity of winter

- run is the limited area of spawning habitat available on the
main stem Sacramento River downstream of Keswick Dam. This specific and narrow spawnin g habitat limits the flexibility and variation in spawning locations for winter

- run to tolerate environmental variation. For example, a catastrophe on the main stem Sacramento River could affect the entire population, and therefore,
ESU. However, with th e majority of spawners being 3 years old, winter

- run do reserve some genetic and behavioral variation in that in any given year, two cohorts are in the marine environment, and therefore, not exposed to the same environmental stressors as their freshwater c ohorts. Although the Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery ( LSNFH ) is characterized as one of the best examples of a conservation hatchery operated to maximize genetic diversity and minimize domestication of the offspring produced in the hatchery, it

st ill faces some of the same diversity issues as other hatcheries in reducing the diversity of the naturally

spawning population. Therefore, Lindley et al

. (2000) characterizes hatchery influence as a looming concern

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

79 with regard to diversity. Ev en with a small contribution of hatchery fish to the natural spawning population, hatchery contributions could compromise the long term viability and extinction risk of winter

- run. NMFS concludes that the current diversity in this ESU is much reduced comp ared to historic levels, and that winter

- run are at a high risk of extinction based on the diversity VSP parameter.

6.3.3.7. Critical Habitat

NMFS designated critical habitat for this species on June 16, 1993 (58 FR 33212). The designated critical
habitat for wi nter

- run includes the Sacramento River from Keswick Dam (RM 302 to Chipps Island (RM 0) at the westward margin of the Delta; all waters from Chipps Island westward to Carquinez Bridge, including Honker Bay, Grizzly Bay, Suisun Bay, and Carquinez Strait; al l waters of San Pablo Bay westward of the Carquinez Bidge; and all waters of San Francisco Estuary to the Golden Gate Bridge north of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge. In the Sacramento River, critical habitat includes the river water column, river
bo ttom, and adjacent riparian zone (limited to those areas above a streambank that provide cover and shade to the nearshore aquatic areas) used by fry and juveniles for rearing. In the area westward of Chipps Island,
critical habitat includes the estuarine water column and essential foraging habitat and food resources used by
winter

- run as part of their juvenile emigration or adult spawning migration.

In designating critical habitat, NMFS considers the following requirements of the spe c ies: (1) space for
i ndividual and population growth, and for normal behavior; (2) food, water, air, light, minerals, or other nutritional or physiological requirements; (3) cover or shelter; (4) sites for breeding, reproduction, or rearing offspring; and generally, (5) habita ts that are protected from disturbance or are representative of the historic geographical and ecological distributions of a species [see 50 CFR 424.12(b)]. In addition to these factors, NMFS also focuses on the known physical and biological features (esse ntial features) within the designated area that are essential to the conservation of the species and that may require special management considerations or protection. These essential features may include, but are not limited to, spawning sites, food resou rces, water quality and quantity, and riparian vegetation and other natural cover.

NMFS identified specific water temperature criteria, minimum instream flow criteria, and water quality standards as essential physical features (PCEs) of the ESU’s habitat for species conservation. In addition, biological features vital for the Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook salmon include unimpeded adult

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

80 upstream migration routes, spawning habitat, egg incubation and fry emergence areas, rearing areas for juveniles, a nd unimpeded downstream migration routes for juveniles.

This ESU has not been evaluated for the conservation value of individual subbasins or river sections. However, since spawning, rearing, and migration of the winter

- run race is restricted to the main stem of the Sacramento River, the entire Sacramento River is considered of high conservation value. The Delta is similarly considered of high conservation value for rearing and migration.

As there is overlap in designated critical habitat for both the Sa cramento River w inter

- run Chinook salmon and the spring

- run Chinook salmon, the conditions of PCEs for both ESUs are similar. The current condition of
PCEs for the Sacramento River w inter

- run Chinook salmon indicates that they are not currently functionin g or are degraded. Their conditions are likely to maintain low population abundances across the ESU. Spawning and rearing PCEs are especially degraded by high water temperature caused by the loss of access to historic spawning areas in the upper watershe ds where water maintain lower temperatures. The rearing PCE is further degraded by floodplain habitat disconnected (with the exception of the Yolo Bypass floodplain) from the mainstems of larger rivers throughout the Sacramento River watershed. The migra tion PCE is also degraded by the lack of natural cover along the migration corridors. Rearing and migration PCEs are further affected by pollutants entering the surface waters and riverine sediments as contaminated stormwater runoff, aerial drift and depo sition, and via point source discharges. Juvenile migration is obstructed by water diversions along Sacramento River and by two large state and federal water

- export facilities in the Sacramento

- San Joaquin
Delta.



### 6.4. California Central Valley Steelhead

The California Central Valley (CCV) steelhead DPS includes all naturally spawned steelhead populations below natural and manmade impassable barriers in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and their tributaries, excluding steelhead from San Francisco and San Pablo Bays and their tributaries, as well as two artificial propagation programs: the Coleman NFH, and Feather River Hatchery steelhead hatchery programs ( Figure 9 ).

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

81 6.4.1.1. Life History

Steelhead can be divided into two life history types, summer

- run steelhead and winter

- run steelhead, based on their state of sexual maturity at the time of river entry and the duration of their spawning migration, stream

matur ing and ocean

- maturing. Only winter steelhead are currently found in Central Valley rivers and streams (McEwan and Jackson 1996a)

. At present, summer steelhead are found only in northern California coast drainages, mostly in tributaries of the Eel, Klamath, and Trinity River systems (McEwan and Jackson 199 6a)

.

The CCV steelhead winter steelhead have the longest freshwater migration of any population of winter
steelhead. C C V steelhead generally leave the ocean from August through April (Busby et al. 1996) , and spawn from December through April, with peaks from January th r ough March, i n small streams and tributaries where cool, well oxygenated water is available year

- round (Hallock et al. 1961, McEwan and Jackson 1996a)

. Most spawning habitat for steelhead in the Central Valley is located in areas di rectly downstream of dams containing suitable environmental conditions for spawning and incubation. The length of time it takes for eggs to hatch depends mostly on water temperature. Hatching of steelhead eggs in hatcheries takes about 30 days at 51°F.
F ry emerge from the gravel usually about 4 to 6 weeks after hatching, but factors such as redd depth, gravel size, siltation, and temperature can affect emergence timing (Shapovalov a nd Taft 1954)

. Newly emerged fry move to the shallow, protected areas associated with the stream margin (McEwan and Jackson 1996a)

. Steelhead rearing during the summer occurs primarily in higher vel ocity areas in pools, although young of the

year also are abundant in glides and riffles. Both spawning areas and migratory corridors comprise rearing habitat for juveniles, which feed and grow before and during their outmigration. Non

- natal, intermittent
tributaries , and inundated floodplains also may be used for juvenile rearing. On flood years when the Yolo Bypass (floodplain to the Sacramento River) is inundated, steelhead find exceptional rearing and foraging opportunities (Sommer et al. 2001) . Steelhead m igratory corridors are downstream of the spawning a reas and include the lower mainstems of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and the Delta.

Productive steelhead habitat is characterized by complexity, primarily in the form of large and small woody
debris. Cover is an important habitat component for juvenile steelhead both as velocity refugia and as a means of avoiding predation (Meehan and Bjornn 1991)

.

Juvenile steelhead emigrate episodically from natal streams during fall, winter, and spring high flows ( Table
12 )

. Emigrating CV steelhead use the lower reaches of the Sacramento River and the Delta for rearing and as a

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

82 migration corridor to the ocean. Juvenile CV steelhead feed mostly on drifting aqua tic organisms and terrestrial
insects and will also take active bottom invertebrates (Moyle 2002)

.

Hallock et al

. (1961) found that juvenile steelhe ad in the Sacramento River basin migrate downstream during most months of the year, but the peak period of emigration occurred in March and April , with a much smaller peak in the fall. Emigrating C CV steelhead use the lower reaches of the Sacramento River and the Delta for rearing and as a migration corridor to the ocean. Some juvenile steelhead may u s e tidal marsh areas, non

- tidal freshwater marshes, and other shallow water areas in the Delta as rearing areas for short periods prior to their final emigra tion to the sea (Hallock et al. 1961)

. Nobriga and Cadrett (2003) also have verified these temporal findings based on analysis of captures at Chipps Island, Suisun Bay.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

83 Table 12 . Temporal occurrence of adult and juvenile CCV steelhead in the Central Valley. Darker shades indicate months of greatest relative abundance. Adult migration Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sac. River basin a ,c
Sac. R

. RBDD b ,c Mill, Deer creeks d
Sac. R. Freemont Weir e San Joaquin River f

Juvenile migration Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sac. River at RBDD a,b
Sac. River at KL b,g,h Chipps Island i
Mossdale g Woodbridge Dam g
Sac. R. a t Hood j

RBDD=Red Bluff Diversion Dam KL = Knights Landing

Relative Abundance: = High = Medium = Low

a Hallock et al. (1961) ; b McEwan (2001b) ; c USFWS (unpublished (1995) data); d CDFG (1995) ; e Bailey (1954) ; f CDFG Steelhead Report Card Data; g CDFG (unpublished data); h Snider and Titus (2000b) ; i Nobriga and Cadrett (2003) ; j Scha f fter (1980, 1997)

.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

84 Figure 9

. CCV steelhead distribution

.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

85 6.4.1.2. Status and Trends

NMFS originally listed CCV steelhead as threatened on March 19, 1998 , and reaffirmed their th reatened status

on January 5, 2006 (71 FR 834). The CCV steelhead DPS may have consisted of 81 historical and independent populations (Lindley et al. 2006b) . Spatial structure and patchiness strongly influenced suitable habitats being
isolated d ue largely to high summer temperatures on the valley floor.

Over the past 30 years, the naturally

- spawned steelhead populations in the upper Sacramento River have
dec lined substantially

. Hallock et al. (1961) estimated an average of 20,540 adult steelhead through the 1960s in the Sacramento River, upstream of the Feather River. Steelhead counts at the RBDD declined from an average of approximately 8,000 for the period of 1967 to 1977, to an average of approxi mately 2,000 through the early 1990s, with an estimated total annual run size for the entire Sacramento

- San Joaquin system, based on RBDD counts, to be no more than 10,000 adults (McEwan and Jackson 1996a, McEwan 2001b) . Steelhead escapement surveys at RBDD ended in 1993 due to changes in dam o perations.

Nobriga and Cadrett (2003) compared CWT and untagged (wild) steelhead smolt catch ratios at Chipps Island trawl from 1998 through 2001 to e stimate that about 100,000 to 300,000 steelhead juveniles are produced naturally each year in the Central Valley. Good et al. (2005) made the following conclusion based on the Chipps Island data:

"If we make the fairly generous assumptions (in the sen se of generating large estimates of spawners) that average fecundity is 5,000 eggs per female, 1 percent of eggs survive to reach Chipps Island, and 181,000 smolts are produced (the 1998

- 2000 average), about 3,628 female steelhead spawn naturally in
the en tire Central Valley. This can be compared with McEwan's (2001b) estimate of 1 million to 2 million spawners before 1850, and 40,000 spawners in the 1960s."

The species’ present distribution ha s been greatly reduced with about 80% of historic habitat lost behind dams and about 38% of habitat patches that supported independent populations are no longer accessible to steelhead (Lindley et al. 2006b) . Existing wild steelhead stocks in the Central Valley are mostly confined to the upper Sacramento River and its tributaries, including Antelop e, Deer, and Mill Creeks and the Yuba River. Populations may exist in Big Chico and Butte Creeks. A few wild steelhead are produced in the American and

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

86 Feather Rivers (Good et al. 2005, McEwan and Jackson 1996a)

. Steelhead have also been observed in Clear
Creek and Stanislaus River (Good et al. 2005, Demko and Cramer 2000)

. Until recently, steelhead were
considered extirpated from the San Joaquin River system. Recent monitoring has detected small self

- sustaining populations of steelhead in the Stanislaus, Mokelumne, C alaveras, and other streams previously thought to be
void of steelhead (Good et al. 2005) . In 2004, a total of 12 ste elhead smolts were collected in monitoring trawls
at the Mossdale station in the lower San Joaquin River (CDFG unpublished data).

Historic CCV steelhead run size may have approached one to two million adults annually (McEwan 2001b) . By the early 1960s, the steelhead run size had declined to about 40,000 adults (McEwan 2001b) . St eelhead were counted at the Red Bluff Diversion Dam (RBDD) up until 1993. Counts at the dam declined from an average of 11,187 for the period of 1967 to 1977, to an average of approximately 2,000 through the early 1990s . A n estimated total annual run siz e for the entire Sacramento

- San Joaquin system was no more than 10,000 adults during the early 1990s (McEwan and Jac kson 1996a, McEwan 2001b)

. Based on catch ratios at Chipps Island in the Delta and using some generous assumptions regarding survival, the average number of CV steelhead females spawning naturally in the entire Central Valley during the years 1980 to 2 000 was estimated at about 3,600 (Good et al. 2005)

.

CCV steelhead lack annual monitoring data for calculating trends and lambda. However, the RBDD counts and redd counts up to 1993 and later sporadic data show that the DPS has had a significant long

- term downward
trend in abundance (NMFS 2009a)

.

The CCV steelhead distribution ranged over a wide variety of environmental conditions and likely contained biologically significant amounts of spatially structured genetic diversity (Lindley et al. 2006b)

. Thus, the loss of populations and reduction in abundances have reduced t he large diversity that existed within the DPS. The genetic diversity of the majority of CCV steelhead spawning runs is also compr omised by hatchery

- origin fish. In order to determine the current likelihood of the CV steelhead DPS becoming viable, we use d the historical population structure of CV steelhead presented in Lindley et al

. (2006b, 2007) and the concept of VSP for evaluating populations described by McElhany et al. (2000) , and applied by Lindley et al (2007) to the CV
steelhead DPS

.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

87 Table 8 pro vides various quantitative criteria to evaluate the risk of extinction. The following provides the evaluation of the likelihood of the threatened CV steelhead DPS becoming viable based on the VSP parameters of population size, population growth rate, spati al structure, and diversity.

6.4.1.3. Population S ize
Estimated natural CV steelhead escapement in the upper Sacramento River has declined substantially from 1967 through 1993. There is still a nearly complete lack of steelhead monitoring in the Central Valley (Goo d et al. 2005) , and therefore, data are lacking regarding a definitive population size for CV steelhead. However, the little data that exist indicate that the CV steelhead population continues to decline (Good et al. 2005)

.

6.4.1.4. Population Growth Rate

CV ste elhead has shown a pattern of a negative growth rate since the late 1960s. Good et al

. (2005) provided no indication that this trend has changed since the last CV steelhead population census in 1993 . The λ value for CV steelhead is less than 1.000 ( Table 6 ; (Good et al. 2005)

.

6.4.1.5. Spatial Structure

Lindley et al

. (2006b) identified 81 historical and independent p opulations within the CV steelhead DPS. These populations form 8 clusters, or diversity groups, based on the similarity of the habitats they occupied for spawning and rearing. About 80 percent of the habitat that was historically available to CV steelhead is now behind impassable dams, and 38 percent of the populations have lost all of their habitats. Although much of the habitat has been blocked by impassable dams, or degraded, small populations of CV steelhead are still found throughout habitat availabl e in the Sacramento River and many of the tributaries, and some of the tributaries to the San Joaquin River.

6.4.1.6. Diversity
Diversity, both genetic and behavioral, provides a species the opportunity to respond to sudden environmental changes. CV steelhead nat urally experience the most diverse life history strategies of the listed Central Valley anadromous salmonid species. In addition to being iteroparous, they reside in freshwater for 2

- 4 years before

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

88 emigrating to the ocean. However, as the species’ abunda nce decreases, and spatial structure of the DPS is reduced, it has less flexibility to respond to changes in the environment. CV steelhead abundance and growth rate continue to decline, largely the result of a significant reduction in the diversity of hab itats available to CV
steelhead (Lindley et al. 2006b)

. The genetic diversity of CV steelhead is also compromised by hatchery

- origin fish, which likely comprise the majority of the natural spawning run, placing the natural populations at high risk
of extinction (Lindley et al. 2007)

. Consistent with the life history strategy of winter

- run and spring

- run Chinook salmon , some genetic and behavioral variation is conserved in that in any given year, there are additional cohorts in the marine environment, and therefore, not exposed to the same environmental stressors as
their freshwater cohorts.

6.4.1.7. Critical Habitat

NMFS designated critical habitat for CCV steelhead on September 2, 2005 ( 70 FR 52 488 ). Critical habitat includes stream reaches such as those of the Sacramento, Feather, and Yuba Rivers, and Deer, Mill, Battle, and Antelope creeks in the Sacramento River basin; the lower San Joaquin River to the confluence with the Merced River, including its tributaries, and the waterways of the Delta ( Figure 10 )

. The total area of critical habitat includes about 2,300 miles of stream habitat and about 250 square miles of estuarine habitat in the San
Francisco

- San Pablo

- Suisan Bay estuarine complex.

There are 67 occupied HAS watersheds within the freshwater and estuarine range of this DPS

. Twelve watersheds received a low rating, 18 received a medium rating, and 37 received a high rating of conservation
value to the ESU (NMFS 2005) . Four of these HSA watersheds comprise portions of the San Francisco

- San
Pablo

- Suisun Bay estuarine complex which provides rearing and migratory habitat for this ESU.

Table 13

. CCV spring

- run Chinook salmon CALWATER HSA watersheds with conservation values.

HUC 4 Subbasin HUC 5 Watershed conservation Value (CV)
High CV PCE(s) 1 Medium CV PCE(s) 1 Low CV PCE(s) 1
San Francisco Bay 1 2 0 0 South Bay 0 0 1 2 San Pablo 1 2 0 0 Suisun Bay 1 2 0 0 Tehama 1 1, 2, 3 1 1, 2, 3 0 Whitmore 3 1, 2, 3 2 1, 2, 3 2 1, 2, 3 Redding 2 1, 2, 3 0 0 Eastern Tehama 4 1, 2, 3 1 1, 2, 3 1 1, 2, 3

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

89 HUC 4 Subbasin HUC 5 Watershed conservation Value (CV)
High CV PCE(s) 1 Medium CV PCE(s) 1 Low CV PCE(s) 1
Sacramento Delta 1 1, 2, 3 0 0 Valley Putah

- Cache 0 2 1, 2, 3 0 American River 0 1 1, 2, 3 0 Marysville 2 1, 2, 3 1 1, 2, 3 0 Yuba River 2 1, 2, 3 0 2 1, 2, 3 Valley

- American 2 1, 2, 3 0 0 Colusa Basin 4 1, 2, 3 0 0 Butte Creek 1 1, 2, 3 1 1, 2, 3 1 1, 2, 3 B a ll Mountain 1 1, 2, 3 0 0 Shasta Bally 2 1, 2, 3 3 1, 2, 3 0 North Valley Floor 1 1, 2, 3 1 1, 2, 3 1 1, 2, 3 Middle Sierra 0 0 4 1, 2, 3 Upper Calaveras 1 1, 2, 3 0 0 Stanislaus River 1 1, 2, 3 0 0 San Joaquin Valley Floor 4 1, 2, 3 3 1, 2, 3 0 Delta

- Mendota Canal 1 1, 2, 3 1 1, 2, 3 0 North Diablo Range 0 1 0 San Joaquin Delta 1 1, 2, 3 0 0 Total 37 18 12 1 Numbers in parenthesis refers to the dominant (in river miles) PCE(s) within the HUC 5 watersheds. PCE 1 is spawning and rearing, 2 is rearing and migration, and 3 is migration and presence. PCEs with < means that the number of river miles of the PCE is much less than river miles of the other PCE.

The current condition of C CV steelhead critical habitat is degraded, and does not provide the conservation value necessary for species recovery ( Table 13 ) . In addition, the Sacramento

- San Joaquin River Delta, as part of
C CV steelhead designated critical habitat, provides very little function necessary for juvenile C CV steelhead rearing and physiological transition to salt water.

T he spawning PCE is subject to variations in flows and temperatures, particularly over the summer months. Some complex, productive habitats with floodplains remain in the system and flood bypasses ( e.g., Yolo and Sutter bypasses). However, the rearing PCE is degraded by the channelized, leveed, and riprapped river reaches and sloughs that are common in the Sacramento

- San Joaquin system and which typically have low habitat complexity, low abundance of food organisms, and offer little protection f rom either fish or avian predators. Stream channels commonly have elevated temperatures.

The current conditions of migration corridors are substantially degraded. Both migration and rearing PCEs are affected by dense urbanization and agriculture along t he mainstems and in the Delta which contribute to

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

90 reduced water quality by introducing several contaminants. In the Sacramento River, the migration corridor for both juveniles and adults is obstructed by the RBDD gates which are down from May 15 through S eptember 15. The migration PCE is also obstructed by complex channel configuration making it more difficult for C CV steelhead to migrate successfully to the western Delta and the ocean. In addition, the s tate and f ederal government pumps and associated f ish facilities change flows in the Delta which impede and obstruct for a functioning migration corridor that enhance migration. The estuarine PCE, which is present in the Delta, is affected by contaminants from agricultural and urban runoff and release of wastewater treatment plants e ffluent.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

91 Figure 10 . California Central Valley Steelhead Conservation Value per Sub

- area.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

92 6.4.1.8. The Yolo Bypass floodplain habitat

Sommer et al. (2001, 2004, 2005b) have documented the importance of the Yolo Bypass as beneficial rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids relative to the riverine habitat in the near

- by Sacramento River. Indeed, the 24,000

- ha Yolo Bypass floodplain is the primary floodplain of the Sacramento River, and of the combined
Sacramento

- San Joaquin delta. When inundated the Yolo provides significant rearing habitat for all species of Chinook, for steelhead and other fishes. Sommer et al. (2001) estimated that complete inundation of the Yolo Bypass c reates a wetted area approximately 10 times larger than the adjacent reach of the Sacramento River, and is equivalent to a doubling of the wetted are of the entire delta portion of the San Francisco Estuary. Much of the floodplain habitat consists of broad shoals composed of soil and vegetation that are typical of the low

velocity conditions selected by young salmon (Everest and Chapman 1972, Healey 1982)

. Sommer et al. (2001) demonstrated Chinook salmon rearing in the Yolo Bypass floodplain have higher ap parent growth rates than those that remain in the Sacramento River channel. The Yolo has higher temperatures and a more diverse and abundant food supply (Sommer et al. 2001)

.

The Yolo Bypass floods an average of every other year, typically under high flow periods in winter and spring. The Yolo Bypass has a complex hydrology, with inundation possible from several different sources. The floodplain typically has a peak inundation p eriod during January

– March but can flood as early as October and as late as June. The primary input to the Yolo Bypass is through the Fremont Weir in the north, which conveys floodwaters from the Sacramento and Feather rivers. During major storm events , additional water enters from the east via the Sacramento Weir, adding flow from the American and Sacramento rivers. Flow also enters the Yolo Bypass from several small streams on its western margin, including Knights Landing, Ridge Cut, Cache Creek, and Putah Creek. Hydraulic residence times are typically longer in the Yolo Bypass than in the
Sacramento River (Sommer et al. 2004)

.

Floodwaters recede from the northern and western portions of the Bypass along relatively even elevation gradients of 0.09 percent west

– east and 0.01 percent north

– south into a perennial channel on the ea stern edge (the ―toe

- drain‖). The receding waters then join the Sacramento River near Rio Vista. The majority of the Yolo Bypass is managed for wildlife in a mosaic that includes riparian, wetland, upland, and perennial pond habitats;
however a dominant la nd use is agriculture, of which rice growing is a significant component.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

93 During typical flood events between January and March, all three listed salmonid species would benefit from the enhanced rearing and growing conditions (as described in Sommer et a l. (2001) ) the Yolo Bypass provides. Juvenile spring

- and winter

- run Chinook would be passing through in relatively high abundance in January and
medium to low abundance Februar y to March ( Table 7 and Table 11 ). Steelhead would be passing through in medium abundance January

– February but would be in relatively high abundance during March ( Table 12 ).
Sommer et al. (2001) found salmon in all regions of the floodplain and on all substrate types. Juvenile Chinook were in a high percent age of the samples in each region of the floodplain: (1) Fremont Weir (100 percent, n = 13 samples), (2) Cache Creek Sinks (50 percent, n = 16 samples), (3) Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (77 percent, n = 22 samples),

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

94 

### 7. Environmental Baseline

By regulation, e nvironmental baselines for Opinions include the past and present impacts of all state, federal or private actions and other human activities in the action area, the anticipated impacts of all proposed federal projects in the action area that have already u ndergone formal or early section 7 consultation, and the impact of state or private actions which are contemporaneous with the consultation in process (50 CFR §402.02). The environmental baseline for this Opinion includes a general description of the natu ral and anthropogenic factors influencing the current status of the three listed Pacific salmonids and the environment within the action area.

Our summary of the environmental baseline complements the information provided in the Status of Listed
Resources section of this Opinion, and provides the background necessary to understand information presented
in the Effects of the Proposed Action , and Cumulative Effects sections of this Opinion. We then evaluate the consequences of these activities in combinatio n with the environmental baseline to determine the likelihood of jeopardy or adverse modification of designated critical habitat.

The proposed action under consultation is focused geographically on the aquatic ecosystems in California’s Central Valley. A ccordingly, the environmental baseline for this consultation focuses on the general status and trends of the aquatic ecosystem there and the consequences of that status for the listed salmonids under NMFS’ jurisdiction. We describe the principal natural p henomena affecting all listed Pacific salmonids under NMFS jurisdiction in the action area. The action area for the proposed action encompasses the entire freshwater range or a large portion of the freshwater range of the listed fish species and their pro posed or designated critical habitat in this consultation. Therefore, we refer the reader to the Status of the Species section for general information on the species’ biology, ecology, status, and population trends at the species scale.

We further descri be anthropogenic factors through the predominant land and water uses within the region. Background information on pesticides in the aquatic environment is also provided. This context illustrates how the physical and chemical health of regional waters and the impact of human activities have contributed to the
current status of listed resources in the action area.

Much of the freshwater habitat overlaps geographically between Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook, CV spring

- run Chinook, and CV steelhead. Th erefore, most of the baseline factors responsible for their current statuses are similar. Therefore, each of the following factors applies to Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook,

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

95 CV spring

- run Chinook, and CV steelhead unless specified.



### 7.1. Natural Mortality Factors

Available data indicate high natural mortality rates for salmonids, especially in the open ocean/marine environment. According to Bradford et al. (1997) , salmonid mortality rates range from 90 to 99%, depending on the species, the size at ocean entry, and the length of time spent in the ocean. Predation, inter

- and intraspecific competition, food availability, smolt quality and health, and physical ocean conditions likely
influence the survival of salmon in the marine environment ( Brodeur et al. 2004, Bradford et al. 1997) . In general, in freshwater rearing habitats, the natural mortality rate averages about 70% for all salmonid species (Bradford et al. 1997) . For example, past studies in the Pacific Northwest suggest that the average freshwater survival rate (from egg to smolt) is 2 to 3% throughout the region (Bradford et al. 1997, Marshall and Britton 1990) . A nu mber of suspected causes contributing to natural mortality include parasites and/or disease, predation, water temperature, low water flow, wildland fire, and oceanographic features and climatic variability.

7.1.1. Parasites and/or Disease
Most young fish are highly susceptible to disease during the first two months of life. The cumulative mortality in young animals can reach 90 to 95%. Although fish disease organisms occur naturally in the water, native
fish have co

- evolved with them. Fi sh can carry these diseases at less than lethal levels (Walker and Foott 1993, Kier Associates 1991, Foott et al. 2003) . However, disease outbreaks may occur when water quality is diminished and fish are stressed from crowding and di minished flows (Spence et al. 1996b, Guillen 2003)

. Young salmonid species may become stressed and lose their resistance in higher temperatures (Spence et al. 1996b) . Consequently, diseased fish become more susceptible to predation and are less able to perform essential functions, such as feeding, swimming, and defe nding territories (McCullough 1999) . Examples of parasites and disease for salmonids include whirling disease, infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN), sea

- lice ( Lepeophtheirus salmonis ), Henneguya salminicola
, Ichthyopthirius multifiliis or Ich, and Columnaris (Flavobacterium columnare ).

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

96 Whirling disease is a parasitic infection caused by the microscopic parasite Myxobolus cerebrali . Infected fish continually swim in circular motions and eventually expire from exhaustion. The disease occurs in the wild and
in hatcheries and results in l osses to fry and fingerling salmonids, especially rainbow trout. The disease is transmitted by infected fish and fish parts and birds.

IHN is a viral disease in many wild and farmed salmonid stocks in the Pacific Northwest. This disease affects
rainbo w/steelhead trout, cutthroat trout ( Salmo clarki ), brown trout ( Salmo trutta ), Atlantic salmon ( Salmo
salar ), and Pacific salmon including Chinook, sockeye, chum, and coho salmon. The virus is triggered by low water temperatures and is shed in the feces, urine, sexual fluids, and external mucus of salmonids. Transmission is mainly from fish to fish, primarily by direct contact and through the water.

Additionally, ich (a protozoan) and Columnaris (a bacterium) are two common fish diseases that were implic ated in the massive kill of adult salmon in the Lower Klamath River in September 2002 (Guillen 2003, CDFG 2003)

.

7.1.2. Predation
Salmonids are exposed to high rates of natural predation, during freshwater rearing and mi gration stages, as well as during ocean migration. Salmon along the U.S. west coast are prey for marine mammals, birds, sharks, and other fishes. Concentrations of juvenile salmon in the coastal zone experience high rates of predation. In
the Pacific No rthwest, the increasing size of tern, seal, and sea lion populations may have reduced the survival
of some salmon ESUs/DPSs.

7.1.2.1. Marine Mammal Predation

Marine mammals are known to attack and eat salmonids. Harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina ), California sea lions ( Zalophus californianus ), and killer whales ( Orcinus orca ) prey on juvenile or adult salmon. Killer whales have a strong preference for Chinook salmon (up to 78% of identified prey) during late spring to fall (Hanson et al. 2005, Hard et al. 1992, Ford and Ellis 2006) . Generally, harbor seals do not feed on salmonids as frequently as
California sea lions (Pearcy 1997) . California sea lions from the Ballard Locks in Seattle, Washington have
been estimated to consume about 40% of the steelhead runs since 1985/1986 (Gustafson et al. 1997) . In the Columbia River, salmonids may contribute substantially to sea lion diet at specific times and locations (Pearcy 1997) . Spring Chinook salmon and steelhead are subject to pinniped predation when they return to t he estuary
as adults (NMFS 2006) . Adult Chinook salmon in the Columbia River immediately downstream of Bonneville

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

97 Dam have also experienced increased predation by California sea lions. In recent years, sea lion predation of
adult Lower Columb ia River winter steelhead in the Bonneville tailrace has increased. This prompted ongoing actions to reduce predation effects. They include the exclusion, hazing, and in some cases, lethal take of marine
mammals near Bonneville Dam

.

7.1.2.2. Avian Predation

Large numbers of fry and juveniles are eaten by birds such as mergansers ( Mergus spp.), common murre ( Uria aalage ), gulls ( Larus spp.), and belted kingfishers ( Megaceryle alcyon ). Avian predators of adult salmonids include bald eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) and osprey ( Pandion haliaetus ) (Pearcy 1997) . Caspian terns ( Sterna caspia ) and cormorants ( Phalacrocorax spp.) also ta ke significant numbers of juvenile or adult salmon.
Stream

- type juveniles, especially yearling smolts from spring

- run populations, are vulnerable to bird predation in the estuary. This vulnerability is due to salmonid use of the deeper, less turbid water over the channel, which is located near habitat preferred by piscivorous birds (Binelli et al. 2005) . For example, research shows that subyearlings from the LCR Chinook salmon ESU are also subject to tern predation. This may be due to the long estuarine residence time of the LCR Chinook salmon (Ryan et al. 2006) . Caspian terns and cormorants may be responsible for the mortality of up to 6% of the outmigrating stream

- type juveniles in the Columbia
River basin (Roby et al. 2006, Collis 2007)

.

Antolos et al. (2005) quantif ied predation on juvenile salmonids by Caspian terns nesting on Crescent Island in
the mid

- Columbia reach. Between 1,000 and 1,300 adult terns were associated with the colony during 2000 and 2001, respectively. These birds consumed about 465,000 juvenile salmonids in the first and approximately 679,000 salmonids in the second year. However, caspian tern predation in the estuary was reduced from a total of 13,790,000 smolts to 8,201,000 smolts after relocation of the colony from Rice to East Sand Island i n 1999.
Based on PIT

- tag recoveries at the colony, these were primarily steelhead for Upper Columbia River stocks. Less than 0.1% of the inriver migrating yearling Chinook salmon from the Snake River and less than 1% of the yearling Chinook salmon from t he Upper Columbia were consumed. PIT

- tagged coho smolts (originating above Bonneville Dam) were second only to steelhead in predation rates at the East Sand Island colony in 2007 (Roby et al. 2008) . There are few quantitative data on avian predation rates on Snake River sock eye salmon. Based on the above, avian predators are assumed to have a minimal effect on the long

- term survival of Pacific
salmon (NMFS 2008b)

.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

98 7.1.2.3. Fish Predation

Predation is a threat to salmonids within this ESU/DPS, especially in the lower Feather River, the Sacramento River, and in the Delta where there are high densities of non

- nativ e species such as striped bass ( Morone
saxatilis ), largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides ), and sunfishes ( Centrarchidae spp.) and native fish species (e.g., pikeminnows ( Ptychocheilus oregonensis )) that prey on outmigrating juveniles (NMFS 2011a)

.

The primary fish predators in estuaries are probably adult salmonids or juvenile salmonids which emigrate at older and larger sizes than others. They include steelhead smolts preyi ng on young Chinook smolts. Outside estuaries, many large non

- salmonid populations reside just offshore and may consume large numbers of smolts. These fishes include Pacific hake ( Merluccius productus ), Pacific mackerel ( Scomber japonicus ), lingcod ( Ophi odon elongates ), spiny dogfish ( Squalus acanthias ), various rock fish, and lamprey (Pearcy 1992, Beamish and Neville 1995, Beamish et al. 1992)

.

7.1.3. Wildland Fire
Wildland fires that are allowed to burn naturally in riparian or upland areas may benefit or harm aquatic species, depending on the degree of departure from natural fire regi mes. Although most fires are small in size, large size fires increase the chances of adverse effects on aquatic species. Large fires that burn near the shores of streams and rivers can have biologically significant short

- term effects. They include incre ased water temperatures, ash, nutrients, pH, sediment, toxic chemicals, and large woody debris (Rinne 2004, Buchwalter et al. 2004)

. Nevertheless, fi re is also one of the dominant habitat

- forming processes in mountain streams (Bisson et al. 2003) . As a result, many large fires burning near streams can result in fish kills with the survivors actively moving downstream to avoid poor water quality conditions (Rinne 2004, Greswell 1999) . The patchy, mosaic pattern burned by fires provides a refug e for those fish and invertebrates that leave a burning area or simply spares some fish that were in a different location at the time of the fire (USFS 2000) . Sma ll fires or fires that burn entirely in upland areas also cause ash to enter rivers and increase smoke in the atmosphere, contributing
to ammonia concentrations in rivers as the smoke adsorbs into the water (Greswell 1999)

.

The presence of ash also has indirect effects on aquatic species depending on the amount of ash entry into the
water. All ESA

- listed salmonids rely on macroinvertebrates as a food source for at least a portion of their life
histories. When small amounts of ash enter the water, there are usually no noticeable changes to the macroinvertebrate community or the water quality (Bowman and Minshall 2000) . When significant amounts of

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

99 ash are deposited into rivers, the macroinvertebrate comm unity density and composition may be moderately to drastically reduced for a full year with long

- term effects lasting 10 years or more (Buchwalter et al. 2003, Buchwalter et al. 2004, Minshall et al. 2001) . Larger fires can also indirectly affect fish b y altering water quality. Ash and smoke contribute to elevated ammonium, nitrate, phosphorous, potassium, and pH, which can remain elevated for up to four months after forest fires (Buchwalter e t al. 2003)

.

7.1.4. Oceanographic Features, Climatic Variability and Climate Change
Oceanographic features of the action area may influence prey availability and habitat for Pacific salmonids. These features comprise climate regimes which may suffer regime shifts due to climate changes or other
unknown influences. The action area includ es important spawning and rearing grounds and physical and biological features essential to the conservation of listed Pacific salmonids

- i.e. , water quality, prey, and passage conditions. These Pacific oceanographic conditions, climatic variability, and climate change may affect
salmonids in the action area.

There is evidence that Pacific salmon abundance may have fluctuated for centuries as a consequence of dynamic oceanographic conditions (Beamish and Bouillon 1993, Beamish et al. 2009, Finney et al. 2002)

. Sediment cores reconstructed for 2,200

- year records have shown that Northeastern Pacific fish stocks have historically been regulated by these climate regimes (Finney et al. 2002) . The long

- term pattern of the Aleutian Low pressure system has corresponded to the trends in salmon catch, to copepod production, and to other climate indices, indicating that climate and the marine environment may play an important role in salmon produc tion. Pacific salmon abundance and corresponding worldwide catches tend to be large during naturally

occurring periods of strong Aleutian low pressure causing stormier winters and upwelling, positive Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and an above averag e Pacific circulation index (Be amish et al. 2009) . A trend of an increasing Aleutian Low pressure indicates high pink and chum salmon production and low production of
coho and Chinook salmon (Beamish et al. 2009) . The abundance and distribution of salmon and zooplankton
also relate to shifts in North Pacific atmosphere and ocean climate (Francis and Hare 1994)

.

Over the past century, regime shifts have occurred as a result of the North Pacific’s natural climate regime. Reversals in the prevailing polarity of the PDO occurred around 1925, 1947, 1977, and 1989 (Hare and Mantua. 2000, Mantua et al. 1997) . The reversals in 1947 and 1977 correspond to dramatic shifts in salmon production regimes in the North Pacific Ocean (Mantua et al. 1997) . During the pre

- 1977 climate regime, the productivity of salmon populations from the Snake River exceeded expectations (residuals were positive) when values of the

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

100 PDO were negative (Levin 2003) . During the post

- 1977 regime when ocean productivity was generally lower (residuals were ne gative), the PDO was negative (Levin 2003)

.

A smaller, less pe rvasive regime shift occurred in 1989 (Hare and Mantua. 2000) . Beamish et al. (2000) analyzed this shift and found a decrease in marine survival of co ho salmon in Puget Sound and off the coast of California to Washington. Trends in coho salmon survival were linked over the southern area of their
distribution in the Northeast Pacific to a common climatic event. The Aleutian Low Pressure Index and the
A pril flows from the Fraser River also changed abruptly about this time (Beamish et al. 2000)

.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has high confidence that some hydrological systems
have b een affected through increased runoff and earlier spring peak discharge in glacier

- and snow

- fed rivers and through effects on thermal structure and water quality of warming rivers and lakes (IPCC 2007)

. Oceanographic models project a weakening of the thermohaline circulation resulting in a reduction of heat transport into high latitudes of Europe, an increase in the mass of the Antarctic ice sheet, and a decrease in the
Greenland ice sheet (IPCC 2001)

. These changes, coupled with increased acidification of ocean waters, are expected to have substantial effe cts on marine and hydrological productivity and food webs, including populations of salmon and other salmonid prey (Hard et al. 1992)

.

Carbon dioxide emissions are also predicted to have major environmental impacts along the west coast of North America during the 21 st century and beyond (Climate Impacts Group (CIG) 2004, IPCC 2001) . Eleven of the past 12 years (1995

- 2006) rank among the 12 warmest years in the instrumental record of global surface temperature since 1850 (IPCC 2007) . The IPCC predicts that, for the next two decades, a warming of about 0.2oC per decade will occur for a range of predicted carbon dioxide emissions scenarios (IPCC 2007) . This warming trend continu es in both water and air. Global average sea level has risen since 1961 at an average rate of 1.8 mm/year and since 1993 at 3.1 mm/year, with contributions from thermal expansion, melting glaciers and ice caps, and the polar ice sheets (IPCC 2007)

.

Poor environmental conditions for salmon survival and growth may be more prevalent with projected warming increases. Increasing climate temperatures can influence smolt development which is limited by time and temperature (McCormick et al. 2009) . Food availability and water temperature may affect proper maturation and smoltification and feeding behavior (Mange l 1994) . Climate change may also have profound effects on

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

101 seawater entry and marine performance of anadromous fish, including increased salinity intrusion in estuaries due to higher sea levels, as well as a projected decrease of seawater pH (Orr et al. 2005) . There is evidence that Chinook salmon survival in the Pacific during climate anomalies and El Nino events changes as a result of a
shift from predation

- to competition

- based mortality in response to declines in predator and prey abundances and increases in pink salmon abundance (Ruggerone and Goetz 2004) . If climate change leads to an overall decrease in the availability of food, then returning fish will likely be smaller (Mangel 1994) . Finally, future climatic warming could lead to alterations of river temperature regimes, which could further reduce available
fish habitat (Yates et al. 2008)

.

Although the impacts of global climate change are less clear in the ocean environment, early modeling efforts suggest t hat increased temperatures will likely increase ocean stratification. This stratification coincides with relatively poor ocean habitat for most Pacific Northwest salmon populations (Climate Impacts Group (CIG) 2004, IPCC 2001)

.

We expect changing weather and oceanographic conditions may affect prey availability, temperature and water flow in habitat conditions, and growth for all 28 ESUs/DPSs. Consequently, we expect the long

- term survival and reproductive success for listed salmonids to be greatly affected by global climate change.

In addition to changes in hydrological regimes that will affect salmon, climate change will affect agriculture as rainfall and temperature patterns shift. Some crops currently well

- suited for particular regions may instead be grown in alternate locations. Agricultural pest pressures are also likely to change over time. Both the shifts in crop location and pest pressure are likely to change pesticide use patterns.



### 7.2. Anthropogeni c Mortality Factors

In this section we address anthropogenic threats in the geographic regions across the action area. Land use activities associated with logging, road construction, urban development, mining, agriculture, and recreation have significantl y altered fish habitat quantity and quality. Impacts associated with these activities include: (1) alteration of migration corridors and streambank and channel morphology; (2) alteration of ambient stream temperatures; (3) degradation of water quality; (4) elimination or degradation of spawning and rearing habitat; (5) fragmentation of available habitats: and (6) removal or impairment of riparian vegetation

– resulting in increased water temperatures and streambank erosion.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

102 In the following discussion we provide information on habitat access, water development, land use, water quality, and hatchery operations. This is followed with a discussion on pesticide detections in the aquatic environment and highlights their background levels from past and ongoing anthropogenic activities. This information is pertinent to EPA’s proposed registration of thiobencarb in the U.S. and its territories. Thiobencarb has been in use for multiple decades, it has documented presence in our nation’s rivers, and thus
over the years have contributing effects to the environmental baseline. Also In this section, we cover California’s special requirements for thiobencarb use in this state. As water temperature plays such a strong role in salmonid distribution, we also provide a general discussion of anthropogenic temperature impacts. Next, we discuss the health of riparian systems and floodplain connectivity, as this habitat is vital to salmonid survival. Finally, we provide a brief overview of the results of section 7 consulta tions relevant to this analysis.

7.2.1. Habitat Blockages
Hydropower, flood control, and water supply dams have permanently blocked or hindered salmonid access to historical spawning and rearing grounds. Yoshiyama et al. (1996) calculated that roughly 2,000 linear miles of salmon habitat was actually available before dam construction and mining, and concluded that 82 percen t is not accessible today. The percentage of habitat loss for steelhead is presumable greater, because steelhead were more extensively distributed upstream than Chinook salmon. See Figure 15 for location of dams within
ESU/DPSs in California.

As a result of migrational barriers, winter

- run, spring

- run, and steelhead populations have been confined to lower elevation mainstems that historically only were used for migration and rearing. Population abundances
have declined in these streams due to decreased quantity, quality, and spatial distribution of spawning and rearing habitat (Lindley et al. 2009) . Higher temperatures at these lower elevations during late

- summer and fall are also a major stressor to adult and juvenile salmonids. According to Lindley et al. (2004a) , of the four independent populations of winter

- run that occurred historically, only one mixed stock of winter

- run remains
below Keswick Dam.

Similarly, of the 19 independent populations of spring

- run that occurred historically, only three independent

p opulations remain in Deer, Mill, and Butte Creeks. Dependent populations of spring

- run continue to occur in Big Chico, Antelope, Clear, Thomes, and Beegum creeks and the Yuba River, but rely on the extant independent populations for their continued surviva l. CV steelhead historically had at least 81 independent

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

103 populations based on Lindley et al. ’s (2006a) analysis of potential habitat in the Central Valley. However, due to dam construction, access to 38 percent of all spawning habit at has been lost, as well as access to 80 percent of the historically available habitat. Juvenile downstream migration patterns have been altered by the presence of dams. Juvenile winter

- run, and spring

- run on the mainstem Sacramento River, arrive at an y given location downstream of Keswick Dam earlier than historical, since they are hatched much further downstream and have less distance to travel. Therefore, in order to smolt at the same size and time as historical, they must rear longer within the Sac ramento River. However, as will be discussed below, the mainstem Sacramento River is not conducive to the necessary habitat features that provide suitable rearing habitat for listed anadromous fish species, especially for an extended
duration of time.

T he California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Suisun Marsh Salinity Control Gates (SMSCG) located in Montezuma Slough were installed in 1988, and are operated with gates and flashboards to decrease the salinity levels of managed wetlands in Suisun Mars h. The SMSCG have delayed or blocked passage of adult Chinook salmon migrating upstream (Edwards et al. 1996, Tillman et al. 1996, CDWR 2002) . As a result of the SMSCG fish passage study and a term and condition in NMFS’ 2004 CVP/SWP operations Opinion, the boat lock has remained open since the 2001

- 2002 control season (CVP/SWP operations BA), and adult fish passag e has improved.

The Red Bluff Diversion Dam (RBDD) impedes adult salmonid passage throughout its May 15 through September 15 ―gates in‖ period. Although there are fish ladders at the right and left banks, and a temporary ladder in the middle of the dam, they are not very efficient at passing fish. The range of effects resulting from delays in upstream migration at RBDD include delayed, but eventually successful spawning, to prespawn mortality and the complete loss of spawning potential in that fraction of the population (NMFS 2009a)

.

7.2.2. Water Development
The diversion and storage of natural flows by dams and diversion structures on Central Valley waterways have depleted streamflows and altered t he natural cycles by which juvenile and adult salmonids base their migrations. As much as 60 percent of the natural historical inflow to Central Valley watersheds and the Delta have been diverted for human uses. Depleted flows have contributed to higher temperatures, lower dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, and decreased recruitment of gravel and large woody debris (LWD). More uniform flows year

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

104 round have resulted in diminished natural channel formation, altered food web processes, and slower regeneration of riparian vegetation. These stable flow patterns have reduced bedload movement (Mount 1995, Associates 2001) , caused spawning gravels to become embedded, and decreased channel widths due to channel incision, all of which has decreased the available spawning and rearing habitat below dams. The storage of
uni mpeded runoff in these large reservoirs also has altered the normal hydrograph for the Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds. Rather than seeing peak flows in these river systems following winter rain events (Sacramento River) or spring snow melt (S an Joaquin River), the current hydrology has truncated peaks with a prolonged period of elevated flows (compared to historical levels) continuing into the summer dry season.

Water withdrawals, for agricultural and municipal purposes, have reduced river f lows and increased water temperatures during the critical summer months, and in some cases, have been of a sufficient magnitude to result in reverse flows in the lower San Joaquin River (Reynolds et al. 1993) . Direct relationships exist between water temperature, water flow, and juvenile salmonid survival (Brandes and McLain 2001) . Elevated water temperatures in the Sacramento River have limited the survival of young salmon in those waters. Juvenile fall

run survival in the Sacramento River is also directly related to June streamflow and June and July Delta outflow (Dettman et al. 1987)

.

Water diversions for irrigated agriculture, municipal and industrial use, an d managed wetlands are found throughout the Central Valley. Thousands of small and medium

- size water diversions exist along the Sacramento River, San Joaquin River, and their tributaries. Although efforts have been made in recent years to
screen some of these diversions, many remain unscreened. Depending on the size, location, and season of operation, these unscreened diversions entrain and kill many life stages of aquatic species, including juvenile salmonids. For example, as of 1997, 98.5 percent of t he 3,356 diversions included in a Central Valley database were either unscreened or screened insufficiently to prevent fish entrainment (Herren a nd Kawasaki 2001)

. Most of the 370 water diversions operating in Suisun Marsh are unscreened (Herren and Kawasaki 2001)

. Outmigrant juveni le salmonids in the Delta have been subjected to adverse environmental conditions created by water export operations at the Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP) facilities.

Specifically, juvenile salmonid survival has been reduced b y: (1) water diversion from the mainstem Sacramento River into the Central Delta via the Delta Cross Channel (DCC); (2) upstream or reverse flows of water in the lower San Joaquin River and southern Delta waterways; (3) entrainment at the Central Valley

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

105 Pr oject and the State Water Project (CVP & SWP) export facilities and associated problems at the Clifton Court Forebay; and (4) as discussed above, increased exposure to introduced, non

- native predators such as striped bass ( Morone saxatilis ), largemouth bas s ( Micropterus salmoides ), and sunfishes ( Centrarchidae spp.) within the waterways of the Delta while moving through the Delta under the influence of CVP/SWP pumping.

The Anderson

- Cottonwood Irrigation District (ACID) Dam o perates a diversion dam across the Sacramento River located 5 miles downstream from Keswick Dam. ACID is one of the 3 largest diversions on the Sacramento River and has senior water rights of 128 thousand acre feet (TAF) of water since 1916 for irrigation along the west side of the Sac ramento River. The installation and removal of the diversion dam flashboards requires close coordination between the Bureau of Reclamation and ACID. The diversion dam is operated from April through October. Substantial reductions in Keswick releases to install or remove the flashboards have resulted in dewatered redds, stranded juveniles, and higher water temperatures. Based on generalized run timing ( Table 14 ), the diversion dam operations could impact winter

- and spring

- run Chinook. Redd dewatering would most likely affect spring

- run Chinook in October; however, the reductions in flows are usually short

- term, lasting less than 8 hours. Such short

- term reductions in flows may cause some mortality of incubating eggs and loss of stranded juveniles. Reductions in Keswick releases are limited to 15 percent in a
24

- hour period and 2.5 percent in any 1 hour. Past operations have shown that the most significant reductio ns occur during wet years when Shasta releases are higher than 10,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). Average April releases from Keswick are 6,000 to 7,000 cfs. The likelihood of a flow fluctuation occurring (when Shasta storage > 4.5 MAF in April) is 17 p ercent, or 14 out of the 82

- year historical record. During wet years, flows released from Shasta Dam are typically higher than in drier water year types. The amount of flow that needs to be reduced to get to safe operating levels for the installation of the flashboards at the ACID dam is therefore greater and the wetted area reduction downstream of Keswick Dam is thus greater. The likelihood of an October reduction in flows that could dewater redds is even lower, since average releases are 6,000 cfs in a ll water year types.

Table 14 . Generalized life

- history timing for listed salmonids in the upper Sacramento River. Species Adult

Immigration Adult Holding Typical Spawning Egg Incubation Juvenile Rearing Juvenile Emigration Winter

- run Nov

- Jul Jan

- May Apr

- Jul Apr

- Oct Jun

- Mar Jun

- Mar Spring

- run Mar

- Sep May

- Sep Aug

- Oct Aug

- Mar Year round Oct

- May
Steelhead Oct

- May Sep

- Dec Dec

- Apr Dec

- May Year round Jan

- Jul

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

106 The ACID diversion dam was improved in 2001 with the addition of new fish ladders and fish screens around the diversion. Since upstream passage was improved a substantial shift in winter

- run spawning has occurred. In recent years, more than half of the win ter

- run redds have typically been observed above the ACID diversion dam. This makes flow fluctuations more a concern since such a large proportion of the run is spawning so close
to Keswick Dam.

The Red Bluff Diversion Dam (RBDD) is owned and operated b y the Bureau of Reclamation. The Tehama

Colusa Canal Authority ( TCCA) operates the Corning Canal and Tehama

- Colusa Canal, which divert up to 328 TAF from the Sacramento River. RBDD is located 59 miles downstream of Keswick Dam. It blocks or delays
adult salmonid migrating upstream to various degrees, depending on run timing. Based on various studies (Vogel et al. 1988, Hallock 1989, CDFG 1998a) , problems in salmonid passage at RBDD provide a well

documented example of a diversion facility impairing salmon migration. A portion of the winter

- run adults encounter the gates down and are forced to use the fish ladders. There are 3 fish ladders on RBDD, one on each side and one temporary ladder i n the middle of the dam. The RBDD fish ladders are not efficient at passing adult salmonids due to the inability of salmon to find the entrances. Water released from RBDD flows through a small opening under 11 gates across the river, causing turbulent flo ws that confuse fish and keep them from finding the ladders. The fish ladders are not designed to allow enough water through them to attract adult
salmonids towards them. Previous studies (Vogel 2008, USFWS 2001) have shown that salmon can be delayed up to 20 days in passing the dam. These delays can reduce the fitness of adults that expend their energy reserves fighting the flows beneath the gates, and increase the chance of prespawn mortality. Run timing is critical to salmon, as it is what distinguishes one race from another. Delays of a week or even days in passage likely prevents some spring

- run adults (those that encounter g ates down in May and June) from entering tributaries above RBDD that dry up or warm up in the spring ( e.g ., Cottonwood Creek, Cow Creek). These delays have the potential of preventing these fish from accessing summer holding pools in the upper areas of th e creeks. Delays could allow for the onset of temperature related diseases that could affect spawning success or

cause pre

- spawn mortalities.

7.2.3. Water Conveyance and Flood Control
The development of the water conveyance system in the Delta has resulted in the construction of armored, rip

rapped levees on more than 1,100 miles of channels and diversions to increase channel elevations and flow capacity of the channels (Mount 1995) . Levee development in the Central Valley a ffects spawning habitat,

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

107 freshwater rearing habitat, freshwater migration corridors, and estuarine habitat PCEs. As Mount (1995) indicates, there is an ―underlying, fundamental conflict inherent in this channelization.‖ Natural rivers strive to achieve dynamic equilibrium to handle a watershed’s supply of discharge and sediment (Mount 1995) . The construction of levees disrupts the natural processes of the river, resulting in a multitude of habitat

- related effects, including isolation of the watershed’s natural floodplain behind the levee from the active river channel
and it s fluctuating hydrology.

Many of these levees use angular rock (riprap) to armor the bank from erosive forces. The effects of channelization, and rip

- rapping, include the alteration of river hydraulics and cover along the bank as a result of changes in b ank configuration and structural features. These changes affect the quantity and quality of nearshore habitat for juvenile salmonids and have been thoroughly studied (USFWS 2000, Garland et al. 2002, Schmetterling et al. 2001) . Simple slopes protected with rock revetment generally create nearshore hydraulic conditions characterized by greater depths and faster, more homogeneous water velocities than occur along natural banks. Higher water velocities typically inhibit deposition and retention of sediment and woody debris. These changes generally reduce the range of habitat conditions typically found along natural shorelines, especially by eliminating the shallow, slow

- velocity river margins used by juvenile fish as refuge and to escape from fast currents, deep water, and predators (USFWS 2000)

.

Prior to the 1970s, there was so much debris resulting from poor logging pract ices that many streams were completely clogged and were thought to have been total barriers to fish migration. As a result, in the 1960s and early 1970s it was common practice among fishery management agencies to remove woody debris thought to be
a barrie r to fish migration (NMFS 1996b) . However, it is now recognized that too much LWD was removed from the streams resulting in a loss of salmonid habitat and it is thou ght that the large scale removal of woody debris prior to 1980 had major, long

- term negative effects on rearing habitats for salmonids in northern
California (NMFS 1996b ) . Areas that were subjected to this removal of LWD are still limited in the recovery of salmonid stocks; this limitation could be expected to persist for 50 to 100 years following removal of the debris.

Large quantities of downed trees are a functio nally important component of many streams (NMFS 1996b)

. LWD influences stream morphology by affecting channel pattern, position, and geometry, as well as pool
format ion (Keller and Swanson 1979, Bilby 1984, Robison and Beschta 1990) . Reduction of wood in the stream channel, either from past or present activities, generally reduces pool quantity and quality, alters stream

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

108 shading which can affect water temperature regimes and nutrient input, and can eliminate critical stream habitat
needed for bo th vertebrate and invertebrate populations. Removal of vegetation also can destabilize marginally stable slopes by increasing the subsurface water load, lowering root strength, and altering water flow patterns in the slope.

In addition, the armoring and revetment of stream banks tends to narrow rivers, reducing the amount of habitat per unit channel length (Sweeney et al. 2004) . As a result of river narrowing, benthic habitat decreases and the number of macroinvertebrates, such as stoneflies and mayflies, per unit channel length decreases, affecting salmonid food supply.

7.2.4. Land Use Activities

Table 15 summarizes general land use categories in the CV by percent and provides population densities. Figure 11 depicts general land use in California. In the pages that follow, Figure 11 is zoomed in to just the Central Valley to show the overlay of the CV spring

- run Chin ook ESU ( Figure 12 ), the Sacramento River
winter

- run Chinook ESU ( Figure 13 ), and CV steelhead ( Figure 14 ). Land use activities continue to have large impacts on salmonid habitat in the Central Valley watershed. Until about 150 years ago, th e Sacramento River was bordered by up to 500,000 acres of riparian forest, with bands of vegetation extending outward for 4 or 5
miles (CRA 1989) . Starting with the gold rush, these vast riparian forests were cleared for building materi als, fuel, and to clear land for farms on the raised natural levee banks. The degradation and fragmentation of riparian habitat continued with extensive flood control and bank protection projects, together with the conversion of the fertile riparian lands to agriculture outside of the natural levee belt. The dominant land use in the CV is agriculture. By 1979, riparian habitat along the Sacramento River diminished to 11,000 to 12,000 acres, or about 2 percent of historic levels (McGill 1987)

. The clearing of the riparian forests removed a vital source of snags and driftwood in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River basins. This has reduced the volume of LWD input needed to form and maintain stream habitat that salmon depend on in their various life stages. In addition to this loss of LWD sources, removal of snags and obstructions from the active river channel for navigational safety has further reduced the presence of LWD in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, as well
as the Delta.

Table 15 . Land uses and population density in the Sacramento and San Joaquin watersheds (Carter and Resh 2005)

.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

109 Watershed Land Use Categories (Percent) Density (people/mi 2 ) Agriculture Forest Urban Other

Sacramento River 15 49 2 30 grass & shrub 61

San Joaquin River 30 27 2 36 grass & shrub 76

Increased sedimentation resulting from agricultural and urban practices within the Central Valley is one of the primary causes of salmonid habitat degradation (NMFS 1 996a) . Sedimentation can adversely affect salmonids during all freshwater life stages by: clogging or abrading gill surfaces, adhering to eggs, hampering fry

emergence (Phillips and Campbell 1961) , burying eggs or alevins, scouring and filling in pools and riffles, reducing primary productivity and photosynthesis activity (Cordone and Kelley 1961) , and affecting intergrav el permeability and DO levels. Excessive sedimentation over time can cause substrates to become embedded, which reduces successful salmonid spawning and egg and fry survival (Waters 1995)

.

Land use categories are presented in Table 16 below. Land use activities associated with road construction, urban development, logging, mining, agriculture, and recreation have significantly altered fish habitat quantity and quality through the alteration of streambank and channel morphology; alte ration of ambient water temperatures; degradation of water quality; elimination of spawning and rearing habitat; fragmentation of available habitats; elimination of downstream recruitment of LWD; and removal of riparian vegetation, resulting in increased s treambank erosion (Meehan 1991) . Urban stormwater and agricultural r unoff are contaminated with herbicides and pesticides, petroleum products, sediment, etc. Agricultural practices in the Central Valley have eliminated large trees and logs and other woody debris that would otherwise be recruited
into the stream channel (NMFS 1998) . Rice cultivation accounts for approximately half of all cultivated crops in the Sacramento Valley, and a quarter of all cultivated crops after combining the San Joaqui n Valley with the Sacramento ( Table 16 ).

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

110 Figure 11 . Landuse in California (National Land Cover Database 2006).

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

111 Figure 12 . CV spring

- run Chinook ESU with associated land

- use patterns.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

112 Figure 13

. Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook ESU with associated land use patterns.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

113 .

Figure 14

. CV steelhead DPS with associated land use patterns.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

114 Since the 1850s, wetlands reclamation for urban and agricultural development has caused the cumulative loss of 79 and 94 percent of the tidal marsh habitat in the Delta downstream and upstream of Chipps Island, respectively (Conomos et al. 1985, Nichols et al. 1986, Wright and Phillips 1988, Monroe et al. 1992, Project 1999) . Prior to 1850, approximately 1400 km2 of freshwater marsh surrounded the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, and anothe r 800 km2 of saltwater marsh fringed San Francisco Bay’s margins. Of the original 2,200 km2 of tidally influenced marsh, only about 125 km2 of undiked marsh remains today. In Suisun Marsh, saltwater intrusion and land subsidence gradually has led to the decline of agricultural production.

Presently, Suisun Marsh consists largely of tidal sloughs and managed wetlands for duck clubs, which first were established in the 1870s in western Suisun Marsh (Goals Project 1999). Even more extensive losses of wet land marshes occurred in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. Little of the extensive tracts of wetland marshes that existed prior to 1850 along the valley’s river systems and within the natural flood basins exist today. Most has been ―reclaimed‖ for agricultural purposes, leaving only small remnant patches.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

115 Table 16 . Area of land use categories within the range of listed salmonids in the Central Valley (km2). Total area for each category is given in bold. Land cove r was determined via the National Land Cover Database 2006, developed by the Multi

- Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) Consortium, comprised of nine federal agencies (USGS, EPA, USFS, NOAA, NASA, BLM, NPS, NRCS, and USFWS). Land cover class definitions are available at: http://www.mrlc.gov/nlcd_definitions.php . Rice information was obtained from the California Rice Commission (2010 values) and from the Cal. DPR pesticide use reporting data base ( 2010 county reports).

Land Cover Chinook Salmon Steelhead Sub Category code Central Valley Spring

- run

Sacramento Winter

- run Central Valley

Water Open Water 11
Perennial Snow/ice 12

Developed Land

Open Space 21 Low Intensity 22
Medium Intensity 23 High Intensity 24
Barren Land 31

Undeveloped Land

Deciduous Forest 41 Evergreen Forest 42
Mixed Forest 43
Shrub/Scrub 52
Herbaceous 71 Woody Wetlands 90 Emergent Wetlands 95

Agriculture

Hay/Pasture 81 Cultivated Crops 82

(Rice)

Total (including open water) Total (without open water) 367

346
0

2,755
1,174
635
616
153
178

15,063

657 3,707
476 3,245 6,261
189
527

5,796

754 5,043 (2,344)

23,982 23,615 422

422
0

3,534
1,472
792
837
211
222

19,138

744 3,942
583 3,786 9,396
245
431

10,507
1,640 8,867 (2,353)

33,601 33,179

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

116 Dredging of river channels to enhance inland maritime trade and to provide raw material for levee construction has significantly and detrimentally altered the natural hydrology and function of the river systems in the Central Valley. Starting in the mid

- 1 800s, the Corps and private consortiums began straightening river channels and artificially deepening them to enhance shipping commerce. This has led to declines in the natural meandering of river channels and the formation of pool and riffle segments. T he deepening of channels beyond their natural depth also has led to a significant alteration in the transport of bedload in the riverine system as well as the local flow velocity in the
channel (Mount 1995) . The Sacramento Flood Control Project at the turn of the nineteenth century ushered in t he start of large scale Corps actions in the Delta and along
the rivers of California for reclamation and flood control. The creation of levees and the deep shipping channels reduced the natural tendency of the San Joaquin and Sacramento
Rivers to create floodplains along their banks with seasonal inundations during the wet winter season and the spring snow melt periods. These annual inundations provided necessary habitat for rearing and foraging of juvenile native fish that evolved with this flooding pro cess. The armored rip

- rapped levee banks and active maintenance actions of Reclamation Districts precluded the establishment of ecologically important riparian vegetation, introduction of valuable LWD from these riparian corridors, and the productive inte rtidal mudflats characteristic of the undisturbed Delta habitat. Urban stormwater and agricultural runoff may be contaminated with pesticides, oil, grease, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and other organics and
nutrients (CRWQCB

- CVR 1998) that can destroy aquatic life necessary for salmonid
survival (NMFS 1996a, NMFS 1996b) . Point source (PS) and non

- point source (NPS) pollution occurs at almost every point that urbanization activity influences the watershed. Impervious surfaces ( i.e ., concrete, asphalt, and buildings) reduce water infiltration and increase runoff, thus creating greater flood hazard (NMFS 1996a, NMFS 1996b) . Flood
control a nd land drainage schemes may increase the flood risk downstream by concentrating runoff. A flashy discharge pattern results in increased bank erosion with subsequent loss of riparian vegetation, undercut banks and stream channel widening. In
addition to the PS and NPS inputs from urban runoff, juvenile salmonids are exposed to

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

117 increased water temperatures as a result of thermal inputs from municipal, industrial, and agricultural discharges.

Past mining activities routinely resulted in the removal of spawning gravels from streams, the straightening and channelization of the stream corridor from dredging activities, and the leaching of toxic effluents into streams from mining operations. Many of the effects of past mining operations continue to impact salmonid habitat today. Current mining practices include suction dredging (sand and gravel mining), placer mining, lode mining and gravel mining. Present day mining practices are typically less intrusive than historic operations (hydraulic mining); however, adverse impacts to salmonid habitat still occur as a result of present

- day mining activities. Sand and gravel are used for a large variety of construction activities including base material a nd asphalt, road bedding, drain rock for leach fields, and aggregate mix for concrete to construct buildings and highways. Most aggregate is derived principally from pits in active floodplains, pits in inactive river terrace deposits, or directly from the active channel. Other sources include hard rock quarries and mining from deposits within reservoirs. Extraction sites located along or in active floodplains present particular problems for anadromous salmonids. Physical
alteration of the stream channel may result in the destruction of existing riparian vegetation and the reduction of available area for seedling establishment. Loss of vegetation impacts riparian and aquatic habitat by causing a loss of the temperature moderating effects of shade and cov er, and habitat diversity. Extensive degradation may induce a decline in the alluvial water table, as the banks are effectively drained to a lowered level, affecting riparian vegetation and water supply (NMFS 1996b) . Altering the natural channel configuration will reduce salmonid habitat diversity by creating a wide, shallow channel lacking in the pools and cover necessary for all life stages of
anadromous salmonids. In addition, waste products resulting from past and present mining activities, include cyanide (an agent used to extract gold from ore), copper, zinc, cadmium, mercury, asbestos, nickel, chromium, and lead.

Juvenile salmonids are exposed to increased w ater temperatures in the Delta during the late spring and summer due to the loss of riparian shading, and by thermal inputs from

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

118 municipal, industrial, and agricultural discharges. Studies by DWR on water quality in the Delta over the last 30 years show a steady decline in the food sources available for juvenile salmonids and an increase in the clarity of the water due to a reduction in phytoplankton and zooplankton. These conditions have contributed to increased mortality of juvenile Chinook salmon and s teelhead as they move through the Delta. The following are excerpts from Lindley et al

. (2009) : ―The long

- standing and ongoing degradation of freshwater and estuarine habitats and the subsequent heavy reliance on hatchery production were also likely contributors to the collapse of the [fall

- run] stock. Degradation and simplification of freshwater and estuary habitats over a century and a half of development have changed the Central Valley Chinook salmon complex from a highly diverse collection of numerous wild populations to one dominated by fall Chinook salmon from four large hatcheries.‖ ―In conclusion, the development of the Sacramento

- San Joaquin watershed has greatly simplified and truncated the once

- diverse habitats that historically supported a highly diverse assemblage of populations. The life hi story diversity of this historical assemblage would have buffered the overall abundance of Chinook salmon in the Central Valley under varying climate conditions.‖

7.2.5. Water Quality
The water quality of the Central Valley has been negatively impacted over the last 150 years. Increased water temperatures, decreased DO levels, and increased turbidity and contaminant loads have degraded the quality of the aquatic habitat for the rearing and migration of salmonids. Some common pollutants include effluent from wa stewater treatment plants and chemical discharges such as dioxin from San Francisco bay petroleum refineries (McEwan and Jackson 1996b) . In addition, agricultural drain water, another possible source of contaminants, can contribute up to 30 percent of the t otal inflow into the Sacramento River during the low

- flow period of a dry year (NMFS 2009c) . The Regional Board, in its 1998 Clean Water Act §303(d) list characterized the Delta as an impaired waterbody having elevated levels of chlorpyrifos,
dich lorodiphenyltrichlor ( i.e. DDT), diazinon, electrical conductivity, Group A pesticides

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

119 [aldrin, dieldrin, chlordane, endrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, hexachlorocyclohexanes (including lindane), endosulfan and toxaphene], mercury, low DO, organic enr ichment, and unknown toxicities (CRWQCB

- CVR 2010)

.

In general, water degradation or contamination can lead to either acute toxicity, resulting in death when concentrations are sufficiently elevated, or more typically, when concentrations are lower, to chronic or sublethal effects that reduce the physical h ealth of the organism, and lessens its survival over an extended period of time. Mortality may become a secondary effect due to compromised physiology or behavioral changes that lessen the organism's ability to carry out its normal activities. For exampl e, increased levels of heavy metals are detrimental to the health of an organism because they interfere with metabolic functions by inhibiting key enzyme activity in metabolic pathways, decrease neurological function, degrade cardiovascular output, and act as mutagens, teratogens or carcinogens in exposed organisms (R and et al. 1995, Goyer 1996) . For listed species, these effects may occur directly to the listed fish or to its prey base, which reduces the forage base available to the listed species. In the aquatic environment, most anthropogenic chemicals and wast e materials, including toxic organic and inorganic chemicals eventually accumulate in sediment (Ingersoll 1995) . Direct exposure to contaminated sediments may ca use deleterious effects to listed salmonids. This may occur if a fish swims through a plume of the resuspended sediments or rests on contaminated substrate and absorbs the toxic compounds through one of several routes: dermal contact, ingestion, or uptake across the gills. Elevated contaminant levels may be found in localized ―hot spots‖ where discharge occurs or where river currents deposit sediment loads. Sediment contaminant levels can thus be significantly higher than the overlying water column conce ntrations (EPA 1994) . However, the more likely route of exposure to salmonids is through the food chain, when the fish feed on organisms that are contaminated with toxic comp ounds. Prey species become contaminated either by feeding on the detritus associated with the sediments or dwelling in the sediment itself. Therefore, the degree of exposure to the salmonids depends on their trophic level and the
amount of contaminated f orage base they consume. Response of salmonids to

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

120 contaminated sediments is similar to water borne exposures once the contaminant has entered the body of the fish (Heath 1995)

.

7.2.5.1. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

Pollution originating from a discrete location such as a pipe discharge or wastewater
treatment outfall is known a s a point source. Point sources of pollution require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. These permits are issued for
, among other things, aquaculture, concentrated animal feeding operations, industrial

wastewater treatment plants, biosolids (sewer/sludge), pre

- treatment and stormwater overflows. The EPA administers the NPDES permit program and states certify that NPDES permit holders comply with state water quality standards. Nonpoint source discharges do not originate fro m discrete points; thus, nonpoint sources are difficult to identify and quantify. Examples of nonpoint source pollution include, but are not limited to, urban runoff from impervious surfaces, areas of fertilizer and pesticide application, sedimentation, a nd manure.

According to EPA’s database of NPDES permits, about 243 NPDES individual permits

are co

- located with listed Pacific salmonids in California. Collectively, the total number
of EPA

- recorded NPDES permits in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, that are co

- located with listed Pacific salmonids is 1,978. See Figure 15 for NPDES permits located within
listed salmonid ESUs/DPSs in California.

On November 27, 2006, EPA issued a final rule which exempted pesticides from the NPDES permit process, provided that application was approved under FIFRA. On January 7, 2009, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated this rule ( National Cotton Council v. EPA, 553 F.3d 927 (6t h Cir. 2009)). The result of the vacature, according to the Sixth Circuit, is that ―discharges of pesticide pollutants are subject to the NPDES permitting program‖ under the CWA. In response, EPA has developed a Pesticide General Permit through the NPDES permitting program to regulate such discharges. The permit has recently gone through Section 7(a)(2) consultation (NMFS 2011b) and was issued on October 31, 2011. The Pesticides General Permit generally authorizes

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

121 discharge of pesticides into waterway s, but provides for additional review of discharges of pesticides to waters containing NMFS listed resources

.

7.2.6. Baseline Water Temperature

- Clean Water Act
Elevated temperature is considered a pollutant in most states with approved Water Quality Standards under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972. Under the authority of the CWA, states periodically prepare a list of all surface waters in the state
for which beneficial uses

- such as drinking, recreation, aquatic habitat, and industrial use

– are impa ired by pollutants. This process is in accordance with section 303(d) of the CWA. Estuaries, lakes, and streams listed under 303(d) are those that are considered impaired or threatened by pollution. They are water quality limited, do not meet state
surf ace water quality standards, and are not expected to improve within the next two

years.

Each state has separate and different 303(d) listing criteria and processes. Generally a water body is listed separately for each standard it exceeds, so it may app ear on the list more than once. If a water body is not on the 303(d) list, it is not necessarily
contaminant

- free; rather it may not have been tested. Therefore, the 303(d) list is a minimum list for the each state regarding polluted water bodies by para meter ( Figure 16 ).

After states develop their lists of impaired waters, they are required to prioritize and submit their lists to EPA for review and approval. Each state establishes a priority ranking for such waters, considering the severity of the pollution and the uses to be made of such waters. States are expected to identify high priority waters targeted for Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development for speci fic pollutants within two years of the 303(d) listing process. TMDLs once developed are considered during permitting

processes.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

122 Figure 15 . California dams and NPDES permit sites.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

123 Temperature is significant for the health of aquatic life. Water temperatures affect the distribution, health, and survival of native cold

- blooded salmonids in the Pacific Northwest. These fish will experience adverse health effects when exposed to temperatures outside their optimal range. For li sted Pacific salmonids, water temperature

Figure 16 . California 303(d) list: water bodies and stream segments included in the 2010 Integrated Report.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

124 tolerance varies between species and life stages. Optimal temperatures for rearing salmonids range from 10oC to 16oC. In general, the increased exposure to stressful water temperatures and the reduction of suitable habitat caused by drought conditions reduce
the abundance of salmon. Warm temperatures can reduce fecundity, reduce egg survival, retard growth of fry and smolts, reduce rearing densities, increase susceptibility to disease, decrease the ability of young salmon and trout to compete with other species f or food, and to avoid predation (Spence et al. 1996b, McCullough 1999) . Migrating adult salmonids and upstream migration can be delayed by excessively warm stream temperatures. Excessive stream temperatures may also negatively affect incubating and rearing salmonids (Gregory and Bisson 1997)

.

Sublethal temperatures (above 24oC) could be detrimental to salmon by increasing susceptibility to disease (Colgrove and Wood 1966) or elevating metabolic demand (Brett 1995) . Substantial research demonstrates that many fish diseases become more virulent at temperatures over 15.6oC (McCullough 1999) . Due to the sensitivity of salmonids to temperature, states have established lower temperature thr esholds for salmonid habitat as part of their water quality standards. A water body is listed for temperature on the 303(d)
list if the 7

- day average of the daily maximum temperatures (7

- DADMax) exceeds the temperature threshold.

Water bodies that are n ot designated salmonid habitat are also listed if they have a one

day maximum over a given background temperature. Using publicly available Geographic Information System (GIS) layers, we determined the number of km on the 303(d) list for exceeding tempera ture thresholds within the boundaries of each ESU/DPS ( Table 17 ). Because the 303(d) list is limited to the subset of rivers tested, the chart values should be regarded as lower

- end estimates.

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

125 Table 17 . Kilometers of river, stream, and estuary included in state 303(d) lists due to temper ature. Data from most recent GIS layers available from CA 2010

Species ESU or DPS 303(d) listed water (Km)

Chinook Sacramento

River Winter

- run 29.9
Central Valley Spring

- run 29.9

Steelhead Central Valley 367.8
CA 2010 (California EPA TMDL Program 2011)

While some ESU/DPS ranges do not contain any 303(d) rivers listed for temperature, others show considerable overlap. These comparisons demonstrate the relative significance of elevated temperature among ESUs/DPSs. Increased water temperature

may result from wastewater discharge, decreased water flow, minimal shading by riparian areas, and climatic variation.

7.2.7. Hatchery Operations and Practices
Five hatcheries currently produce Chinook salmon in the Central Valley, and four of these also produce st eelhead. Releasing large numbers of hatchery fish can pose a threat to wild Chinook salmon and steelhead stocks through genetic impacts, competition for food and other resources between hatchery and wild fish, predation of hatchery fish on wild fish, and increased fishing pressure on wild stocks as a result of hatchery production (Waples 1991) . The gene tic impacts of artificial propagation programs in the Central Valley are primarily caused by straying of hatchery fish and the subsequent interbreeding of hatchery fish with wild fish. In the Central Valley, practices such as transferring eggs
between hat cheries and trucking smolts to distant sites for release contribute to elevated straying levels (DOI 1999) . For example, Nimbus Hatchery on the American River rears
Eel River steelhead stock and releases these fish in the Sa cramento River basin. One of the recommendations in the Joint Hatchery Review Report (NMFS/CDFG 2001) was to

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

126 identify and designate new sources of steelhead brood stock to replace the current Eel River origin brood stock.

Hatchery prac tices as well as spatial and temporal overlaps of habitat use and spawning activity between spring

- and fall

- run fish have led to the hybridization and homogenization of some subpopulations (CDFG 1998a) . As early as the 1960s, Slater (1963a) observed that spring

- run and early fall

- run were competing for spawning sites in the Sacramento River below Keswick Dam, and speculated that the two runs may have hybridized. Spring

- run from the FRFH have been documented as straying throughout the
Centra l Valley for many years (CDFG 1998a) , and in many cases have been recovered from the spawning grounds of fall

- run, an indication that FRFH spring

- run may exhibit
fall

- run life history c haracteristics. Although the degree of hybridization has not been comprehensively determined, it is clear that the populations of spring

- run spawning in the Feather River and counted at RBDD contain hybridized fish.

The management of hatcheries, such as Nimbus Fish Hatchery and FRFH, can directly impact spring

- run and steelhead populations by over

- saturating the natural carrying capacity of the limited habitat available below dams. In the case of the Feather River, significant redd superimposition occur s in

- river due to hatchery overproduction and the inability to physically separate spring

- run and fall

- run adults. This concurrent spawning has led to hybridization between the spring

- run and fall

- run in the Feather River. At Nimbus Hatchery, operating F olsom Dam to meet temperature requirements for returning hatchery fa ll

- run often limits the amount o f water available for steelhead spawning and rearing the rest of the year.

The increase in Central Valley hatchery production has reversed the composition of the steelhead population, from 88 percent naturally

- produced fish in the 1950s (McEwan 2001a) to an estimated 23 to 37 percent naturally

- produced fish currently (Nobriga and Cadrett 2003) . The increase in hatchery steelhead production proportionate to the wild population has reduced the viability of the wild steelhead populations, increased the use
of out

- of

- basin stocks for hatchery production, and increased straying (NMFS/CDFG

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

127 2001) . Thus, the ability of natural populations to successfully reproduce and continue their genetic i ntegrity likely has been diminished.

The relatively low number of spawners needed to sustain a hatchery population can result in high harvest

- to

- escapements ratios in waters where fishing regulations are set according to hatchery population. This can le ad to over

- exploitation and reduction in the size of wild populations existing in the same system as hatchery populations due to incidental bycatch (McEwan 20 01a)

.

Hatcheries also can have some positive effects on salmonid populations. Winter

- run produced in the LSNFH are considered part of the winter

- run ESU. Spring

- run produced in the FRFH are considered part of the spring

- run ESU. Artificial propagation has bee n shown to be effective in bolstering the numbers of naturally spawning fish in the short term under specific scenarios. Artificial propagation programs can also aid in conserving genetic resources and guarding against catastrophic loss of naturally spawn ed populations at critically low abundance levels, as was the case with the winter

- run population during the 1990s. However, relative abundance is only one component of a viable salmonid population.



### 7.3. Baseline Habitat Condition

As noted above in the discus sion on land use, and in the Status of the Species section, the riparian zones for much of the ESUs/DPSs are degraded. Riparian zones are the areas of land adjacent to rivers and streams. These systems serve as the interface between the aquatic and terre strial environments. Riparian vegetation is characterized by emergent aquatic plants and species that thrive on close proximity to water, such as willows. This vegetation maintains a healthy river system by reducing erosion, stabilizing main channels, an d providing shade. Leaf litter that enters the river becomes an important
source of nutrients for invertebrates (Bisson and Bilby 2001) . Riparian zones are also the major source of large woody debris (LWD). When trees fall and enter the water, they become an important part of the ecosystem. The LWD alters the flow, creating the pools of slower moving water preferred by salmon (Bilby et al. 2001) . While not necessary for

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

128 pool formation, LWD is associated with around 80% of pools in northern California, Washington, and the Idaho pan

- handle (Bilby and Bisson 2001)

.

Bilby and Bisson (2001) discuss several studies that associate increased LWD with increased pools, and both pools and LWD with salmonid productivity. Their review also includes documented decreases in salmonid productivity following the removal of L WD. Other benefits of LWD include deeper pools, increased sediment retention, and channel
stabilization.

Floodplains are relatively flat areas adjacent to larger streams and rivers (e.g., the Yolo Bypass). They allow for the lateral movement of the mai n channel and provide storage for floodwaters during periods of high flow. Water stored in the floodplain (i.e., hyporheic flow) is later released during periods of low flow. This process ensures adequate flows for salmonids during the summer months, and reduces the possibility of high

- energy flood events destroying salmonid redds (Smith 2005)

.

Periodic f looding of these areas creates habitat used by salmonids. Thus, floodplain areas vary in depth and widths and may be intermittent or seasonal. Storms also wash sediment and LWD into the main stem river, often resulting in blockages. These blockages may force the water to take an alternate path and result in the formation of side channels and sloughs (Benda et al. 2001) . Side channels and sloughs are important spawning and rearing habitat for salmonids. The degree to which these off

- channel habitats are linked
to the main channel via surface water connections is referred to as connectivity (PNERC 2002) . As river height increases with heavier flows, more side channels form and connectivity increases. J uvenile salmonids migrate to and rear in these channels for a certain period of time before swimming out to the open sea.

Healthy riparian habitat and floodplain connectivity are vital for supporting a salmonid population. Chinook salmon and steelhead ha ve life history strategies that rely on floodplains during their juvenile life stages. Sommer et al. (2001) was able to show that the Yolo Bypass, floodplain to the Sacramento R iver, provides better rearing and

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

129 migration habitat for juvenile Chinook than adjacent river channels. During a 1998 and 1999 study, salmon increased in size substantially faster in the seasonally inundated floodplain than in the river.

Once floodplain a reas have been disturbed, it can take decades for their recovery (Smith 2005) . Consequently, most land use practices cause some degree of impairment. Development leads to construction of levees and dikes, which isolate the main stem river from the floodplain. Agricultural development and grazing in riparian areas also significantly change the landscape. Riparian areas managed for logging, or logged in the past, are often impaired by a change in species composition. Most areas in the northwest were historically dominated by conifers. Logging results in recruitment of deciduous trees, decreasing the quali ty of LWD in the rivers. Deciduous trees have smaller diameters than conifers; they decompose faster and are more likely to be displaced (Smith 2005)

.

Without a properly functioning riparian zone, salmonids contend with a number of limiting factors. They face reductions in quantity and quality of both off

- channel and pool habitats. Also, when seasonal flows are not moderated, both higher and lower flow conditions exist. Higher flows can displace fish and destroy redds, while lower flows cut off access to parts of their habitat. Finally, decreased vegetation limits the available shade and cover, exposi ng individuals to higher temperatures and increased predation.



### 7.4. Baseline Pesticide Detections in Aquatic Environments

In the environmental baseline, we address pesticide detections reported as part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water

- Quality Assessment Program’s (NAWQA)
national assessment (Gilliom et al. 2006b) . We chose this approach because the NAWQA studies present the same level of analysis for each area. Further, given the lack of uniform reporting standards, we are unable to present a comprehensive basin

- specific analysis of detections from other sources

.

According to Gilliom et al. (2006b) , the distributions of the most prevalent pesticides in

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

130 streams and ground water correlate with land use patterns and associated present or past pesticide use. When pesticides are released into the environment, they frequently end up

as c ontaminants in aquatic environments. Depending on their physical properties some are rapidly transformed via chemical, photochemical, and biologically mediated reactions into other compounds, known as degradates. These degradates may become as prevalent as the parent pesticides depending on their rate of formation and their relative persistence.

In the Exposure section of the Effects of the Proposed Action we present a more comprehensive discussion of available monitoring data from the NAWQA program, sta te databases maintained by California, and other targeted monitoring studies.

7.4.1.1. National Water

- Quality Assessment Program

From 1992

- 2001, the USGS sampled water from 186 stream sites within 51 study units;
bed

- sediment samples from 1,052 stream sites, a nd fish from 700 stream sites across the continental U.S. Concentrations of pesticides were detected in streams and groundwater within most areas sampled with substantial agricultural or urban land uses. NAWQA results further detected at least one pestic ide or degradate more than 90% of the time in water, in more than 80% in fish samples, and greater than 50% of bed

- sediment samples from streams in watersheds with agricultural, urban, and mixed land use (Gilliom et al. 2006b)

.

Twenty

- four pesticides and one degradate were each detected in over 10% of streams in agricultural, urban, or mixed land use areas. These 25 compounds include 11 agriculture

use herbicides and the atrazine degradate deethylatrazine; 7 urban

- use herbicides; and 6 insecticides used in both agricultural and urban areas. Two of the herbicides used primarily in urban areas are 2,4

- D and diuron. Both herbicides were detected roughly 12% of the time in agricultural streams and between 20% and 25% of the time in urban streams. In a previous Opinion, NMFS assess ed the effects of these two herbicides on salmonids ( http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/consultations/pesticide_opinion4.pdf ). Five of the insecticides were carbaryl, carbof uran, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion.
NMFS assessed the effects of these five insecticides on listed salmonids in its 2008 and

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

131 2009 Opinions (NMFS 2008c, NMFS 2009e)

.

Another dimension of pesticides and their degradates in the aquatic environment is their
simultaneous occurrence as mixtures (Gilliom et al. 2006b) . Mixtures result from the use of different pesticides for multiple purposes within a watershed or groundwater recharge area. Pesticides generally occur more often in natura l waterbodies as mixtures than as individual compounds. Mixtures of pesticides were detected more often in streams than in ground water and at relatively similar frequencies in streams draining areas of agricultural, urban, and mixed land use. More than 90% of the time, water from streams in these developed land use settings had detections of two or more pesticides or degradates. About 70% and 20% of the time, streams had five or more and ten or more pesticides or degradates, respectively (Gilliom et al. 2006b) . Fish exposed t o multiple pesticides at once may also experience additive and synergistic effects. If the effects on a biological endpoint from concurrent exposure to multiple pesticides can be predicted by adding the potency of the pesticides involved, the effects are said to be additive. If, however, the response to a mixture leads to a greater than expected effect on the endpoint, and the pesticides within the mixture enhance the toxicity of one another, the effects are characterized as synergistic. These effects ar e of particular concern when the pesticides share a mode of action. NAWQA analysis of all detections indicates that more than 6,000 unique mixtures of 5 pesticides were detected in agricultural streams (Gilliom et al. 2006b) . The number of unique mixtures varied with land use.

More than half of all agricultural streams sampled and more than three

- quarters of all urban streams had concentrations of pesticides in water that exceeded one or more benchmarks for aquatic life. Aquatic life criteria are EPA water

- quality guideline s for protection of aquatic life. Exceedance of an aquatic life benchmark level indicates a strong probability that aquatic species are being adversely affected. However, aquatic species may also be affected at levels below criteria. In agricultural str eams, most concentrations that exceeded an aquatic life benchmark involved chlorpyrifos (21%), azinphos methyl (19%), atrazine (18%), p,p’

- DDE (16%), and alachlor (15%) (Gilliom et al. 2006b) . Finally, organochlorine pesticides that were discontinued 15 to 30 years ago

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

13 2 still exc eeded benchmarks for aquatic life and fish

- eating wildlife in bed sediment or fish tissue samples from many streams.



### 7.5. Baseline Pesticide Consultations

NMFS has consulted with EPA on the registration of several pesticides ( Table 18 ).
NMFS (NMFS 2008a) determined that current use of chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of 27 listed salmonid
ESUs/DPSs

– including CV spring

- run Chinook, Sacramento winter

- run Chinook, and CCV steelhead (CV listed species). NMFS (NMFS 2009b) further determined that current use of carbaryl and carbofuran is likely to jeopa rdize the continued existence of
22 ESUs/DPSs

– including the CV listed species; and the current use of methomyl is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of 18 ESUs/DPSs of listed salmonids

– including the CV listed species. NMFS also published con clusions regarding the registration of 12 different a.i.s (NMFS 2010b) . NMFS concluded that pesticide products containing azinphos methyl, disulfoton, fenamiphos, methamidophos, or methyl parathion are not likely to jeopardize the continuing existence of any listed Pacific Salmon or destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat. NMFS also concluded
that the effects of products containing bensulide, dimethoate, ethoprop, methidathion, naled, phorate, or phosmet are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of some listed Pacific Salmonids and to destroy or adversely modify designated habitat of some lis ted
salmonids

– including the CV listed species. In June 2011, NMFS issued a biological opinion on the effects of four herbicides and two fungicides ( Table 18 ). NMFS concluded that products containing 2,4

- D are likely to jeopardize the existence of all listed salmonids, and adversely modify or destroy the critical habitat of some ESU / DPSs. Products containing chlorothalonil or diuron were also likely to adversely m odify or destroy critical habitat

– including CV listed species but not likely to jeopardize listed salmonids. NMFS also concluded that products containing captan, linuron, or triclopyr BEE do not jeopardize the continued existence of any ESUs/DPSs of lis ted Pacific salmonids or adversely modify designated critical habitat (NMFS 2011) ( Table 18 ).

### May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

133 Table 18 . Consultations with EPA’s proposed FIFRA actions. Past Opinion's jeopardy and adverse modification determinations pertaining to California Central Valley ESA listed salmonids.

Species ESU

or
DPS Insecticides Herbicides Fungicide

Chlor

pyrifos Diazi

non Mala

thion Carbaryl Carbo

furan Methomyl Dimeth

oate Naled Phos

met Ethro

prop Phor

ate Methid

athion Bensul

ide 2,4

- D Diu

r on Chlorthalonil

Chinook CV

spring J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM AM AM

Sac. R.
Winter J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM AM AM

Steelhead CCV J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM J, AM AM AM

Key J = Jeopardy determination Opinion 1 Opinion 2 Opinion 3 Opinion 4
AM = Adverse Modification of Critical Habitat Nov 2008 April 2009 August 2010 June 2011May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

134



### 7.6. Rice Production and the Use of Thiobencarb in California

Rice growing is of interest because of its overlap with the distribution of listed salmonids. Figure 18 shows thi s overlap between rice and CV spring

- run Chinook, Figure 19 shows the overlap with Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook, and Figure 20 shows the rice overlap with CV steelhead. California is the nation’s second largest rice producing state, with 2011 production totaling 4 1⁄2 billion pounds on over one

- half million acres (USDA 2012) . Current rice production is mainly in nine Sacramento Valley counties (Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, and Yuba) as displayed in Figure 17 (CRC 2011) . Rice is also farmed in counties outside the Sacramento Valley; however currently the acreages in the San Joaquin Valley are generally small (CRC 2011)

. Currently, m ore than 95 percent of the
state’s ric e crop is grown within 100 miles of the city of Sacramento (CRC 20 11)

.

Figure 17 . 2011 Sacramento Valley Rice Acres by County (CRC 2011)

.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

135

Figure 18 . Central Valley rice growing overlay with listed CV spring

- run Chinook ESU.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

136

Figure 19 . Central Valley rice growing overlay with Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook ESU.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

137

Figure 20 . Central Valley rice growing overlay with CV steelhead DPS (note change in scale from previous figures).May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

138

Most California rice is produced by direct seeding into standing water (wet seeded), and a continuous flood is maintained for most of the season. Limited acreage is dry seeded, which also uses permanent flood after stand establishment. Seasonal rainfall and weather conditions influence rice planting and rice pesticide applicatio n. On a typical year, fields are planted from
mid

- April to the end of May, and field drainage occurs during August and September. Thiobencarb is typically applied in May (CRC 2011)

.

Reported annual use of thiobencarb in California declined from over one million lbs in 2000 to approximately 300 thousand lbs per year during the most recent surveys, 2006

- 2009 (CDPR 2010a) . Use of thiobencarb products within the state is reflective of the distribution of rice, the only registered use site for thiobencarb. Although rice acreage and thiobencarb use has remained relatively stable in California in recent years, differences have been observed among the rice producing counties in both the amount of thiobencarb used, and the selection of thiobencarb products (CDPR 2010a) . As repo rted by California Department of Pesticide Regulation, from 1980 to 2010, active ingredient thiobencarb has been typically applied at or near the maximum application rate of 4 lbs/A. Thiobencarb has liquid and granular (dry) formulations. The common liqu id formulation in California is Abolish 8 EC. The most common granular formulation used in California is Bolero 15 G with a transition to Bolero UltraMax beginning in 2008 (both are 15 percent thiobencarb products). According to the CDPR Pesticide Use Re port (PUR) , the relative proportions of active ingredient thiobencarb used in California has been running approximately 25 percent as Abolish 8 EC and 7 5 percent as Bolero UltraMax ( PUR database, January 26, 2012 ).

California has set a drinking water standard known as a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for thiobencarb at 1.0 μg/L as a nuisance for taste at the intakes for Sacramento and West Sacramento. California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), in cooper ation with the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB), developed recommended permit conditions to meet this water quality objective for thiobencarb. Under the CVRWQCB Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River
Basins , the performance goal in the agricultural drains is 1.5 μg/L. The CVRWQCB approved
resolution can be reviewed at:May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

139

www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralvalley/board_decisions/adopted_orders/

.

The rice industry, via the California Rice Commission (CRC), is responsible for water monitoring, annual reporting to the CVRWQCB, and coordinating the participation of all program stak eholders. The rice industry is ultimately responsible for meeting the water quality objectives. DPR as a co

- regulator with the water boards continues to use their authority to regulate the sales and use of pesticides to address water quality issues invol ving pesticides. DPR works with CVRWQCB, the CRC, and the rice industry to address all rice pesticide issues and have developed criteria for water management, measures to minimize drift, and set minimum educational requirements for growers. 10

7.6.1. Water Mana

gement Rice growing requires water to be held on fields for extended periods of time. Water must be held on the fields after thiobencarb is applied. The duration period varies depending on formulation. According to the labels EPA is considering for re

- r egistration, liquid formulations (e.g., Abolish) require a 14

- day hold period after application. Granular formulations (e.g., Bolero) specify field water is not to be released within 30 days of application. However, DPR
has additional hold time restricti ons that are presented in Table 19 (CDPR 2011)

.

Table 19 . California DPR thiobencarb water management requirements summary. Water must be held for the indicated number of 24

- hour periods on site or containment before release to State Waters. Bolero 15

- G Bolero UltraMax Abolish 8EC

Hold Hold Hold Single Field (e) 30 30 19 Single field Southern areas only
(a) . 19 19 Single permitted release into tailwater recovery system or pond onto fallow field [Except Southern area (a) ]. 14 (b) 14 (c) 14 (b)

Multi

- growers & district release onto closed recirculating systems. 6 6 6

10 With Resolution No. R5

- 2010

- 9001, t he CRWQCB

- Central Valley Region approved management practices for thiobencarb, that include the formation of a Storm Event Work Group, incre ased monitoring of thiobencarb, increased focus on seepage, restricting the use of thiobencarb near rivers, and increased education efforts including CRC

- hosted preseason mandatory stewardship meetings.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

140

Multi

- growers & district release onto closed recirculating systems in Southern area (a) . 6 6

Release from closed recirculating system. 19 19 19
Release into area that discharge negligible amount into perennial streams 19 19 6 (d) Emergency Release of tailwater 19 19 19 Commissioner verifies the hydrologic isolation of the fields 6 6 6

a – Sacramento/San Joaquin Valley defined as: South of the line defined by Roads E10 and 116 in Yolo County and the American River in Sacramento County. b

– Thiobencarb permit condition allows Bolereo 15G label hold period of 14 days.

c – Thiobencarb permit condition allows Bolero UltraMax label hold period of 14 days. d

– Se e hydrologic isolation fields.

e – When drainage begins after 30 day hold, discharge must not exceed two inches of water over a drain box weir for seven additio nal days. Unregulated discharges from these fields may then begin after 37 days.

Currently Bol ero UltraMax is primarily used on water seeded fields. Abolish 8EC is primarily used on dry

- seeded fields or fields that must be drained prior to application.

Seepage through berms is a concern and sometimes an issue where treated fields can release
thi obencarb earlier than the prescribed holding times. County agricultural commissioners (CACs) monitor for seepage when inspecting for water

- holding compliance. Any visible seepage moving offsite during the water

- holding period draining into waters of the State is considered an early release and is a water

- holding violation. Over a recent 5 year span (2006

- 2010), on average CACs inspected 773 fields each year. On average 1.8 enforcement actions were taken (CRC annual reports at:

http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralvalley/water_issues/irrigated_lands/monito ring_pl ans_reports_reviews/monitoring_report_reviews/coalitions/california_rice_commision/ric e_2010_amr.pdf

)

.

7.6.1.1. Water Monitoring

– the Rice Pesticide Program

The Rice Pesticide Program (RPP) is a longstanding watershed effort whereby rice growers follow Regional Water Board

- approved management practices contained in use permits obtained from CACs when applying rice pesticides. The RPP includes monitoring of Sa cramento ValleyMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

141

agricultural drains and the Sacramento River by the CRC ( Figure 21 and Table 20 ). The Cities of Sacramento and West Sacramento also conduct monitoring at their drinking water intakes on the Sacramento River for thiobencarb. Monitoring is conducted twice weekly during the peak discharge period for six weeks from Ma y until early June.

Figure 21 . Rice Pesticide Program (RPP) Monitoring Sites

Table 20 . RPP Monitoring Sites (CRWQCB

- CVR 2005) Abbreviation Name (County Location) Type

CBD5 Colusa Basin Drain (CBD) at Hwy 20 (Colusa County) Ag drain

CBD1 CBD at Road 99E (Yolo County) Ag drain

BS1 Butte Slough at Lower Pass Rd (Sutter County) Ag drainMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

142

SS1 Sacramento Slough at DWR gauging station (Sutter County) Ag drain

SR1 Sacramento River at Village Marina (Sacramento County) River Municipal Intake Sites

SSR City of Sacramento Intake, Sacramento River 0.3 Km downstream of the American

River (Sacramento County) River

WSR City of West Sacramento Intake at Bryte Bend (Yolo County) River The CRC maintains close communication with the CACs during the thiobencarb use season. California spring weather conditions can result in occasional storms, which cause concern during
the thiobencarb water

- holding period. The CRC implemented a Storm Event Work Group to facilitate communication with the CACs, DPR, water boards, registrants, city stakeholders and rice growers during storm eve nts, and to determine an increase in thiobencarb monitoring based on information gathered from the group.

CACs also monitor compliance with prescribed holding times ( Table 19 ). Over the same five

year period, CACs conducted 4,569 inspections and issued 11 civil penalties for non

- compliance (average 2.2 penalties per year).

7.6.2. Drift Minimization
California has stricter standards for minimizing drift from aerial applicati ons then those required on EPA approved labels. These are summarized below: No aerial applications shall be made or continued within 1⁄2 mile of the Sacramento or Feather Rivers in the Sacramento Valley rice growing counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, and Yuba unless there is a continuous positive airflow away from the river. In the Sacramento Valley rice growing counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, and Yuba, no aerial application shall be made or continued within 1⁄2 mile of the Sacramento or Feather Rivers when the wind speed exceeds 7 miles per hour. In Sacramento and Yolo Counties, no aerial applications shall be made or continued within 1⁄4 mile of the Sacramento River unless they are made under the direct supervision of the county agricultural commissioner’s representative.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

143

In Sacramento and Yolo Counties, the maximum acres treated by air each day within 1⁄4 mile of the Sacramento River shall not exceed 33 percent of the average acr es treated per day by air within this area in each county during 2002.

In addition to the above, DPR provides focused oversight inspections of thiobencarb aerial applications to monitor drift mitigation requirements. From 2006

- 2010, there were 144 inspe ctions. During these inspections, six compliance violations were issued (CRC Annual Reports).

7.6.3. Applicator Education
The CVRQWCB resolution approving the use of thiobencarb under the Rice Pesticide Program, requires the CRC to host annual thiobencarb mandatory stewardship meetings. The pre

- season meetings, in collaboration with Valent, the CACs, DPR and the CVRWQCB, provides stewardship to the permit applicant and/or his/her authorized representative. In a ddition, the CRC extends stewardship to the pest control advisors (PCAs) and pilots through collaboration with the California Aerial Applicators Association (CAAA). The permit applicant must have a certification of completion, issued by the CRC, in order to obtain a restricted materials permit
from the CAC.

Thiobencarb is a restricted material in California requiring a permit is issued by the CAC in the county the rice is grown. The DPR restricted materials permit conditions require growers to add
thiob encarb to the permit on an annual basis. Under the restricted materials program, the grower, or his/her representative must file a Notice of Intent (NOI) within 24

- hours prior to commencing the use of a pesticide requiring a permit. The CACs retain the r ight to deny permits and thiobencarb NOIs if the field conditions are not adequate for a thiobencarb application.

All applications require a written recommendation from a licensed PCA prior to the submittal of the NOI. The permit is also required for th e use and sale of the restricted material through a licensed dealer, or business. A licensed private applicator, licensed pilot, or qualified applicator must apply the restricted material as authorized by DPR.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

144

The CDPR publishes voluntary interim measur es for mitigating the potential impacts of pesticide usage to listed species. These measures are available online as county bulletins (http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/endspec/colist.htm). Measures from these county bulletins that apply to thiobencarb use in salmonid habitat are:

Do not use in currently occupied habitat except as specified in Habitat Descriptors, in organized habitat recovery programs, or for selective control of exotic plants.
For sprayable or dust formulations: when the air is calm or mov ing away from habitat, commence applications on the side nearest the habitat and proceed away from the habitat. When air currents are moving toward habitat, do not make applications within 200 yards by air or 40 yards by ground upwind from occupied habita t. The CAC may reduce or waive buffer zones following a site inspection, if there is an adequate hedgerow, windbreak, riparian corridor or other physical barrier that substantially reduces the probability of drift.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

145



### 8. Effects of the Proposed Action to T hreatened and Endangered Pacific Salmonids

The analysis includes three primary components: exposure, response, and risk characterization. We analyze exposure and response, and integrate the two in the risk characterization phase where we address support for risk hypotheses. These risk hypotheses are predicated on effects to salmonids. Designated critical habitat is analyzed separately and predicated on effects to
salmonid

- supporting habitats (see Effects of the Proposed Action to Designated Critical Hab itat
and Integration and Synthesis for Designated Critical Habitat )

.



### 8.1. Exposure Analysis

In this section, we identify and evaluate potential exposure of salmonids to the stressors of the action ( Figure 22 ). We begin by presenting general life history information of vulnerable life stages of Pacific salmon and steelhead. Next, we discuss the physical and chemical properties of
thiobencarb and its degradation products that influence exposure of listed species and designated
critical habitat to these stressors of the action. We then evaluate co

- occurrence of salmon habitat with the stressors of the action by comparing the distribution of sites authorized for thiobencarb use by product labeling to the distribution of each species and their designated critical habitat.

To further characterize exposure where co

- occurrence exists, we summarize EPA exposure estimates presented in BEs, present addi tional exposure estimates for shallow floodplain habitats utilized by salmonids, and summarize the available water quality monitoring data. Finally, we conclude with a summary of anticipated ranges of exposure when pesticide use is proximate to
salmon hab itats
, and characterize the uncertainty contained in this analysis. Because the ESA section 7 consultation process is intended to insure that the agency action is not likely to jeopardize listed species or destroy or adversely modify critical habitat, NMF S considers a variety of exposure scenarios in addition to those presented in EPA’s BEs. These scenarios provide thiobencarb estimates for the range of habitats used by listed salmonids.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

146 Figure 22 . Exposure analysis

8.1.1. Threatened and Endangered Pacific Salmonids use of Aquati c Habitats

Within the Status s ection we discussed salmonid lifecycles, life histories, and the use and significance of aquatic habitats. Listed salmonids occupy a variety of aquatic habitats that range from shallow, low

- flow freshwaters to open reaches of the Pacific Ocean. All listed Pacific salmonid species use freshwater, estuarine, and marine habitats at some point during their life. The temporal and spatial use of habitats by salmonids depends on the species and the individuals’ life history and lif e stage as well as environmental factors such as river flows

.

In this section we describe the habitats used by the three species of listed salmonids that occur in California’s Central Valley rice growing region: Central Valley Spring

- run Chinook salmon,
Sacramento River Winter

- run Chinook salmon, and California Central Valley Steelhead. General life history descriptions illustrating the use of aquatic habitats by Chinook salmon and
steelhead are provided below in Table 21 . Additionally, we describe species temporal use of aquatic habitats of the three species within California’s Central Valley to determine potential spatial and temporal overlap with t hiobencarb. Co

- occurrence of action stressors and listed species

Distribution of individuals

Exposure Profile Distribution of habitatMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

147

Table 21 . General life histories of Pacific salmonids which utilize habitat that overlaps with thiobencarb spatial use patterns

. Species General Life History Descriptions (number of listed ESUs or DPSs) Spawning Migration Spawning Habitat Juvenile Rearing and Migration

Chinook ( 2 ) Mature adults (usually

three to five years old) enter rivers ( spring through fall , depending on run)

. Adults migrate and spawn in river reaches extending from above the tidewater inland hundreds of miles from the Pacific

. Migrating adults typically follow the thalweg. Chinook salmon migrate and spawn in four distinct runs (spring, fall, summer, and winter). Chinook salmon are semelparous 1

. Generally spawn in the middle and upper reaches of main stem rivers and larger tributary streams. The alevin life st age primarily

resides just below the gravel surface until they approach or reach the fry stage. Immediately after leaving the gravel, fry distribute to habitats that provide refuge from fast currents and predators. Juveniles exhibit two general life history types: Ocean

- type fish migrate to sea in their first year, usually within six months of hatching. Ocean

- type juveniles may rear i n the estuary for extended periods. Strea m
type fish migrate to the sea in the spring of their second year

.

Steelhead ( 1 ) Mature adults ( typically

three to five years old) may enter rivers any month of the year, and spawn in late winter or spring. Migrating adults typically follow the thalweg. Steelhead are iteroparous 2

. Usually spawn in fine gravel in a riffle above a pool. The alevin life stage primarily resides just below the gravel surface until they approach or reach the fry stage. Immediatel y after leaving the gravel, swim

- up fry usually inhabit shallow water along banks of stream or aquatic habitats on streams margins. Steelhead rear in a wide variety of freshwater habitats, generally for two to three years, but up to six or seven years is possible. They smolt and migrate to sea in

the spring. 1 spawn only once 2 may spawn more than once

Freshwater, estuarine, and marine near

- shore habitats are areas subject to pesticide loading from runoff and drift given their proximity to pesticide application sites. Small streams and many floodplain habitats are more susceptible to higher pesticide co ncentrations than other aquatic habitats used by salmon because their physical characteristics provide less dilution and dissipation. Examples of floodplain habitats include alcoves, channel edge sloughs, overflow channels, backwaters, terrace tributaries , off

- channel dredge ponds, off

- channel ponds, andMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

148

braids (Anderson 1999, Beechie and Bolton 1999, Swift III 1979)

. Though floodplain habitats typically vary in surface area, volume, and flow, they are frequently shallow, low to no

- flow systems protected from a river’s
, or a stream’s
, primary flow.

R earing and migrating juvenile salmonids use floodplain habitats extensively (Beechie and Bolton 1999, Beechie et al. 2005, Caffrey 1996, Henning et al. 2006, Montgomery 1999, Morley et al. 2005, Opperman and Merenlender 2004, Roni 2002)

. Diverse, abundant communities of
invert ebrates also populate floodplain habitats and many species represent an important food source for salmon. The presence of abundant food resources is partially responsible for juvenile
salmonids reliance on these habitats. Both stream

- type juvenile Chinoo k salmon and steelhead use floodplain habitats for extended durations (several months).

8.1.2. Chemical Exposure Pathways to Salmonids Habitats

Pesticides can contaminate surface waters via runoff, erosion, leaching, spray drift from application at terrestrial sites or direct application to aquatic habitats, and atmospheric deposition. Aquatic habitats can be contaminated by pesticides applied to terrestrial target sites through several pathways and by direct application to surface waters for control of plants, mosquitoes, and other aquatic pests. For example, spray

- applied pesticides may result in off

target deposition of droplets at the time of application. The likelihood of spray drift to an aquatic habitat is determined by the application method, the proxi mity to the habitat, and meteorological conditions at the time of application.

Surface water contamination is also influenced by the environmental fate properties of the chemical. For example, secondary drift or vapor drift is dependent on a chemical’s volatility and refers to the redistribution of pesticides from plant and soil surfaces through volatilization and subsequent atmospheric deposition. Runoff and leaching, the horizontal and vertical movement of pesticides with rainwater or irrigation water , are influenced by chemical

- specific properties that determine the compound’s persistence and mobility in soil and water. Standardized tests are typically used to characterize mobility ( e.g. , solubility, K d and K oc ) and persistence under
different environ mental conditions ( e.g. , hydrolysis, photolysis, and metabolism half

- lives in aerobic and anaerobic environments). Below we present environmental fate properties ofMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

149

thiobencarb to charact erize the relative importance of different exposure pathways in terms of the potential for the active ingredient and its degradates to contaminate salmonid bearing habitats and designated critical habitats.

8.1.3. Summary of Chemical Fate of Thiobencarb
Thiobencarb can be applied to rice either before or after rice fields are flooded. After a specified holding period, rice irrigation water can be discharged to salmonid habitats via a system of drains within the Central Valley of California

. Salmonids may be exposed to thiobencarb when present
in the water column where the chemicals cross gill surfaces during respiration , or where fish sensory systems come in direct contact with contaminated water ( i.e., olfactory sensory neurons).
Other routes may contribute to overall exposure including incidental i ngestion of the chemical in sediment or ingestion of the chemical in food items. Below we summarize chemical fate properties of thiobencarb reported by EPA. Where discrepancies existed between EPA assessments, we deferred to the more recent document.

8.1.3.1.

Figure 23 . Chemical structure of thiobencarb

Thiobencarb ( Figure 23 ) is a thiocarbamate herbicide relatively stable to abioti c and biotic degradation in water ( Table 24 ). However, it is not expected to persist in surface water given its affinity for soil and sediment. Two field studies reported median partitioning of thiobencarb
residues of 5.6:1 and 6.6:1 for the soil:water ratio (EPA 2009b) . Aqueous photolysis occurs slowly in surface water s with a half

- life of 190 d. However, it may occur more quickly in the presence of photo

- sensitizers based on its degradation in acetone (half

- life of 12 d). The photodegradation rate of thiobencarb in the presence of relevant photo

- sensitizers, such as humic
substances that occur in surface waters
, is uncertain. Degradation in soils also occurs slowly , asMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

150

evidenced by soil photolysis half

- lives of 168

- 280 d and aerobic soil metabolism half

- lives of 2 7

- 58 d. The K oc ’ s of 384

- 1438 indicate thiobencarb is moderately to slightly mobile in the soil. The vapor pressure indicated that thiobencarb has an intermediate volatility from dry surfaces
and the Henr y’s Law Constant suggests it will not volatilize from water (EPA 2009b)

. Thiobencarb has been found in trace concentrations in air and precipitation and is expected to travel up to 5 km from the site of application. However, thiobencarb h as an atmospheric degradation half

- life of 0.421 days suggesting a limited potential for long

- range transport (EPA 2009b)

. P otential transport mechanisms include primary and secondary spray drift, surface water runoff, and rice paddy disch arge and seepage. Thiobencarb moderately accumulates in fish tissue but depuration occurs rapidly with 93

- 95% of residues eliminated in three days (EPA 2009b)

.

Table 22 . Environmental fate characteristics of thiobencarb 1

. Parameter Value Water solubility 30 mg/L at 20 °C Vapor pressure 1.476 x 10 - 6

- 2.2 x 10 - 5 mm Hg Henry's law constant 2.49 x 10 - 7 atm m 3 mol - 1 Octanol/Water partition coefficient Log K ow = 1.3

– 3.42 Hydrolysis ( t1⁄2 ) pH 5, pH 7, & pH 9 Stable Aqueous photolysis ( t1⁄2 ) 190 d ; 12 d in acetone Soil photolysis ( t1⁄2 ) 168

- 280 d Aerobic soil metabolism ( t1⁄2 ) 27

- 58 d Anaerobic soil metabolism ( t1⁄2 ) Stable Aerobic aquatic metabolism ( t1⁄2 ) Stable Anaerobic aquatic metabolism ( t1⁄2 ) Stable Soil partition coefficient K oc = 384

- 1435 L/kg soil Fish Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) 128 x (edible) 639 x (non

- edible) 411 x (whole fish) 1

- (EPA 2009b)
8.1.3.2.

8.1.3.3. Degradates of thiobencarb

The molecular structure of a pesticide may be modified by biotic ( e.g. , microbial metabolism) or abiotic ( e.g. , photolysis and hydrolysis) processes. The products of these processes typically have different toxicities, environmental fate characteristics, and risks compa red to the parent pesticide. EPA indicated that the main transformation products of thiobencarb found in laboratory photolysis and metabolism studies were 4

- chlorobenzoic acid, 4

- chlorobenzaldehyde, and carbonMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

151

dioxide (EPA 2009b)

. Two add itional microbial metabolites were identified as thiobencarb transformation products monitored in field dissipation studies ( Table 23 ).

Table 23

. Degradates of thiobencarb (EPA 2009b)

. Transformation product Percent of applied parent 4

- chlorobenzoic acid 56 1 5 2 4

- chlorobenzaldehyde 29.4 3 Carbon dioxide 23

- 77 2 Thiobencarb sulfoxide Not specified 4 4

- chlorobenzylmethylsulfone Not specified 4 1

- Aqueous photolysis 2

- Soil metabolism (aerobic or anaerobic conditions not specified) 3

- Photolysis (aqueous or soil matrix not specified) 4

- Aquatic field dissipation studies

Existing l aboratory studies provide d insufficient information to characterize aquatic exposure.
F ield dissipation studies are relatively more informative than laboratory studies because they provide information on the concentrations and persistence of thiobencarb and two metabolites in
floo ded rice paddies ( Table 24 ).

Table 24

. Concentration of thiobencarb and metabolites reported in field dissipation studies

Study Results Field dissipation of Bolero 8EC in rice

(Lai 1991) (MRID#42003404)

Port Barre, Louisiana field site

Aerial application of liquid formulation at 4 lbs a.i. /acre to dry

- seeded rice
A “flush irrigation” was conducted 3 days post application. The plots were permanently flooded to 4.5 inches at 7 days post

- application Parent Thiobencarb Mean concentration ( μg/L ) Day 7: 8.2 Day 8: 11.9 Day 10 : 13.0 (highest mean concentration

3 days post flooding) Day 12: 10.3 Day 28: 0.58

Thiobencarb sulfoxide Highest mean concentration 8. 9 μg/L, D ay 8

( 1 day post

- flood)

4
- chlorobenzylmethylsulfone Highest mean concentration 5.2 μg/L, D ay 12May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

152 Study Results ( 5 days post

- flood)

Dissipation half

- life:
Parent thiobencarb 5.8 d Thiobencarb sulfoxide 3.4 d
4

- chl o robenzylmethylsulfone 6.0 d

Aquatic field dissipation of Bolero 10G in rice

(Ho 1990) ( MRID#43404005 )

Nelson, California field site

Aerial application of granular formulation to flooded rice at a rate of 4 lbs a.i. /acre

Flood water maintained for 6 days then released to fallow check where it was held for 8 days then re

- circulated Parent Thiobencarb Mean concentration μg/L Day 0: 267 Day 1: 252 Day 2: 341 Day 3 : 438 Day 5: 159

----------- drained

----------- Day 14: 44 Day 33: 3 Day 92: 1

Peak mean concentration 438 μg/L
observed 3

- d post application

Thiobencarb sulfoxide Day 3 highest mean concentration: 22 μg/L

4
- chl o robenzylmethylsulfone Day 10 highest mean concentration: 8.3 μg/L

Dissipation half

- life:
Parent thiobencarb 8.7 d Thiobencarb sulfoxide 2.8 d
4

- chl o robenzylmethylsulfone 10.4 d

Fate of thiobencarb and molinate in rice fields

(Ross and Sava 1986)
Aerial application of granular formulation Parent Thiobencarb (No d egradates measured ) Mean concentration μg/L Day 0: 79 Day 2: 567 Day 4: 576May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

153 Study Results to flooded rice at a rate of 4 lbs a.i. /acre

W ater depth held at 10 inches ± 2 inches for 6 day hold ing period, then all water drained from field. Water depth was then maintained at 7 inches ± 2 inches with inflow/outflow during post

- holding Day 6: 515

----------- drained

----------- Day 8: 367 Day 16: 56 Day 32: 8

Peak mean concentration 576 μg/L
observed 4

- d post application

Dissipation half

- life > 6 days Thiobencarb did not decline significantly during the 6

- d holding period

8.1.4. Exposure of salmonid habitats to the stressors of the action

8.1.4.1. Co

- occurrence associated with thiobencarb use.

We evaluated co

- occurrence of listed salmonids with stressors of the action by comparing the spatial and temporal distribution of salmon with potential use of thiobencarb based on label specifications. To evaluate the areal extent of application sites near salmon

- bearing waters, we used a GIS overlay containing land use classifications and salmon distributions 11 to determine overlap with the three California Central Valley ESUs/DPSs ( Table 16
, Figure 11 ). Based on the
2006 National Land Cover Database, the spatial coverage of cropland accounts for approximately 21

- 2 6 % of the total area within the freshwater distribution of the three species (
Table 25 )

. Because cropping patterns may change over time, the land use classification for cropland was used for the initial evaluation of registered uses . Statistics from CDPR indicate
that more than a half million acres have been planted annually in rice in the Sacramento Valley
since 2006 (CDPR 2011) . Rice is the dominant crop in the Sacramento Valley and accounts for more than 6% of the total area with the distribution of the California Central Valley Steelhead and more than 8% of the total areas within the distribution of spring

- run and winter

- run Chinook.

11 http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/ESA

- Salmon

- Listings/Salmon

- Populations/Maps/May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

154

Table 25

. Co

- occurrence of listed Pacific salmonids with potential application of pesticides to use sites within the salmon id s ' freshwater distribution.

ESU / DPS Spatial coverage of cropland within species freshwater distr ibution Temporal overlap of ESU and labeled use of Thiobencarb Central Valley Spring

- Run Chinook Salmon 21.0% Y es Sacramento River Winter

- Run Chinook 21.0% Y es California Central Valley Steelhead 26. 4 % Y es

There is temporal overlap of approved labeled uses with species presence in freshwater habitats
because m ost of the listed Pacific salmonids in California occur in freshwater year

- round in some
life stage , and t hiobencarb labels place no restrictions on t he timing of application. H istorically thiobencarb has been applied most frequently in the months of May and June ( Figure 24 ). A considerable number of applications (20 or more during the month in a given year) have

occurred as early as April and as late as July ( Figure 24 ). Application of thiobencarb during
other months has been extremely rare (average 0

- <1 application/month). Peak aquatic concentrations associated with the drift pathway are expected to occur on the day of application. Exposure associated with thiobencarb discharge from treated fields is expected to occu r after the 14 and 30 day holding requirements have been met for liquid and granular formulations, respectively. However, exposure associated with discharge from treated fields may also occur earlier due to thiobencarb seepage through berms or checks or t hrough emergency releases due to flooding or salinity.

After reviewing thiobencarb’s label authorized use and historical use in California, we expect designated critical habitats of the listed Central Valley salmonids to be expos ed to thiobencarb
from A pril

– July, and particularly during May and June ( Figure 24 ). The application and discharge period for thiobencarb overlaps with the general timing of freshwater residence of
several salmonid life stages ( Table 26 ). For example, the peak May

– June application period overlaps with adult freshwater migration and juvenile freshwater rearing and migration in all three Central Valley species. Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook are also actively spawning, and are present in freshwater as eggs, alevin, and fry during the application and discharge perio d (April

- July). While Central Valley steelhead are likely to have completed spawning activities prior to applications in May and June, eggs, alevin and fry are all present in freshwater habitatsMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

155

during this timeframe. From t hese patterns , we expect all three species and their designated
critical habitat to be expos ed to thiobencarb and other ingredients in thiobencarb products

. .

Figure 24 . Number of thiobencarb applications in Cal ifornia by month from 1995

- 2010 (source: CD PR PUR database). Points in figure represent the number of application for a year. Months with zero applications are not plotted. The solid horizontal line represents the monthly mean number of applications over all of the years.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

156

Table 26 . Generalized run

- timing of ESA

- listed Central Valley Pacific Salmonids by life stage. ESU/DPS Life Stage Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Central Valley Spring

- run Chinook Adult prespawn migration

Spawning

Incubation
Alevin to fry emergence
Rearing and migration

Sacramento
River
Winter

- run Chinook Adult prespawn migration

Spawning

Incubation
Alevin to fry emergence Rearing and migration

Central Valley
Steelhead Adult prespawn migration

Spawning

Incubation
Alevin to fry emergence
Rearing and migration

8.1.4.2. Species

- specific temporal and spatial considerations

Because thiobencarb is registered for use on only one crop that has a relatively localized and predictable distribution, we were able to take a more in

- depth approach to assess temporal and spatial co

- occurrence than was possible in previous NMFS Opinions on EPA registration actions. This approach assumes that within the distribution of listed species, ( 1) rice production will continue to be confined to the Central Valley of California, and ( 2) thiobencarb will not be approved for other uses within the species range. Reinitiation of formal consultation will be requir ed if there are changes in these use patterns or Washington, Oregon, or Idaho authorize use
of thiobencarb (see Reinitiation Notice below). Because NMFS includes the existing California restrictions as reasonable and prudent measures, any changes in Calif ornia restrictions for rice growing in the Central Valley will not necessarily require reinitiation.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

157

We expect co

- occurrence of thiobencarb use with several different life

- history stages of each listed species ( Figure 24
, Table 26 )

. To understand the extent of potential spatial and temporal overlap between thiobencarb use (April

– July) and species presence w e discuss each species ’ adult and juvenile migration through rice growing areas. Figure 25 shows the distribution of rice in the Sacramento and upper San Joaquin Valleys according to the 2010 NASS Crop Data Lay er.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

158

Figure 25 . Distribution of rice in the Sacramento Valley based on the 2010 NASS Crop Data Layer. North Delta, Knights Landing (KL) and Red Bluff Diversion Dam (RBDD) fish sampling sites and distribution of the Central Va lley Spring Run Chinnok are also shown.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

159

8.1.4.3. Abundance of the Three Species in CA Central Valley

The relative abundance of the listed salmonids at various sampling stations is reported in Table
27
, Table 29 , and Table 31

. We scored relative abundance as ―low,‖ ―medium,‖ and ―high‖ at the different sampling locations over two

- week intervals qualitative ly by comparing capture rates at sample stations to overall abundance of each species observed at that station during the year. For example, several thousand spring

- run Chinook are monitored annually at the Knights Landing (KL) station (Snider and Titus 2000a, Bajjaliya and Vincik 2008a) . The relative abundance ratings in Table 27 of low, medium, and high correspond to capture rates in the 10’s, 100’s, and 1,000s, respectively, for that species. We used this information to determine the likely extent of co

- occurrence of the three species with thiobencarb ( Table 28
, Table 30 , and
Table 32 ). This qualitative analysis is based on two primary assumptions: first, the spatial patter n of current rice growing area as defined by the 2010 NASS Crop Data Layer is a reasonable surrogate for future thiobencarb use sites, and, second, that the timing of thiobencarb applications and release of water from thiobencarb treated fields will remain relatively comparable for the next 15 years. We find support for these assumptions from the conditions needed for successful rice growing in California’s CV including temperature, water, and soil. These necessary conditions are not met by other geograp hic areas within CA, therefore, the geographical expansion outside of the Central Valley is unlikely (Hill et al. 1992, California 1993)

Using fish collection data from CDFG and USFWS, we evaluated typical species presence at sampling stations on the Sacramento River (at Red Bluff Diversion Dam ( RBDD ) and Knights Landing (KL) )
, in the North Delta of the Sacramento River (at Chipps Island and Hood ), on the San Joaquin River (at Mossdale), and on the Mokelumne River (at Woodbridge dam) ( Figure 25
, (USFWS 2010a, USFWS 2012a, Marcotte 1984a, Bajjaliya and Vincik 2008a, Snider and Titus 2000a)

. We used t he se monitoring locations to help us understand the movement of the species upstream as adults and downstream as juveniles as they entered and left current rice growing
areas. The current distrib ution of rice in California is predominately located in the Sacramento Valley downstream of the RBDD and upstream of the North Delta sampling stations. The KL sampling station is within current rice growing areas. S teelhead monitored at Mossdale andMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

160

Wood bridge stations also represent occurrence in rice growing areas, although rice is grown to a lesser extent in these locations compared to the KL area on the Sacramento River.

8.1.5. Analysis of Species Presence in Rice Growing Areas

8.1.5.1. Co

- occurrence of Central Va lley spring

- run Chinook salmon with thiobencarb

It is likely that a dult Central Valley ( CV ) spring

- run Chinook will be exposed to thiobencarb as they travel through rice growing areas while migrating up

- stream to cooler, higher elevation

waters because their abundance is high in rice growing areas when thiobencarb is most frequently applied (Table 7 )

. Since p eak aquatic concentrations associated with the drift pathway are expected to occur on the day thiobencarb is applied
, i ndividuals may be e xposed multiple times during their upstream migration ( i.e.
, they may be exposed to thiobencarb at multiple locations given the distribution of potential application sites along their migration
corridor ). Individuals could also be exposed during run

- off e vents involving normal discharges,
unintended seepage from the fields, or fro m approved emergency discharges. The occurrence of seepage has been relatively infrequent, occurring in less than 0.5% of rice fields inspected over a five year period ( Table 42 ).

A dult holding and spawning mostly occur at higher elevations in the upper main stem
Sacramento River tributaries of Tehama and Butte counties ( e.g. , Mill Creek and Deer Creek, ( Figure 26 ), w hile rice is grown primarily on the valley floor (Lindley et al. 2004a, Yoshiyama et al. 1998, Marcotte 1984a)

. In the main stem, most spawning is above RBDD; in Mill Creek spawning extends from above the Little Mill Creek confluence upstream to about one mile above the Highway 36 bridge; in Deer Creek most spawn from about the Ponderosa Way bridge upstream to upper Deer Creek falls; in Butte Creek, most spawning takes place about 40 miles upstream from the mouth. Some spring

- run fish may spa wn in the main stem below RBDD but
estimates are not available and these fish are often considered fall

- run Chinook (CDFG 1995,
M arcotte 1984a)

.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

161

Figure 26 . CV spring

- run Chinook probable and known spawning areas in relation to 2010 rice growing areas.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

162

(Good et al. 2005)

. Spawning also occurs in the Feather River, but it begins in August and ends in October. Overall, w e do not anticipate spawning, egg incubation, and fry emergence to co

occur with thiobencarb runoff in rice growing areas

.

E xposure to signi ficant concentrations of thiobencarb via primary drift is also not anticipated given what we understand about the timing and proximity of spawning to expected thiobencarb use sites ( Table 28 ). A drift event during application of thiobencarb liquid formulations could lead to deposition into spawning areas, but we expect such deposition to be limited and more of an exception than the rule. Furthermore, should primary drift occur, it would likely happen prior to the onset of spawning.

After fry emergence, most juveniles rear in their natal streams (Mill, Deer, and Butte creeks) upstream of the rice growing areas (Lindley et al. 2004a, Marcotte 1984a)

. Some fry (young of the year) may begin migrat ion downstream post emergence from the gravel, but this typically
occurs in the fall (Lindley et al. 2004a) . Based on fish monitoring programs in the Sacramento (Snider and Titus 2000a, Bajjaliya and Vincik 2008a, Marcotte 1984a, USFWS 2010b) , juvenile migration out of natal streams and through rice growing areas is initiated in late summer and largely complete by May, when the majority of thiobencarb is typically applied ( Figure 24 and
Table 27 ). Juveniles are found below Knights Landing (KL in Figure 25 and Table 27 ) and in the North Delta by April ( Figure 25 and Table 27 ). Some juveniles do occupy waters in rice growing areas into early May . We expect few juveniles to occupy water within , or adjacent to, rice areas in June. Exposure from drift i s expected to be limited as j uvenile abundance in close proximity to rice fields is expected to be low during applications ( Table 27 and Table 28 ).

Juveniles are abundan t in the San Francisco Bay estuary ( i.e. , in the North Delta ; downstream of rice growing areas) during thiobencarb application and discharge periods. W e expect exposure in the estuarine habitats will be at concentrations that are low compared to concentrations that are found in salmon habitats located closer to field discharge

. For example, the highest

co ncentration reported by Kuivila and Jennings (2007) in eastern Suisun Bay, at Mallard Island (approximately one

- half mile from Chipps Island), was 66 ng/L, 1

- 2 orders of magnitude lower than values frequentl y detected at sample stations located near rice cultivation (summary of Rice Pesticide Monitoring Program reported below).May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

163

The Yolo Bypass is a historical floodplain of the Sacramento River that is now utilized to manage flood waters and produce a variet y of crops. It is seasonally inundated with water to varying degrees and is recognized as an important rearing area for salmonids in the Sacramento Valley. During high water years, when the Yolo Bypass floods, juveniles are expected to occupy the Yolo an d linger there until flood waters recede (Sommer et al. 2001, Sommer et al. 2005a)

. Rice growing does occur in the Yolo Bypass, but is delayed until after flood waters recede. Therefore, during flood years when juveniles have access to the Yolo Bypass, co

- occurrence with thiobencarb use is unlikely.

Table 27 . Temporal occurrence of adult and juvenile CV spring

- run Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River. Darker shades indicate months of greatest relative abundance in each location along the river.

Adult upstream migration Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Sac. River basin Up Sac. R. mainstem

Juvenile rearing and downstream migration Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Sac. R. at RBDD 1
Sac. R. at KL 2
North Delta 3
Thiobencarb use/release
Relative Abundance = High = Medium = Low

1 upstream of current rice growing areas; 2 within current rice growing areas; 3 downstream of current rice growing areas.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

164

Table 28 . CV spring

- run Chinook relative abundance in rice areas ( Figure 25 ) during thiobencarb use periods April

- July. Life Stage None Expected Low Medium High
Adult Migration X
Spawning X
Early rearing X

Juvenile migration X

8.1.5.2. Co

- occurrence of Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook with thiobencarb

Typically, adult Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook salmon enter fresh water in winter or early spring. The adults migrate through rice growing areas of the Sacramento River Basin en

rou te to spawning grounds in m edium abundance during the time when thiobencarb is usually applied and discharged. Spawning usually occurs between May and June , the peak period of thiobencarb applications

. Moderate numbers of adults moving up

- river to reach spawning grounds are likely exposed to thiobencarb by drift or runoff from thiobencarb applications ( Table
30 ). As discussed in the Status of Listed Resources section, winter

- run Chinook spawning is now restricted within roughly 44 miles of the main

- stem upper Sacramento River immediately below Keswick Dam ( Figure 27 ). A majority of the spawning (greater than 50 percent) is between Keswick Dam and the ACID Dam approximately 5 miles away. All of the spawning is located upstream of current RBDD, above the areas where rice is currently cultivated ( Figure 25
and Figure 27 ). Consequently, w e do not expect spawning, egg incubat ion, and fry emergence to

co

- occur with thiobencarb based on the current location of spawning areas.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

165

Figure 27 . Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook spawning areas relative to rice growing areas. Spawning is confined to the 44 river miles immediately downstream of Keswick Dam (Yoshiyama et al. 1998) . In California, Rice is primarily cultivated in the Sacramento Valley downstream of the Red Bluff Diversion Dam (RBDD).May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

166

Upon emergence, most fry take up residence in their natal stream for several weeks to a year or more, while others are displaced downstream by the stre am’s current. Early hatched fry that do move down soon after emergence, instead of rearing in their natal waters, may be exposed to thiobencarb. Monitoring studies suggest juvenile s are either absent, or in low abundance
, in rice growing areas during the months of April

– July when thiobencarb exposure is most likely ( Table 29 ). Relative abundance estimates suggest mos t fish will have passed through the lower end of the rice growing area ( i.e. , the lower Sacramento River monitoring stations) prior to May. Early hatched fry start arriving at the Red Bluff Diversion Dam (RBDD) in low relative abundance in July. While th e RBDD is above rice growing areas ( Figure 25 ), some of these fish could migrate down into waters that may receive late discharge waters off rice field s following a
30

- day hold. However, a ccording to fish monitoring studies, most juvenile winter

- run Chinook migrate through the rice growing areas during the period when thiobencarb is not being applied
, August

– April (Snider and Titus 2000a, Bajjaliya and Vincik 2008a, Marcotte 1984a, USFWS 2010b)

. This suggests exposure from drift and runoff into habitats in close proximity to rice
field s would occur to a relatively low number of individuals ( Table 30 )

. As with the spring

- run Chinook, the Yolo By pass and North Delta represent important rearing
areas for winter

- run Chinook. During high water years, when the Yolo Bypass floods early, juveniles may linger in floodplains habitats until flood waters recede. However, r ice growing in the Yolo Bypass i s delayed until after flood waters recede. Therefore, during flood years when juveniles have access to the Yolo Bypass, co

- occurrence with thiobencarb use is unlikely. Juveniles rear in high abundance in the North Delta during the periods of thiobencarb application and discharge of thiobencarb

- treated fields. Although these habitats are downstream of rice growing areas, they are generally not in close proximity to rice fields. Exposure to thiobencarb is expected to be significantly less than predicted by drift and runoff models for water bodies in close proximity to rice fields.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

167

Table 29 . Temporal occurrence of adult and juvenile winter

- run Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River. Darker shades indicate months of greatest relative abundance in each location along the river.
Adult migration Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sac. River basin Upper Sacramento River

Juvenile migration Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sac. River at RBDD 1
Sac. River at KL 2
Lower Sac. River 3
North Delta 3
Thiobencarb use/release RBDD=Red Bluff Diversion Dam KL = Knights Landing

Relative Abundance: = High = Medium = Low
1 upstream of current rice growing areas; 2 within current rice growing areas; 3 downstream of current rice growing areas.

Table 30

. Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook relative abundance in rice areas ( Figure 25 ) during thiobencarb use periods April

– July.

Life Stage None expected Low Med ium High
Adult migration X
Spawning X
Early rearing X

Juvenile migration X

8.1.5.3. Co

- occurrence of Central Valley steelhead with thiobencarb

Generally, CV steelhead that utilize the Sacramento River Basin enter freshwater from late June to April
, but some individuals are present in freshwater year

- round. Steelhead that utilize the San Joaquin and its tributaries generally begin to enter the river in July. R elatively few pre

-May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

168

spawn adults migrate through rice production areas ( Figure 24 ) at the time thiobencarb is applied
or when held water is released from rice fields post application ( Table 32 and Table 31 ) . Some

co

- occurrence is likely, but the number of individuals exposed du ring adult migrations is expected to be relatively low as most of the pre

- spawning adults would be higher in the watershed (above RBDD) during the application and discharge period (April

- July; Table 32 ). Unlike salmon, s teelhead can spawn several times before they die and therefore s pawned adults moving down river as kelts could be exposed to thiobencarb via mechanisms described above.
We do not have data indicating relative abundance of down migrant kelts.

CV Steelhead have the longest freshwater migration of any population of winter steelhead. Available information for natural populations of steelhead reveals considerable overlap in

m igration and spawn timing between populations of the same run type. Peak spawning is January through March, and takes place mostly high in the watersheds of the Sacramento
, Mokelumne, and possibly the San Joaquin rivers ( Figure 28 )

. Most spawning habitat for CV steelhead is located downstream of dams in areas containing suitable environmental conditions ( e.g. , cold water, suitable gravels and stream flow) for spawning and incubation. W e expect little, if any, spawning, egg incubation, and fry emergence to co

- occur with thiobencarb use in rice production based on the current locations of known spawning areas ( Figure 28 )

. Furthermore, the primary thiobencarb application window (May and June) does not overlap with peak spawning.

As with adults, juveniles are present in the river year

- round. After fry emergence, most juveniles rear in their natal streams at elevations above rice growing areas. Steelhead rearing takes place primarily in higher velocity areas of pools, although they are also abundant in glides and riffles.
Juvenile steelhead e migrate episodically from natal streams during fall, winter, and spring high
flows. Their relative abundance is low to moderate in rice growing areas during the thiobencarb application and discharge period ( Table 32 and Table 31 ). Relative abundance peaks at the RBDD from August into November and at the Knights Landing screw traps in March. By March/April the bulk of the steelhead run has entered the estuary and individuals are present in monitoring data at Chipps Island (lower North Delta) . There are many late arrivals from the natal spawning grounds that would migrate through rice growing areas (e.g. Knights Landing) well into May and perhaps early June ( e.g ., lower Sacramento River near Hood)

. H owever , fishMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

169

monitoring data suggest that the majority of fish would have migrated through the rice growing

areas prior to the thiobencarb application period

.

W hile most of the rice grown in the Central Valley is in the lower Sacramento River Basin, some rice is grown in the lower San Joaquin River and Mokelumne River watersheds

. Fis h monitoring on the San Joaquin (Mossdale) and Mokelumne ( Woodbridge dam ) indicate s teelhead
, in general
, are present in these waters at very low abun d ance. Juveniles are present in moderate relative abundance in rice growing areas of both systems during times when risk of exposure to thiobencarb is highest . Therefore, while we expect thiobencarb exposure to juveniles rearing in the San Joaquin and Mokelumne Rivers, we expect the exposure to be limited given the relatively low abundance of both fish and r ice in these areas ( Table 31 ). Overall, drift and runoff
into occupied steelhead rearing and migration habitats are expected infrequently. We expect low juvenile steelhead abundance in the Sacramento River and medium abundance in the San Joaquin River when thiobencarb is applied and rice holding waters are released ( Table 32 ).May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

170

Figure 28 . CV steelhead probable and known spawning areas in relation to 2010 rice growing
areas.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

171

Table 31 . Temporal occurrence of adult and juvenile CV steelhead in the Central Valley . Darker shades indicate months of greatest relative abundance in each location. Adult migration Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sac. River basin San Joaquin River

Juvenile migration Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sac. River at RBDD 1
Sac. River at KL 2
Sac. R. at Hood 3 Chipps Island 3
Mossdale 2 Woodbridge Dam 2
Thiobenca rb use/release

RBDD=Red Bluff Diversion Dam KL = Knights Landing

Relative Abundance: = High = Medium = Low
1 upstream of current rice growing areas; 2 within current rice growing areas; 3 downstream of current rice growing areas.

Table 32 . CV steelhead relative abundance in rice areas ( Figure 25 ) during thiobencarb use periods April

- July. Life Stage None expected Low Med ium High
Adult migration X
Spawning X
Early rearing X
Juvenile migration

– San Joaquin & Mokelumne rivers X

Juvenile migration

– Sacramento R. XMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

172



### 8.2. Modeling: Estimates of exposure to thiobencarb

8.2.1. EPA exposure e stimates EPA did not utilize modeling to estimate potential exposure of listed Pacific salmonids to
thiobencarb or other stressors of the action (EPA 2002a)

. However , EPA used the Rice Model and the AgDrift model to estimate thiobencarb exposure to California red

- legged frog and Delta
smelt (EPA 2009b)

. Below, we discuss the utility of these estimates for evaluating exposure to
listed Pacific salmonids.

8.2.2. Utility of EPA

- derived EECs for defining exposure to Pacific salmonid habitats

As described in the Approach to the Assessment section, our exposure ana lysis begins at the organism (individual) level of biological organization. We consider the life stage and life histories of the individuals likely to be exposed. This scale of assessment is essential as adverse effects to individuals may result in popul ation

- level consequences, particularly for populations of extremely low abundance ( i.e.
, threatened and endangered species). Characterization of impacts to an individual’s fitness is necessary to assess potential impacts to populations, and ultimately to the species. To assess risk to individuals, we must consider the range in concentrations to which individuals of the population may be exposed. The highest concentrations in aquatic habitats are typically associated with direct application to water, or o ff

- target deposition of pesticides into shallow habitats in close proximity to the target site. Pacific salmonids utilize a variety of aquatic habitats ( Table 21 ). All three listed salmonid species within CA’s Central Valley use shallow, low flow habitats at some point in their life cycle.

EPA Rice Model

. EPA estimated the peak concentrations of thiobencarb within a rice paddy to be 2018 μg/L usi ng the Rice Model. This model calculates peak concentration based solely on the dilution volume of the paddy and an assumption of instantaneous partitioning of the pesticide
between the rice field water and sediment. The simulation included direct applic ation of thiobencarb at the labeled application rate (4 lbs a.i./A) to a 0.1 meter

- deep rice field . This depth
is consistent with the cultivation of rice. A first

- order decay rate of 0.1252/day was then applied to the peak concentration to estimate conce ntrations with in the rice field at various times post application
, as well as time

- weighted

- average concentrations.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

173

Although we do not expect listed Pacific salmonids to use flooded rice fields , salmonids may be exposed to thiobencarb that is discharged to their habitats or manages to seep from rice fields into drainage canals and ultimately into salmonid habitats . Therefore, water concentration
estimates in flooded rice fields , particularly at discharge, can be used as an upper bound for
runoff concent rations for salmon and their designated critical habitat. FIFRA labels currently require treated flood waters to be held a minimum of 14 d before discharge (EPA Reg. No.
59639

- 79). Some labels specify not to drain herbicide

- treated fields for a minimum of 30 days after application (EPA Reg. No. 59639

- 112). Using the rice model and assuming a 5.5 day half

life for thiobencarb in water
, EPA estimate d discharge concentrations of 350 μg/L and 47 μg/L
after 14 d and 30 d holding periods, respectively. The actual discharge concentrations are expected to vary somewhat depending on site

- specific dissipation and may be either greater or less than predicted. Three aquatic dissipation studies were available for thiobencarb. The authors of these studies report h alf

- lives of 5.8 d, > 6 d, and 8.7 d, slightly longer than the dissipation rate assumed by EPA modeling ( Table 24 ). Concentrations observed in waters receiving discharge will be reduced to different degrees depending on flow rate and dilution capacity of the receiving water.

EPA AgDrift model estimates

. EPA used the AgDrift model to determine distance to listed species habitats required to prevent adv erse impacts to listed species through exposure caused by primary drift of the liquid formulation of thiobencarb. Model simulations assumed EPA default inputs and modeled drift to a 2

- meter deep farm pond (EPA 2009b)

. T he physical charact eristics of EPA’s farm pond provide a reasonable representation of some of the habitats used by
salmonids

. NMFS use d AgDrift to estimate thiobencarb concentrations in o ther important habitats, such as floodplain habitats with lower dilution capacity ( NMFS exposure estimates for flood habitats ).

EPA estimates of exposure to other action stressors

. EPA did not provide model estimates for other ingredients, tank mixtures components, or degradates of thiobencarb

. Only one thiobencarb product contains mult iple a.i.s, and is formulated with propanil ( EPA registration
#71085

- 30). This end

- use product is currently not registered for use in California. However,May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

174

several thiobencarb labels recommend tank mixture applications with propanil or other
herbicides to improve product efficacy. Estimates of exposure to identified metabolites and degradates were also absent ( Table 23 ) . The missing estimates of exposure to these stressors introduce substantial uncertainty to the exposure analysis.

NMFS conclusions on utility of available EPA model estimates The Rice Mo del simulation paired with field dissipation calculations provide a reasonable estimate of parent thiobencarb concentrations that may be discharged into habitats where listed salmonids reside. AgDrift modeling was useful in identifying that primary drift of spray applied thiobencarb represents a transportation pathway predicted to exceed EPA’s E ndangered S pecies Levels of Concern for
fish and their habitat (Page 111 in (EPA 2009b) . NMFS provides additional modeling estimates
below to chara cterize the potential range of exposure in salmonid habitats and to address exposure to other stressors of the action.

8.2.3. NMFS exposure e stimates for floodplain habitats The ―farm pond‖ scenario utilized by EPA is representative of some habitats used by listed salmonids. However, other habitats may be more or less susceptible to higher pesticide concentrations given their physical characteristics. For example, small streams and some floodplain habitats represent examples of habitats used by salmonids th at can have a lower capacity to dilute pesticide inputs than the farm pond. NMFS derived estimates for a vulnerable floodplain habitat to capture the potential range of thiobencarb exposure in listed salmonids.

8.2.3.1. Application of thiobencarb to fields adjacen t to salmonid habitat

Drift during application is a transport mechanism that can result in significant deposition of pesticides in aquatic habitats immediately adjacent to treated fields, including shallow floodplain habitats where juvenile salmonids rear and shelter. W e derived exposure estimates for floodplain
habitats using the AgDrift model to estimate downwind deposition from pesticide drift (Teske 2001) . AgDrift is a field

- scale model that evaluates pesticide drift. The drift estimates derived

represe nt average projected drift. Although AgDrift reasonably predicts drift, drift is highly
variable and is influenced by site

- specific conditions and application equipment (Bird et al. 2002)

.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

175

Our model inputs incorporated application requirements from thiobencarb labels ( Table 33 ). Some thiobencarb product label s include a set

- back to aquatic habitats. For example, Bolero 8 EC prohibits product application within 1000 feet of the endangered fat pocketbook pearly

mus sel (EPA Registration No. 59639

- 79). Additionally, under the Environmental Hazards section of the label, application of the product is not permitted south of the Intercoastal Waterway in Louisiana or within two miles from the shorelines of Matagorda Bay o r Galveston Bay in Texas. Existing labels contain no setbacks to salmonid habitats. The label instructs applicators to apply liquid formulations of thiobencarb at up to 4 lbs of thiobencarb per acre with aerial or ground application equipment. Historic use data for California suggest the maximum labeled rate is the predominant rate used ( Appendix three ). Our simulations assumed an aquatic habitat that was 2 m wide and of variable depths (0.1

– 2 m). These dimensions are consistent
with some of the smal ler, and potentially more vulnerable, floodplain habitats and small streams used by salmonids.

Table 33 . Estimated average initial thiobencarb concentrations in a floodplain habitat that is 2m wide and of variable depths using A gDrift 2.0.05.
Application method Model inputs Simulation : Rate in lbs a.i./A Habitat

Depth (m) Average Initial

Concentration in Surface Water ( g/L) Ground Tier 1 ground, Low ground boom

spray , ASAE fine to medium/course distribution, 50 th percentile estimate 4 0.1 0.5 1 2 736

147 74 37

Aerial Tier 1 aerial spray, ASAE medium

to course droplet distribution 4 0.1 0.5 1 2 1,910

382 191 96

We also used AgDrift to estimate potential exposure of riparian vegetation to drift of spray

applied thiobencarb. The simulations evaluated application of thiobencarb at the 4 lb s a.i./A
labeled rate. The terrestrial assessment tool in AgDrift was used to identify point

- depos i tion at various distances downwind from the target treatment site ( Table 34 ). Predicted deposition of thiobencarb decreased as distance from the target site increase d

.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

176

Table 34 . AgDrift Estimates for point deposition of thiobencarb applied at the 4 lbs a.i./A rate.

Application method Distance (ft) from target spray area Estimated thiobencarb deposition from drift

lbs a.i./A Percent of applied Ground
Tier 1 ground, Low ground boom spray , ASAE fine to medium/course distribution, 50 th percentile estimate 1 10 100 1000* 1.19 0.09 0.010 0.001 29.68 2.24 0.24 0.03

Aerial
Tier 1 aerial spray, ASAE medium to course droplet distribution 1 10 100 1000* 1.91 1.21 0.22 0.02 47.76 30.34 5.61 0.55

*Simulation runs at buffer of 997 feet due to model limitation

8.2.4. NMFS exposure e stimates for pesticide mixtures

Co

- application of pesticides increases the likelihood of exposure to pesticide mixtures. Several thiobencarb labels recommend application with other pesticides to improve weed management ( e.g. , propanil, glyphosate, and paraquat; EPA Reg. No. 59639

- 79, 63588

- 6, 63588

- 14). Thiobencarb labels also make general recommendations for applications of other pesticides, such as avoiding applications of o ther ingredients that share a common mode of action to manage weed resistance (e.g.
, EPA Reg. No. 59639

- 112, 63588

- 14). We reviewed the available pesticide use data for California to determine the pesticides that are most commonly co

- applied with
thiobenc arb. Over the last decade , thiobencarb has been co

- applied with other pesticides 23% of
the time ( Appendix four ). During that timeframe t here have been more than 150 unique pesticide combinations involving the application of thiobencarb and at least one other pesticide applied to the same field on the same day ( Appendix four ).

It is not feasible to estimate exposure to all of the possible pesticide mixtures that are allowed to be used. Below we present exposure estimates associated with applications o f thiobencarb, propanil, and copper sulfate ( Table 35 ). According to labels, both propanil and copper sulfate products can legally be applied with thi obencarb. Propanil is the active ingredient most commonly recommended for co

- application on thiobencarb labels. The Bolero® 8 EC label (EPA Reg. No. 59639

- 79), recommends applying thiobencarb at a rate of 2

– 2.5 lbs a.i./A inMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

177

combination with propanil. Propanil may be applied to rice at rates of up to 6 lbs a.i./A (EPA Reg. No. 71085

- 2). Copper sulfate has been the most frequent pesticide co

- applied with
thiobencarb since 1999. It can be applied to rice at rates up to 15 lbs a.i./A (EPA Reg. No.
56576

- 1).

Table 35

. Estimated average initial pesticide concentration in a floodplain habitat that is 2m wide and 0.1 m deep using AgDrift 2.0.05

. Application method Model inputs 1 Simulation : Rate in lbs a.i./A Buffer

(feet) Average Initial Concentration in Surface Water ( g/L) Ground Tier 1 ground, Low ground boom

spray , ASAE fine to medium/course distribution, 50 th percentile estimate 2 (Thiobencarb) 6 (Propanil) 15 (Copper sulfate) 0 0 0 368

1,103 2,759

Aerial Tier 1 aerial spray, ASAE

medium to course droplet distribution 2 (Thiobencarb) 6 (Propanil) 15 (Copper sulfate) 0 0 0 956

2,940 7,170



### 8.3. Monitoring Data: Measured Concentrations of Parent Compounds in Surface Waters

We evaluated data from three sources: USGS’ NAWQA database, a state database maintained by California Department of Pesticide Regulation, and monitoring studies that target specific applications of thiobencarb and monitor thiobencarb concentrations on or adjacent to the treated
rice fields

. Information p rovided by the two databases includes ambient monitoring data with sampling stations distributed across a range of land uses . They also include studies that investigat e water quality impacts associated with specific pesticide uses , such as the use of pesticides for rice production. We also reviewed monitoring studies that target field

- scale operations investigating thiobencarb concentrations in discharge from treated fields and in aquatic habitats immediately adjacent to treated f ields. These studies were obtained from a variety of sources and include both published scientific literature and gray literature. In the following section we describe study design considerations for assessing the utility of monitoring
data for evaluatin g exposure of pesticides to salmon.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

178

8.3.1. Monitoring data considerations
Surface water monitoring can provide useful information regarding real

- time exposure and the occurrence of environmental mixtures. A primary consideration in evaluating monitoring data is whether the study design is sufficient to address exposure in a qualitative, quantitative, or probabilistic manner. The available monitoring studies were conducted under a variety of protocols and for varying purposes. General water quality monitoring c onducted in larger streams and rivers frequently does not capture ―peak‖ concentrations because it is not correlated with applications and/or storm events following those applications and not all habitat types are sampled. This is one of the reasons NMFS did not use available monitoring data for probabilistic modeling ( i.e. , it likely does not contain the complete range of possible concentrations).

Of the monitoring programs discussed
, none were specifically designed to evaluate potential

exposure of lis ted salmonids to pesticides in surface waters . Common aspects that limit the utility of the available monitoring data as accurate depictions of exposure within listed salmonid
habitats include: ( 1) protocols were not designed to capture peak concentration s or durations of exposure in habitats occupied by listed species; ( 2) limited utility as a surrogate for other non

sampled surface waters; and ( 3) lack of representativeness of current and future pesticide uses
and conditions.

Protocols not designed to ca pture peak exposure

. None of the available monitoring studies were designed to evaluate peak exposure of listed salmonids in the Central Valley (or anywhere else
salmo n ids reside) to thiobencarb in surface waters . The NAWQA program provides a
considerable dataset that is useful for evaluat ing trends in water quality (Hirsch et al. 1988) . The NAWQA design does not result in an unbiased representation of surface waters, which limits the ability to make statistical extrapolations to waters not sampled . Sampling by NAWQA and other
studies was frequently not conducted in coordination with specific applications of thiobencarb at the field scale . Similarly, sampling was not designed with consideration of salmon distribution s or to target salmonid habitats most likely to contain the greatest concentrations of pesticides. Given the relatively rapid dissipation of pesticides in flowing water habitats, it is not surprisingMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

179

that pesticide concentrations from these datasets were generally much lower than those predicted by modeling efforts and those that monitor ed targeted pesticide applications at the field scale

.
Limited applicability to other locations

. Pesticide runoff and drift are influenced by a variety of
site

- specific variables such as meteorological conditions, soil type, slope, and physical barriers to runoff and drift. Additionally, surface water variables such as volume, flow, and pH influence both initial concentrations and persistence of pesticides in aquatic habitats. Finally, cropping patterns and pesticide use have high spatial variability. Given these and other site

- specific factors, caution should be used when extrapolating monitoring data to other sites.

Representativeness of current and future uses

. Pesticide use varies annually depending on regulatory changes, market forces, cropping p atterns, and pest pressure. Pesticide use patterns change annually and may result in either increases or decreases in use of pesticide products for specific uses. Since 1980, the acreage treated with thiobencarb has ranged between a low of 1,973 acres in 1991, and a high of 252,506 acres in 2000 ( Figure 29 ). Prediction of future use of pesticides is complicated by a number of factors including climate change that may affect agriculture uses and pest pressures. Additionally, regulatory changes specifying how thiobencarb can be used have changed over the years ( e.g. , changes in holding time requirements
for thiobencarb

- treated rice fields likely reduced thiobencarb con centrations in receiving waters). Such changes add to the difficulty of predicting future water quality conditions from historic monitoring data.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

180

Figure 29 . Acres treated with thiobencarb in California. Data from the California Pesticide Use Reporting Database 1980

– 2010. 0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 300,000

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

181

8.3.2. USGS NAWQA Data
We obtained updated data from the USGS NAWQA database to evaluate the occurrence of
thiobencarb in surface waters monitored in California from 1992

- 2011. The database query
resulted in approximately two thousand surface water samples obtained from 74 unique locations in which thiobencarb was an analyte ( Figure 30 ).

Figure 30

. Distribution of NAWQA monitoring sites that have sampled for the presence of thiobencarb relative to the range of threatened and endangered Pacific salmonids in California.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

182

Many of the locations sampled for thiobencarb do not contai n listed salmonids. Of the 74 locations sampled, five were within the distribution of Central Valley spring

- run Chinook and
Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook

. Forty sites located within the distribution of the California Central Valley steelhead have b een sampled since 1992 ( Table 36 ). Many of the sample locations were outside of the rice growing region of California including the Sacramento Valley and the north to central San Joaquin Valley (Hill et al. 1992)

.

Table 36 . Number of NAWQA sample sites within the freshwater distribution of listed Pacific salmonids in the Central Valley of California, as determined through GIS analysis

ESU / DPS Kilometers of Stream Inhabited Sample Sites in Freshwater Habitat (Sites with Detections) Central Valley Spring

– Run Chinook 2,212.94 5 (4) Sacramento River Winter

– Run Chinook 546.84 5 (4) California Central Valley Steelhead 4,273.66 40 (13)

Sampling effort varied considerabl y among the sample locations. Approximately 54% of the sites screened for thiobencarb were sampled five or fewer times during the span of 19 y ears. A small number of sites accounted for the majority of the data; four of the 74 sites accounted for more than 50% of the sampling data for thiobencarb. Eighty

- six percent of the data was collected from 18 sites, including 4 sites that fell outside t he distribution of listed salmonids. Overall, the sampling effort does not correspond well with the distribution of listed salmon or the

co

- occurrence of listed salmon and rice growing areas . Consequently, we do not expect the data set to be representati ve of exposure distributions for listed salmonids.

T he USGS monitoring program does not generally coordinate sampling efforts with specific pesticide applications or runoff events, detected concentrations are likely to be lower than actual peak concentrations that occur in surface waters proximate to applic ation sites immediately following drift or runoff events. Summary information for quantifiable concentrations of thiobencarb addressed in this Opinion is presented in Table 37 . Non

- detects are reported as less than (―<‖) the laboratory reporting level (LRL) for that sample. Other than total number of samples (n), summary statistics were calculated on samples not designated as (―<‖). The LRL

ranges r eported were estimated based on ―<‖

- qualified data. Nearly all of the concentrations that could be quantified were designated as ―E,‖ meaning the concentrations were estimated.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

183

Thiobencarb was detected in 10.6% of samples screened, broadly ranging from 0 .001 to 4.38 μg/L (median, 0.01 ug/L).

Table 37 . Detections and concentrations of thiobencarb reported in the NAWQA database. Statistic Thiobencarb Number of Stations 74 Number of Observations 2256
Detects 241
Percent Detections 10.6 % Median (ug/L) 0.010 2 Range (ug/L) 0.001

- 4.38 LRL (ug/L) 0.002

- 0.019 Year range 1992

- 2011

U.S. Geological Survey conducted a study during the 2002 and 2003 growing season to determine if changes in pesticide use on rice resulted i n corresponding changes in pesticide
concentrations in surface waters (Orlando and Kuivila 2004)

. This study is not included in the NAWQA database. Five surface water sites within the Sacramento Valley were analyzed for five rice pesticides , including thiobencarb. Samples were collected weekly from May through July. Maximum concentrations of all pes ticides in 2003 were less than half of the 2002 levels. Higher peak pesticide concentrations and greater duration of exceedance of water quality protection goals observed in 2002 were attributed to differences in weather and pesticide use. Typically, lit tle precipitation falls during the rice planting and growing season in the Sacramento Valley. However, in 2002 a significant storm in mid

- May forced some early releases of field water including documented releases of thiobencarb that likely contributed to elevated concentrations in the Colusa Basin Drain and the Sacramento Slough. Additionally, spring rains in 2003 delay ed planting and may have resulted in the observed decrease in thiobencarb use. The peak thiobencarb concentration observed during the st udy was 7.16 μg/L. Samples collected from the same locations in earlier years have revealed concentrations up to 170 μg/L in 1982

. Implementing holding times for pesticide

- treated rice field water in the 1980s was credited in decreasing concentrations of thiobencarb and other pesticides in surface water in the Sacramento Valley

. Monitoring Data from CaliforniaMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

184

We evaluated monitoring data from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR), public database of pesticide monitoring data for surf ace waters in California 12 . Values in this database originate from monitoring studies conducted by CDPR, USGS, state, city and county water resource agencies along with some studies conducted by non

- governmental or inter

governmental groups such as Deltake eper. To avoid redundant use of these data, USGS data found in the CDPR database are excluded from the following data summary.

The database provided information on more than 2,800 sampling events for thiobencarb in California since 1994. Sampling has bee n conducted at 393 unique locations ( Figure 31 ).

Figure 31 . Distribution of CDPR monitoring sites that have sampled for the presence of thiobencarb relative to the range of threatened and endangered Pacific salmonids in California.

12 (www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/emon/surfwtr/surfdata.htm)May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

185

Since 1994, 28 unique locations where sampled within the range of the Central Valley spring

- run Chinook and Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook
, and 66 locations were sampled within the range of the California Central Valley Steelhead ( Table 38 ). Sample locations do not correspond well with the distribution of potential thiobencarb use sites. Rice is the only authorized use of thiobencarb in California and is grown almost exclusiv ely in the Sacramento Valley and the central San Joaquin Valley. Detections of thiobencarb in southern California and in coastal areas of California are unexpected ( Figure 31 ). These detections are presumed to represent misapplications or database entry errors since rice is not grown in those areas.

Table 38 . Number of CDPR database sample sites within the distribution of lis ted Pacific salmonids in California, as determined through GIS analysis

.

ESU / DPS Kilometers of Stream Inhabited Sample Sites in

Freshwater Habitat (Sites with Detections) Central Valley Spring

– Run Chinook 2,212.94 28 (7) Sacramento River Winter

– Run Chinook 546.84 28 (7) California Central Valley Steelhead 4,273.66 66 (10)

We conducted a simple GIS analysis to evaluate the spatial relationship between monitoring
stations and rice fields. The thiobencarb monitoring sites were frequently located long distances
from rice fields. A 1

- km buffer was placed around each monitoring station and compared to the most recent crop data layer for rice (USDA

- NASS Cropland Data Layer 2009). We found that 89% of the thiobencarb monitoring sites were more than 1 km (3281 ft) from the nearest rice field. This suggests that in general, the dataset would not be useful for evaluating peak
concentrations that could occur in surface waters from near

- field (<100 0 ft) applications of
thiobencarb.

Sampling effort was not equivalent among monitoring sites. More than half of the monitoring stations were sampled three times or less during the 17

- year period. Five sample locations, roughly 1% of the monitoring st ations, were sampled 51 to 203 times representing 22% of all the thiobencarb data collected. These stations and two others located within the Sacramento Valley
rice

- growing Region accounted for 95% of the thiobencarb detections ( Fi gure 32 ). This region isMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

186

within the range of the Central Valley Spring

- Run Chinook, the Sacramento River Winter

- run Chinook, and the California Central Valley Steelhead.

Fi gure 32 . The location of seven sample sites accounting for 95% of the detections in thiobencarb in the CDPR monitoring database

.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

187

The contents of the database for thiobencarb are summarized in Table 39 while individual programs and studies are described below in the text. The CDPR requires a formal QA/QC protocol for data submitted or does a separate QA/QC review, thus only data subject to appropriate QA/QC procedures are included in the surface water database. Unlike the USGS NAWQA data set, the CDPR database may contain whole water samples as well as filtered samples. If whole water concentrations are reported for compounds that sorb si gnificantly to the particulate phase, concentrations would appear higher than in a filtered sample, which represents only the dissolved phase. The database, last updated in June 2011, consists of approximately 378,000 data records. Each record reports a specific sampling site, date, and analyte. In this database, detections below the LRL are reported as 0 μg/L. Our summary statistics for the datasets were calculated on samples with values above the LRL. The number of observations is
indicative of monit oring intensity rather than actual occurrence in surface waters.

Table 39 . Detections and concentrations of thiobencarb from the CDPR database

Statistic Thiobencarb Number of Studies 25 Number of Stations 393 Number of Observations 2836
Detects 180
Percent Detections 6% Median (ug/L) 1.275 Range (ug/L) 0.008

- 16.55 LRL (ug/L) 0.005

- 2 Year range 1994

- 20 11

The CDPR database includes 2836 thiobencarb observations from 25 studies monitoring a total
of 393 stations. Thiobencarb was detected in approximately six percent of samples screened for the pesticide (median 1.2 8 μ g/L, range 0.008

- 16.55 μ g/L , LRL=0.05

- 2 μ g/L ) . Some studies reported in the database are annual monitoring results for multiyear monitoring programs
, while other studies encompass several years. The Sacramento River Watershed Program was a singleMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

188

year monitoring effort that monitored for thiobencarb in 2002. Monitoring in this program
screened for thiobencarb at five stations and detected thiobencarb in one of the five samples collected (2.1 ug/L, LRL=0.5 ug/L). The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board included thiobencarb among the analytes screened for during its investigation into the sources
and concentrations of diazinon in the Sa cramento watershed during the 1994 spray season. Thiobencarb was detected in 35 of 64 samples taken from eight stations during this study (median 0.012 μ g/L, range 0.008

- 0.042 μ g/L , LRL=0.008 μ g/L). The California State Water
Resources Control Board Surf ace Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) studies cover the years 2001 to 2008 and include 943 observations from 271 stations monitored for

t hiobencarb. Thiobencarb was detected nine times with a median concentration of 0.9 3 ug/L (range=0.109

- 11.8 μ g/L , LRL=0.005

- 0.2 μ g/L). The highest value at 11.8 μ g/L was detected in a sample collected in May of 2006 from the New River at Boundary. The highest thiobencarb concentrations are reported in two monitoring studies targeting areas of high pesticide use wh ich were sampled multiple times over the growing season or during peak irrigation. Such studies are more likely to capture peak or near peak pesticide concentrations. These studies are discussed in more detail in the following section on targeted monitor ing.

The CDPR database includes data from two notable studies. The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board monitoring project investigated water quality between 2004 and 2009 in agricultural drains of the Central Valley (hereafter "Irrigated Lands Study")
, and CDPR monitored for pesticides used in rice cultivation between 1995 and 2002 (hereafter ―Rice Pesticide Monitoring Program‖). These two studies account for a majority of the thiobencarb data in the CDPR database; cumulatively they represent 64% of the observations that have screened for the presence of thiobencarb and 84% of thiobencarb detections. Although these studies do not target thiobencarb applications at the ―field scale‖ or monitor exposure in
salmonids , they are des igned to evaluat e surface water concentrations correspond ing to regional agricultural practices.

Irrigated Lands Study

. The irrigated lands study monitor ing stations are located near agricultural drainages flowing into creeks or rivers in catchments dominated by return flow from mixed row crops and/or alfalfa
, or areas where the primary land use was rice culture. The study designMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

189

focused sampling efforts on periods of peak irrigation, especially the first major irrigation of the season. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the magnitude and extent of water quality problems in waters that receive agricultural drainage. The majority of detects of thiobencarb occurred in May and June which corresponds to thiobencarb’s peak use ( Table 40 )

. Among 1419 samples collected from 114 stations, thiobencarb occurred in 72 samples from 28 stations at concentrations as high as 7.58 ug/L ( LRL = 0.05

- 2 ug/L).

Table 40 . Summary of Irrigated Lands Study data from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (2004

- 2006). Statistic Thiobencarb Number of Stations 114 Number of Observations 1419
Detects 72

Percent Detections 5%

M edian (ug/L) 0.325 Range (ug/L) 0.055

- 7.58
LRL (ug/L) 0.05

- 2

Rice Pesticide Monitoring Program

. CDPR implemented the Rice Pesticides Program (RPP) in 1983 to reduce thiobencarb and molinate discharges into surface waters. In 1990, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board and CDPR established performance goals for
thiobencarb and sever al other pesticides used in rice production. The 1.5 μg/L performance goal for thiobencarb was developed to protect beneficial uses of surface water in the state from thiobencarb pesticide contamination. Data from the RPP are used to verify compliance wit h this and other performance goals and implement adaptive management (Bennett et al. 1998, Moran 2012)

.

Some of the sample locations have varied over the years. Recent monitoring evaluated by the RPP includes samples collected from five primary monitoring stations in the Sacramento Valley ( Figure 33 ). Additionally, samples collected at two water intake locations on the Sacramento River are provided by water treatment facilities.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

190

Figure 33 . Sacramento Valley RPP monitoring locations (source: Moran 2012)May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

191

CDPR prepared reports for the RPP monitoring program between 1995

- 2002 . We searched the CDPR database for three stations that have been systematically monitored for thiobencarb since 1995. Water samples were collected yearly during the rice pesticide application period from
three sites between 1995 and 2002 (LOQ 0.5

- 1 ug/L) : Butte Slough at Lower Pass Road, Colusa
Basin Drain #5
, and from the Sacramento River at Village Marina/Crawdads Cantina. These areas receive irrigation returns from rice

- growing areas (referenced in their metadata as studies 17, 30, 34, 40, 53, 67, 73 and 75). These stations were also sampled in later years by the California Rice Commission, and additional sample locations have been added to the Rice Pesticide Monitoring Program. Pr ior to 2002, detections occurred most frequently and at the highest co ncentrations at the Colusa Basin Drain site, with a 73 to 100% detection rate over th e years sampled ( Table 41 ).May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

192

Table 41

. Annual monitoring results for thiobencarb at stations associated with rice cultivation ( 1995

- 2002; LRL=0.5 ug/L) 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Sacramento River #

samples 16 17 17 17 8 7 12 26
% detects 0% 0% 0% 0% 13% 0% 8% 15% Median n d a nd nd nd 0.5 nd 0.5 0.52 Min Max 0.29 0.6

Colusa Basin Drain no.5 #

samples 22 23 24 23 15 14 23 24
% detects 73% 70% 75% 61% 93% 100% 78% 63% Median 0.87 4.0 1.9 2.35 3.95 4.75 1.85 3.34 Min Max 0.25

3.67 1 16.55 0.25 12.3 1.1 11 0.7 11.8 1.7 10.7 0.5 5.9 0.28 7.58

Butte Slough #

samples 15 19 16 17 8 7 12 23
% detects 13% 37% 50% 35% 50% 71% 25% 30% Median 1.2 1.2 1.25 0.6 0.9 1.1 1.5 2 Min Max 1.1

1.3 0.7 2.0 0.5 6 0.6 1.9 0.6 4.1 1 1.6 0.8 2.6 0.7 3.62

A seasonal increase in concentrations occurred each May followed by a decline by late June or early July. This seasonal increase corresponds with the period of thiobencarb application in California ( Figure 24 ). The other two sites were sampled less intensively and had lower detection rates and concentrations. Over the eight years of monitoring, thiobencarb was detected
in 13

- 71% of samples from the Butte Slough site (peak concentration range 1.3

- 3.6 ug/L) and in
0

- 23% of samples from the Sacramento River site (peak concentration range 0.5

- 0.6 ug/L). Thiobencarb detections at the Butte Slough site generally occurred from mid

- May to early June each year
, while four of the six detections at the Sacramento River Site occurred in samples collected between May 21 and May 30 of 2002. The 2006

- 2008 data suggest a decrease in detection frequency at the Sacramento River and Colusa Basin #5 stations
, but no clear trend for
the Butte Slough station. Concentrations at Colusa Basin Drain #5 clearly declined in later years ( Figure 34 )

.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

193

Figure 34 . Box and whisker chart showing thiobencarb concentrations at Colusa Basin Drain #5 during May and June. Diamonds represent thiobencarb concentrat ions measured in individual samples. The lower edge of the box represents the 1 st quartile of the distribution (25 th percentile), the horizontal line dividing the box represent the 2 nd quartile (50 th percentile, or median), the upper edge of the box repres ents the 3 rd quartile (75 th percentile), and the whiskers represent the lowest datum within a factor of 1.5 of the interquartile range of the lower quartile.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

194

A recent summary evaluated trends in thiobencarb detections in the Sacramento Valley (Moran
201 2). The highest concentrations of thiobencarb were monitored in the 1980s, and between
1992 and 2002. The lowest levels occurred between 2003 and 2007. Increased concentrations of thiobencarb were noted starting in 2008. Additionally, while there were no documented incidents of exceeding the 1.5 μg/L performance goal between 2004 and 2007, the performance goal was
exceeded on six occasions between 2008 and 2010. These exceedances were monitored at three sites (CBD1, CBD5, and BS1; Figure 33 ) at concentrations ranging from 1.5

– 2.0 μg/L. A number of factors were evaluated and considered unlikely sources of the increase including changes in thiobencarb use, management practices, rain events, river flows, wind, emergency releases, and violoat ions of water hold or seepage requirements. Moran (2012) concluded that transition from the 15G formulation of thiobencarb to the Bolero Ultramax formulation may have been the major factor in increased thiobencarb concentrations observed in the Sacramento Valley from 2008

- 2011.

All federal thiobencarb labels currently require water from thiobencarb treated fields be held a minimum of 14 days prior to release. Thiobencarb p roducts labeled for California require holding periods of granular formulations o f up to 30 days. Additionally California state regulatory bodies have further instituted, 19

- d holding periods for liquid formulation i.e.,
Abolish ®
, to reduce surface water concentrations, meet performance goals, and permit requirements (Kelley 2000) . Monitoring results suggest that these h olding requirements ha ve resulted in lower concentrations of thiobencarb in surface waters. The monitoring program has
also documented concentrations of thiobencarb exceeding the 1.5 μg/L target concentration at some locations prior to the onset of water release. In some cases, concentrations in surface
waters near treated fields have remained elevated above 1.5 μg/L for weeks. These oc currences have been attributed to a number of factors including thiobencarb drift, unplanned as well as planned emergency releases, and seepage (Kelley 2000)

.

Emergency releas es of water from treated field s may be authorized by the state on a conditional
basis ( e.g., to avoid crop damage associated with high salinity levels or due to heavy rainfall )

. Seepage refers to the lateral movement of thiobencarb from the rice field to adjacent waters priorMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

195

to release through structurally compromised weir boxes and levees. In California, County Agricultural Com missioners serve as local enforcement for pesticide use requirements and conduct a variety of monitoring activities including mo nitoring for seepage and compliance with pesticide hold requirements

. Recent monitoring indicates the occurrence of seepage ( Table 42 )
, emerge ncy rel eases of water from fields treated with thiobencarb ( Table 43 ) , and violations of label requirements have been relatively infrequent. However, w here seepage and other early releases of water from thiobencarb treated sites do occur, they are likely to c ontribute to greater
surface water concentrations of thiobencarb and may result in greater exposure to listed
salmonids.

Table 42 . Results of County Agricultural Commissioner's monitoring of seepage associated with thiobencarb ap plications and compliance with state regulations (2006

- 2010).

Year Seepage Inspections

Thiobencarb Inspections Seepage

<5 gpm Seepage

>5 gpm Enforcement

actions
2006 929 29 5 1
2007 839 8 3 2
2008 250 25 2 3
2009 883 30 0 0
2010 964 46 4 3
Total 3865 138 14 9 Average 773 27.6 2.8 1.8May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

196

Table 43 . Results of County Agricultural Commissioner's monitoring of compliance with state regulations associated with the use of thiobencarb (2006

- 2010).

Year Emergency Releases Water Hold Application

Inquiries Releases Inspections Civil
Penalties Inspections Compliance
Violations
2006 0 0 932 4 37 3
2007 4 1 839 2 30 0
2008 1 1 750 2 27 3
2009 2 1 1,012 0 22 0
2010 2 0 1,036 3 28 0
Total 9 3 4,569 11 144 6 Average 1.8 0.6 913.8 2.2 28.8 1.2

8.3.3. Targeted monitoring of thiobencarb during applications
Below we discuss studies that evaluated specific applications of thiobencarb to determine aquatic concentrations associated with edge of field drift, runoff, and discharge of thiobencarb.

8.3.3.1. Lauck 1979

– MRID 25179

A series of field studies characterized off

- site movement of thiobencarb from applications to rice paddies near estuarine systems in Texas (Lauck 1979) . The applications were made to 1900 acres of dry seeded rice in five rice growing areas in Brazoria County, Texas. Surface water, drift, and off

- target vegetation were monitored to characterize off

- site movement of thiobencarb following applications. Concentrations of thiobencarb were monitored from planned discharge (flushing) and from unanticipated releases associated with runoff from rain events. Thiobencarb was transported off

- site by drift and runoff at all five study areas ( Table 44 ). Concentrations in runoff were highest during unplanned releases immediately following ap plications. For example, a concentration of 8.9 mg/L was detected 2 hrs after application during a emergency release of rice water to a drainage ditch due to a heavy rain event. We consider this value as a
worst case scenario. We note that current EPA l abels do not authorize such a release. Although it may be possible to achieve comparable runoff from treated fields due to seepage and early releases, these events occur on an infrequent basis ( Table 42 and Table 43 ). Therefore, exposureMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

197

of salmonids and their designated critical habitat to concentr ations of this magnitude are highly unlikely, occurring only rarely.

Many of the runoff releases occurred within a few days of application and frequently attained concentrations above 200 ug/L. The longer the holding time before release of rice water, the lower the concentrations of thiobencarb. As expected, after each release, subsequent releases showed lower thiobencarb concentrations. Thiobencarb was frequently detected in bayous (receiving waters) ranging from non

- detectable to 385 ug/L. The maxi ma detected at each site resulted from releases that occurred on the same day of application or within a few days after application. In Area 2, two sites showed concentrations of 83 and 64 ug/L 14 days after application whereas in Area 3, 7.0 and 140 ug/L detections were measured 13 days after application. Thiobencarb concentrations detected in bayous, 26 to 30 days post application from all areas ranged from non

- detectable to 6 ug/L.

Thiobencarb drifted off

- site at each area and appeared dependent on w ind speed (wind direction was not reported). Three areas were monitored for off

- site drift ( Table 44 ). As expected
, the greatest drift occurred at distances nearest the center of the swath. Thiobencarb was detected at distances of up to 800 m, however most drift occurred within 50 m.

No n

- target vegetation was collected from one of the study area s before and after applications. Cattail and turtle grass were the predominant vegetation within drainage ditches and emergent aquatic vegetation, respectively. Vegetation was collected at 12.5, 50, 100, 200, and 400 meters downwind from application. Grasses and broadleaf plants were collected including a rush, nutgrass, and hedge parsley. The vegetation was not noticeably affected by drift according to the study results. All species of levee vegetation were directly exposed to thiobencarb at 4.0 lbs/acre. Canary reed grass was the only plant that showed symptoms of injury ( i.e. , size and maturity were reduced by 55% relative to untreated plants). According to the study, ―other
resident winte r annual s , perennials, and woody plants within levees and bayous showed no symptoms of injury

. ‖ The study did not report when the plants were assessed for damage, nor what type of effects were measured, how they were measured, or any raw data relating to plant

responses.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

198

Table 44 . Texas field studies that evaluated offsite drift and runoff with thiobencarb in three tidally influenced bayous (Lauck 1979) Bolero 8EC: 84.6% thiobencarb Area 1

(592 acres) Area 2

(451 acres) Area 3

(435 acres) Area 4

(894) Area 5

(206 acres)
Application date 3/25/1979 3/20/1979 3/20/1979 3/20; 3/24; 4/08/1979 4/08/1979

Lbs/ Acre applied (nominal) 4 lbs/acre 4 lbs/acre 4 lbs/acre 4 lbs/acre 4 lbs/acre

Application type aerial aerial aerial aerial Aerial Number of applications 1 1 1 1 1
Drainage ditch distance between rice field and bayous 0.3

- 4 miles 200

- 2300 ft 750

- 1650 ft 1650

- 2400 ft Not reported

Weather conditions day of application - Air temp =

16.1 ◦ C

- 0

- 2 mph - Air temp =

24 .7 ◦ C

- 5

- 10 mph - Air temp =

29.2 ◦ C

- 4

- 8.5 mph na n a

Spray drift card distance from application site (meters) 12, 25, 50,

100, 200, 400, 500, 700, 800, 1200 12, 25, 50, 100,

200, 400, 500, 700, 800, 1200 12, 25, 50,

100, 200, 400, 500, 700, 800, 1200 na n a

Drift on application day (percent of applied) 39 ft = 5.71

82 ft = 2.51 164 ft = 0.44 328 ft = 0.21 656 ft = 0.32 1312 ft = 0.05 1640 ft = nd 2297 ft = nd 2625 ft = nd 3937 ft = nd 39 ft = 7.06

82 ft = 2.30 164 ft = 1.48 328 ft = 0.29 656 ft = 0.05 1312 ft = 0.02 1640 ft = 0.01 2297 ft = 0.06 2625 ft = nd 3937 ft = nd 39 ft = 15.02

82 ft = 2.13 164 ft = 0.45 328 ft = 0.07 656 ft = 0.03 1312 ft = 0.02 1640 ft = nd 2297 ft = nd 2625 ft = 0.01 3937 ft= nd na n a

Surface water monitoring of t hiobencarb Field outlets,

d rainage ditch: Maximum = 0.142

– 0.595 mg/L Receiving water = <2.0

– 40 ug/L Field outlets,

d rainage ditch: Maximum = 0.69
- 8.9 mg/L application day Receiving water = <2.0

– 83 ug/L Field outlets,

d rainage ditch: Maximum = 0.028
- 0.405 mg/L Receiving water = <2.0

– 385 ug/L Field outlets,

d rainage ditch: Maximum = 0.010
- 0.313 mg/L Receiving water = <2.0

– 55 ug/L Field outlets,

d rainage ditch: Maximum = 0.271

– 0.287 mg/L Receiving water = <2.0

– 64 ug/L

na denotes not applicable, spray drift not monitored nd denotes not detectedMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

199

8.3.3.2. Beiver 1994

– MRID 434040

- 03

Two studies evaluated off

- site transport of thiobencarb and its degradate, thiobencarbsulfoxide, following a single aerial application of Bolero 8EC to rice fields, one in Texas and one in
Arkansas. Study results are presented in MRID 434040

- 03 and summarized in EPA RED, CRLF BE, and salmonid BE. Table 45 p rovides information on the two field studies including results of drift and surface water monitoring.

Drift was measured on application day with spray cards located along the fields perime ters. In the Arkansas study the greatest offsite drift occurred ( 3.9

- 14.5% of the application amount ) west of the rice field. A SE wind of 6 mph was measured during the application. Drift was less
extensive east and south of the field

. Drift cards alo ngside the bayou collected no detectable
thiobencarb ( <0.018 μ g/L). In the Texas study, drift was less extensive, with a maximum of 7.4%, likely due to reduced wind s (3

- 4 mph). Four drift cards were placed alongside Bernard
Creek
, two of which resulted i n 0.2% of the applied thiobencarb detected ( i.e. , 0.008 lbs thiobencarb per acre ) . The results support ed the hypothesis that drift indeed occurs following aerial application of thiobencarb to rice and can be a significant pathway for offsite
contamination

. Wind speed and direction, application rate, distance to aquatic habitats, droplet size, and release height are all key determinants of drift.

Runoff was monitored in both studies for thiobencarb and thiobencarbsulfoxide. Results show
that thiobencarb moved offsite during rain events and planned flushing events. Highest concentrations occurred during the first runoff events in both studies (Arkansas 380 μ g/L and Texas 2300 ug/L). The three day average of thiobencarb in the Texas drainage ditch was 112 0 μg/L (sampled multiple times per day), while the four day average in the Arkansas drainage
ditch was 277 μ g/L. Receiving waters (Bayou Bartholomew [AR] and West Bernard Creek [TX]), where aquatic life occurred, were also monitored in both experiments. No toxicity experiments were conducted with aquatic animals or plants in either experiment. Receiving
water concentrations reached 42 μ g/L in the Texas study and remained less than 1.0 μ g/L in the Arkansas study , with the exception of one site which detec ted thiobencarb on day 2 and 3 postMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

200

treatment at a concentration of 260 μg/L . Thiobencarbsulfoxide was consistently detected in
both studies with maximum concentrations in the 60 μ g/L range.

In aggregate, the results identify drift and runoff as contri buting pathways to aquatic contamination from field applications. Additionally, the data show that early release of flooded
rice fields
, whether due to rain or flushing practices
, can contribute highly toxic concentrations to
off

- site aquatic habitats. E levated concentrations within drainage systems and proximate aquatic habitats remain for multiple days. Current federal labels, and more restrictive labels on thiobencarb products sold in California
, require that water from thiobencarb treated fields be held 14 days or longer prior to release to aquatic habitats

. Therefore, concentrations observed in receiving waters <14 days after application may not reflect likely exposure of listed salmonids and their designated critical habitat . Peak concentrations observed in receiving waters 14 days or more after applications were <30 ug/L.

Table 45 . Registrant submitted field studies in Arkansas and Texas that evaluated off

- site drift and runoff with thiobencarb and thiobencarbsulfoxide (M RID 434040

- 03) Bolero 8EC: 84.6% thiobencarb Bayou Bartholomew, AR April 30

– June 27 1993 58 day experiment East Bernard, TX May 12

- June 26 1993 45 day experiment Application date May 1 May 14 Lbs/ Acre applied (nominal) 4 lbs/acre 4 lbs/acre Application type aerial Aerial Number of applications 1 1 Drainage ditch distance between rice field and receiving water 0.5 miles 300 ft
Weather conditions day of application - Air temp = 21 ◦ C

- SE wind 9.7 km/hr (6 mph)

- 100% cloud cover with light rain - Air temp = 26.7 ◦ C

- N

- NE and N

- NW wind 4.8

- 6.4 km/hr (3

- 4 mph)

- Clear skies Spray drift card distance from application site 100 ft, 12 cards deployed and 4 alongside receiving water 100 ft, 11 cards deployed and 4 alongside receiving water Drift on application day (percent applied), drift cards placed (distance from field not reported) Maximum= 14.5% Range = <0.018

- 14.5% North side of field = 5.3

- 7.8% West side of field = 3.9

- 14.5% East side of field = none detected South side of field = <0.0018

- 0 .032% Receiving water= <0.018 ug/L Maximum= 7.4% Range = <0.017

– 7.4% North side of field=no drift cards deployed West side of field=6.8

- 7.4% East side of field= <0.6% (pilot did not spray on East side border South side of field= 0.89

- 5.2% Receiving water= <0.017

- 0.2% Rain and flushing events causing runoff of thiobencarb Percent indicates % of runoff compared to total water volume Day 1

- 4, 13% runoff Day 10

- 13, 33% runoff Day 25

- 28, 25% runoff Day 29

- 30, 34% runoff Day 3

- 5, 30% runoff Day 9

- 11, 36% runoff Day 12

- 16, 17% runoffMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

201

Bolero 8EC: 84.6% thiobencarb Bayou Bartholomew, AR April 30

– June 27 1993 58 day experiment East Bernard, TX May 12

- June 26 1993 45 day experiment Surface water monitoring Thiobencarb (ug/L) Drainage ditch: Maximum = 380 ug/L 4 day mean = 277 ug/l 1 day PTI: 330

- 380 ug/L 13 days PTI: 10 ug/L 28 days PTI: <1.2 ug/L
Receiving water = < 0.05

- 260 ug/L

- Max (260 ug/L) on 3 day PTI

- 26 ug/L on day 42 PTI Drainage ditch: Maximum = 2300 ug/L 3 day mean = 1120 ug/L 3 days PTI: 1600

- 2300 ug/L 14 days PTI: 1.6

- 3.6 ug/L 30 days PTI: <0.8 ug/L
Receiving water = <0.5

- 42 ug/L

- Max (42 ug/L) on 12 days PTI

- 29 ug/L on day 14 PTI
Surface water monitoring Thiobencarbsulfoxide (ug/L) Drainage ditch: Maximum = 61 ug/L 4 day mean = 45 ug/L Receiving water = <1 ug/L Drainage ditch: Maximum = 67 ug/L 3 day mean = 49 ug/L Receiving water = <0.5

- 5.1ug/L

8.3.3.3. Thiobencarb monitoring publis hed in the open literature

We located several studies from Japan on the use of thiobencarb in rice . In the first study,

t ransport and partitioning of thiobencarb entering the inner Sugao marsh and mouth of the
Iinuma River was monitored over the course of normal water discharge from surrounding rice paddies (Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan). Thiobencarb was detected in samples collected between late April to early May with suspended solids accounting for 3.5% of the estimated load of
thiobencarb to the marsh
, a nd fine suspended solids accounting for 59% of the total suspended
solid fraction (Kawakami et al. 2006)

.

Dissipati on and runoff of pesticides used in rice cultivation was monitored during the 2003 growing season at a rice paddy located in Higashi, Hiroshima City, Japan. Peak concentrations of thiobencarb (417.55

- 461.89 ug/L) were reached in paddy fields 3 days after application at a
rate of 1.3 lbs a.i./A . Thiobencarb was detected downstream from the paddy up to 3 days after application at 0.02

- 0.08% of the applied concentration. Thiobencarb concentrations decreased to trace levels within one month after application (Parveen et al. 2005)

.

The concentrations, loadings and losses of pesticides used in rice fields were investigated between 1993 and 1997 in the Seta River, which is the only natural outlet of Lake Biwa, Japan.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

202

The Lake Biwa catchment area is 20% paddy fields with six rivers flowing into the lake. The
detection of thiobencarb in the influent rivers began in the middle of May and declined to detection limits after July. Thiobencarb was detected in 27% of the samples collected between late May and early August at concentrations ranging from 0.026

- 0.057 μ g/L (Sudo et al. 2002)

.

A study evaluating continuous versus intermittent irrigation schemes as rice field water management practices indicated that the intermittent irrigation results in less losses of pesticide from rice paddies. The day after application at a rate of 1. 3 lbs a.i./A, thiobencarb concentrations peaked in paddy drainage waters at 595 μ g/L and rapidly declined over a period of two weeks (Watanabe et al. 2007)

.

8.3.4. Exposure to O ther A ction S tressors Stressors of the action also include the metabolites and degradates of the a.i.s, other active and inert ingredients included in t heir product formulations, and tank mixtures and adjuvants authorized on their product labels. Below we summarize information presented in the BEs and provide additional information to characterize exposure to these stressors.

8.3.4.1. Metabolites and degradates of thiobencarb

EPA documents identified several degradates of thiobencarb (see previous section Summary of Chemical Fate of Thiobencarb ). However, estimates quantifying potential exposure of listed salmonids and their habitat to these transformation produ cts were limited and remain a considerable source of uncertainty. In general, failure to consider exposure to these breakdown products increases the likelihood that risk is underestimated.

8.3.4.2. Other ingredients in formulated products

NMFS reviewed all of the active labels of thiobencarb and found only one contained multiple a.i.s (EPA Reg. No. 71085

- 30). Thiobencarb products currently registered for use in California
contain 10

– 84 % thiobencarb. The contents of the other ingredients in thiobencarb end

- use products have not been specified (May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

203

Table 46 ).May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

204

Table 46

. Examples of thiobencarb product ingredients. EPA Product Registration Number Active Ingredients % Other Ingredients %

59639

- 79 Thiobencarb 84 16 59639

- 80 Thiobencarb 10 90 59639

- 112 Thiobencarb 15 85 63588

- 4 Thiobencarb 97.4 2.6 63588

- 6 Thiobencarb 84 16 63588

- 14 Thiobencarb 15 85 71085

- 30 Propanil 35, Thiobencarb 31 34 CA

- 930003 Thiobencarb 84 16

Nonylphenol (NP) and nonylphenol polyethoxylates are ―other ingredients‖ that may be part of a pesticide product formulation and are common adjuvant ingredients added during pesticide applications. NP and nonylphenol polyethoxylates are also ingredients in detergents, cosmetics, and other industrial products and are a common wastewater contaminant from industrial and municipal sources (Koplin et al. 2002) . NP has been linked to endocrine disrupting effects in aquatic systems (Arsenault et al. 2004, Brown et al. 1999, Brown et al. 2003, Brown et al . 2005, Madsen et al. 2004, Schoenfuss et al. 2008a) . A national survey of streams found that NP was among the most ubiquitous organic wastewater contaminants in the U.S., detected in more than 50% of the samples tested (Koplin et al. 2002)

.

Table 47

. Detection and concentrations of nonionic detergent degradates in streams of the U

. S

. (Koplin et al 2002).

Chemical Frequency Detected Maximum ( g/L) Median ( g/L) 4

- nonylphenol 50.6 40 0.8 4

- nonylphenol monoethoxylate 45.9 20 1 4

- nonylphenol diethoxylate 36.5 9 1 4

- octylphenol monoethoxylate 43.5 2 0.2 4

- octylphenol diethoxylate 23.5 1 0.1

We are uncertain to what degree NP and NP

- ethoxylates may or may not occur in pesticide products that contain thiobencarb and/or are added prior to application. Inert ingredients are often not specified on product labels. Additionally, NP and NP

- ethoxyla tes represent a very small portion of the more than 4,000 inert ingredients that EPA permits for use in pesticideMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

205

formulations (Koplin et al. 2002) . Many of these inerts are known to be hazardous in their own right ( e.g., xylene is a neurotoxin and coal tar is a known carcinogen). Several permitted inerts are also registered a.i.s ( e .g., copper, zinc, chloropicrin, chlorothalonil). Inerts can be more than 50% of the mass of pesticide products, and millions of pounds of these products are applied to the landscape each year (Koplin et al. 2002) . This equates to large contaminant loads of inerts that may adversely affect salmon or their habitat. Uncertainty regard ing exposure to these ingredients will be qualitatively incorporated into our analysis.

8.3.4.3. Tank Mixtures

Several pesticide labels authorize the co

- application of other pesticide products and other materials in tank mixes, thereby increasing the likelihood of exposure to multiple chemical stressors (see previous section NMFS exposure estimates for pesticide mixtures ). In some cases specific application of other pesticide products or adjuvants are recommended. In all cases, tank
mixtures are authorized unle ss specifically prohibited on the product label. These ingredients and the other inert ingredients in these products are considered part of the action because they are authorized by EPA’s approval of the FIFRA label. Exposure to, and risk associated with
, potential ingredients in tank mixtures were not addressed in EPA’s BEs and remain a significant source of uncertainty.

8.3.4.4. Environmental Mixtures

As described in the Approach to the Assessment , we analyze the status of listed species in conjunction with the Environmental Baseline in evaluating the likelihood that action stressors will reduce the viability of populations of listed salmonids. This involves considering
interactions between the stressors of the action and the Environmental Baseline . For exampl e, we consider that listed salmonids may be exposed to the wide array of chemical stressors that occur in the various marine, estuarine, and freshwater habitats they occupy throughout their life cycle. Exposure to multiple pesticide ingredients most likel y occurs in freshwater habitats and nearshore environments adjacent to areas where pesticides are used. As of 1997, about 900 a.i.s were registered in the U.S. for use in more than 20,000 different pesticide products (Aspelin and Grube 1999) . Typically 10 to 20 new a.i.s are registered each year (Aspelin a nd Grube 1999) . In a typical year in the U.S., pesticides are applied at a rate of approximately five billion pounds ofMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

206

a.i. per year (Kiely et al. 2004) . Pesticide contamination in the nation’s freshwater habitats is ubiquitous
, and pesticides usually occur in the environment as mixtur es (Gilliom et al. 2006a)

. Gilliom et al. (2006a) estimated that ove r ―90% of the time, water from streams with agricultural, urban, or mixed

- land

- use watersheds had detections of two or more pesticides or degradates, and about 20% of the time they had detections of 10 or more

. ‖ The likelihood of exposure to multiple pest icides throughout a listed salmonid ’ s lifetime is great, considering the geographical range of their migration routes and habitats occupied during spawning and rearing

.

Studies have suggested that assessment of pesticide mixture toxicity to aquatic life is needed given the widespread and common occurrence of pesticide mixtures, particularly in streams
where the total combined toxicity of pesticide mixtures may be greater than that of any single pesticide compound (Gilliom 2007, Gilliom et al. 2006a) . Exposure to multiple pesticide ingredients can result in additive and synergistic responses as described in the Risk Characterization section. It is reasonable to conclude that compounds sharing a common mode of action cause additive effects and in some cases synergistic effects. Exposure to these compounds and other baseline stressors ( e.g., thermal stress) was not a consideration in EPA’s BEs, which only considered effects from single a.i.s. Therefore, risk to listed species may be
underestimated in EPA’s assessments.



### 8.4. Exposure Conclusions

Pacific salmon and steelhead use a wide range of freshwater, estuarine, and marine habitats and many migrate hundreds of miles to complete their life cycle. Thiobencarb is frequently applied to rice crops within the distribution of three listed salmonids that occur in the Central Valley of California: CV spring

- run Chinook, Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook, and CV steelhead. Thiobencarb and its degradates have been detected in habitats utilized by these species. Because the action proposes continued use on rice in California for the next 15 years, we expect thiobencarb will continue to be present within the freshwater distribution of these species, including times when salmon are present. Therefore we expect some individuals of each of these species, and their designated critical habitats, will be exposed to the thiobencarb and other
stressors of the action.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

207

We considered several sources of information to characterize the likely range of exposure to thiobencarb and the other action stressors ( Table 48 ). Inherent in the modeling estimates is the assumption that the pesticide is applied in a location next to or draining into salmon

- bearing waters. Monitoring data may reflect pesticide appl ications proximate to the waterbody (i.e.
, targeted monitoring), or resulting from more distant uses in the watershed (ambient monitoring). The surface water monitoring data used were not designed to determine exposure to listed
salmonids. Monitoring stu dies were designed for other purposes and sample design did not reflect the spatial and temporal distribution of the listed species. Therefore, caution should be exercised in using these data for that purpose, especially when conducting probabilistic

asse ssments. Defining exposure of the stressors of the action to the listed species is also complicated by uncertainty associated with the following factors:

Product labels authorize the application of chemical mixtures that are not specified or clearly def

ined ( e.g. , the ingredients of pesticide formulations are not fully disclosed, labels recommend tank mixture applications with other products, and tank mixtures with other pesticides are permitted unless specifically stated otherwise);
Historical use of t hiobencarb, including frequency of use, location s of use, and the amount of thiobencarb products applied may not reflect future use

.

Table 48 . Chemical exposure data ranges in monitoring data and modeling. Exposure pathway Value and Units

Runoff Peak concentrations measured within rice fields ( Table 24 ) Thiobencarb Thiobencarb sulfoxide 4

- chlorobenzylmethylsulfone 13

- 576 μg/L 8.9

- 22 μg/L 5.2

– 8.3 μg/L
Dissipation half

- life ( Table 24 ) Thiobencarb Thiobencarb sulfoxide 4

- chlorobenzylmethylsulfone 5.8

– 8.7 d 2.8

- 3.4 d 6.0

– 10.4 d
Concentrations estimated at discharge (see EPA Rice Model ) Day 0 Day 14 Day 30 2018 μg/L

315 μg/L 47 μg/LMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

208 Exposure pathway Value and Units Concentrations measured in discharge and receiving water

(see Targeted Monitoring ) Day 0

Day 14 Day 30 Non

- detect

- 8,900 μg/L

Non

- detect

- 83 μg/L Non

- detect

– 6 μg/L
Frequency of early releases in Sacramento Valley ( Table 43 ) Authorized Unauthorized Seepage < 5 gpm Seepage > 5 gpm 0

- 3/year

0.2% of applications 3.6% of applications 0.4% of applications

Drift AgDrift predictions to floodplain habitats without buffer ( Table 33 ) Ground application Aerial Application
AgDrift Predictions to terrestrial habitats ( Table 34 )

– ground applications with buffer 1 ft 10 ft 100 ft 1000 ft AgDrift Predictions to terrestrial habitats ( Table 34 )

– aerial applications with buffer 1 ft 10 ft 100 ft 1000 ft
Measured thiobencarb drift from aerial application with buffer ( Table 44 ) 39 ft 82 ft 164 ft 328 ft 656 ft 1312 ft 1640 ft 2297 ft 2625 ft 3937 ft 37

– 736 μg/L

96

- 1,910 μg/L

1.19 lbs/A; 29.68% applied 0.09 lbs/A; 2.24% applied 0.010 lbs/A; 0.24% applied 0.001 lbs/A; 0.03 % applied

1.91 lbs/A; 47.76% applied 1.21 lbs/A; 30.34% applied 0.22 lbs/A; 5.61% applied 0.02 lbs/A; 0.55% applied

5.71

- 15.02 % applied 2.13

– 2.51 % applied 0.44

– 1.48 % applied 0.07

– 0.29 % applied 0.03

– 0.32 % applied 0.02

– 0.05 % applied 0.00

– 0.01 % applied 0.00

– 0.06 % applied 0.00

- 0.01 % applied 0.00 % applied

Ambient monitoring in California surface water (see USGS NAWQA Data and Monitoring Data from California ) Prior to establishing irrigation water holds Since establishing irrigation water holds Not detected

– 170 μg/L Not detected

– 16.55 μg/L

Runoff of thiobencarb from rice fields, including planned discharge following label

- specified holding periods of 14 and 30 days, will result in deposition of thiobencarb to salmonid habitats.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

209

Concentrations may attain levels as high as 350 μg/L at 14 days and 47 μg/L at 30 days in discharge waters ( Table 48 ) . Concentrations may be orders of magnitude higher in runoff if rice irrigation water is released within hours o r days post application. This may occur due to emergency releases of irrigation water, and from unplanned and/or unauthorized discharges. Several field studies reported concentrations in the mg/L range following early releases, one attaining levels as hi gh as 8.9 mg/L (Lauck 1979) . We do not expect this to be a common occurrence based on reports over the last decade on the freque ncy of early releases.

Drift of thiobencarb into salmonid habitats is expected during the application period, primarily May and June, and to a lesser extent April and July. Concentrations will depend on the proximity to application area, application me thod, droplet size, release height, wind speed/directions, receiving water volume/flow, and interception by riparian vegetation. Based on drift studies, modeling exercises, and surface water monitoring studies, aquatic concentrations from drift may range from non

- detectable to as high as 1910 μg/L ( Table 48 ).

We assume that the exposure estimates provided by EPA in the Bes, and additional modeling and monitoring inf

ormation provided above, represent realistic exposure levels for some individuals of the three listed species. Further, we assume the distribution within the range of exposures is a function of pesticide use and the duration of time listed salmonids spend in these habitats. All listed Pacific salmon and steelhead occupy habitats that could contain high concentrations of these pesticides at one or more life stages. However, the time spent in these habitats varies among the species that occur in the rice g rowing region. We are unable to accurately define exposure distributions for thiobencarb and the other stressors of the action given limitations of the available information. We assume the highest probability of exposure occurs in freshwater
habitats in close proximity to Central Valley rice fields where thiobencarb is applied. We evaluated several spatial and temporal relationships to qualitatively assess the relative abundance of the three species in aquatic habitats near rice (May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

210

Table 49
, Table 28
, Table 30
, Table 32 ).May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

211

Table 49 . Relative abundance of listed salmonids near rice fields during the period when thiobencarb is applied and water is discharged from thiobencarb treated fields (April

- July). Life Stage None Expected Low Medium High

CV s pring

- run Chinook
Adult Migration X
Spawning X
Early rearing X

Juvenile migration X

Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook
Adult migration X
Spawning X
Early rearing X

Juvenile migration X

CV s teelhead

Adult migration X
Spawning X
Early rearing X

Juvenile migration X

The relative abundance estimates suggest that exposure will vary depending on the species and life stage. Given the available information, we conclude that some adults of the three listed species are likely to be exposed to thiobencarb during their spawni ng migration. However, spawning locations for these species occur in the watershed above the locations where rice is grown. Consequently, we consider it unlikely that any significant exposure to thiobencarb will occur during spawning, egg incubation, and fry emergence. However, some post

- emergence fry, parr and pre

- smolts may be exposed to the stressors of the action as they are displaced or migrate downstream to habitats that are near locations where thiobencarb is applied. TheseMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

212

observations are carri ed forward to the Risk Characterization section to develop risk hypotheses and evaluate potential effects to individuals and populations. Additionally, we carry forward the following conclusions:

The vast majority of exposure to thiobencarb drift occurs in May and June with less frequent exposures in April and July. Floodplain habitats alongside rice fields are at the greatest risk of receiving elevated concentrations from aerial and ground applications ( i.e., 37

– 1910 μ g/L );
runoff containing thiobenca rb typically occurs 14

- 30 days post application (after required holding periods), thus the greatest probability of exposure to the highest runoff concentrations likely occurs from mid

- May through the end of July ;

r iparian systems and multiple life stages of salmonids are likely exposed to thiobencarb from drift during applications and from runoff following release of rice irrigation water into drainage networks that ultimately return water to salmonid containing waters ;

m igrating adults, rearing juveniles , and migrating juveniles overlap with peak thiobencarb applications in May and June ; and

m onitoring data and modeling results show that thiobencarb contaminates salmonid habitats from drift and runoff with peak values occurring during thiobencarb applicat ions.

Substantial data gaps in EPA’s exposure estimates include estimates for ―other ingredients‖ in pesticide formulations, other pesticide products authorized for co

- application with thiobencarb, adjuvants, degradates, and metabolites. Although NMFS i s unable to comprehensively quantify exposure to these chemical stressors, we are aware that exposure to these stressors is likely. We assume these chemical stressors may pose additional risk to listed Pacific salmonids. In order to ensure that EPA’s act ion is not likely to jeopardize listed species or destroy or adversely modify critical habitat, NMFS analyzes potential exposure based on all stressors that could result from all uses authorized by EPA’s action.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

213



### 8.5. Response Analysis

In this section we evaluate toxicity information from the stressors o f the action and organize the assessment endpoints

. The endpoints target potential effects to individual salmonids and their supporting habitats. The assessment endpoints represent biological and habitat attributes that, when adversely affected, lead to reduced fitness of indivi dual salmonids or degrade PCEs such

as prey abundance, water quality, and riparian vegetation (evaluated in risk characterization for designated critical habitat section) . Uncertai nties in the available toxicity information are discussed as they are encountered and summarized at the end of this section. Following the response analysis, we compare concentrations described in the exposure analysis with assessment endpoints to evaluat e whether individual fitness or habitat endpoints might be compromised. Salmonid and designated critical habitat risk hypotheses are evaluated separately
in the Risk Characterization sections.

Figure 35 . Response Analysis Conceptual Model

We begin the response analysis by describing the toxic mode and mechanism of action of
thiobencarb
, which sets the stage for what biological endpoints are assessed

. Next, we summarize the toxicity data presented in the s almonid BE, RED, IRED, California Red Legged Frog BE, EF ED science chapters, and open literature ( Table 50 ). The information is organized by assessment endpoints ( e.g. , survival, growth, migration, etc.). The information provided in Effects of pesticide products on ESA

- listed species and their habitat

Individual responses Habitat

responses

Response ProfileMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

214

EPA documents primarily addressed aspects of survival, growth
, and reproduction of some aquatic species following exposure to thiobencarb. Other information from selected field experiments on ecological endpoints was sometimes discussed within EPA documents. Since w e found little information in EPA’s documents regarding formulation, other ingredient s , and mixture toxicity
, we conducted our own literature review.

Under the ESA and implementing regulations NMFS evaluate s all direct and indirect effects of a
federal action. We therefore evaluate all aspects of an action that may reduce fitness of individuals or reduce PCEs of designated critical habitat. This includes toxicity information for thiobencarb, its degradates, other ingredients within thiobencarb formulations, and other pesticide active ingredients commonly combined in recommended tank mixtures. The evaluation includes information that EPA provided on survival, growth, or reproduction
, and also encompasses a b roader range of endpoints including behaviors, endocrine disruption, and other physiological alterations. The information we assessed is derived from published scientific journals
, government agency reports, theses, books, applicant

- submitted information, and independent reports. T he most relevant study results are thos e that directly measure effects to identified assessment endpoints derived from studies with salmonids, preferably ESA

- listed Pacific salmonids or hatchery surrogates. We also evaluate add itional stressors that may influence the toxicity of the stressors of the action such as temperature.

8.5.1. Thiobencarb’s Mode and Mechanism of Action
Thiobencarb belongs to a class of herbicides known as thiocarbamates which impair and kill plants by inhibitin g the production of hormones called gibberellins. Thiobencarb also inhibits a plant’s fatty acid and lipid biosynthesis (Weed Science Society of America 2007)

. Thiocarbamates affect the functioning of acetyl

- CoA elongases, preventing the exte nsion of the fatty acid chains (Gronwald 1991)

. Carbamothioates ―may be rapidly metabolized or poorly
translocated‖ and effe cts on plant lipid biosynthesis generally occur at the plant surface (Gronwald 1991)

. Thiobencarb is currently registered as an herbicide.

Thiobencarb is also an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

. USEPA included thiobencarb in its analysis of common mechanism of action with six other thiocarbamates: molinate, EPTC,May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

215

trillate, butylate, pebulate, and cycloate (USEPA 2001)

. EPA concluded that thiobencarb shares
a common mechanism of action for AChE inhibition with other thiocarbamates. Thus, we use other carbamates as chemical surrogates when information is unavailable for thiobencarb. Empirical research indicates that AChE is inhibited by thiobencarb in fish and mammals (Fernandez

- Vega et al. 1999, Pentyala and Chetty 1993) . For example, thiobencarb reduced European eel plasma AChE activity by 50% following 96 hours of exposure at 220 μ g/L (1/60 th
of the 96 hr LC 50 ) and remained depressed (<50% activity) following five days of recovery in
clean water (Fernandez

- Vega et al. 1999)

.

8.5.2. Temperature and toxicity
We located no information showing specific effects of temperature on thiobencarb ’s toxicity

. Elevated temperatures typically increase the magnitude of toxic effects in fish particularly for pesticides that are transformed in the fish to more toxic metabolites such as organophosphates (Mayer and Ellersieck 1986) . Carbamates including thiocarbamates have also been shown to impart greater toxicity to org anisms when exposed to elevated temperatures (Altinok et al. 2006)

. Differences in toxicity due to temper ature have been attributed to differences in respiration rate, chemical absorption, and metabolism. As discussed in the Environmental Baseline , t emperature is a recognized stressor to salmonids in the Central Valley (Myrick and Cech 2005)

. Water temperatures in the lower Sacramento River regularly exceed 20 ° C by late spring, and statistical
studies of coded wire

- tagged juvenile Chin ook show increased mortality as a function of temperature (Baker et al. 1995)

. Water temperatures higher than optimum levels can kill salmonids, increase physiological stress making them more susceptible to other stressors
, increase predation, and affect salmonid’s prey base. Thus temperature dir ectly affects survival, growth rates, distribution, and developmental rates. We therefore discuss Chinook and steelhead
fitness implications in the context of elevated temperatures enhancing thiobencarb’s toxicity.

8.5.3. pH and toxicity

We located no studies that tested pH’s effect on thiobencarb’s aquatic toxicity. However , pH
influenced acute lethal ity of N

- methyl carbamates aminocarb, carbofuran, and carbaryl (Mayer and Ellersieck 1986) . It is difficult to determine if thiobencarb, a thiocarbamate, will behaveMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

216

similarly as the three N

- methylcarbamates. Thus this is a recognized data gap and we cannot definitively determine whether biological endpoints will be more or less affected by pH.

Studies with mixtures of AChE inhibiting herbicides

. We located information on mixture toxicity indicating additive toxicity when fish are jointly exposed to thiobencarb and another thiocarbamate, molinate (Finlayson and Faggella 1986)

. A cute lethality tests (96

- hr LC 50 s) of a
thiobencarb and molinate mixture showed additive toxicity to juvenile steelhead, Chinook salmon, and channe l catfish. Thiobencarb and molinate were twice as lethal when present together at 1:1 LC 50 - ratios than they were individually (Finlayson and Faggella 1986)

. Thiobencarb was 18

- 22 times more toxic than molinate based on individual LC 50 s for the three fish species. Thiobencarb concentrations used in the ratios were 360 (steelhead), 430 (Chinook),
and 990 μg/L (channel catfish). These results corroborate additive mixture toxicity when pesticides share a common mechanism/mode of toxic action. Although use of molinate has been prohibited since 2009, other thiocarbamate pesticides are currently used in Calif ornia and may

co

- occur in the environment with thiobencarb in the future ( e.g. , EPTC and cycloate; (CDPR 2010b)

.

8.5.4. Herbicide effects to salmonids and their habitats
In previous Opinions, we have addressed organo

- phosp horus (OP) and carbamate insecticides (NMFS 2008a, NMFS 2009e, NMFS 2010a) . Although used to control insects, these pesticides have a mode of action (cholinesterase inhibition) expected to directly affect salmon and other

non

- target organisms, such as aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates that provide a forage base for salmon. While the chemical currently under consultation is also a cholinesterase inhibitor that may have direct effects on fish and invertebrates, we also investigated the indirect effects caused by the herbicidal mode of action. We surveyed available l iterature regarding herbicide effects in the environment, considering a broad range of herbicides, including ones not addressed in this Opinion. A summary of this survey and conceptual models based on information gleaned from this survey are presented bel ow.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

217

8.5.5. Importance of plants and other photosynthetic organisms in fueling secondary production within salmonid habitats
Secondary production within aquatic systems, including production of juvenile salmonids, is ultimately fueled by plants and other photos ynthetic organisms ( e.g., green algae, diatoms, cyanobacteria). In salmonid freshwater and estuarine habitats, this energy comes from two sources: (1) primary production within aquatic habitats (autochthonous inputs), as well as (2) inputs of organic matt er from adjacent terrestrial ecosystems (allochthonous inputs) (Allan and Castillo 2008) . Plants and other photosynthetic organisms are primary producers, and can be consumed (by ―consumers‖) as living tissue that is grazed from the benthos (periphyton), as living tissue collected from the water column (phytoplan kton), or as dead tissue that is consumed after being colonized by microbial communities (detritus). Invertebrates and fish are specific with regard to their ability to feed on these various food resources, and these distinctions help
define functional fe eding groups that include grazers, shredders, and predators, among others. Therefore, although there is great diversity in the pathways energy takes in an aquatic system, much of the energy that fuels production in aquatic habitats derives ultimately from plants and other photosynthetic organisms.

Fish can consume a very high proportion of the invertebrate secondary production in aquatic
habitats (Huryn 1996, Huryn 1998) . Juvenile salmonids are predators that, when present at high densities and growing quickly, can consume a wide range of invertebrates, including those from all functional feeding groups. Changes in the production of any of these groups could change prey availability for these fish. For example, a reduction in periphyton production on rocks in a stream could reduce invertebrate grazer production. Likewise, a change in the quantity or quality
of terrestrial leaf litter fall ing from a riparian buffer could alter the production of invertebrate shredders downstream. In addition to being the ultimate source of food for much of the invertebrate community, plants also provide habitat for invertebrates and fish, including but not limited to substrate for them to shelter on and under ( e.g., macrophytes, root wads). Plants and other photosynthetic organisms within and adjacent to salmonid freshwater and estuarine habitats are therefore essential components of productive salmonid hab itats. Actions that affect the diversity, biomass and/or the production of primary producers in and around salmonid habitats may limit or alter secondary production within those systems as well ( Figure 36
, Figure 37 ).May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

2 18

As food resources, living plants and other living photosynthetic organisms are especially nutritious for grazing i nvertebrates and herbivorous fish (Torres

- Ruiz et al. 2007) , and they often contribute more to overall secondary production within a system than would be expected simply by their standing stock at any one point in time (Allan and Castillo 2008) . Because of this high nutritional value, the autochthonous production of plants and other photosynthetic organisms can be limited by grazers, though abiotic factors such as light, nutrients, and water velocity are also often limiting (Blanchet et al. 200 8, Rosemond et al. 2000, Sanderson et al. 2009) . The relative importance of these biotic and abiotic factors in limiting primary production varies by system and can change seasonally (Huryn 1998, Sanderson et al. 2009)

.

When primary production is limited or low, consumer production can be limited. This has been demonstrated primarily by amending a limiting resource to the point at which it is no longer limiting. For example, when nutrients are added to nutrient

- limited systems, primary production and consequently secondary production can increase (Harvey et al. 1998, Mundie et al. 1991)

. Fewer studies have examined explicitly how reductions in primary producers (or primary production) affect fish and invertebrates, as would potentially occur when sensitive photosynthetic organisms at the base of an aquatic food web are exposed to herbicides. In some cases when algal biomass is reduced by di sturbances, invertebrate grazer growth and abundance decline. Higher trophic levels can be affected by these bottom

- up effects, as Perry and colleagues (2003) observed in juvenile Chinook salmon. In small tributaries of the Yukon River, a fire and flood reduced the proportio n of high quality autochthonously derived energy that salmon consumed, suggesting there may be direct and indirect effects of disturbances on energy transfer among trophic levels including salmon (Perry et al. 2003)

.

The loss or reduction of inputs of organic matter (including leaf litter, woody debris, and terrestrial insects) from adjacent terrestrial ecosystems can also significantly reduce invertebrate secondary production and potentially fish production (Wallace et al. 1999, Allan et al. 2003)

. This was demonstrated by Wallace et al. (1999) when they excluded terrestrial leaf litter from a
forest stream in the southeast for four years and found that invertebrate production in the affected habitats declined by 78%. Although there were no fish in these systems, they did observeMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

219

reductions in the top invertebrate predators, illustrating that bottom

- up effects of this exclusion of plant material permeated throughout the food web (Wallace et al. 1999) . Similarly, Fi scher et
al. (2010) suggested that differences in food availability associated with the presence or absence of riparian buffers likely affected differences in observed fish growth. In systems where
allochth onous inputs sustain secondary production (including shaded, forested streams that provide rearing habitat for some salmonids), a reduction in allochthonous inputs could reduce secondary production, and consequently affect fish production. In addition to organic inputs, riparian vegetation provides shade for aquatic habitats, increases bank stability, helps buffer aquatic habitats from contaminants present upland, and helps maintain natural flow dynamics of water, nutrients and sediment (Richardson et al. 2010)

.

Numerous studies illustrate the trophic linkages among plants and other photosyn thetic organisms and the secondary production of fish and their prey. While it is logical that reductions in autochthonous and/or allochthonous food resources could limit consumers and predators, including juvenile salmonids, there are often a number of f actors that affect the magnitude and even the direction of change within complex aquatic food webs. These relationships may be directly or indirectly affected by herbicides. The following sections briefly review some of these impacts and discuss the chal lenges faced in predicting how herbicides may affect salmonids and
their critical habitats.

8.5.6. Effects of herbicides on non

- target aquatic communities

Potential effects of herbicide s on aquatic and riparian communities are illustrated in Figure 36
and in Figure 37 . The range of effects includes direct effects (pri marily negative) on photosynthetic organisms and water quality parameters, as well as indirect effects (positive and negative) on multiple trophic levels and water quality. Generally, if an herbicide exposure is great enough to reduce primary production w ithin or adjacent to aquatic habitats, there may be effects on multiple trophic levels, including salmonids. A number of factors contribute to the magnitude and direction of effects, although it’s difficult to predict and identify patterns within
and acro ss aquatic systems.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

220

Numerous studies using standard toxicity tests have demonstrated that herbicides reduce the growth and biomass of photosynthetic organisms. Plants and photosynthetic organisms are typically more sensitive to herbicides than invertebr ates and fish because of the herbicides’ various mechanisms of toxic action. For example, Brock and others (Brock et al. 2004)
determined HC 5 s (hazardous concentrations for 5% of the species) for two herbicides (metribuzin and metamitron) on a variety of taxa, and found, not surprisingly, that the algae and macrophytes were >100 to >1000x more sensitive than invertebrates and fish. Similarly, V an den Brink et al. (Van den Brink et al. 2006) foun d that herbicides varied in their toxicity, and that relative sensitivities (based on short

- term toxicity growth tests) of the taxonomic groups included in the study were algae ≥ macrophytes > invertebrates > vertebrates. For some herbicides, algae
and ma crophytes were similar in their sensitivities, e.g ., for atrazine and diquat, (Van den Brink et al. 2006) , but for others, such as 2,4

- D (an auxin simulator), macrophytes were significantly
more sensitive than all of the algae taxa included in the analyses (Van den Brink et al. 2006)

. In their extensive review of herbicides, Brock et al. (2000) also concluded that auxin simulators like 2,4

- D were generally m ore toxic to macrophytes than other photosynthesis inhibitors. Neither paper reviewed studies on thiobencarb, however Brock et al. (2000) reviewed studies on triallate (a thiocarbamate) and remarked that the acute 48 h survival EC 50 for Daphnia magna (57 μg/L ; (Johnson 1986) ) is similar to that of a standard test algae, C. selenastrum (47 μg/L ; (Fairchild JF et al. 1997) ).

The direct effects of herbicides on diverse communities of aquatic primary producers can be highly variable. For instance, Gruessner and Watzin (Gruessner and Watzin 1996) exposed stream communities in microcosms to a low concentration of atrazine (5 μg/L) for 14 days, but found no effect on algal biomass. In other studies, the species composition of prim ary producers changes after exposure while abundance may increase or decrease. Wendt

- Rasch et al. (Wendt

Rasch et al. 2003) found that even though macrophyte root growth in mesocosms declined following exposure to metsulfuron methyl, the biomass of periphytic algae on those macrophytes actually increased. In addition, the algal species composition was significantly different in the mesocosm exposed to the highest dose (Wendt

- Rasch et al. 2003)

. Hartgers et al. (Hartgers et al. 1998) observed an initial decline in the abundance of some phytoplankton taxa followingMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

221

exposure to a mixtur e of herbicides (atrazine, diuron and metolachlor), but by 14 days post

application several phytoplankton taxa had actually increased in abundance.

In addition to direct effects on primary producers, there may be direct effects of herbicides on
microbia l communities. The processing of organic matter by microbial communities

– which includes, in part, making leaf litter palatable to some invertebrates

– is a critical energy pathway within aquatic food webs. Despite their importance, there are relatively few studies examining the effects of pesticides on microbial communities. Of the few studies regarding herbicides, it appears there may be some direct and indirect effects at relatively low concentrations. Microbial
communities were altered following ex posure to various concentrations of atrazine, with some taxa becoming more abundant and productive while others declined (DeLorenzo et al . 1999)

. In another study, the herbicide diuron limited algal growth in mesocosms, and the abundance, diversity, and activity of the associated microbial community was also limited (Pesce et al. 2006)

. The authors suggest ed that diur o n decreased the capacity of the microbial community to recover when favorable conditions were provided (as w as the case in the control meso cosms), and this reduced the efficiency of the microbial food web (Pesce et al. 2006)

. Although it is difficult to extrapolate short

- term mesocosm studies to potent ial longer

- term effects in the natural environment, these studies suggest that exposure to herbicides can directly affect the structure as well as function of the diverse communities that are the base of aquatic food webs.

The effects of herbicides, eithe r by reducing primary producers or by changing the processes and paths through which energy flows, can have significant effects on higher trophic levels. For example, herbicides are commonly found to reduce the abundance (or biomass or growth rates)
of co nsumers. Interestingly, these indirect effects of herbicides are often reported at
concentrations well below those found to have direct effects on consumers. The population growth rate of an aquatic oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus was reduced by 50% a fter being exposed to only 6 μg/L of the herbicide terbutryn (Brust et al. 2001) . This effect was attributed to the reduction of the food source of the oligochaete by the herbicide at a concentration three orders of magnit ude lower than the concentration that caused acute toxicity to the oligochaete itself. Similarly, Dewey (Dewey 1986) found that multiple trophic levels within experimental ponds were impacted by atrazine, though effects on higher trophic levels were likely due toMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

222

indirect effects (reduction in food resources). These effects throughout the food web were found
at concentrations one order of magnitude lower than acute toxicity values for a common midge (Dewey 1986)

. Brock et al. (Brock et al. 2004) obser ved long

- term (lasting >8 weeks) changes
in the macroinvertebrate communities within mesocosms treated with metribuzin at
concentrations 20x lower than the HC 5 s for aquatic invertebrates. In a similar study, predatory ciliates were relatively more affecte d by the reduction of their prey (phototrophic flagellates) due to exposure to the herbicide prometryn than by the direct toxicity (Liebig et al. 2008) . Finally, a
number of studie s have documented declines in zooplankton densities due to reductions in their phytoplankton food sources following exposure to herbicides (DeNoyelles et al. 1982, Juttner et al. 1995, Kasai and Hanazato 1995 )

.

These examples illustrate that reduced primary production due to herbicide exposure results in
bottom

- up effects. Alternatively, if an herbicide is directly toxic to consumers, primary production may actually increase as grazing pressure declines (Rohr and Crumrine 2005) . In addition, s ublethal effects of herbicides on invertebrates have also been found at environmentally relevant concentrations, and this may also have effects throughout the food web. For example,
Cook and Moore (Cook 2008) found the herbicide metolachlor (at an environmentally relevant
concentration of 80 g/L) altered agonistic behavior in crayfish

.

Effects on water quality are also often reported. These changes are due in part to changes in community metabolism (Brock et al. 2000) . For example, if phot osynthetic efficiency declines, it is expected that oxygen concentrations and pH decrease (Hartgers et al. 1998, Brock et al. 2000) . These effects have been shown to be dose

- dependent by Pratt et al. (Pratt et al. 1997) , as oxygen levels decreased most significantly in microcosms exposed to the highest doses of the herbicide diquat. Changes in water quality, especially significant declines in dissolved oxygen, may affect sensitive taxa, but it is unclear how often this may occur in salmonid habitats.

Brock et al. (Brock et al. 2000) concluded in their review of herbicides that indirect effects of photosynthetic inhibitors on consumers and predators occur at concentrations around the EC 50 for standard algae taxa; these impacts on consumers and predators are likely due to reduced availability of food resources and the effect s may be delayed relative to the exposure event.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

223

Other effects on the ecosystem ( e.g. , blooms of insensitive algae) can occur at lower concentrations ( e.g ., 0.1 of the EC 50 of standard algae), and these effects may also be delayed. When macrophytes are i mpacted, organisms using those macrophytes as habitat are immediately impacted. Some studies published after the Brock et al. (2000) review noted indirect effects at surprisingly low concentrations, and, in general, papers published since their review cor roborate their findings. As mentioned previously, Brock et al. (2000) reviewed studies on triallate (a thiocarbamate) and remarked that the acute 48 h survival EC 50 for Daphnia magna (57 μg/L; (Johnson 1986) ) is similar to that of a standard test algae, C. selenastrum (47 μg/L; (Fairchild JF et al. 1997) ). It appears that triallate is an order of magnitude more toxic than thiobencarb based

on D. magna survival, i.e ., 10 μg/L vs. 101 μg/L, respectively. We present thiobencarb’s toxicity to algae and invertebrates in Table 50

.

8.5.7. Challenges in scaling up effects and making predictions across salmonid habitats
The current literature describes a wide range of effects of herbicides. While it is difficult to generalize across these studies, it is clear that many studies illustrate that herbicides can have direct and indirect effects on multiple trophic levels with in aquatic food webs, and often these effects occur at concentrations well below concentrations expected based on single

- species acute toxicity tests. However, it is difficult to predict the magnitude, duration, and direction that these effects may have o n juvenile salmonids and their habitat because multiple factors influence these effects. These factors include, but are not limited to, the composition and relative abundances of taxa at the time of exposure (Relyea 2009) , the functional redundancy among taxa within the system, and the resilience of the various communities within the system (Brock et al. 2000) . In addition, the abiotic conditions, the presence of other stressors, and the properties of the herbicides themselves ( e.g., mode of action, persistence) can affect the magnitude, d uration and
direction of effects.

Juvenile salmonids are generally opportunistic drift

- feeders, and are therefore sensitive to factors that influence the general quantity and quality of invertebrate prey items. If, for instance, there
were reductions in the production of invertebrate grazers or the inputs of invertebrate prey from riparian vegetation, salmonids may be forced to alter their foraging behavior ( e.g., take moreMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

224

risks, select less energy

- rich prey) (as shown in Figure 36 and in Figure 37 ). Alternatively, if there were shifts, rather than reductions, in the abundances and composition of the prey community within riparian and aquatic habitats, indirect impacts on salmonids may be minimal if foraging behaviors were not altered. Whether or not production of prey decreases or shifts (or increases) after exposure to herbic ides will depend in part on the composition of the community (structure and function) and the relati ve sensitivities of those taxa. Multiple experiments conducted in mesocosms have demonstrated that the particular composition of the community at
the time of exposure influence s the magnitude of the impact as well as the trajectory of the

recovery (Jenkins and Buikema 1998, Pesce et al. 2006, Relyea 2009, Rohr and Crumrine 2005)
, and this would likely be the case as well in salmonid habitats.

Abiotic conditions may also affect how herbicides directly and indirectly affec t salmonids and
their habitats. For instance, herbicides can affect water quality parameters that may indirec tly affect aquatic communities. Austin et al. (1991) suggest that increased algal production in oligotrophic systems after exposure to glyphosate may be due to the addition of phosphorous (in the glyphosate), and they suggest this could lead to eutrophication of salmonid habitats. Likewise, total phosphorous increased eightfold in earthen mesocosms treated with glyphosate (Perez et al. 2007) . In forested watersheds in the southeastern United States, nitrogen
concentrations were el evated in streams for two years after herbicides were applied (Neary et al. 1993)

. This effect was likely due to the increased leaching from the terrestrial environment and/or reduction in uptake within the stream. Regardless of how nutrients become elevated (from the herbicide itself or from changes in biogeochemical cycles within the watershed) elevated nitrog en and phosphorous concentrations can stimulate periphyton growth in nutrient

limited systems and consequently affect higher trophic levels. Indirect effects from herbicides may also include an increase in stressful water temperatures due to reduced shadi ng and long

term reductions in woody debris used for cover by salmonids from loss of riparian vegetation. If herbicides were used to reduce plant growth over a large area within a watershed, instream flow dynamics may be impacted enough to affect salmonid s and their habitats ( e.g., (Likens et al. 1970) . Finally, changes such as increased turbidity (due to reduced bank stability) or decrease d dissolved oxygen could have impacts on primary producers as well as con sum ers within salmonid habitats ( Figure 36 and Figure 37 ).May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

225

In addition to the u ncertainties associated with variable and diverse communities and the range of sensitivities they have to various abiotic conditions, there are uncertainties about how herbicides may affect aquatic systems affected by other stres sors. When experiments are used to examine multiple stressors, the results are often variable and again (like simpler experiments) often depend on the abiotic and biotic conditions at the time. In a series of experiments, Rohr et al

. (Rohr et al. 2004) found few interactions among food availability, drying conditions and atrazine (at 4 concentrations) on a streamside salamander, but they did find that the lethality of atrazine varied by year and may be condition depe ndent. Figure 36 and Figure 37 illustrate the direct and indirect effects stemming from herbicide exposure, but they d o not attempt to capture the complex web of interactions that may arise when multiple stressors affect a system.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

226

Figure 36 . Part I of a conceptual model of potential effects of herbicides to aquatic communities. This figure focuses on potential effects of herbicides applied to riparian areas adjacent to salmonid habitats. Bolded arrows and text note those effects that are most likely to occur based on the frequency that they are reported in the litera ture.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

227

Figure 37

. Part II of a conceptual model of potential effects of herbicides to aquatic communities. This figure focuses on potential effects of herbicides that are applied to or otherwise reach salmonid habitats. Bolded arrows and text note those effects that are m ost likely to occur based on the frequency that they are reported in the literature.

Mixtures of pesticides present a particular challenge. Most of the experiments described above were conducted in mesocosms with a single exposure of a single herbicide. In field surveys in the Unites States as well as throughout Europe, herbicides are often among the mostMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

228

concentrated pesticides detected, but they are almost always found in mixtures with insecticides
and fungicides (Gilliom 2007, Schafer et al. 2007) . Although it is becoming more apparent that herbicides are often found in mixtures, the toxicity of the herbicides within those mixtures may depend on the composition of the mixture itself. When Van den Brink et al. (2009) examined the effects of a simple herbicide

- insecticide mixture on mesoc osm communities, they found the herbicide (atrazine) had fewer effects than expected, and they suggested that this effect may have been due to the reduced grazing pressure that resulted directly from the reduction in invertebrates caused by the insecticide (lindane). In a series of experiments comparing effects of single herbicides, single insecticides and mixtures of these, Relyea (2009) found that a mixture of five
herbicides had relativ ely few effects on mesocosm communities compared to several individual insecticides, a mixture of 5 insecticides and a mixture of all 10 pesticides. One effect he did find was that chlorophyll concentrations in phytoplankton were similarly reduced after 1 6 days in
both the acetochlor

- alone treatment as well as the 5

- herbicide mixture treatment. This suggests acetochlor alone, and not the other four herbicides, likely contributed to the overall toxicity of the mixture for this response variable. It is unc lear, however, how other communities exposed to the numerous possible combinations of mixtures would respond. Finally, in addition to the composition of the mixture, the dose of the mixture may also be important in determining the
direction of effect. In a study on eelgrass, low concentrations of a mixture of three herbicides (glyphosate, benzatone, and MCPA) were synergistic but high concentrations had an antagonistic
effect (Nielsen and Dahllof 2007)

.

A final consideration and uncertainty in how herbicides may impact salmonids and their habitats is the question of re silien cy of these aquatic ecosystems. The recovery of primary and secondary production

– to rates observed prior to exposure

– depends on the communities themselves and the exposure . For instance, if h erbicides persist in the landscape
, exposures may occ ur repeatedly (or continuously) depending on application rate, precipitation, a nd conditions in the
watershed. Michael et al. (2006) found exposures of sulfometuron occurred repeatedly, due to wash off from the upstream for est after a single application (see also (Michael et al. 1999, Michael 2003) . T he persistence of an herbicide can affect the recovery of a community, as seen when the herbicide 3,4

- dichloroaniline was added to mesocosms (Maund et al. 2009)

. This herbicide was initially added at a concentration equal to the median LC 50 value of taxa in theMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

229

mesocosms, but it persisted several months (median dissipation time was estimated at 30 d). The lack of recovery of populations within the mesocosms by 10 months and the delay of recovery even when colonists were added following exposure was attributed to the persistent toxicity (Maund et al. 2009)

. Generally, p hotosynthesis has been found to resume rapidly once exposure stops, while indirect effects on longer

- lived taxa can persist much longer (Brock et al. 2000,
Brock et al. 2004) . This di fference can lead to dynamics in trophic interactions ( e.g., alterations between top

- down and bottom

- up control). These fluctuations have been found to stabilize in mesocosms within weeks to months, but for juvenile salmonids that require reliable food resources daily, this time period of recovery may be too long.

These uncertainties make it difficult to predict how herbicides will affect salmon ids and their critical habitats, but they do not change NMFS’ assessment that there may be an adverse impact.

8.5.8. Toxicity of Thiobencarb (Assessment Endpoints)

8.5.8.1. Direct Effect

s to Salmonids

We evaluate effects to salmonids based on toxicity information presented in the salmonid BE (EPA 2002a)
, the more recent California red

- legged frog BE (EPA 2009b)
, REDs (EPA 1997a)
, ECOTOX database, and open literature.

8.5.8.2. Survival

Individual survival is typically measured by incidences of death following 96

- hou r (h) exposures (acute test) and incidences of death following 21

- day (d), 30

- d, 32

- d, and ―full life cycle‖ exposures (chronic tests) to a subset of freshwater and marine fish species reared and exposed in laboratories under controlled conditions (tempera ture, pH, light, salinity, etc. ) (EPA 2004)

. Lethality of the pesticide is usually reported as the median lethal concentration (LC 50 ), the statistically

- derive d concentration sufficient to kill 50% of the test population. It is derived from the number of surviving individuals at each concentration tested following a 96 h exposure and is usually estimated by probit or logit analysis and more recently by non

- line ar curve fitting techniques. Ideally, to maximize the utility of a given LC 50 study, a slope, variability around the
LC 50 , and a description of the experimental design
, such as experimental concentrations tested,May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

230

number of treatments and replicates used, solvent controls, etc., are needed. The slope of the
observed dose

- response relationship is particularly useful in interpolating incidences of death at
concentrations b elow or above an estimated LC 50 . The variability of an LC 50 is usually depicted by a confidence interval (95% CI) or error ( standard deviation or standard error ) and is illustrative of the degree of confidence associated with a given LC 50 estimate ( i.e ., the smaller the range of uncertainty
, the higher the confidence in the estimate )

. Without an estimate of the variability, it is difficult to infer the precision of the estimate. Furthermore, survival experiments are of most utility when conducted with th e most sensitive life stage of the listed species or a representative surrogate.

In the case of ESA

- listed Pacific salmonids, there are several surrogates including hatchery reared coho salmon, Chinook salmon, steelhead, and chum salmon, as well as rainb ow trout 13

. Unfortunately, slopes, estimates of variability for an LC 50 , and experimental concentrations frequently are not reported. In our review of the BEs, we did not locate any reported slopes of
dose

- response curves. Consequently, to insure that EP A’s action is not likely to jeopardize listed species, we must select LC 50 s from the lower range of available studies. We evaluate the likelihood of concentrations that are expected to kill fish and apply qualitative and quantitative methods to infer popu lation

- level responses of ESA

- listed salmonids within the Risk Characterization section. Thiobencarb (in technical products and formulations) has been tested extensively in acute lethality toxicity tests with numerous fish species ( Table 50 ). EPA reported some of these data in Appendix I of the California red

- legged frog BE (EPA 2009b)

.

Data were typically from registrant submitted guideline studies and open literature studies. EPA constructed a species

- sensitivity distribution for acute LC 50 s from studies they deemed acceptable in Appendix I, pg. 8 (EPA 2009b) . 96 h LC 50 s ranged from 260 μg/L for white sturgeon ( Acipenser transmontanus ) to 13,200 μg/L for the European eel ( Anguilla Anguilla )

. Most data were from 96 h tests, although some were from 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h tests. Rainbow trout (LC 50 790

– 1,200 μ g/L, n=5), steelhead (LC 50 = 790 , n=1 ), and Chinook salmon (LC 50

13 Rainbow trout and steelhead are the same genus species ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ), with the key differentia tion that steelhead migrate to the ocean while rainbow trout remain in freshwaters. Rainbow trout are therefore good toxicological surrogates for freshwater life stages of steelhead, but are less useful as surrogates for the life stages that use estuarine and ocean environments.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

231

760, n=1) were among the more sensitive species tested based on lethality. M any LC 50 assays on freshwater and estuarine fish species in California were conducted with thiobencarb

- containing formulations to evaluate potential aquatic toxicity from rice growing operations in California’s Central Valley (Harrington 1990) . Additionally, three species of atherinid fishes (coastal and estuarine species) were exposed to 96 h thiob encarb in static and flow through systems at day

- of

hatch, 7 d, and 14 d (Borthwick et al. 1985)

. Treatment levels were verified analytically. Acute sensitivity was greatest for 7

- d old fish where LC 50 s ranged f rom 204

- 464 μ g/L flow through
and from 396

- 483 μ g/L static (Borthwick et al. 1985) . Based on EPA toxicity categories for
acute LC 50 s, EPA classified thiobencarb as highly toxic to salmonids.

Table 50 Thiobencarb toxicity values (μg/L) for aquatic organisms and plants reported in EPA salmonid BE, CRLF BE, RED, IRED, EFED science chapter, and ECOTOX. Abbreviations as follows: a.i. = active ingredient; NR = Not Reported; T= Technical grade; F = Formulated product; sw = estuarine/marine species; [ ] = 95% Confidence interval.

Assessment Endpoint Concentration ( μ g/L aquatic tests; lbs a.i./acre terrestrial tests)

Thiobencarb

Assessment

measure > 95% a.i. (% a.i.) < 95% a.i. (% a.i.) Survival

Source (s) : EPA RLF 2009 Appendix I; ECOTOX # 12136; ECOTOX # 15172

EPA RLF 2009 Appendix I; MRID #s 139051, 00080851, 00080851, 00050664 Registrant submitted salmonid LC 50

(96 h) Rainbow trout ( O. mykiss ) (95.5%; T) =

1150, formulation IMC

- 3590 Rainbow trout ( O. mykiss ) (85.2%; F) = 1200, [700

- 1600], Bolero 8EC formulation
Rainbow trout ( O. mykiss ) (84%; F) = 1050, Bolero 8EC formulation
Rainbow trout ( O. mykiss ) (10%; F) = 1500, [1200

- 1900] Bolero G (granular)
Rainbow trout, v. Donaldson trout ( O. mykiss ) (% a.i. not reported)= 1200
Chinook Salmon ( O. tshawytscha ) (% 85.2; F) = 760; Bolero EC
Steelhead ( O. mykiss ) (% 85.2; F = 790; Bolero EC

Chinook salmon ( O. tshawytscha ) (85.2%; F):

s urvival of fry NOEC = 140, LOEC = 250; Bolero 8EC; E0015472 (Faggella and Finlayson 1988)

Survival Non

- salmonid

freshwater, estuarine, and Bluegill sunfish ( L. macrochirus ) (95.5%; F)

= 2480, IMC

- 3590 Bluegill sunfish ( Lepomis macrochirus ) (94%; T) = 2600May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

232 Assessment Endpoint Concentration ( μ g/L aquatic tests; lbs a.i./acre terrestrial tests)

Thiobencarb

Assessment

measure > 95% a.i. (% a.i.) < 95% a.i. (% a.i.)
marine fish LC 50 (96 h) Bluegill sunfish ( L. macrochirus ) (10%; F) = 560 [330

- 1200], Bolero 10G (granular)
Bluegill sunfish ( L. macrochirus ) (84%; F) = 1660, Bolero 8EC
Bluegill sunfish ( L. macrochirus ) (85.2%; F) = 1700 [1200

- 2300], Bolero 8EC
Striped bass ( Morone saxatilis ) (sw) (85.2%; F): Mean = 731; median = 760; range = 430

- 1000; n=17; Bolero 8EC, ages 7

– 45 post emergence; Bolero 8EC; Fujimura et al. 1991
White sturgeon (

Acipenser transmontanu s ) (T) = 260 [230

- 300], Bailey 1984 MRID #40651315

Reproduction or larval survival NOEC/LOEC Fathead minnow ( Pimephales promelas ) (96.5%; T) = 53/110; 2 replicates/treatment only; lifecycle test (260 day exposure); Endpoints affected: survival, growth of F0 generation
, # eggs per spawn, hatching

success , growth, survival F1 generation MRID 45695101
Sheepshead minnow (C. variegates) (sw) (95.2 %; T) = <150/150 28 d post hatch survival 370/600 hatching success MRID 00079112 Fish growth and development NOEC /LOEC Fathead minnow ( Pimephales promelas ) (96.5%; T) = 53/110; 2 replicates/ treatment; lifecycle test (260 day exposure); Endpoints affected: survival, growth of F0 generation
, # eggs per spawn, hatching success
, growth, survival F1 generation MRID 4569 5101

Zebrafish ( Danio rerio) (96.5%; T) = 800 LOEC, 96 h exposure, 100% abnormality and reduced length Appendix 5
, (NMFS 2011c) Chinook salmon ( O. tshawytscha ) (85.2%; F) = 28/ 49; survival of fry 140/ 250 Bolero 8EC; 8 8 day exposure 28 day pre hatch through 60 day post hatch. E0015472 Fujimura et al 1991
Striped bass ( M. saxatilis ) (sw) (85.5%; F): NOEC=21, LOEC=36; NOEC=<23, LOEC=23; NOEC=58, LOEC= 91 (n=3); Bolero 8EC, reduced dry weight, early life stage study. Fu jimura et al 1991May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

233 Assessment Endpoint Concentration ( μ g/L aquatic tests; lbs a.i./acre terrestrial tests)

Thiobencarb

Assessment

measure > 95% a.i. (% a.i.) < 95% a.i. (% a.i.) Fish respiration gill damage

(micropathological assessment) Mosquitofish ( Gambusia affinis) , (Bolero 8EC 14 ; formulation): @ 19, 90, 576, 1200, 1800 μg/L Bolero8EC inflamed gills, dose dependent response

Habitat

salmonid prey invertebrate

survival (48 h EC/ LC 50 ) Amphipod ( Gammarus pseudolimnaeus )

(95.5%; F) = 720, IMC

- 3590
Midge ( Chironomus tentans ) (97.2%;T) = 364 [322

- 413], probit slope = 3.42 [2.88

- 4.16]; Survival NOEC = 135
Opossum shrimp ( Neomysis mercedis ) (sw) (NR; T): 96 h LC 50 = 304; 7 d LC 50 = 214; 14 d LC 50 = 91 (Bailey 1993) Water flea ( Daphnia magna ) (94.4%) = 101.2 [73.8

– 138.7]

Water flea ( D. magna ) (82.25%; F) = 210.7 [175.7

– 252.7] Bolero 8EC

Wat er flea ( D. magna ) (85.2%; F) = 1200 [400

- 3100] Bolero 8EC
Amphipod ( G. pseudolimnaeus ) (85.2%; F) = 1000 [600

- 1700], Bolero 8EC
Amphipod ( G. pseudolimnaeus ) (84%; F) = 1000, Bolero 8EC
Midge ( C. tepperi ) (% not reported,; F) = 188 (LOEC emergence); 37 5 (LOEC developmental time, wing length) (Burdett et al. 2001)

Invertebrate reproduction NOEC/LOEC (21 d life

- cycle test ) Water flea ( D. magna ) (96.9%; T) = 48.0/

90.0; # of offspring produced; MRID 42680401
Water flea ( D. magna ) (95.2%; T) = 1.0/ 3.0; # of offspring produced; MRID 241483
Midge ( Chironomus riparius ) (97.2%; T) = 180/ 420; 28 day sediment toxicity assay
Opossum shrimp ( N. mercedis ) (sw) (NR; T): 3.2/6.2 (Bailey 1993)

Habitat: Riparian Vegetation

MRID 41690902 Hoberg, J.R. 1990 Sup Vegetative vigor

(lbs a.i./acre): Monocots (96.6%; T)

EC 25 : corn = 2.2, oat = 0.17, onion = 1.2, ryegrass = 0.073; NOEC: corn = 2.2, oat = 0.12, onion = 0.80, ryegrass = 0.02
Dicots (96.6%; T): EC 25 : carrot = > 2.2, cabbage = 1.2, cucumber = na, lettuce = 1.3, soybean = 1.2,

14 Thiobencarb per cent not reported in paper. Other Bolero 8EC studies report 85.2% thiobencarb.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

234 Assessment Endpoint Concentration ( μ g/L aquatic tests; lbs a.i./acre terrestrial tests)

Thiobencarb

Assessment

measure > 95% a.i. (% a.i.) < 95% a.i. (% a.i.)
tomato = 1.8; NOEC: carrot = 2.2, cabbage = 1.4, cucumber = <0.12, lettuce = 0.80, soybean = 0.80, tomato = 2.2

Habitat: Riparian Vegetation Source s : MRID 41690902 Hoberg, J.R. 1990;

MRID 44846201 Chetram, R.S. 1999 Acceptable DER 11/16/2002 Seedling

emergence (lbs a.i./acre) : shoot length or mortality EC25 Monocots (96.6%; T):

- Shoot length EC25: corn = >1.7, oat = 0.086, onion = 2.0; NOEC: corn =1.7, oat = 0.055, onion 0.94;

- Mortality (rye grass) EC 25 = 0.019; NOEC = 0.0051 (17% mortality at 0.011)
Dicots (96/6%; T):

- shoot length EC25: carrot = >3.1, cabbage = 0.082, cucumber = >1.7, soybean = >1.7, tomato = 1.1; NOEC: carrot = 2.1, cabbage = 0.071, cucumber = 0.16 soybean = 0.94, tomato = 0.94.

- mortality (lettuce); EC 25 = 0.27 Habitat: In

- stream Primary Productivity

Source MRID 41690901 Giddings, 1990 DER 09/18/1995 Aquatic plant

growth: cell density EC 50 & NOEC Green algae ( Selenastrum capricornutum )

(96.6%; T) 120 hr EC 50 = 17 [12

- 26], NOEC = 13
Freshwater diatom ( Navicula pelliculosa ) (96.6%; T) 120 hr EC 50 = 380 [240

- 610]; NOEC = 65
Duckweed ( Lemna gibba ) (96.6%; T) 14 day frond production EC 50 = 770 [380

- 1600]; NOEC = 140
Green algae ( Scenedesmus acutus ) (100%; analytical standard) 96 hr EC 50 = 17 [16

- 19] (Sabater and Carrasco 1996)
Green algae ( Chlorella saccharophila ) (100%; analytical standard) 96 hr EC 50 = 4000 [380 0

- 4100] (Sabater and Carrasco 1996)
Algae ( Pseudanabaena galeata ) (100%; analytical standard) 96 hr EC 50 = 370 [350

- 400] (Sabater and Carrasco 1996)May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

235

A species sensitivity distribution based on reported 96 hr LC 50 s shows the position of salmonids in relation to other species tested ( Figure 38 )

. The distribution contains those studies that EPA reviewed and ranked as acceptable,
therefore not all fish LC 50 s are included. Salmonids are at the lower end of the distribution indicating they are more sensitive than many of the other species tested based on 96 hr lethality assays. Based on the confidence bands (shown in gray) around the means, substantial variation exists between and among species.

Figure 38 . Species sensitivity distribution of freshwater fish 96 h LC50s derived from EPA denoted "acceptable" studies 15

8.5.8.3. Growth and Reproduction

Growth and reproduction endpoints are typically evaluated in FIFRA guideline tests conducte d by the chemical company registrants. In these tests, fish are exposed to the a.i. for variable durations depending on species tested. Fish are fed twice daily, ad libitum ( i.e ., an over abundance of food is available at time of feeding )

. The lowest co ncentration eliciting a

15 EPA developed this SSD using the Species Sensitivity Generator v.1.0, Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS), EPA 2009a. Plot shows curve fit with bounds in gray, however no information was provided on how curve fit was done or wh at bounds represent.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

236

statistically significant difference from controls (no treatment) to growth or reproductive endpoints is recorded ( i.e ., the Lowest Observable Effect Concentration (LOEC) ), as well as the lowest exposure concentration tested that is not different than the control ( i.e. , the No Observable Effect Concentration (NOEC) ) . Many researchers have commented on the poor application of environmental statistics and laboratory testing regarding NOECS and LOECs (Laskowski 1995, Chapma n 1996, Kooijman 1996)
, (Suter 1996) and (Landis and Chapman 2011)

. Prominent
limitations include: ( 1) NOECs and LOECs are statistically derived, a function of the
concentrations selec ted by the experimenters, and are inconsistent between studies; and ( 2) NOECs and LOECs ignore the fundamental model of toxicology ; (3) ignore critical data at other

treatments ; (4) use a lack of evidence as a no

- effect ; and (5) are limited to the concentr ations
tested . NOECs typically correspond to an EC 10 to EC 30 on an exposure

- response curve (Moore and Caux 1997) . A 30% af fect rate within a population can be striking, particularly if the effect is on a critical biological endpoint such as reproduction, growth, migration, or olfaction

. Previous salmonid population modeling suggests that when 14% mortality occurs to juvenile s population growth rated is substantially affected (NMFS 2009e)

. We therefore exercise caution in interpreting a NOEC as a true ― no response ‖ to an organism.

Growth of individual organisms is an assessment endpoint derived from chronic fish and invertebrate toxicity tests summarized in the BE. Reproduction, at the scale of an individual, can be measured by the number of offspring per female (fecundity)
, and at the population scale by measuring the number o f offspring per female in a population over multiple generations. The BEs summarized reproductive endpoints at the individual scale from chronic, freshwater fish experiments. Other assessment measures of reproduction include egg size, spawning success,

s perm and egg viability, gonadal development, and hormone levels

-- most of which are rarely measured in standardized toxicity tests conducted pursuant to pesticide registration.

8.5.8.4. Respiratory Effects

Gills are a well known target of toxic insult in fish and r espond quickly to degraded
environmental conditions (Poleksic and Mitrovic

- Tutundzic 1994) . Following 7

- d static exposures to Bolero 8EC at concentrations ranging from 19

– 1900 μg/L (~16.2

- 1620 μ g/LMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

237

thiobencarb; based on 85.2% by volume), gills of mosquitofish were inflamed (Persichino et al. 1998) . Upon examination by light microscopy, the inflammatory response was characterized by hypertrophy of respiratory epithelium, hyperplasia of m ucous cells, and empty mucous cells (Persichino et al. 1998) . At concentrations of 1200 μg/L and above, mo squitofish died. At 19 μg/L Bolero 8EC, two of three fish perished due to combination of parasites and Bolero

— no parasite s were observed in control fish. Limitations in applying these experimental results
include lack of verification of treatment concen trations by analytical chemistry methods, small
treatment size
, n=3, and no replication. Although the study’s limitations reduce its significance,
the data do suggest adverse responses in fish gills which may be an additional mechanism of
action.

8.5.8.5. Acetylch olinesterase Inhibiting Effects

We located no salmonid studies that tested thiobencarb exposure on AChE activity, thus we broadened the search to other fish species. A suite of experiments evaluated the effects of thiobencarb on European eels, also refer red to as yellow eels (Fernandez

- Vega et al. 1999,
Fernandez

- Vega et al. 2002, Bretaud et al. 2001, Sancho et al. 2000, Babu et al. 1989)

.

Eels were fairly insensitive to thiobencarb’s capacity to kill them over 96 h, LC 50 s ranged from
13.3

– 25 mg/L (Fernandez

- Vega et al. 1999) . Eel nervous systems were much more sensitive and experienced adverse effects at 1/60th of the LC 50 , a concentration of 220 μ g/L. Juvenile eel s exposed for 96 h to thiobencarb in flow through conditions (continuous exposure) had more tha n a 50% reduction in their b lood AChE activity. Statistically significant inhibition occurred at the first time point measured, 2 h, and continued through the 96 h. Normal activity returned at 72 h

pos t

- exposure indicating
, similar to other carbamates
, that AChE activity is reversible following exposure to carbamates . Eels also showed signs of lethargy and agitation during the experiment, common symptoms of nervous system toxicants. Brain, muscle, and gill AChE activities were
inhibited by 30

– 50% following 96 h of continuous exposure (Fernandez

- Vega et al. 2002)

. Recovery occurred within eight days for brain and muscle activities, while gill AChE activity had minimal recovery of < 29 % . Eel s also exhibited behavioral impacts including agitation, loss of equilibrium, increased respiratory rhythm, uncoordinated swimming movements, and manyMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

238

remai ned at the bottom of exposure tanks. These aberrant behaviors were not observed in control exposures.

AChE activity in eel eyes was inhibited by thiobencarb at 220 μ g/L (Sancho et al. 2000)

. Following 220 μ g/L exposures (1/60 th of the 96 hr LC 50 ) at 2, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, total eye AChE and specific eye AChE were measured. Eye AChE was inhibited in a time

- dependent manner with onset of inhibition occurring at 2 h and remaining throughout the exposure period.
I nhibition occurred at 2 h and did not return to its normal lev els over the six day recovery period in clean water. Maximal inhibition occurred at 12 h with more than 80% of activity inhibited. Eels were lethargic, hypoactive, and exhibited reduced opercular movements. Following a review of these findings, we found several limitations including the selection of the eye as a target for AChE inhibition, the methodology used to detect cholinesterase activity, the levels of activity within the eye, reported standard deviations of 0.00, and the apparent lack of a positive control. In the vertebrate retina, acetylcholine is used as the neurotransmitter for only a subset of one class of neurons, the amacrine cells. The majority of the neurons (e.g.
, rods, cones, horizontal, bipolar) use other neurotransmitters such as glut amate, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glycine. Acetylcholine is likely the neurotransmitter used to control the muscles that control the iris. Thus, only a small portion of the eye is likely to require AChE, making the consequence of AChE inhibition t o overall eye function difficult to assess and likely subtle. The method used to quantify AChE detects multiple type s of cholinesterase activity. For example, the method does not distinguish between AChE and butyrylcholinesterase. The authors do not
dis cuss the possibility that much of the inhibition they detect by thiobencarb may be occurring to an enzyme other than AChE. Additionally, m any of the mean values for specific activity in the eye have a standard deviation of 0.00. It is difficult to believ e that there was zero variability around the means. The results of this study do show an inhibitory effect (reduction in AChE activity) of thiobencarb on eel eyes, however further research would be needed to confirm these
results. Due to these limitation s, we have low confidence in these results.

As no studies were found on thiobencarb’s effect on salmonids, we broadened our search to other thiocarbamates including EPTC, molinate, pebulate, trillate, butylate, and cycloate.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

239

Unfortunately, no additional empirical data were located on AChE inhibition in salmonids or
other fish.

These studies showed that ( 1) biochemical endpoints (AChE inhibition in blood, brain, muscle, gill and eyes) were inhibited in eels at concentrations well below the 96 hour LC 50 , at 1/60 th of
eel LC 50 ; ( 2) adverse behavioral changes (lethargy) occurred at that concentration, ( 3) effects occurred within a couple of hours after exposure ; and ( 4) recovery of AChE activity is tissue dependent (minimal recovery seen in whole eyes over a six day period and recovery in plasma activity occurring in three days). Although thiobencarb exposure to 220 μg/L would not kill eels outright , it could cause di sorientation, loss of visual competence, and loss of locomotion within a few hours of exposure
, which may lead to predation, reduced foraging, and impaired migration. We recognize that listed salmonids’ AChE activity following exposure to thiobencarb is a n uncertainty given that no experiments were identified that tested this response. We expect that
thiobencarb will inhibit AChE, although the concentration that would induce this effect remains unknown. European eels, the only fish species we have AChE a ctivity toxicity data for, are among the most tolerant of the various fish species for which LC 50 s are available. If the 1/60 factor is presumed to apply to salmonid species, similar effects could be expected at roughly 12

– 19 μ g/L, based on the median LC 50 values for Chinook salmon and rainbow trout ( Table 50 ).

8.5.8.6. Swimming

Swimming is a critical function for anadromous salmonids necessary to complete th eir lifecycle. Impairment of swimming may affect feeding, migrating, predator avoidance, and spawning. It is the most frequently assessed behavioral response of toxicity investigations with fish (Little and Finger 1990)

. Swimming activity and swimming capacity of salmonids have been measured following exposures to a variety of AChE

- i nhibiting insecticides including the OPs chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion ( reviewed in NMFS 2008) and the carbamates carbaryl, methomyl, and
carbofuran ( reviewed in NMFS 2009). Swimming capacity is a measure of orientation to flow as well as the phy sical capacity to swim against it (Howard 1975, Dodson and Mayfield 1979)

. Swimming activity includes measurements of frequency and duration of movements, speed and
distance traveled
, frequency and angle of turns, position in the water column, and form andMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

240

pattern of swimming. A review paper published in 1990 summarized many of the experimental swimming behavioral studies and concluded that effects to swimming activity generally occur at lower concentrations than effects to swimming capacity (Little and Finger 1990)

. Therefore, measurements of swimming activity are usually more sensitive than measurements of swimming capacity. A likely re ason is that fishes with impaired swimming to the degree that they cannot orient to flow or maintain position in the water column are moribund ( i.e ., death is imminent). The authors of the review also concluded that swimming

- mediated behaviors are frequen tly adversely affected at 0.3

– 5.0 % of reported fish LC 50 s, and that 75% of reported adverse effects to swimming occurred at concentrations lower than reported LC 50 s. Both swimming activity and swimming capacity are adversely affected by AChE inhibiting insecticides. We located no studies that measured impacts to salmonid swimming behaviors from exposure to thiobencarb. Several studies on eels (discussed previously) showed AChE inhibition at 1/60 th of the LC 50 (200

μ g/L) and observed that affected fish were lethargic, hypoactive, and exhibited reduced opercular movements
, all classic symptoms of AChE poisoning.

8.5.9. Indirect Effects to Salmonids (Prey effects and Habitat Modifications)
Indirect effects on salmon from exposure to thiobencarb include reductions in prey base (aquatic invertebrates), disruptions in primary productivity in salmon habitats (phytoplankton and macrophytes), and effects on riparian vegetation (reduced cover and i ncreased sedimentation).

8.5.9.1. Effects to Salmonid prey

Prey Survival

. Data from several freshwater and marine/estuarine aquatic invertebrates are available to determine their sensitivity to thiobencarb and presented in Table 50 . Ranges in survival EC50s were observed for both freshwater species (~100

- 1200 μg/L, Table 50 ) and marine/estuarine species (150

– 4400 μg/L 16 ). Several of the freshwater species tested are known salmonid prey including water fleas and amphipods. We located few studies that tested
native macro

- invertebrates to CA’s Central Valle y. This is a notable data gap for effects to salmonid prey following exposure to thiobencarb.

16 Individual values obtained from EPA Registration Eligibility Decision, page 43, Table 17. EPA 1996. 'Ecological Effects Test Guidelines OPPTS 850.4000, Background

- Nont arget Plant Testing.' in Ecological Effects Test Guidelines OPPTS 850.4000, Background

- Nontarget Plant Testing
, 15.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

241

Reproduction and Growth

. We located three laboratory studies on the effects of thiobencarb to two freshwater species, a water flea and a chironomid, both of whi ch are fed upon by young salmonids. The FIFRA guideline protocol for a 21

- d chronic test on reproduction and growth was carried out in two separate studies with D. magna

. The number of offspring was reduced by
thiobencarb at 3 and 90 μ g/L (LOECs) with co rresponding NOECs of 1 and 48 μ g/L in the two studies, respectively

. Growth endpoints were not reported in EPA documents. The l imitations with NOECs were discussed previously and should be used with caution as typically they are not

a true ― no effect ‖ co ncentration. Thus we expect some level of effect at 1 and 48 μ g/L for water flea reproduction. In the chironomid study, sediments were spiked with thiobencarb and chironomids were exposed to contaminated sediments for 28 days. The treatment levels for

a queous thiobencarb representing the NOEC and LOEC were 180 and 420 μ g/L, respectively ( Table 50 )

. Other studies summarizing study designs and results with aquatic species can be
found in Table 51

.

Table 51 Study designs and results with aquatic species Taxa/species Assessment

measures Concentrations

tested ( μ g/L) Exposure

duration Effects Data source

Freshwater pond invertebrate communities Species richness

and abundance of groups: Corixidae, Ostracoda, larval Hydrophilidae, larval Dytiscidae, adult Dytiscidae, chironomids, ceratopogonids, calanoids, cy c lopoids Sprayed once at

3.2 lbs/acre (3600 g/HA) = 2700 μ g/L; 3 replicates 5 weeks;

sampled at 1 and 5 wks @ 1 wk reduced

abundance of chironomids, calanoids, and cyclopoids; @ 5 wks highest and lowest species richness and abundance in thiobencarb treatments (Burdett et

al. 2001)

Americamysis bahia (mysid) Life cycle test:

life stage

specific survival and reproduction; Modeled population impacts 0, 22, 35, 76,

181, 345, 734 28 days 22 μ g/L = no effects ; 35 μ g/l = delayed reproduction; 76 μ g/L=reduced overall reproduction; 181 μ g/L = reduced overall reproduction; 345 μ g/L = reduced overall reproduction and (Raimondo

and McKenney 2006)May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

242

Taxa/species Assessment

measures Concentrations

tested ( μ g/L) Exposure

duration Effects Data source

Freshwater pond invertebrate communities Species richness

and abundance of groups: Corixidae, Ostracoda, larval Hydrophilidae, larval Dytiscidae, adult Dytiscidae, chironomids, ceratopogonids, calanoids, cy c lopoids Sprayed once at

3.2 lbs/acre (3600 g/HA) = 2700 μ g/L; 3 replicates 5 weeks;

sampled at 1 and 5 wks @ 1 wk reduced

abundance of chironomids, calanoids, and cyclopoids; @ 5 wks highest and lowest species richness and abundance in thiobencarb treatments (Burdett et

al. 2001)

survival; 734 μ g/L= reduced overall reproduction and survival ; Population
mo deling results: @ 76 μ g/L and above population declines anticipated Ceriodaphnia dubia (daphnid) 48 h survival

tests with field collected water toxicity identification evaluation (TIE);

24 h & 48 h survival E C50 with spiked laboratory water No thiobencarb

detected in field

collected water, TIE experiments; Methylparathion, carbofuran, molinate detected

Treatment concentration not reported 48 h

24 & 48 h exposures No reported effects

from thiobencarb as none detected in samples. Carbofuran and methyl parathion explained toxicity

24 h survival EC 50 = 580 μg/L (95%CI 430

- 790) 48 h survival EC 50 = 510 μg/L (95% CI 400

- 650) (Norberg

King et al. 1991)

8.5.9.2. Aquatic Plants (Phytoplankton and Vascular Plants)

As an herbicide, thiobencarb may impair growth or kill aquatic and riparian plants within salmon
habitats. Table 50 summarizes toxicity data for aquatic primary producers includ ing various types of algal species and vascular plants. Very few data were identified and discussed by EPA regarding the effects of thiobencarb on salmonid habitats. The available information is sparse,May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

243

non

- specific, a nd difficult to translate to habitat assessment endpoints. For example, phytoplankton provide s energy to aquatic systems, while macrophytes provide structural components such as attachment sites for aquatic invertebrates and refugia for salmonids. Data
f rom laboratory bioassays on one species of algae exposed to thiobencarb fail to encompass the complexity of aquatic systems where hundreds of algae make up but one component of a food
web. We located five studies on five species of algae that report reduc tions in growth as measured by cell density. The EC 50 s (derived from 48

- 120 h exposures) ranged from 17

- 4000

μ g/L, and include three species green algae, a cyanobacteria, and a freshwater diatom.

Based on these data, species of green algae were the most and least sensitive ( i.e ., 17 μ g/L and
4000 μ g/L )

. Algae serve as important food for zooplankton and early life stages of aquatic invertebrates. If these test species are representative of aquatic systems, th e n reductions in

pr imary productivity or modifications in community structure via removal of sensitive species may result in ―bottom

- up‖ trophic cascades which may adversely affect salmonids. It is difficult to determine the level of effect as numerous site and species char acteristics drive community

responses.

Loss of structure provided by macrophytes may result in decreased populations of aquatic invertebrates or increased predation on juvenile salmonids. One experimental result is available with the aquatic vascular pla nt, duck weed ( Lemna gibba )
, that addresses loss of macrophytes within aquatic systems. Thiobencarb is predicted to reduce frond production by 50% at 14 days following an exposure of 770 μ g/L with a NOEC of 170 μ g/L. We located no other studies with aquat ic plants. This is a significant data gap given the importance of aquatic plants to healthy
salmonid habitats.

8.5.9.3. Effects on Riparian Vegetation

Riparian vegetation is important for providing shade to the stream, stabilizing the stream banks, reducing sedim entation, and providing organic material input s , both in terms of plant material and terrestrial insects. Riparian vegetation is a major focus of restoration efforts within California, and when present can reduce pesticide loading into aquatic resources. R iparianMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

244

vegetation is a n important assessment endpoint for herbicidal impacts on salmon habitats. Generally there are sparse data regarding the effects of herbicides on wild plants within riparian systems, other than weed species. EPA requires submissi on of crop effects data as part of the registration process (EPA 1996)

. This information currently provides the only basis for evaluating effects on herbaceous plants unless data are available from other sources. Registrant

submitted g uideline studies report vegetative vigor and seedling emergence EC 25 s for
thiobencarb end

- use products (EPA 1996)

. The overall a ssumption is that the sensitivity of plant species tested (typically plants used in agriculture) in the guideline studies will be representative of riparian species. There is no way to know this is the case, therefore a high degree of uncertainty regardin g the toxicity of thiobencarb to riparian vegetation exists

. We note that a Science Advisory Panel in 2001 (now more than 11 years ago) was convened by EPA to review

non

- target plant toxicity tests under the North American Free Trade Agreement. A host of
recommendations were made as well as several research recommendations to fill identified data gaps. We were not able to confirm if any of the recommendations or research initiatives were undertaken although if implemented several would have informed the cu rrent consultations with effects on thiobencarb to aquatic and riparian plants (EPA 2002b)

.

We calculated medians for the range of crop data presented in the EPA asse ssments, and these are presented in Table 50 . Overall, tested monocots (grasses) appear more sensitive than dicots (broadleaf plants) to thiobencar b . For monocots, the seedling emergence endpoint is more sensitive than the vegetative vigor based on NOECs, but based on EC 25 s , the sensitivity of the two endpoints is similar. Thiobencarb affected terrestrial crops at concentrations as low as 0.019 lbs/acre indicating high sensitivity of some plants. Vegetative vigor, shoot length, morta lity, and seedling emergence were all affected at application rates well below authorized label rates. In the tier II seedling emergence test, mortality of test plants occurred in the tests with ryegrass and lettuce. Mortality was the most sensitive toxi c endpoint for these species (plants tended to die shortly after emerging). The most sensitive species was ryegrass, a monocot, for which the L C 25 was 0.019 lb thiobencarb/acre. The most sensitive dicot was cabbage (EC 25 based on shoot length was estimat ed to be 0.082 lb thiobencarb/acre). Based on the results of the terrestrial plant toxicity tests, it appears seedling emergence is the most sensitive endpoint for both dicots
and monocots. No studies were located on the effects of thiobencarb on riparia n vegetation , aMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

245

significant uncertainty

. Additionally, no information was located on effects to established riparian vegetation.

8.5.10. Degradate Toxicity Two ―major‖ 17 degradates were identified in EPA’s California red legged Frog BE , 4

- chlorobenzoic acid and 4

- chlorobenzaldehyde, for which EPA located no toxicity data based on

an ECOTOX database search

. Therefore
, EPA estimated potential effects using a structure activity relationship model, ECOSAR version 1.0. The model predicted aquatic toxicity
concentrations for eight degradates: 4

- chlorobenzoic acid, 4

- chlorobenzaldehyde, thiobencarb sulfoxide, 2

- hydroxythiobencarb, 4

- chlorobenzylmethylsulfone, 4

- chlorobenzylmethylsulfoxide, bencarb, and desmethyl thiobencarb.

The ECOSAR mo del estimated that the two major degradates , 4

- chlorobenzoic acid and 4

- chlorobenzaldehyde, were less toxic than thiobencarb . As none of the other degradates assessed by ECOSAR were considered ―major‖ degradates, EPA assumed that degradate toxicity would be minimal. Overall EPA concluded that none of the degradates would alter its effect
determinations for the California Red

- legged Frog (EPA 2009b)

.

Thiobencarb’s lowest empirical 96

- hr LC 50 for freshwater fish ( white sturgeon ) is 260 μ g/L
, while the ECOSAR model predicted LC 50 s of 2.9 mg/ L (an order of magnitude less toxic ) suggesting that the model under predicts toxicity. The model was also used to predict freshwater
fish 96

- hr LC 50 s for the two major degradates, 421.7 mg/ L for 4

- chlorob enzoic acid, and 5.5 mg/ L for 4

- chlorobenzaldehyde. The lowest predicted degradate 96

- hr LC 50 was 1.6 mg/L for bencarb. It is difficult to determine what significance should be placed on EPA’s toxicity modeling results given the lack of discussion of the non

- major degradates and the absence of a
discussion with in the BE . Bencarb, a carbamate ester, was consistently the most toxic degradate compared to the other degradates across aquatic invertebrate and fish endpoints that were modeled using ECOSAR ( App endix B, (EPA 2009b) ). Bencarb achieved levels just below 10%

17 degradates are considered ―major‖ by EPA if the degradate makes up more than 10% of the parent active ingredient applied following sta ndardized, registrant

- submitted laboratory degradation studies.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

246

in degradation studies
, i.e ., 8.3% at 21 days and 8.1% at thirty days in a photolysis study. Chemical fate and persistence data were not provided. These data indicate that benc arb may be of aquatic concern to salmonids and their habitat , however definitive conclusions on its toxicity is complicated by the lack of empirical information

.

8.5.11. Tank M ixtures

Thiobencarb is often co

- applied with other pesticides, including products that contain propanil, copper sulfate, and many others ( Appendix 4 ). Several thiobencarb labels specifically
recommend co

- application with propanil. Propanil is an herbicide with a wide range of acute
LC 50 s for freshwater fish (2.1

– 12.7 mg/L) and invertebrat es (1.2

– 16 mg/L) (EPA 2009a)

. Rainbow trout are the most sensitive freshwater fish tested with an LC 50 of 2.1 mg/L. Propanil is highly toxic to aquatic (EC 50 0.0 16

- 0.11m g/L) and terrest rial primary producers (EC 25 0.09

- 12 lbs propanil/ acre). Propanil’s degradate, 3,4

- DCA, is 15

- fold more toxic than propanil based on D. magna EC 50 survival test (48

- h EC 50 = 0. 528 μ g/L parent; 0.035 m g/L degradate). We located no fish toxicity studies with 3,4

- DCA and no studies on the potential combinatorial toxicity of thiobencarb and propanil.

While labels do not specifically recommend co

- application of thiobencarb and copper sulfate products, such mixtures are not prohibited and they are co

- applied as tank mixes. In California, pesticide use report data indicate approximately 7% of all sites that receive thiobencarb applications are also treated with copper sulfate on the same day (Appendix four ). Dissolved copper is highly toxic to fish and their invertebrate prey, particularly the olfactory sensory system of salmonids (Baldwin et al. 2003a, Baldwin et al. 2011, De Boeck et al. 1997, Hansen et al. 1999, Hansen et al. 2002, Linbo et al. 2006, Lin bo et al. 2009, McIntyre et al. 2008, Mebane and Arthaud 2010, Sandahl et al. 2004, Tierney et al. 2006, van der Geest et al. 2000, van der Geest et al. 2002)

. Olfaction conveys critical environmental information that fishes use to mat e, locate food, discriminate kin, avoid predators, and home. Any or all of these essential olfactory

mediated behaviors may be affected by exposure to copper. Numerous studies spanning several species have shown ecologically relevant exposures to copper can interfere with fish olfaction, disrupting life history processes that determine individual survival and reproductive success. For example, copper impairs and destroys salmonid olfactory sensory neurons in a matter of minutesMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

247

at low μg/L levels and eff ects persist for hours to weeks depending on exposure concentration
and duration (Baldwin et al. 2003b)

. Measured behavioral effects in salmonids from impaired olfaction include compromised alarm response, loss of ability to avoid copper , interrupted spawning migrations, loss of homing ability, and delayed and reduced downstream migration of juveniles (Baldwin et al. 2003b, Baldwin et al. 2011, Hansen et al. 1999, McIntyre et al. 2008,
Mebane and Arthaud 2010, Sandahl et al. 2004) . Disruption of these essential behaviors reduces the likelihood of an individual salmonid completing its life cycle. If sufficient numbers of individuals are compromised, a population’s abundance and productivity can be reduced.

The e ffect of environmental mixtures of thiobencarb with propanil and co pper sulfate is uncertain as toxicity information assessing these mixtures was not located. Additionally the type of mixture toxicity is difficult to predict as these compounds do not share a mechanism of action. However, all are aquatic herbicides and ar e intentionally applied in combination to increase efficacy in controlling aquatic plants. Therefore, we conclude that impacts of such mixtures to aquatic plant communities will be greater than the impact of thiobencarb alone. Additionally, laboratory st udies suggest propanil and copper are more toxic to a broader range of aquatic fauna than thiobencarb suggesting that in combination, community effects may be increased compared
to thiobencarb alone.

8.5.12. Adjuvant T

oxicity Although no data were provided in the EPA available documents related to adjuvant toxicity, an abundance of toxicity information is available on the effects of the alkylphenol polyethoxylates, a family of non

- ionic surfactants used extensively in combination with pesticides as dispersi ng agents, detergents, emulsifiers, adjuvants, and solubilizers (Xie et al. 2005)

. Two types of alkylphenol polyethoxylates, nonylphenol ( NP ) ethoxylates and octylphenol ethoxylates, degrade in aquatic environments to the more persistent, toxic, and bioaccumulative degradates NP and octylphenol, respectively. We did not receive information on the presence or absence of alkylphe nol polyethoxylates in thiobencarb

- containing formulations. Adjuvants are frequently mixed with formulations prior to applications, so although they may not be present in the formulations they could still be co

- applied. Below we discuss NP’s toxicity as an example ofMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

248

potential adjuvant toxicity, as we received no information on adjuvant use or toxicity within the
B Es provided by EPA

.

We queried EPA’s ECOTOX online database and retrieved 707 records of NP ’s acute toxicity to freshwater and saltwater speci es. The lowest reported LC 50 for salmonids in ECOTOX was 130

μg /L for Atlantic salmon. Aquatic invertebrates, particularly crustaceans, were killed at low concentrations of NP, with the lowest ECOTOX reported LC 50 = 1 μ g/L for H yallela azteca

. These dat a indicate that a n array of aquatic species is killed by NP at low μ g/L concentrations. We also queried EPA’s ECOTOX database for sublethal toxicity and retrieved 689 records of freshwater and saltwater species tested in chronic experiments. The lowest f ish LOEC reported
was 0.15 μ g/L for fathead minnow reproduction. Numerous fish studies reported LOECs at or
below 10 μ g/L.

S almonid prey species a ppear highly sensitive to sublethal effects of NP at low concentrations. The amphipod, Corophium volutato r , grew less and had disrupted sexual differentiation at 10 μg/L (Brown et al. 1999) . Multiple studies with fish indicated that NP disrupts fish endocrine systems by mimicking the female h ormone 17 β

- estradiol (Arsenault et al. 2004, Brown et al. 2003, Lerner et al. 2007a, L erner et al. 2007b, Luo et al. 2005, Madsen et al. 2004, McCormick et al. 2005, Hutchinson et al. 2006, Jardine et al. 2005, Segner 2005)

. NP induced the production of vitellogenin in fish at concentrations ranging from 5

- 100 μg /L (Arukwe and Roe 2008, Hemmer et al. 2002, Ishibashi et al. 2006, Schoenfuss et al. 2008b)

. Vitellogenin is an egg yolk protein produced by mature fem ales in response to 17β

- estradiol, however immature male fish have the capacity to produce vitellogenin if exposed to estrogenic compounds. As such, vitellogenin is a robust biomarker of exposure. A retrospective analysis of an Atlantic salmon population crash suggested the crash was due to NP applied as an adjuvant in a series of pesticide applications in Canada (Brown and Fairchild 2003, Fairchild et al. 1999)

. Addition ally, processes involved in sea water adaptation of salmonid smolts are impaired by NP (Lerner et al. 2007a, Lerner et al. 2007b, Luo et al. 2005, Madsen et al. 2004, McCormick et al. 2005, Jardine et al. 2005)

.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

249

These results demonstrate NP is of concern to aquatic life, particularly salmonid endocrine systems involved in reproduction and smoltification. This summary is for one of the more than 4,000 inerts/other ingredients and adjuvants currently registered for use in pesticide formulations and there are likely others with equally deleterious effects. Unfortunately we received minimal
information on the constituents found in thiobencarb formul ations. Consequently, the effects that these other ingredients may have on listed salmonids and designated critical habitat remain an uncertainty and are a recognized data gap in EPA’s action under this consultation.

8.5.13. Uncertainties and Data Gaps Identifie d from Review of Available Toxicity Information for Thiobencarb 18
1. Translation of aquatic primary producer toxicity data from single species to salmonid aquatic
habitats ; 2. No AChE activity measurements with salmonids ; 3. No empirical data on effects of thiobencarb degradates on fish or habitat assessment endpoints ; 4. No empirical data on impacts to salmonids’ olfaction, endocrine system , immune

- suppression capacity , migration, spawning, or smoltification ; 5. No empirical data on effects to riparian plant species; and, 6. No information on other ingredient toxicity within thiobencarb

- containing formulations

.

8.5.14. Evaluation of Data Available for Response Analysis
We summarize the available toxicity information by assessment endpoint in Table 52

. Data and information reviewed for each assessment endpoint was assigned a general qualitative ranking of either ―low
, ‖ ―moderate
, ‖ or ―high.‖ To achieve a high confidence ranking, the information stemmed from direct measurements of an assessment endpoint, conducted with a listed species or appropriate surrogate, and was from a well

- conducted experiment with stressors of the action or relevant chemical surrogates. A moderate ranking was assigned if one of these three general
criteria was absent
, and low ranking was assigned if two criteria were absent. Evidence of

18 A finding of no information for biological assessment endpoints e.g., AChE inhibition in salmonids, does not meant that salmonids AChE are not affected by thiobencarb.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

250

adverse effects to assessment endpoints for salmonids and their habi tat from thiobencarb was available for acute lethality to salmonids and aquatic invertebrates, and highly variable for the other assessment endpoints. However, much less information was available for other ingredients, due in part to the lack of formulati on information provided in EPA’s BEs as well as the statutory mandate under FIFRA for toxicity data on thiobencarb to support registration. We did locate a substantial amount of data on one group of adjuvants/surfactants, the NP ethoxylates. However, we received minimal information detailing tank mixes and other ingredients within
formulations.

Table 52 . Summary of Toxicity Data for Thiobencarb

Assessment Endpoint Evidence of adverse responses (yes/no) Concentration range of obse rved effect or concentrations tested showing absence of effect (μg/L) Degree of confidence in effects (low, moderate, high)

Salmonid survival (LC 50 ) Yes 760

- 1200, n=7, lowest NOEC=140 (88 d exposure) High

Growth (LOEC) Yes 23

- 800 n= 6 Moderate

Reproduction (LOEC) Yes 110, n=1 High

Respiration Yes 19 , n=1 Low

Swimming

- - -

Olfactory

- mediated behaviors

- - -

Endocrine disruption

- - -

AChE inhibition Yes 220 is 1/60 th of eel LC 50 (30

- 50% AChE inhibition) , n=1 ; estimate for salmonids at 12

- 19 LowMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

251

Assessment Endpoint Evidence of adverse responses (yes/no) Concentration range of obse rved effect or concentrations tested showing absence of effect (μg/L) Degree of confidence in effects (low, moderate, high)

Prey survival Yes 101

- 1200, n=8 High

Prey reproduction and growth

(LOEC) Yes 3

- 420, n=3 High

Aquatic primary production

(EC 50 ) Yes 17

- 4000, n=6 High

Riparian vegetation (terrestrial

EC 25 ) Yes 0.019

- 3.1 lbs thiobencarb/ acre, n=18 High

Additive toxicity of thiocarbamates (molinate+thiobencarb) Yes Multiple , n=2 High

Degradate Toxicity Yes Toxicity responses modeled using EPA ECOSAR model Low

Adjuvant toxicity: Nonylphenol

Survival Reproduction Smoltification Endocrine disruption Prey survival Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 130

- >1000
0.15

- 10
5

- 100
5

- 100
1

- >1000 High High Moderate High High

n indicates number of studies

- indicates no information found on assessment endpointMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

252



### 9. Risk Characterization

In this section we integrate our exposure and response analyses to evaluate the likelihood of
adverse effects to individuals and populations ( Figure 39 ). We combined the exposure analysis with the response analysis to: ( 1) determine the likelihood of salmonid and habitat effects occurring from the stressors of the action; ( 2) evaluate the evidence presented in the exposure
and r esponse analyses to support or refute risk hypotheses; and ( 3) translate fitness level consequences of ind ividual salmonids to population

- level effects

. The risk characterization section concludes with a general summary of species responses from populatio n

- level effects.
We then evaluate the effects to specific ESUs ( i.e

. , species), in the Integration and Synthesis
section.

Figure 39 . Schematic of Risk Characterization Phase. Analyzed within the context of the Environmental Baseline (including multiple stressors such as temperature and environmental mixtures of pesticides); the Status of Listed Resources and Cumulative Effects Effect on individual s

Effects on populations

Effects on species (ESU or DPS)

Can EPA ensure that its action is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species? Effects on habitat

Effects on primary constituent elements

Effects on conservation value of designated habitat

Can EPA ensure that its action is not likely to adversely modify
or destroy designated critical

habitat? Risk Characterizatio n Exposure Profile Response Profile

Addressed in the Integration and Synthesis SectionMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

253

Field incidents of dead fish and crop damage reported in EPA incident database made available
to NMFS We also evaluate incident data supplied by EPA for thiobencarb as a separate line of evidence.
No incidents of fish kills were submitted to us from EPA.

Seven incidents of crop damage were identified. In most cases, no information was available to
characterize drift. EPA ranked one incident as highly probable, three as probable, and three as possible. We are uncertain how to use these data other than adjacent crops have been affected by drifting thiobencarb.

Field studies with thiobencarb from rice irrigation water discharge A series of studies in Halls Bayou were conducted in 1979 to test the effects of Bolero on aquatic organisms following releases of rice irrigation water (Harper et al. 1979) . Fish, phytoplankton, and macroinvertebrates were evaluated. Much of the study reprint is illegible. What can be discerned is that caged fish studies with a variety of species (black drum, striped mullet, grass shrimp, and bullhead minnows) showed mortalities following release of thiobencarb contaminated water a few days after application due to heavy rains. Mortalities ranged from 0 to 100% depending on the species and geographic are a. No reference sites were identified in the study, thus the use of much of the data is questionable. We note that concentrations of thiobencarb may have achieved sufficient levels to kill sensitive fish and grass shrimp (2

– 83 μg/L) at cage sites, howe ver the authors note that other pesticides were also present. No laboratory acute toxicity data were available for the species tested. These unpublished data are of limited utility based on flawed experimental design.

Mixture analysis based on AChE inhi bition In previous biological opinions with AChE inhibiting insecticides, we analyzed the joint effects of multiple AChE inhibiting insecticides using simple, quantitative dose

- response relationships based on empirical data (NMFS 2008a, NMFS 2009d, NMFS 2010a) . We located no experimental data on thiobencarb’s capacity to reduce salmonid A ChE activity and therefore lack the information necessary to conduct a mixture analysis. This does not mean that mixtureMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

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toxicity does not occur, we expect it does given thiobencarb’s common mode of action. When
thiobencarb co

- occurs with other AChE inhi bitors, we expect additivity, and potentially synergism with certain combinations, although we cannot quantify the effects.



### 9.1. Exposure and Response Integration

In Figure 40 we show the overlap between exposure estimates for thiobencarb and concentrations that affect assessment endpoints. This portion of the analysis primarily focuses on thiobencarb, although we do present assessment endpoints for a common adjuvant, nonylphenol, mixture toxicity, and degradate information. The figure shows the exposure concentration ranges (minimum to maximum values) gleaned from the three sources of exposure data we analyzed: E PA’s estimates presented in the BEs that represent crop uses; NMFS’ modeling estimates for flood plain habitats; and surface water monitoring data from ambient monitoring programs and from targeted monitoring. In addition to the salmonid BEs submitted

to NMFS, we also considered the exposure estimates developed by EPA in the BEs for the
California red

- legged frog. The effect concentrations are values taken from the toxicity data
reviewed in the Response Analysis section. For the survival assessment endpo int, effect
concentrations are LC 50 s, thus death of individuals occurring at concentrations below LC 50 s are not represented. Consequently, when LC 50 effect concentrations are not exceeded by the exposure estimates, it does not mean there are no incidences of mortality. Thus for those
instances where LC 50 s do not overlap or are not exceeded by exposure estimates, we discuss the difference in magnitude of the two metrics and apply best professional judgment on whether death of individuals is expected.

T his coarse analysis does not present temporal aspects of exposure nor does it show the distribution of toxicity values. It is also predicated primarily on standard toxicity endpoints as we located few ecologically relevant sublethal or field

- collected dat a, a noted uncertainty with this analysis. However, the analysis does allow us to systematically address which assessment endpoints are likely to be affected by exposure to thiobencarb. Where significant uncertainty arises, we highlight the information a nd discuss its influence on our inferences and conclusions.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

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Most of the concentration ranges overlap with assessment endpoints indicating that adverse effects are expected in salmonids and to their habitat if exposed for sufficient durations ( Figure
40 ). The maximum reported values from CDPR data (16.55 g/L) and NAWQA California data (4.38 μg/L) did not exceed effects concentrations for prey surviva l, fish reproduction, fish growth, or salmonid survival. Concentrations from targeted studies, EPA estimates, flood plain estimates, and early release of rice irrigation water exceeded effect concentrations for all assessment endpoints. Careful analysis is required to determine if exposure to thiobencarb is expected to exceed effect concentrations. For example, the targeted monitoring studies (n=10), reported a value of 8.9 mg/L which represents the highest concentration reported for thiobencarb
in water . The value is the result of an early release of rice irrigation water 2 hrs after application due to a flood event. Thiobencarb labels generally require a holding period of at least 14 days prior to discharge for liquid formulations and up to 30 days fo r granular formulations, thus we did not rely heavily on 8.9 mg/L value to characterize exposure. We note that this value would only pertain to early releases of treated water and expect this to happen infrequently , which monitoring data indicate are reas onably certain to occur despite product labeling ( Table 42 )

. Similarly, the exposure numbers presented for floodplain habitats were generated using a field

scale transport model to assess potential exposure among individuals and habitats. These estimates are extremely relevant given the species habitat requireme nts and the lack of EPA label requirements for set

- backs ( i.e., buffers) to salmonid habitats. However, we recognize that these estimates do not reflect the likely exposure of all individuals and all habitats, including exposure to individuals occupying d eeper habitats and habitats that are not adjacent to thiobencarb applications.

The most sensitive assessment endpoint for direct effects on salmonids was the AChE inhibition (EC 50 ) which was estimated at 12

- 19 μg/L. However, we had low confidence in this study as the information stemmed from eels and was conducted with only one thiobencarb treatment at 220 μg/L. It is uncertain whether salmonids would show the same proportional relationship between
LC 50 and AChE EC 50 exhibited by eels. The next most sensitive assessment endpoint was aquatic primary production where 17 μg/L thiobencarb inhibited algal growth, while other algae were much more tolerant of concentrations up to 4000 μg/L. Survival based on LC 50 s ofMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

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salmonids exposed to thiobencarb in var ious formulations was encompassed by the upper end of concentration ranges observed in targeted studies, EPA estimates, and flood plain habitat estimates. We do not disregard any of these effects at this point in the analysis as the evidence supports eval uation of whether an individual’s fitness or habitat endpoints are compromised.

Figure 40 . Thiobencarb exposure concentrations and effect concentrations for assessment endpoints

Key Findings of Exposure Analysis: The vast majority of exposure to thiobencarb drift is expected to occur during the peak application period of May and June with less frequent exposures expected in April and July. Applications during other months are allowed but are extremely rare (state

- wide average < one application per year). Floodplain habitats alongside rice fields are at the greatest risk of receiving elevated concentrations from aerial and ground applications, i.e., from 37

– 1910 μg/L. S almonid survival LC50 F ish reproduction LOEC Fish growth LOEC P rey survival LC50 Respiration LOEC Aquatic primary production EC50 EPA estimates

F lood plain habitat estimates T argeted studies in receiving waters NAWQA & CALDPR

Early release of discharge water

1 10 100 1000 Thiobencarb concentration ( μ g/L)

Thiobencarb Exposure Concentrations

Effect Concentrations for Assessment EndpointsMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

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Thiobencarb in runoff typically occurs 14

- 30 days post application (after required holding periods), thus the greatest probability of exposure to the highest runoff concentrations likely occurs from mid

- May through the end of July. Riparian systems and multiple life stages of salmonids are likely ex posed to thiobencarb from drift during applications and from runoff following release of rice irrigation water into drainage networks that ultimately return water to salmonid containing waters. Migrating adults, rearing juveniles, and migrating juveniles overlap with peak thiobencarb applications in May and June. Spawning adults, incubating eggs, and emerging fry exposure to thiobencarb is species dependent.

Key Findings of Response Analysis: Aquatic, laboratory toxicity tests indicate that thiobencarb is acutely toxic to fish (multiple endpoints; 19

- 1200 μg/L), invertebrates (survival EC 50 s; 100

- 1200 μg/L), and plants (EC 25 s; 17

– 4000 μg/L). AChE inhibition in salmonids is likely, but unquantifiable as no studies with salmonids
were available. Riparian plants, particularly emergent vegetation, are highly sensitive to thiobencarb drift given agricultural plants sensitivity to thiobencarb. At the labeled rate of 4 lbs a.i./A, 0.55% of the applied material is predicted to drift ~ 1000 ft from an aerial ap plication. That amount of drift would be expected to reduce emergent vegetation seedling growth by 25%.



### 9.2. Evaluation of Risk Hypotheses

In this phase of our analysis we examine the weight of evidence to determine whether it supports or refutes a given risk hypothesis ( Table 53 ). This is not a statistical analysis, but rather a qualitative assessment of the available information presented in the response and exposur e sections. We also highlight general uncertainties and data gaps associated with the data. InMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

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some instances there may be no information specifically related to a given hypothesis. In some cases, if information on a similar endpoint or chemical is avai lable, and it is reasonable to do so, we extrapolate from the available data to fill gaps, recognizing that this may introduce additional uncertainty into the analysis. If the evidence supports the risk hypothesis, we determine whether
it warrants an asse ssment at the population level or affects PCEs to a degree that warrants analysis of the potential to reduce the conservation value of designated critical habitat.

The information available to characterize thiobencarb exposure included surface water
monit oring data and estimates from pesticide transport models (runoff and drift). We combine
this information with the distribution and life

- history characteristics of ESA

- listed Pacific salmonids by ESU. As discussed in the E xposure Analysis section above, e ach source of information has inherent limitations and uncertainties. For example, the pesticide monitoring data were generally not designed to quantify peak exposure concentrations or distributions of exposure in salmonid habitats within the Central Vall ey. Consequently, pesticide exposure models were used to supplement monitoring data, and together this information was used to describe the potential range of pesticide concentrations. We conducted AgDrift model runs to provide estimates for concentratio ns resulting from drift to a shallow and narrow body of water, such as those found in floodplain habitats of the Central Valley. Small streams and many floodplain habitats such as the Yolo bypass are more susceptible to higher pesticide
concentrations tha n larger, high flow systems as their physical characteristics provide less
dilution.

We recognize that pesticide concentrations will vary greatly among salmonid habitats in the Central Valley, and exposure duration and concentration will be reduced by h igher water
volumes and velocities.

Standardized toxicity tests for pesticide registration are typically poor predictors of real world aquatic ecosystems as test organisms are exposed to constant pesticide concentrations for arbitrary durations ( e.g. , acute, 96

- h and chronic, 21

- or 28

- d) that may poorly reflect field exposures, which tend to be repeated exposures Additionally, the tests do not account for exposure to stressors, pesticides and others, already in the water . The response of fish and t heirMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

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prey to different durations of exposure, and exposure representing different environmentally relevant dissipation patterns of thiobencarb is a prominent data gap. Exposure durations sufficient to elicit toxicological responses can occur at durations much shorter than standard toxicity tests. We therefore did not average exposure concentrations over time, i.e ., time

weighted averages, because adverse responses to short term thiobencarb exposures such as pulses would likely be masked.

Large spatial a nd temporal variability exists in the use of aquatic habitats by listed Pacific salmonids in the Central Valley. These differences occur at multiple scales of biological organization ( i.e., individual, population, and species). Both an individual’s life stage and its life history are important considerations in its use of aquatic habitats. This natural variation is overlaid with the inherent variation of environmental factors including climate ( e. g. , precipitation patterns), habitat stressors, and land u se. Given this biological and environmental variability, it is difficult to predict the precise exposure to thiobencarb for any one individual, let alone for a population or species.

C onsequently , we used the life history information of the three speci es to evaluate potential exposure in their myriad aquatic habitats ( Table 28
, Table 30 , and Table 32 ). For example, we found that adult Chinook migrating upstream to reach spawning grounds and juvenile steelhead moving downstream were most a t risk of thiobencarb exposure.

We evaluated the potential for individual fitness consequences ( i.e., assessment endpoints) by comparing the range in expected exposure concentrations with adverse effect levels in the context of aquatic habitat utilizati on. Given the geographic specificity of thiobencarb use in California, we focused on habitats used for rearing and migrating which range from first order streams to large rivers

— the Sacramento River, San Joaquin River, and the Delta. These habitats

are c ritical to successful adult migration, the development and growth of young fish, and for providing safe passage to and from the ocean.

Salmonids also rely on the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean for migration and rearing prior to moving into open ocean areas. In general, thiobencarb exposure will be less intense inMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

260

these areas compared to freshwater systems in the Central Valley. Exceptions may include the
Sacramento

- San Joaquin Delta where juveniles are rearing for extended periods (weeks

- month s) proximate to rice fields that may prematurely release thiobencarb

- contaminated water due to flooding.

This framework allows us to evaluate risk hypotheses based on the spatial and temporal nature of exposure to thiobencarb across CA’s Central Valley. Below we make a determination of whether fitness of individuals is compromised warranting a subsequent analysis at the population
level.

DRIFT: Drift of thiobencarb into salmonid habitats occurs during its application period, primarily May and June, and to a lesser extent in April and July. Concentrations depend on proximity to application area, application method, droplet size, release height, wind speed/direction, receiving water volume/flow, and interception by riparian vegetation. Based on drift stu dies, modeling exercises, and surface water monitoring studies, concentrations may range from non

- detectable to 1910 μg/L (aerial application at edge of field).

RUNOFF: Runoff from rice fields, including planned discharge following holding periods from 14, 19, and 30 days, will result in thiobencarb entering salmonid habitats. Concentrations may attain levels as high as 350 μg/l at 14 d and 47 μg/L at 30 d (both EPA modeling estimates) in discharge
waters. Final concentrations within salmonid habitats receiving the discharge will likely be less than discharge concentrations and will be dependent on factors including receiving water flow and depth. Concentrations may be orders of magnitude higher in runoff if rice irrigation water is
released within hou rs or days post application due to emergency releases. Several field studies reported concentrations in the mg/L range following early, emergency related releases, one attaining levels as high as 8.9 mg/L. We do not expect this to be a common occurrence based on reports over the last decade on frequency and measured concentrations from early releases ( Table 42 )

.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

261

Table 53 . Risk Hypotheses

Effects to salmonids 1. Exposure to thiobencarb via drift or runoff is sufficient to: a. Kill salmonids from direct exposure
b. Reduce salmonid survival through impacts to growth c. Reduce reproduction d. Impair swimming e. Impair respiration f. Reduce salmonid growth through impacts on the availability and quantity of prey

Effects to salmonid habitats 2. Exposure to thiobencarb via drift or runoff is sufficient to: a. Reduce numbers of aquatic primary producers, thereby affecting salmonid prey communities, salmonids, and salmonid instream cover. b. Reduce riparian vegetation to such an extent that stream temperatures are elevated, erosion increases, and reductions in natural coverage results through reduced inputs of large woody debris and vegetation. c. Reduce water quality and prey resources in estuarine environments.

Effects from other stressors of the action and contributing environmental factors 3. Exposure to degradates of thiobencarb will cause adverse effects to salmonids and their habitats.

4. Exposure to adjuvants, tank mixtures and other chemicals within pesticide products containing thiobencarb will cause adverse effects to salmonids and their habitats.

5. Exposure to other pesticides present in the action area can act in combination with thiobencarb to increase effects to salmonids and their habitats.

6. Exposure to elevated temp eratures will enhance the toxicity of the stressors of the action.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

262

9.2.1. Risk Hypotheses

1. Exposure to thiobencarb via drift or runoff is sufficient to:

A. Kill salmonids from direct exposure A substantial body of laboratory toxicity data indicates that 50% of a test population of salmonids die following short term (<96 hrs) exposures to thiobencarb at levels at or above 760 μg/L (lowest reported salmonid LC 50 ). Thiobencarb kills salmonids at concentrations well below
LC 50 s in 96

- hr laboratory studies; h owever few test results reported the number of dead fish at
treatment concentrations below an LC 50 . Exposure duration, health condition of individuals, and concentrations are key determinants of lethality in real world aquatic systems, as are the presence of other stressors of the action and stressors present in the environmental baseline. We located a single embryo

- to

- fry study that reported a survival NOEC of 140 μg/L for salmonid fry (28 days old) following 88 days of continuous flow through exposure fr om 28 days prehatch to 60 days post hatch (Fujimura et al. 1991) . At 250 μg/L (LOEC), survival was reduced by 37% and at 140 μg/L by 1 3% (no statistical difference from controls) (Fujimura et al. 1991) . We don’t expect thiobencarb concentrations to persist at 140 μg/L for 88 days in Central Valley surface waters based on the monitoring data and pesticide exposure models.

We expect that adults and juveniles will die if exposed to thiobencarb

- containing drift from applications proximate to salmonid bearing habitats. We expect that 14

- d releases will kill sensitive individuals if they are located directly downstream from a d ischarge or are present within the drainage network. We also expect that early releases of thiobencarb

- containing rice water into aquatic habitats are sufficient to kill juvenile and adult salmonids Table 44 . For these reasons, we discuss loss of juveniles and adults at the population scale.

B. Reduce salmonid survival through impacts to growth Thiobencarb reduced Chinook salmon growth by 22% at 49 μg/L compared to unexposed fish following 88 days of continuous exposure in a laboratory experiment (Fujimura et al. 1991) . It’s unlikely that concent rations of 50 μg/L or more will be attained and sustained based on available monitoring and pesticide modeling data. Chronic toxicity studies indicate that juvenile fatheadMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

263

minnow and striped bass growth are affected at concent rations ranging from 23 to 2 50 μg/L (LOECs). Exposure duration in these tests varied from 260 days in the fathead minnow tests to between 45 and 52 days for experiments with striped bass. We do not expect any juvenile salmon to be exposed to these concentrations for chronic duratio ns that have been shown to cause impacts to growth ( e.g

. , 45 days or more). S ome juvenile salmon are expected to be exposed to these concentrations for s hort er durations ( e.g . 96 hrs or less)
, however we located no experiments that measured growth over these durations and this assessment endpoint remains highly uncertain. Zebrafish length measured following 96 h exposures to thiobencarb at 0.8, 8.0, 80, and 800 μg/L showed statistically significant reductions at 800 μg/L (NMFS 2011d)

. Additionally , 100% of zebrafish exposed to 800 ug/L were observed as abnormal. Example abnormalities included edema, unhatched eggs, lethargic, deformed fins, and deformed tails (NMFS 2011d)

.

Growth e ffects have been seen with other AChE inhibitors, such as organophosate and carbamate insecticides, however, thiobencarb has extremely low potency compared to these compounds. For these reasons, we conclude that individual fitness will not be compromised due to growth impacts.

C. Reduce reproduction We located one study that reported effects to fish reproduction in freshwater fish ( MRID
45695101 ; (EPA 2009b)

. The LOEC was 110 μg/L (LOEC) following a 260

- day exposure in flow through conditions . Concentrations from drift and early runoff may attain 110 μg/L, however durations of exposure will depend on the receiving habitat and factors such as flow, depth, etc. We also note that the majority of known spawning areas occur outside of rice growing areas. Although, significant reproduction responses such as reductions in the number of eggs spawned and hatching success were observed in this stu dy, there is no information available to assess reproductive responses in salmonids exposed to thiobencarb for relevant exposure durations. Additionally, no adverse responses to reproduction were noted following exposure to 53 μg/L for 260 days (LOEC). F or these reasons, we do not expect reproduction to be affectedMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

264

and therefore do not anticipate an individual’s fitness to be compromised based on effects to reproductive endpoints.

D. Impair swimming Swimming is critical to salmonids at all life stages f ollowing hatching. We found no studies that tested swimming capacity or performance following exposure to thiobencarb. We found no direct information on the AChE response in salmonids following environmentally relevant exposures, which represents a signi ficant data gap. Since thiobencarb is a likely AChE inhibitor, we do expect swimming to be compromised well below salmonid LC 50 . We note that if eels are an appropriate surrogate for AChE inhibition, then salmonids exposed to 1/60 th of the LC 50 would experience 40

- 50% inhibition of AChE. However, we located no evidence to refute or support this assertion. If eels are appropriate surrogates, then salmonids would experience neurotoxic effects such as reduced swimming ability at concentrations of 12

- 19 μg/L thiobencarb (i.e., 1/60 th of the LC 50 ) after a few hours of exposure. We conclude that salmonids likely experience AChE inhibition at concentrations below salmonid LC50s (i.e., 720 μg/L), however we have no empirical information to further refi ne effect thresholds.

Given the targeted monitoring data, EPAs model results, and NMFS flood plain habitat modeling results, swimming is likely affected at concentrations well below LC 50 s, less than 720 μg/L, particularly for sensitive juveniles. We the refore conclude that adult and juvenile fitness are compromised from impaired swimming and discuss population level consequences.

E. Impair respiration Functional breathing is critical to salmonid survival. We located one study that tested this hypothesi s. The study showed that at 19 μg/L BoleroEC gills were abnormally inflamed compared to control fish. Study l imitations include d lack of verification of treatment concentrations, small treatment size ( n = 3 fish) , and no replication within treatments . A lthough the study’s limitations reduce its utility , the data do support adverse responses in fish gills and suggest that thiobencarb is a gill toxicant. If salmonids are as sensitive to BoleroEC as mosquito fish, respiration is likely impaired due to gill damage. Seven day static exposures maintaining an average concentration of ~20 μg/L is a potential scenario in lower flow, shallow, flood plainMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

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habitats as well as in salmonid habitats receiving continuous discharges of thiobencarb from rice growing oper ations. We therefore conclude that damaged gills reduce an individual’s fitness and discuss potential population level consequences.

F. Reduce salmonid growth through impacts on the availability and quantity of prey Thiobencarb inhibits acetylcholinester ase activity in exposed invertebrates. Therefore, we evaluate toxic responses experienced by salmonid prey. The majority of data derive from laboratory bioassays with standard aquatic invertebrates ( Table 50 ). Toxicity values for survival, growth, and reproduction were available and indicate that thiobencarb adversely affects aquatic invertebrates. Concentrations reducing survival ranged from 101

- 1200 μg/L following 48

- 96 hr exposures (EC 50 s). Reproduction and growth endpoints were affected at lower concentrations, 3

- 420 μg/L following 21 d exposures.

Salmonid habitats proximate to rice fields and particularly shallow, low

- flow flood plain habitats

are most at risk of receiving drift. In these areas, thiobencarb levels in drift may attain levels sufficient to kill aquatic invertebrates. Additionally, early releases of rice irrigation water containing thiobencarb may also kill salmonid prey. Therefore, we disc uss the impact on populations of juveniles that rely on invertebrate communities for food.

2. Exposure to thiobencarb is sufficient to:

A. Reduce numbers of aquatic primary producers thereby affecting salmonid prey communities, salmonids, and salmonid instream cover; Aquatic primary producers showed reduced growth (EC 50 s) at concentrations as low as 17 μg/L and as high as 4000 μg/L ( Table 50 ). Both values were reported for species of green algae. No studies were available that tested aquatic community responses to thiobencarb in running water systems or evaluated salmonid habit ats within CA’s Central Valley. The bioassay results indicate that following 48

- hr continuous exposure to thiobencarb, reductions in aquatic primary producers can occur. Translating this information to real world systems is complicated by many
factors in cluding condition and composition of existing instream plant community, community responses to reductions in primary production, and prediction of bottom up effects in systemsMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

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that are severely and continuously compromised by multiple stressors. We conclu de that effects to primary producers are likely, particularly in salmonid habitats receiving drift and those exposed to early release of rice irrigation water. We do not anticipate individual fitness of salmonids to be compromised by anticipated infrequen t reductions in instream primary productivity.

B. Reduce riparian vegetation to such an extent that stream temperatures are elevated, erosions increases, and reductions in natural coverage results through reduced inputs of woody debris and vegetation.

A mount and frequency of thiobencarb drift are the predominant factors in evaluation of riparian vegetation responses. Thiobencarb adversely affects emerging plants, both monocots and dicots, at concentrations as low as 0.019 lb a.i./A, which represents < 1 % of the labeled application rate and is comparable to the drift expected 1000 feet from an aerial application of thiobencarb. If riparian vegetation is as sensitive as the crops tested, they are extremely susceptible to thiobencarb’s herbicidal propertie s. Thiobencarb is applied both aerially and by ground throughout the application period and intensely in May and June. Approximately 25% of known thiobencarb application occur with liquid formulations. Riparian zones that are proximate to applications ar e at the greatest risk of exposure, but even zones that are 1000 ft away from application areas may receive toxic levels. Reductions in riparian systems likely compromise fish fitness by increasing temperatures, increasing erosion/sedimentation, and reduc ing natural

cover.

We therefore conclude that loss of riparian vegetation affects salmonid habitats and salmonids and discuss potential effects to salmonid populations and to designated critical habitats.

C. Reduce water quality and prey resources in es tuarine environments.

We located monitoring data within the San

- Francisco Bay Estuary and Sacramento

- San Joaquin Delta as well as toxicity information from a variety of estuarine and marine organisms. Based on our review of these data we expect that thio bencarb will reach CA’s estuaries; however measuredMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

267

levels attained typically are in the low ng/L range (maximum concentration of 66 ng/L) (Kuivila and Jennings 2007) , orders of magnitude below adverse effect levels. Given these data we do not anticipate water quality in estuaries to be reduced by thio bencarb so we do not evaluate impacts to populations

.

3. Exposure to degradates of thiobencarb will cause adverse effects to salmonids and their
habit ats.

Many degradates are formed as thiobencarb breaks down in aquatic systems. We located no aquatic toxicity information for these degradates, even for those that represent more than 10% of thiobencarb applied. EPA applied structure activity models tha t identified several degradates as highly toxic to fish, invertebrates, and plants. Additionally, EPA predicted that some degradates, such as bencarb may impair salmonids and their habitats. We therefore conclude that thiobencarb degradates will cause adv erse effects to salmonids and their habitats beyond those predicted with
thiobencarb alone.

4. Exposure to adjuvants, tank mixtures and other chemicals within pesticide products containing thiobencarb will cause adverse effects to salmonids and their ha bitats.

In addition to exposure to thiobencarb , which is currently the only stressor of the action incorporated in the EPA’s risk assessment, salmonids and their habitat are likely exposed to other stressors of the action, including additional active ingr edients in formulated products and
tank mixes. Salmonid habitats may also be exposed to a number of the approximately 4,000 inert ingredients approved for use in end

- use pesticide products by EPA, including adjuvants,
surfactants
, and other products that are applied as tank mixtures. Once the mixture (formulated pesticide or tank mix) is introduced into the environment, physico

- chemical properties influence transport and resulting concentrations in sediment, water, and organisms. We expect some of
these chemicals to reach salmonid habitats from spray drift deposition and from runoff events following application. Salmon and their habitats exposed to these multiple stressors are expect ed

to show a greater adverse response than labo ratory animals exposed only to thiobencarb, thusMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

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available toxicity data generally underestimate the response from a field

- applied pesticide
mixture.

4.a. Additional Active Ingredients within Tank Mixes

Some of the active ingredients used in tank mixture s may be more toxic than the active ingredient, for example, copper sulfate. EPA has not consulted with NMFS on most of these active ingredients, and NMFS in this consultation is not evaluating the effects of each of the separate active ingredients with which thiobencarb could be mixed. This is a significant source of uncertainty in the analysis, and NMFS described some of its concerns in this Opinion. Several labels recommend propanil as a tank mixture. Also, copper sulfate is frequently mixed
with thio bencarb based on CDPR data. Propanil is an herbicide with a wide range of acute LC 50 s for freshwater fish (2.1

– 12.7 mg/L) and invertebrates (1.2

– 16 mg/L) (EPA 2009a) . Rainbow trout appe ar the most sensitive freshwater fish tested with an LC 50 of 2.1 mg/L. Propanil is highly toxic to aquatic (EC 50 16

- 110 μ g/L) and terrestrial primary producers (EC 25 0.09

- 12 lbs propanil/ acre). Propanil’s degradate, 3,4

- DCA, is 15 fold more toxic than propanil based on D.

magna EC 50 survival test (48

- h EC 50 = 528 μ g/L parent; 34.9 μ g/L degradate). Drift of propanil into riparian areas and salmonid habitats will likely impair primary producers.

Copper sulfate (and othe r copper organic complexes) readily disassociates in water once transported to aquatic habitats from either drift or runoff. Dissolved copper is acutely toxic at low μg/L concentrations to a wide range of salmonid assessment endpoints, salmonid prey, and primary producers (Fernandes and Henriques 1991, Baldwin et al. 2003b, Baldwin et al. 2011, Hansen et al. 1999, Mebane and Arthaud 2010)

. NMFS believes that for many of these endpoints copper could be signi ficantly more toxic than thiobencarb. Given th e levels of copper used for pest control in CA’s Central Valley, copper is potentially a major toxicant affecting
listed salmonids. However, as noted above, EPA is not consulting on each active ingredient wit h which thiobencarb can be mixed, and NMFS is not in a position to evaluate this hypothesis with respect to the populations at issue in this opinion. Further, measures to keep thiobencarb out of
the water should also reduce concentrations of other active ingredients.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

269

4. b. Inert/other ingredients
Labels for thiobencarb list the percentage of other ingredients, and can be as much as 90% of the
total volume (May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

270

Table 46 ). In past Opinions, other ingredients were referenced on labels and included highly toxic compounds such as aromatic solvents, xylene solvents, and petroleum distillates

. PAHs (in

some arom atic solvents) are known aquatic contaminants, and some have been linked to
carcin ogenic and immunogenic effects. Other aromatic solvents may have a narcotic effect. For example, EPA noted that mixtures of ‖―xylenes and xylene isomers are moderately to h ighly toxic to aquatic species‖ (EPA 2005). Toxic effects vary dependent on the specific chemical.
T he likelihood of these compounds co

- occurring in t he water column is difficult to determine with any specificity, but can reasonably be presumed to occur in spray drift deposition and
runoff.

In addition to other/inert ingredients listed on the labels for the a.i.s considered in this Opinion, thousands of other compounds are approved by EPA as additives to pesticide products without any specific requiremen t for the co mpound identity or amount to be listed on the labels. One example of these ingredients are nonylphenol polyethoxylates, which have been linked to
endocrine d isruption. These chemicals were addressed at length in previous Opinions on EPA pesti cide registrations (NMFS 2008c, NMFS 2009b). There are however, myriad others, some of
whi ch may increase the toxicity of thiobencarb. The majority of a pesticide formulation is often composed of inert ingredients. For example, one thiobencarb label cons idered in this Opinion
has more than >90% other ingredients. Consequently, salmonid exposure to these ingredients may be greater than exposure to thiobencarb

. EPA curr ently has no specific method of accounting for this potential additional toxicity and r isk, but it cannot be ignored. NMFS has opted to address the uncertainty associated with the se ingredients qualitatively

.

Collectively, the available lines of evidence support the overall hypothesis that other stressors of
the action cause adverse effects to salmonids and their habitat. From our review of the available information it is not poss ible to accurately quantify the contribution of other stressors of the
action. These stresso rs include propanil and copper, as well as inert/other ingredients in pesticide formulations . These stressors of the action are an important consideration when assessing potential effects on listed salmonids and their habitat. Thus, to provide the benefit of
the doubt to t he species, we carry forward effects from these other stressors of the action when we discuss effects to salmonid populations.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

271

5. Exposure to other pesticides present in the action area can act in combination with thiobencarb to increase effects to salmon ids and their habitats. The available toxicity and exposure data support th is hypothes is. Other AChE inhibitors ( e.g ., carbamates and organophosphates) found in the action area likely result in additive or synergistic effects to exposed salmo nids and aqua tic invertebrates. The magnitude of effects will depend on
the duration and concentrations of exposure. Effects of exposure to other pesticides are carried forward to the population

- level analysis.

6. Exposure to elevated temperatures can enhance the to xicity of the stressors of the action. We reviewed the available information to determine whether empirical data indicated enhanced toxicity at elevated temperatures for carbamates in general
, and
, in particular
, for thiobencarb. Multiple experimental res ults indicated that increases in temperature resulted in lower LC 50 s for fish, including salmonids (Mayer and Ellersieck, 1988). Acute lethality bioassays with carbamates (aminocarb and carbaryl), showed a distinct relationship between toxicity (measured by 96 h LC 50 s) and temperature (Mayer and Ellersieck, 1988). The se experiments were conducted with brook trout and yellow perch. We recognize that aminocarb and carbaryl are
both N

- methylcarbamates, a separate carbamate class than thiocarbamates (thiobencarb’s class), thus uncertainty exists whether thiocarbamates will respond to temperature in a similar fashion. These data support the hypothesis and we therefore carry forward temperature effects when we discuss effects to salmonid populations.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

272

Table 54 summarizes the preceding discussion covering our risk hypotheses as to whether or not
the stressor s of the action may compromise individual fitness to the listed salmonids within California’s Central Valley.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

273

Table 54 . Summary of determinations to risk h ypotheses.

Effects to salmonids Individual fitness compromised 1. Exposure to thiobencarb via drift or runoff is sufficient to:

a. Kill salmonids from direct exposure yes b. Reduce salmonid survival through impacts to growth no c. Reduce reproduction no d. Impair swimming yes e. Impair respiration yes f. Reduce salmonid growth through impacts on the availability and quantity of prey yes

Effects to salmonid habitats 2. Exposure to thiobencarb via drift or runoff is sufficient to:
a. Reduce aquatic primary producers thereby affecting salmonid prey communities, salmonids, and salmonid instream cover no

b. Reduce riparian vegetation to such an extent that stream temperatures are elevated, erosion increases, and reductions in natural coverage results through reduced inputs of large wood and vegetation. yes

c. Reduce water quality and prey resources in estuarine environments. no

Effects from other stressors of the action and contributing environmental factors 3. Exposure to degradates of thiobencarb will cause adverse effects to salmonids and their habitats. yes

4. Exposure to adjuvants, tank mixtures and other chemicals within pesticide products containing thiobencarb will cause adverse effects to
salmonids and their habitats. yes

5. Exposure to other pesticides present in the action area can act in combination with thiobencarb increase effects to salmonids and their
habitats. yes

6. Exposure to elevated temperatures will enhance the toxicity of the stressors of the action yesMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

274

9.2.2. Population Level Responses
In this section, we discuss the likelihood of individual salmonid fitness consequences rising to the level at which population

- level effects occur 19 . To forecast potential effects at the population level, first we determine the number and life stage of salmonids likely exposed to thiobencarb and the other stressors of the action. Since the overwhelming majority of thiobencarb applications are expected to occur between April and July ( Figure 24 ), we overlay relative abundances of listed salmonid populations during these months in rice

- growing areas of the Central Valley (

19 In previous Opinio ns we used population modeling to evaluate consequences to the population growth rate (lambda) from reduced survival of subyearling salmonids and reduced growth due to AChE effects. We do not employ these models in this Opinion because overlap of thiobenc arb use areas with rearing subyearlings is not expected to a great extent. Therefore we expect much lower number of juveniles to be exposed. This was not the case for other pesticides in previous Opinions.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

275

Table 55 ). Next we evaluate the potential for population level consequences based on the relative abundance information. The more individuals within a population that overlap with high thiobencarb use, the greater the likeliho od for population level consequences. Rearing salmonids showed low abundances in aquatic areas prone to thiobencarb drift and runoff. Migration timing and areas overlapped with thiobencarb use. Juvenile migration abundances were ranked as low
for Chinoo k populations and medium for Central Valley steelhead populations. Migrating juvenile steelhead, therefore have a greater likelihood of exposure to thiobencarb than migrating
Chinook

. We do not expect spawning to co

- occur within rice growing areas for C hinook populations, however upstream migrations of pre

- spawn adults through rice growing areas showed high abundances for spring

- run Chinook, moderate abundances for winter

- run Chinook, and low abundance for steelhead between April and July.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

276

Table 55 . Relative abundance of listed salmonids in rice areas during thiobencarb use periods, April

- July. Listed Species

Populations Life

- Stage Behaviors Expected Abundance

None Low Med High
Central Valley Steelhead : Adult migration X

1 population Spawning X
Early rearing X
Juvenile migration X

Sacramento River Winter

- run Chinook Adult migration X

1 population Spawning X
Early rearing X
Juvenile migration X
Central Valley Spring

run Chinook Adult migration X

3 populations Spawning X
Early rearing X
Juvenile migration X

Based on the expected abundances of juveniles of each species co

- occurring with thiobencarb application periods, we determined that population level consequences are not anticipated in the Central Valley from rice applications of thiobencarb (May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

277

Table 56 )

. The two primary drivers for high concentrations of thiobencarb, drift into shallow flood plain habitats and early release of rice irrigation water are to likely occur infrequently
, and exposure to such concentrations is expected to be infrequent given information on their occurrence and/or on spatial and temporal considerations. Most life stages of the three listed salmonids are not expected to occur in close proximity to thiobencarb u se sites during the period of application and discharge, or are only expected to occur in relatively low abundance. The exceptions are migratory adult Chinook.

A high proportion of spring

- run Chinook adults migrate up the Sacramento River to spawn
durin g thiobencarb application periods, and a moderate number of winter

- run Chinook pass through these areas during peak application months. Adult migration through the rice growing
areas occurs over a 7

- 8 month period compared to the relatively short applicat ion period of thiobencarb, which largely occurs during a span of 6

- 8 weeks. Migrating adults typically follow the thalweg where water is faster and deeper than other areas of the river possibly reducing exposure to edge of field concentrations and decreas ing exposure duration, i.e ., adults may co

occur with thiobencarb albeit where dilution is greatest Table 21 . Overall, we expect adults to be exposed to an array of thiobencarb concentrations, many of which would be in the ng/L range, and potentially some in the ug/L range. Duration of exposure will depend on individual adult behaviors, e.g ., feeding, holding, and migrating, which modulate the toxicity experienced by an individual. Given the toxicity information, we expect some adults to show fitness level effects, however population level consequences are not anticipated.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

278

Table 56

. Salmonid risk hypotheses and population level effects.

Effects to salmonids Individual fitness compromised (yes/no) Population

level effects anticipated (yes/no) 1. Exposure to thiobencarb via drift or runoff is sufficient to:

a. Kill salmonids outright yes no b. Reduce salmonid survival through impacts to growth no
-- c. Reduce reproduction no
-- d. Impair swimming yes no e. Impair respiration yes no f. Reduce salmonid growth through impacts on the availability and quantity of prey yes no

Effects to salmonid habitats 2. Exposure to thiobencarb via drift or runoff is sufficient to: a. Reduce aquatic primary producers thereby affecting salmonid prey communities, salmonids, and salmonid instream cover no
--

b. Reduce riparian vegetation to such an extent that stream temperatures are elevated, erosion increases, and reductions in natural coverage results through reduced inputs of large wood and vegetation. yes no

c. Reduce water quality and prey resources in estuarine environments. no
--

Effects from other stressors of the action and contributing environmental factors 3. Exposure to degradates of thiobencarb will cause adverse effects to salmonids and their habitats. yes no 4. Exposure to adjuvants, tank mixtures and other chemicals within pesticide products containing thiobencarb will cause adverse effects to salmonids and their habitats. yes no

5. Exposure to other pesticides present in the action area can act in combination with thiobencarb increase effects t o salmonids and their habitats. yes no

6. Exposure to elevated temperatures will enhance the toxicity of the stressors of the action yes noMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

279



### 10. Cumulative Effects

Cumulative effects include the effects of future state, tribal, local, or private actions that are reasonably certain to occur in the action area considered by this Opinion (50 CFR 402.02). Future federal actions that are unrelated to the proposed action are not con sidered in this section because they require separate consultation pursuant to section 7 of the ESA.

During this consultation, NMFS searched for information on future state, tribal, local, or private actions that were reasonably certain to occur in the ac tion area. NMFS conducted electronic searches of business journals, trade journals, and newspapers using Google and other electronic search engines. Those searches produced reports on projected population growth, commercial and industrial growth, and glo bal warming. Trends described below highlight the effects of population growth on existing populations and habitats for the Central Valley ESUs/DPSs. Changes in the near

- term (five

- years; 2017) are more likely to occur than longer

- term projects (10

- years ; 2022). Projections are based upon recognized organizations producing best available information and reasonable rough

- trend estimates of change stemming from these data. NMFS analysis provides a snapshot of the effects from these future trends on listed ESUs.

California’s Central Valley, like other regions on the west coast is projected to have some of the most rapid growth of any area in the U.S. within the next few decades. California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington are forecasted to have double digit increases in population for each
decade from 2000 to 2030 (USCB 2005) . According to U.S. Census Bureau figures, California is in step with this prediction with a growth of 10 % between 2000 and 2010. The major rice growing counties are listed in Table 57 . These counties surpassed the state average for population growth. The overall growth rate was 17.4 percent. Placer County grew the most rapidly among the major rice growing counties with a 40.3 percent growth rate (Census Bureau 2010)

.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

280 Table 57 . Population growth rates among major rice growing counties.

County 2000 Census 2010 Census Percent Growth Tehama 56,039 61,136 9.1 Glenn 26,453 28,229 6.7
Butte 203,171 220,577 8.6 Colusa 18,804 21,321 13.4 Sutter 78,930 92,614 17.3
Yuba 60,219 72,925 21.1
Yolo 168,660 199,407 18.2
Placer 248,399 348,552 40.3 Sacramento 1,223,499 1,400,949 14.5 All Combined 2,084,174 2,445,710 17.4

The Delta, East Bay, and Sacramento regions are expected to increase in population by nearly
three million people by the year 2020 (Cali fornia Commercial 2002) . Increases in urbanization and housing developments can impact habitat by altering watershed characteristics, and changing both water use and stormwater runoff patterns. The anticipated growth will occur along both the
I

- 5 and US

- 99 transit corridors in the east and Highway 205/120 in the south and west. Increased growth will place additional burdens on resource allocations, including natural gas, electricity, and water, as well as on infrastructure such as wastewater sanitation plants, roads and highways, and public utilities. Some of these actions, particularly those which are situated away from waterbodies, will not require Federal permits, and thus will not undergo review through the section 7 consultation process with NMFS.

Urban runoff from impervious surfaces and roadways may contain oil, heavy metals, PAHs, and other chemical pollutants and flow into state surface waters. Inputs of these point and non

- point pollution sources into numerous rivers and their tributaries wi ll affect water quality in available spawning and rearing habitat for salmon. Based on the increase in human population growth, we expect an associated increase in the number of NPDES permits issued and the potential listing of more 303(d) waters with hig h pollutant concentrations in state surface waters. Continued growth into forested and other natural areas will continue the cycle of altering landscapes to theMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

281

detriment of salmon habitat. Altered landscapes adversely affect the delivery of sediment and gravel and significantly alter stream hydrology and water quality.

Increased urbanization also is expected to result in increased recreational activities in the region. Among the activities expected to increase in volume and frequency is recreational boating. Boating activities typically result in increased wave action and propeller wash in waterways. This potentially will degrade riparian and wetland habitat by eroding channel banks and mid

channel islands, thereby causing an increase in siltation a nd turbidity. Wakes and propeller wash also churn up benthic sediments thereby potentially resuspending contaminated sediments and degrading areas of submerged vegetation. This, in turn, would reduce habitat quality for the invertebrate forage base requi red for the survival of juvenile salmonids moving through the system. Increased recreational boat operation in the Delta is anticipated to result in more contamination from the operation of gasoline and diesel powered engines on watercraft entering
the wa ter bodies of the Delta. California is widely known for its scenic and natural beauty. Natural areas are used recreationally by residents and tourists. Increases in use could place additional strain on the natural state of park and nature areas that are also occupied by protected species.

In the western states, which includes California, a 2.2 percent rise in agricultural output is anticipated (Figueroa and Woods 2007) . Increases in agricultural practices may negatively affect riparian and wetland habitats through upland modifications that lead to increased siltation or
reduct ions in water flow in stream channels flowing into the action area, including the Sacramento River and Delta. Grazing activities from dairy and cattle operations can degrade or reduce suitable critical habitat for listed salmonids by increasing erosion an d sedimentation, as well as introducing nitrogen, ammonia, and other nutrients into the watershed, which then flow into receiving waters. Stormwater and irrigation discharges related to agricultural activities can contain a heavy nutrient load, numerous p esticides and herbicides that may negatively affect water quality, prey, salmonid reproductive success and survival rates (Dubrovsky et al. 1998)

. Increased output and water diversions for ag riculture may also place greater demands upon limited water resources. Water diversions will reduce flow rates and alter habitat throughoutMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

282

freshwater systems. As water is drawn off, contaminants will become more concentrated in these systems, exacerbati ng contamination issues in habitats for protected species.

Mining has historically been a major component of California’s economy. With national output for metals projected to increase by 4.3% annually, output of western mines should increase markedly (Figueroa and Woods 2007) . Increases in mining activity will add to existing sig nificant levels of mining contaminants entering river basins. Given this trend, we expect existing water degradation in California streams that feed into or provide spawning habitat for threatened and endangered salmonid populations will be exacerbated.

The above non

- federal actions are likely to pose continuous unquantifiable negative effects on listed salmonids addressed in this Opinion. Each activity has negative effects on water quality. They include increases in sedimentation, increased point and non

- point pollution discharges, decreased infiltration of rainwater (leading to decreases in shallow groundwater recharge, decreases in hyporrheic flow, and decreases in summer low flows).

Non

- federal actions likely to occur in or near surface waters in the action area may also have beneficial effects on the species. They include implementation of riparian improvement measures, fish habitat restoration projects, and best management practices ( e.g., associated with timber harvest, grazing, agricultural activities, urban development, road building, recreational activities, and other non

- point source pollution controls).

Coupled with EPA’s registration of the a.i.s of the past four recent Opinions whi ch include Opinion 1: chlorpyrifos, malathion, and diazinon; Opinion 2: carbaryl, carbofuran, and methomyl; Opinion 3: azinphos

- methyl, dimethoate, phorate, methidathion, naled, methyl parathion, disulfoton, fenamiphos, methamidophos, phosmet, ethoprop , and bensulide; Opinion 4: 2,4

- D, triclopyr BEE, diuron, linuron, captan, and chlorothalonil; the effects from anthropogenic growth on the natural environment will continue to affect and influence the overall distribution, survival, and recovery of Pacif ic salmonids in California’s Central Valley.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

283



### 11. Integration and Synthesis for Listed Species

In this section we describe the potential for thiobencarb and its associated stressors to reduce the reproduction, numbers, or distribution of listed anadromous sal monids within California’s Central Valley, taking into account the status of the three species, the environmental baseline,
and cumulative effects.

Our past Biological Opinions on pesticides and Pacific salmonids assessed pesticides authorized
for use ac ross the Pacific NW and California on multiple land types, including multiple crops, which could be applied throughout the year. Due to their broad spatial and temporal use we did not conduct single crop/use analyses.

Thiobencarb’s authorized use is na rrow. In the Western United States it is used solely on rice grown exclusively in the Central Valley of California where soil type, temperature, other climatic factors, and water availability make rice growing possible. Extensive use information
for thio bencarb has been collected by CDPR which provides primary information on when, where, and how much has been applied to rice. For these reasons, we focused the analysis both temporally and spatially to California’s Central Valley which serves as habitat fo r three species of listed anadromous salmonids, Central Valley Spring

- run Chinook, Sacramento River Winter

run Chinook, and California Central Valley Steelhead.

Threats to all three species include loss of historical spawning habitat, degradation of rema ining habitat, and threats to genetic viability. Each species requires cool, clean freshwater for successful development. In the Central Valley, summer water temperatures are suitable above
150

- 500 m elevations; however access to these habitats is typica lly blocked by dams. In the case of steelhead, dams also have reduced expression of the anadromous life history form, greatly reduced the abundance of anadromous individuals, and prevented exchange of migrants among resident populations (i.e., populations located above dams).May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

284

In addition to loss of habitat, each species must contend with widespread habitat degradation and modification of both rearing and migration habitats caused by water development and land

- use practices. Natal streams do not have larg e impassable dams, like many CV streams, but they do have small hydropower dams and water diversions that have greatly reduced or eliminated in

stream flows during critical migration periods. Threats in freshwater migratory corridors include
unscreened or inadequately screened water diversions, predation by native and non

- native species, excessively high temperatures, and pollution from agricultural, urban, and mining land

use.

Past hatchery practices have influenced the genetic viability of steelhead an d spring

- run Chinook. The Feather River spring

- run populations depend on the Feather River Hatchery where production is likely a hybridization between spring

- run and fall

- run Chinook salmon. A declining proportion of wild CV steelhead spawners has result ed in reduced genetic viability, likely caused by increased interactions with hatchery fish. The winter

- run Chinook population is the last surviving population of the species and is dependent on regulated flows of the Sacramento River. The recovery targe t for this species is 110,000 annual adult returns. The
small number of winter

- run Chinook (approximately 8000 annual natural adult returns based on
the1992

- 2007 average) makes the species vulnerable to threats and reduces its capacity to
recover followin g population perturbations. Sustained population declines over past decades raise concerns about the population’s genetic integrity and its capacity to recover from catastrophic events.

River and stream restoration programs, reductions of toxic materials into Central Valley waters, and improved water management are some examples of beneficial activities that have occurred in the Central Valley. Additionally, California’s regulatory agencies identified thiobencarb as an aquatic risk to both humans and aqu atic life more than 20 years ago and have implemented a myriad of actions to reduce its potential to contaminate surface waters of the Central Valley. Measures include mandatory holding periods, application restrictions, a surface water monitoring

program , an education program for applicators, and an enforcement program. In aggregate, these activities have been successful at reducing and tracking thiobencarb entering surface waters.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

285

These activities have reduced exposure to toxic concentrations of thiobe ncarb to the three species.

We anticipate a variety of threats over the next 15 years (described in the Cumulative Effects
Section ). The human population of CA’s Central Valley grew by more than 17% between 2000 and 2010 and is expected to increase annually. The more people in the Central Valley, the larger the urban and residential footprint. Listed salmonids will likely encounter al tered stream and river flows, elevated water temperatures, and more pollutants. High intensity agricultural practices are expected to continue and, left unchecked, can, and do, impact riparian and wetland habitats, cause erosion and sedimentation, and con taminate surface waters with excess nutrients and pesticides. Increases in population and a continuation of high intensity agriculture will likely affect water quantity and quality, salmonid prey, and ultimately may affect the species’ recovery trajectori es.

W e present key findings of the effects analysis which we apply to the final assessment at the species levelMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

286

Table 58

. For each of the three listed species, we ra nk the potential of thiobencarb to reduce the reproduction, numbers, or distribution as Low, Medium, or High. For threatened species, a ―high‖ designation equates to a jeopardy determination. For endangered species, which are more
vulnerable to extinctio n, a medium or high designation equates to a jeopardy determination. In
the Conclusion Section we present jeopardy or no jeopardy determinations.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

287

Table 58 . Key Findings of Effects of the Proposed Action Section
Section of Biological Opinion Summary Finding

Exposure Individual salmonids from each of the three species are expected to be exposed to thiobencarb and its associated stressors.
Response Anticipated levels of thiobencarb and its associated stressors are sufficient to impair several endpoints linked to individual fitness of salmonids.

Risk Characterization Individual fitness consequences are likely, but not expected, to affect populations of the three species.

Environmental Baseline Pesticides, elevated temperature, water flow, other pollutants, and dams are some of the stressors affecting salmonid habitats within the Central Valley. Water quality is severely degraded throughout the Central Valley. California’s current risk reduction measures for thiobe ncarb reduced exposure to listed salmonids and their habitats.

Cumulative Effects Increases in human population and a continuation of high intensity agriculture are anticipated within the Central Valley. Some beneficial activities are also anticipated in cluding river restoration projects and best management practices to improve water quality.

Juveniles and adults that encounter thiobencarb , its degradates, other ingredients within formulations, tank mixture chemicals within the Central Valley may or may not experience adverse effects. Whether a salmonid is affected is a function of how much it is exposed to and for how long. The longer the exposure period the greater the likelihood of experiencing reduced fitness. Similarly, the higher the concentrati ons of the stressors of the action the greater the likelihood of experiencing reduced fitness.

We found that if salmonids rear during thiobencarb’s high use periods proximate to rice fields, they are at risk from drift. In rice growing areas, concentra tions in flood plain habitats and small streams may attain levels that impair swimming, impair breathing, kill salmonid prey, and in
some cases kill salmonids. We expect these occurrences to be infrequent, although not absent. We also expect that these e ffects to be magnified when other pesticides are present or when water temperatures are elevated. Waters that show elevated temperatures and/or contain other pesticides that share a mode of action with thiobencarb i.e., other AChE inhibitors, effects of t he action will be more pronounced and dependent on potency of the chemicals as well as the magnitude of elevated temperature.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

288

The other high risk scenario involves early releases of thiobencarb

- containing irrigation water. Rice water may be released into drainages prematurely during high rain events or from leaky dikes. High concentrations that would kill salmonids and their prey may occur if rice water is released prior to the end of holding periods, particularly rice water released within a few days of application ( Table 45 ). The magnitude of effects depends, in part, on how soon the water is released after application of thiobencarb, how far salmonid

- bearing wate rs are located downstream from the release, how many salmonids are exposed, and how long they are exposed. We anticipate these occurrences as rare given the information reviewed and the current state regulations already in place. Central Valley Spring

- ru n Chinook (Threatened species)

The ESU includes three populations in the upper Sacramento River and its tributaries as well as a population in the Feather River . The spatial distribution has been greatly reduced through extirpation of populations and dams blocking fish passage. Genetic diversity was similarly reduced with the extirpation of all San Joaquin runs. Abundance levels are severely depressed
from historic estimates . T ime series data show that the three tributary populations currently have growth rates just above replacement while the Feather River population is dependent on hatchery augmentation

.

We rank the potential for thiobencarb exposure to cause species level consequences to CV Spring

- run Chinook as low for the following reason s: Exposure of migrating and spawning adults to thiobencarb is limited. Adults returning to their spawning habitats do migrate through rice areas of the Central Valley and are likely to be exposed to thiobencarb based on their relative abundance during pe ak thiobencarb applications (Table 8). However, while the levels and durations of thiobencarb exposure experienced by migrating adults may adversely affect individuals, they are not expected to affect populations because exposures are expected to be confi ned to infrequent incidents of early release of water from treated fields and drift of liquid formulations to floodplain habitats (Table 36).May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

289

Exposure of juveniles to thiobencarb is limited. While some individuals may experience adverse effects of exposu re, the levels and durations of such exposure are not expected to affect juvenile populations because rearing and migrating juveniles have a low probability of exposure to thiobencarb applied near their habitat (reference table 7, table 8). Anticipated ef

fects from reduced riparian zone function will likely be limited based on the narrow application period of thiobencarb May

- June and will primarily be affected where riparian areas are exposed to drift.

Sacramento River Winter

- run Chinook (Endangered speci es)

The Sacramento River Winter

- run Chinook salmon ESU is now comprised of a single population. As there is only one population, any population level effects will directly impact the species. This population spawns and rears in the main stem of the Sacr amento River below Keswick Dam. Abundance and productivity have fluctuated greatly over the past two decades. The genetic diversity of this population has been reduced substantially through small population sizes and the influence of hatchery fish. The large fluctuations in productivity and abundance indicate that the species is highly vulnerable to extinction.

We rank the potential for thiobencarb exposure to cause species level consequences to
Sacramento River Winter

- run Chinook as low for the follow ing reasons:

Exposure of migrating and spawning adults to thiobencarb is limited. While some adults migrating through rice growing areas will be exposed to thiobencarb, all known spawning is located at higher elevations than rice fields (current Figure 6 ). We expect that some individuals will be exposed to thiobencarb drift and runoff during migration (current Tables 9, 10), possibly experiencing adverse effects, but, overall, we do not expect population level consequences for adult winter

- run Chinook (T able 36). Exposure of juveniles to thiobencarb is limited. Spawning grounds are located up

- stream of rice growing areas (Current Figure 6), and most juvenile migrations through Central Valley rice

- growing areas do not occur during the time period when t hiobencarb isMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

290

applied (Snider and Titus 2000, Bajjaliya and Vincik, 2008, USFWS 2010, 2012). Thus, the probability of exposure to thiobencarb via drift and runoff into aquatic habitats in close proximity to rice fields is low. Anticipated effects from redu ced riparian zone function will likely be limited based on the narrow application period of thiobencarb May

- June and will primarily be affected where riparian areas are exposed to drift.

California Central Valley Steelhead (Threatened species)

The DPS consists of 81 historical and independent populations. Its spatial structure has been greatly reduced by loss of habitat diversity and tributary access from dams. Available information shows a significant long

- term downward trend in abundance (NMFS, 2009 a). Population losses and reduction in abundance have reduced the genetic diversity that existed
within the DPS.

We rank the potential for thiobencarb exposure to cause species level consequences to Central Valley steelhead as low for the following reason s: Exposure of migrating and spawning adults to thiobencarb is limited. Co

- occurrence of thiobencarb application with spawning adults is unlikely based on the location of known spawning areas relative to where rice is grown (current Figure 7). There is a lso little temporal overlap between thiobencarb application and adult migration through rice growing areas (currently Table 11). Exposure of rearing and migrating juveniles to thiobencarb is limited. Co

- occurrence of thiobencarb with egg incubation, fr y emergence, and early rearing is unlikely based on the location of known spawning areas relative to where rice is grown (current Figure 7). There may be some exposure of outmigrating juveniles to thiobencarb, especially in the San Joaquin and Mokelumne R ivers, however very little information is available on steelhead use of these rivers (current Tables 11, 12). Overall, while some individual juveniles may experience adverse effects during migratory periods, we do not expect population level consequences (Table 36).May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

291

Anticipated effects from reduced riparian zone function will likely be limited based on the narrow application period of thiobencarb May

- June and will primarily be affected where riparian areas are exposed to drift.

Table 59 . Summary Findings for Species

Species Co

- occurrence of action

with rice growing areas in California Potential for reduction in reproduction, numbers, distribution Populations Species Central Valley Spring

run Chinook (T) Yes Low Low

Sacramento River
Winter

- Run (E) Yes Low Low
California Central Valley Steelhead (T) Yes Low Low

T = threatened; E = endangeredMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

292



### 12. Effects of the Proposed Action on Designated Critical Habitat

NMFS’ critical habitat analysis determines whether the proposed action will likely destroy or adversely modify critical habitat for ESA

- listed species by examining potential reductions in the conservation value of the essential features of designated critical habitat. Our analysis does not rely on the regulat ory definition of ―adverse modification or destruction‖ of critical habitat. Instead, we rely on the statutory provisions of the ESA, including those in section 3 that define ―critical habitat‖ and ―conservation‖, those in section 4 that describe the desi gnation process, and those in section 7 setting forth the substantive protections and procedural aspects of consultation. In this section NMFS evaluates the potential consequences to designated critical habitat from exposure to the stressors of the propose d action. T he pathway of analysis is presented in Figure
41 . It is similar in structure to the jeopardy analysis, but focuses on whether th e propose d action is likely to destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat for listed Pacific salmonids. We first determine the potential for critical habitat to be exposed to the stressors of the proposed
action. If we conclude that critical habitat is likely to be exposed, we assess the consequences of that exposure on the quality, quantity, or availability of one or more of those primary constituent elements (PCEs) that comprise critical habitat. Water quality, forage (prey availability), and

natur al cover (riparian plants) are key attributes of salmonid PCEs that are susceptible to the stressors of the action. Water quality encompasses a range of typically measured parameters, including dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity, and presence of che mical contaminants in sufficient concentrations to adversely affect aquatic organisms.

Because the proposed action would degrade water quality by introducing thiobencarb and other chemicals, we evaluate concentrations of thiobencarb likely to adversely affect fish, prey, and

terre s t r ial and aquatic plants as measures of degraded water quality. This analysis is conducted by comparing toxicity information reviewed earlier in the Response section with expected
concentrations in salmonid habitats. Similarl y, we evaluate adverse effects to salmonid prey to determine the effects of the action on prey availability and forage, a key attribute for many
salmonid PCEs.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

293

Figure 41

. Assessment Framework for Designated Critical Habitat Assessment Framework for Designated Critical Habitat Analyses based on the best scientific and commercial data available on pesticide products use, transport, fate, toxicity, and species ecology Habitat responses Response Analysis Exposure Analysis

Response Profile Effects of pesticide products on designated critical habitat

Exposure Profile Co

- occurrence of pesticide products and geographic range of critical habitat

Risk Characterizatio
n Stressors of the Action

Effects on water quality and prey availability within Primary Constituent Elements (PCEs)

Effects on the function of the critical habitat to support the intended
c onservation role for the species

Can EPA ensure its action is not likely to adversely modify or destroy designate d critical

habitat? Analyzed within the context of the Environmental Baseline (including multiple stressors such as temperature and environmental mixtures of pesticides); the Status of Listed Resources; and Cumulative Effects Conducted in the Integration and Synthesis SectionMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

294

We formulated several risk hypotheses to assess potential changes in PCEs of designated critical habitat based on: 1) the likely concentrations tha t would be observed where critical habitat is exposed to chemicals derived from pesticide applications; and 2) the response of PCEs to the anticipated concentrations.

NMFS used the assigned conservation values (high, medium, and low) of watersheds within each ESU/DPS for the PCEs of critical habitat identified for each life stage common to listed salmonids (described in the Status of Listed Resources section). Because watersheds with high conservation value are essential to the conservation of the species, reductions in the quantity, quality, or distribution of the PCEs supporting that watershed would be expected to adversely
affect the function of cr itical habitat to support its intended conservation role. We assess these
watersheds within the Integration and Synthesis for Designated Critical Habitat section. NMFS has designated critical habitat for each of the three species. The action area for t his Opinion encompasses all designated critical habitat for the three listed Pacific salmon ids in the Central Valley . The PCEs for each listed species are described in the Status of Listed Resources section of this Opinion. As the species of salmonids ad dressed in this Opinion have similar life history characteristics, they share many of the same PCEs. These PCEs include sites that support one or more life stages (sites for spawning, rearing, migration, and foraging) and contain physical or biological fe atures essential to the conservation of the ESU/DPS, including:
1. freshwater spawning sites;
2. freshwater rearing sites;
3. freshwater migration corridors;
4. estuarine areas;
5. nearshore marine areas 20 ; and
6. offshore marine areas.

20 Nearshore marine areas are free of obstruction and excessive predation with: (i) water quality and quantity conditions and forage, including aquatic invertebrates and fishes, supporting growth and maturation; and (ii) natural cover such as submerged and overhanging large wood, aquatic vegetation, large rocks and boulders, and side channels (70 FR 52488; 73 FR 7816).May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

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Water quality, prey availabilit y (forage), and natural cover in freshwater and estuarine areas are susceptible to the effects of the proposed action where they overlap with the stressors of the action. Effects to water quality and prey availability will be evaluated to determine the
li kelihood of reducing the quality of PCEs such as spawning and rearing sites, or migration corridors. Given the use and environmental fate profile of the pesticide formulations containing thiobencarb, we do not expect offshore marine areas and nearshore ma rine areas to be affected. Therefore, a risk hypothesis was not developed for offshore marine areas or for nearshore marine
areas and further evaluation of these PCEs are unwarranted.

Good water quality is a necessary attribute of all PCEs to support t he conservation role of designated critical habitat. Water quality is clearly degraded when pesticides and other stressors of the action reach levels in salmonid habitat that are sufficient to affect aquatic organisms, including those that reduce individu al fitness of exposed salmonids. Impacts to salmonid fitness were evaluated earlier in the document and these impacts are used as indicators of degraded water quality. We evaluate exposure and effect concentrations presented earlier in the Effects of
the Proposed Action section to determine whether PCEs are affected. We re

- evaluate the information to determine potential effects to PCEs.

We also evaluate effects on salmonid prey because forage is an essential attribute of all PCEs except in spawning si tes. Freshwater juvenile rearing and migratory habitats as well as some estuarine and nearshore marine areas must provide sufficient forage that support salmonid growth and development in the Central Valley. Reductions in the abundance of prey items can decrease the quality of rearing, migration, and estuarine PCEs, as they will support fewer individuals, especially during a salmonid’s first year of survival

. Reductions in prey can reduce a PCE’s potential to support salmonids (juvenile development, grow th, maturation, survival), thereby reducing the carrying capacity of critical habitat.

We evaluated toxicity assessment endpoints including prey survival (EC 50 /LC 50 ), prey growth, prey drift, prey reproduction, prey abundance, health condition of invert ebrate aquatic communities (using indices of biological integrity), aquatic primary producers, terrestrial plants in riparian zones, and recovery of aquatic communities following thiobencarb exposure toMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

296

determine whether expected concentrations are suffici ent to affect PCEs for salmonid critical
habitats.

Exposure of designated critical habitats to the stressors of the action: Designated critical habitat for the three species is located within the action area. Many freshwater areas overlap with the allowable uses of thiobencarb authorizations (Appendix 6).
The stressors of the action contaminate these habitats via drift and ru noff (including from irrigation returns), and to a lesser extent from atmospheric deposition. Once in salmonid habitats of the Central Valley, thiobencarb persists for a period of time; the extent of which is dependent on the chemical, biological, and phy sical environment of the contaminated aquatic habitats. Expected concentrations of other/inert ingredients and adjuvants added to formulations prior to application remain unknown

- a data gap.

Table 48 (summary exposure section depicting concentrations) shows expected concentrations of thiobencarb and its degradates that were derived from EPA BEs, EPA incident data, surface water monitoring data, and NMFS exposure m odeling estimates. These data will be discussed in the context of spawning, rearing, migrating, and estuarine PCEs. The vast majority of exposure information applies more readily to freshwater habitats compared to estuarine where much less
information is available.

Responses of salmonid habitats to the stressors of the action If PCEs are exposed to the stressors, we evaluate the level at which thiobencarb, any toxic degradates, and inert/other ingredients adversely affect water quality, prey availability , and natural cover (terrestrial and aquatic primary production). For many of the other ingredients, recommended tank mixtures, and degradates, not only was there no available exposure information, but also little to no toxicity information. In the Respo nse and Risk Characterization
sections of the Effects of the Proposed Action , we showed that applications of thiobencarb can result in concentrations that may reduce salmonid survival, growth, swimming, respiration, and reduce riparian vegetation, all whic h independently translate to a degradation of water quality
Table 52

. These types of individual fi t ness consequences demonstrate a degradation of water quality in affected habitats.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

297

We summarized the available toxicity information in the Response Analysis ( Table 52 ). It is important to note that the toxicity of thiobencarb is variable depending on the biological endpoint ( e.g. , acute lethality to fish and invertebrates) , the levels expected in salmonid habitats, the presence of other AChE

- inhibiting pesticides, and whether elevated water temperatures occur.



### 12.1. Risk Characterization

NMFS reviews the status of designated critical habitat affected by the proposed action separate from species effects by examining the condition and trends of primary constituent elements (PCEs) throughout the action area. PCEs are the physical and biological features identified as essential to the conservation of listed species. The PCEs f or salmonids are identified in The Status of the Species section. We determined the PCEs at risk from the use of thiobencarb are freshwater rearing, freshwater migration, and time spent in estuarine areas. Spawning areas for each of the species are upstr eam of current rice growing areas. Therefore, the freshwater spawning PCE is not considered at risk from this action. Also, considering the use of
thiobencarb is limited to rice which is more than 40 miles from the California coast , we do not
consider ne arshore or offshore marine PCEs at risk from this action.

We use the toxicity information presented earlier in the Response section to evaluate the scientific lines of evidence that support or refute risk hypotheses developed for designated
critical hab itats. Freshwater rearing sites and migration corridors within designated critical habitats are likely to be exposed to the stressors of the action over the 15

- year registration duration. We estimate expected concentrations and durations of exposure for these habitats based on pesticide use information, surface water monitoring data, EPA modeling estimates, and NMFS modeling estimates. For each risk hypothesis below, we qualitatively weigh the evidence to determine whether the PCE attributes of water qua lity and/or prey availability are affected. We ultimately determine whether the degradation of water quality, prey availability, and natural cover within freshwater rearing and migration corridors will rise to the level expected to reduce
the intended con servation role of designated critical habitats, which is evaluated within theMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

298

Integration and Synthesis for Designated Critical Habitat section. The final conclusion of whether EPA’s proposed action with thiobencarb containing end use products are likely to adversely modify or destroy a species’ designated critical habitat is provided in the Conclusion
section.

Risk hypothesis 1. Exposure to the stressors of the action is sufficient to degrade water quality, natural cover, and /or reduce prey availabili ty in freshwater rearing and migration areas.

Freshwater rearing and migration areas need to provide good water quality, abundant forage, and natural cover to support juvenile development, mobility and survival. Reductions in any of these
attributes fro m the stressors of the action can limit the existing and potential carrying capacity of rearing and migration areas and subsequently reduce their conservation value. Recovery of listed salmonid populations in the Central Valley is tied closely to the succ ess of juveniles to fully develop, mature, and grow during freshwater residency periods. All species of Pacific salmonids spend some amount of time in freshwater feeding and rearing areas. Chinook and steelhead spend much longer periods rearing in freshw ater systems with steelhead trout spending up to several years before migrating to the ocean.

Freshwater rearing areas are diverse, extensive, and complex sites that can range from small, shallow, intermittent floodplain habitats to channel edges of lar ge river systems such as the Sacramento River. Salmon recovery plans also call for floodplain connectivity and other restoration activities to improve rearing. Many freshwater salmonid rearing sites are located in floodplains where shallow, low flow habi tats are at high risk of thiobencarb drift and runoff. The Yolo Bypass, when inundated, is one example. Habitats such as the Yolo provide abundant prey and are important foraging areas for developing juveniles (Sommer et al. 2001)

.

Expected floodplain concentrations of thiobencarb are shown in the Exposure and Response Integration section above ( Table 52 ). At these concentrations, water quality would be affected because concentrations exceed toxicity thresholds for fish and aquatic invertebrate survival as well as for plankton and aquatic ma crophyte growth and survival. Additionally, we expect modification to riparian and floodplain vegetation will result in decreased prey production,May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

299

decreased shading of these habitats, and an increase in the occurrence of elevated temperatures
that are str essful to salmonids in freshwater rearing sites.

The habitats most likely affected would be those areas that receive primary drift from application or direct runoff from early releases of treated rice irrigation water. In these circumstances,
thiobencar

b may reduce forage availability because concentrations can reach levels that kill prey and affect their growth and reproduction (shown in the Exposure and Response Integration section above ( Figure 40 ).

Thiobencarb is applied primarily in May, and rice discharge waters are typically released in June or July after the required holding period. As previously stated, the Yolo Bypass floodplain is an important rearing area for juvenile salmonids when inundated by flood waters. Rice planting and subsequent thiobencarb application in the Yolo occurs after the water has receded and the salmonids are gone. 21 During the rice growing period, the Yolo ceases to be an available rearing
area. While drift or runoff of thiobencarb may affect some salmonid prey and natural cover on the Yolo, we do not know to what extent the vegetation and prey will rebound prior to subsequent flood events.

The extent surface waters flowing through rice growing areas are used by salmonids for rearing ( i.e ., not merely a migratory corridor) is unknown. We presume rearing occurs within rice growing areas. Rearing in the Sacramento River for Chinook and steelhead is likely along shallow edge habitats where emergent vascular plants and/or over

- hanging vegetation provide shelter and prey resources. We would expect prey to be adversely affected in shallower areas receiving direct drift or early release of rice irrigation waters. W ater quality would be adversely
affected at those sites where runoff and drift occur.

We also anticipate that in some situations, surface waters in the CA Central Valley receiving thiobencarb drift or early release of rice irrigation waters will alter ch aracteristics of the plant

21 Some Chinook may be entrained in perennial ponds within the Yolo floodplain. These fish would be exposed to excess temperatures and predation and are considered lost to the population Sommer, T., Harrell, W., and Nobriga, M. 2005a. Habitat use and stranding risk of juvenile Chinook salmon on a seasonal floodplain. North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 25(4): 1493

- 504.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

300

communities in freshwater rearing and migration areas, thereby decreasing the availability of cover for salmonids and their prey. Aquatic plants provided natural cover for salmonids as well as prey habitat. Thiobencarb is acute ly toxic to a range of terrestrial and primary producers. Aquatic primary producers showed reduced growth (EC 50 s) at concentrations as low as 17 μg/L and as high as 4000 μg/L ( Table 50 ). Both values were reported for green algae. No studies were available that tested aquatic community responses to thiobencarb in running water systems and none that evaluated salmonid habitats within the Central Valley. The bioassay results indicate that following 48

- h continuous exposure to thiobencarb, reductions in aquatic primary producers can occur. Aquatic vegetation provides cover to salmonids from avian predation as well as protection from larger fish. In addi tion, a diverse vascular plant community provides important substrate for an array of insect species upon which young salmon prey. We conclude that effects to primary producers are likely, particularly in salmonid habitats receiving
thiobencarb drift from aerial applications and those areas exposed to early release of rice water.

Collectively the data indicate that expected concentrations of thiobencarb from drift and early release of treated rice water are sufficient to adversely affect water quality, salmonid prey, and natural cover attributes of freshwater rearing and migration PCEs. Therefore, we evaluate these effects in order to determine whether the conservation value of species’ designated critical habitats will be reduced (see Integration and S ynthesis for Designated Critical Habitat section below). The final conclusion of whether EPA’s proposed action with thiobencarb containing end use products are likely to adversely modify or destroy a species’ designated critical habitat is provided in the Conclusion section.

Risk hypothesis 2. Exposure to the stressors of the action is sufficient to degrade riparian areas adjacent to rearing and migration corridors.

Few studies were found on the effects of thiobencarb on riparian and aquatic (non

- target) vegetation. Registrant submitted data indicated that thiobencarb is highly toxic to non

- target plants where EC 25 s ranged from 0.019

– 3.1 lbs/A active ingredient. In a field study, tolerant and susceptible species of non

- target bayou and lev ee vegetation adjacent to rice fields were recorded following treatment with Bolero 8 EC (Lauck 1979) . All species of levee vege tation examinedMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

301

had emerged and were in a mature stage of development and new foliage of the bayou woody plants was rapidly expanding during the period of Bolero usage. The author did not evaluate long term effects to plants. All species had been directl y exposed to Bolero by an aerial application at the label rate, 4 lbs/A. One plant showed symptoms of injury due to Bolero applications, reed canary grass. Growth and maturity was reduced by 55 percent relative to untreated plants (Lauck 1979) . Based on these results, we conclude that grasses and sedges in riparian areas may be susceptible to adverse effects in areas receiving dr ift from thiobencarb applications. Vascular plants and other macrophytes are important structural elements that provide important cover to salmonids in their preferred freshwater rearing areas.

It is unclear how established woody plants in the riparian corridor of the Sacramento and San Joaquin may respond to varying concentrations of thiobencarb containing drift. We can only presume that, at a minimum, new growth may be adversely affected. Drift may also adversely affect the growth performance of see dling trees. If this were the case, long

- term health and function of those riparian zones receiving drift annually may be impaired. In extreme cases, where woody vegetation is eliminated from riparian zones to the extent that bank destabilization

occurs, altered stream hydrology could affect the availability of other cover including rocks, side channels, and undercut banks. One extreme example suggested that the application of an herbicide to a riparian zone caused major long

- term changes to the hydrolog y of a stream and degraded fish habitat ( http://water.epa.gov/scitech/datait/tools/warsss/streamero.cfm ).
Herbicide

- induced changes to vegetative communities in the riparian zone and aquatic habitat also have implications for the availability of prey as salmonids consume both terrestrial and aquatic insects. As plant communities are modified in riparian zones, the species that rely on them will also be affected. Habitat response s in these environments are expected to be variable and will depend on the sensitivity of existing plants to thiobencarb in conjunction with the other
stressors in the environment.

Collectively expected concentrations of thiobencarb from drift are suffic ient to adversely affect riparian areas adjacent to rearing and migration corridors affecting water quality, salmonid prey, and natural cover attributes of freshwater rearing and migration PCEs. Therefore, we evaluate
these effects in order to determine w hether the conservation value of species’ designated criticalMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

302

habitats will be reduced (see Integration and Synthesis for Designated Critical Habitat section below). The final conclusion of whether EPA’s proposed action with thiobencarb

- containing
end use products are likely to adversely modify or destroy a species’ designated critical habitat is provided in the Conclusion section.

Risk hypothesis 3. Exposure to the stressors of the action is sufficient to degrade water quality, natural cover, and/or red uce prey availability in estuarine areas.

Estuarine areas require good water quality to support juvenile and adult physiological transitions between fresh water and salt water as well as to provide juvenile and adult cover and prey
resources sufficient to support survival, growth, and maturation. Prey resources for Pacific salmonids within estuaries include a diverse group of organisms from aquatic invertebrates to small fishes. The allowable uses of the stressors of the action overlap with estuaries des ignated
as critical habitat (Kuivila and Jennings 2007)

.

Contamination of estuaries occurs via drift, runoff, and atmospheric deposition. Streams and rivers flowing into estuaries act as conveyor be lts as they transport the stressors of the action from areas higher in watersheds (Johnson et al. 1997 ) . EPA did not provide estimates for thiobencarb concentrations in estuarine habitats. A study to characterize the temporal inputs of thiobencarb (along with five other pesticides) into San Francisco Bay found thiobencarb in 28 percent of the samples. The samples were taken 8 km downstream of the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers beginning in mid

- May, following the release of rice

- field

water (Kuivila and Jennings 2007) . Water sa mples were collected daily or twice

- daily from mid

January through mid

- July. The maximum concentration detected was 66 ng/L in late May. It is impossible to determine how representative this value is relative to other areas in the estuary that may be occ upied by listed salmonids, or relative to other values on subsequent years. However, the sample site selected receives the majority of flow from the Sacramento prior to entering the San Francisco Bay (Kui vila and Jennings 2007) . The maximum value reported, 66 ng/L, is very low relative to freshwater toxicity endpoints we reviewed ( Table 52 ). The oc currence of thiobencarb followed the application season ( Figure 24 ), and the concentration of thiobencarb spiked following release of rice

- field water

.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

303

The available toxicity information for estuarine and marine organisms for thiobencarb is presented in Table 60 as reported in EPA’s Red Legged Frog BE for thiobencarb. The estuarine aquatic toxicity data are from survival assays for the Atlantic silverside (fish) and mysid (estuarine invertebrate), and chronic results were reported for the Atlantic silverside and Opossum shrimp. The available studies indicate a similar range of sensitivity to thiobencarb. The toxicity values reported are three orders of magnitude greater than concentrations found in the estuary (Kuivila and Jennings 2007) . Without additional toxicity studies on specific prey organisms residing in the Sacramento

- San Joaquin estuary, it is impossible to say for sure how thiobencarb exposures similar to those reported would affect salmonid prey. However, if responses are similar to those found for the opossum shrimp, concentrations would have to be 100 times greater for an observable effect. It is unlikely that concentrations reported would be exceeded elsewhere in the estuary. Collectively, d ata do not suggest that estuarine PCEs are adversely affected, therefore we do not carry this hypothesis forward in our analysis of impacts to the conservation value of designated critical habitat.

Table 60

. Thiobencarb’s a ssessmen t endpoint toxicity values (μg/L) for saltwater aquatic organisms presented in California Red

- Legged Frog (CRLF) BEs

.

Assessment endpoint Test Species Toxicity Value ( μ g/L) Citation

Estuarine/marine fish Acute Atlantic silverside Menidia menidia 96

- h LC 50 = 204 (96 h) (EPA 2009b)

Chronic Atlantic silverside

Menidia menidia NOEC = 6 (estimated) (EPA 2009b)

Estuarine/marine invertebrates Acute Mysid Americamysis bahia 96

- h LC 50 = 150 (110

- 200) (EPA 2009b)

Chronic Opossum Shrimp

Neomysis mercedis NOEC = 3.2 LOEC = 6.2 (EPA 2009b)May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

304

12.1.1. Summary of the E ffects of the A ction on PCEs We conclude that the available information on exposure and response of aquatic habitats to the stressors of the action supports two of the three risk hypotheses (May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

305

Table 61 ). We expect essential physical and biological features will be reduced in rearing and migratory habitats, and that riparian vegetation will be negatively affected. Next, within the Integration and Synthesis of Effects to Designated C ritical Habitat section, we evaluate whether these adverse changes to PCEs affect the conservation value of designated critical habitat.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

306

Table 61 . Risk to the primary constituent elements (PCEs) from stressors of the proposed ac tion.

PCE Essential Physical or Biological Feature PCE at Risk from Stressors of the Action? Freshwater Spawning Water Quality Water Quantity Substrate No
No
No Freshwater Rearing Water Quantity Floodplain Connectivity Water Quality Forage Natural Cover No No Yes Yes
Yes Freshwater Migration Free of Obstructions Water Quality Water Quantity Natural Cover No Yes
No Yes
Estuarine Areas Free of Obstruction Water Quality Water Quantity Salinity Forage Natural Cover No No
No
No
No No
Nearshore Marine Free of Obstruction Water Quality Water Quantity Natural Cover Forage No
No
No
No No Offshore Marine Water Quality Forage No
NoMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

307



### 12.2. Integration and Synthesis for Designated Critical Habitat

This section describes NMFS’ assessment of the likelihood that EPA’s registration of thiobencarb will destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat for three salmonids species covered in this Opinion. Each of the three species has similar PCEs, as described in the Effects to Designated Critical Habitat section . These PCEs are sites that support one or more life stages and include:
1. freshwater rearing sites;
2. freshwater migration corridors;
3. estuarine areas;
4. nearshore marine areas 22 ; and
5. offshore marine areas.

We determined the PCEs at risk from thiobencarb are freshwater rearing and freshwater migration sites ( Table 62 ). These sites contain physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the ESU/DPS. Physical features include cover, substrate, water temperature, and water quality. Biological attributes include forage i.e., prey. We do not expect freshwater spawning, estua rine areas, nearshore marine or offshore marine areas to be affected by the
stressors of the action.

As noted in salmonid recovery plans, salmonids require cool water, free of contaminants. Water free of contaminants promotes normal fish behavior for suc cessful migration, spawning, and juvenile rearing. In the juvenile life stage, salmonids also require stream habitat providing adequate forage. Sufficient forage is necessary for juveniles to maintain growth which subsequently reduces freshwater predatio n mortality, increases overwintering success, supports smoltification, and improves their ocean survival.

22 Nearshore marine areas are free of obstruction and excessive predation with: (i) water quality and quantity conditions and forage, including aquatic invertebrates and fishes, supporting growth and maturation; and (ii) natural cover such as submerged and o verhanging large wood, aquatic vegetation, large rocks and boulders, and side channels (70 FR 52488; 73 FR 7816).May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

308

We expect thiobencarb and its degradates, other ingredients within its formulations, tank mixture
chemicals to affect natural cover (riparian plants), water quality, and forage (prey abundance). Destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat is evaluated based on whether the stressors of the action are expected to cause appreciable reductions in natural cover, water quality, or prey abundance at juvenile freshwater rearing and migration sites. The stressors of the action include thiobencarb, degradates, inert/other ingredients in formulations, surfactants, and tank mixtures; and their individual and collective interactions w hen applied to rice fields in California’s Central Valley. Data are not available for some of these other stressors, thus they are evaluated in a qualitative fashion.

Table 62 . Key Findings from the Effects of the Proposed Actio n Section to Critical Habitat Section of Biological Opinion Summary Finding

Exposure Habitats of the three species are expected to be exposed to thiobencarb and its associated stressors. Response Anticipated levels of thiobencarb and its associated stressors are sufficient to impair several biological and physical attributes of primary constituent elements. Risk Characterization Freshwater rearing and freshwater migration primary constituent elements are expected to be reduced. Environmental Baseline Pesticides, elevated temperature, water flow, other pollutants, and dams are some of the stressors affecting salmonid habitats within the Central Valley. Water quality is severely degraded throughout the Central Valley. California’s current risk r eduction measures for thiobencarb reduced exposure to designated critical habitats. Cumulative Effects Increases in human population and a continuation of high intensity agriculture are anticipated within the Central Valley. Some beneficial activities ar e also anticipated including river restoration projects and best management practices to improve water quality.

Responses of designated critical habitat to thiobencarb and its associated chemical stressors is a function of exposure concentrations and dur ations. The longer or more frequent the exposure the greater the likelihood of affecting PCEs. We found that designated critical habitats proximate to rice fields are at the greatest risk from thiobencarb containing drift. Drift is expected during appli cation of the liquid formulations; however we expect minimal drift from granular
formulations. Based on CDPR use statistics , granular applications comprise approximately 75% and liquid applications comprise the remaining 25%. In rice growing areas of the Central Valley, concentrations from spray drift in flood plain habitats and small streams may attainMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

309

levels that impair swimming, impair breathing, kill salmonid prey, and in some cases kill
salmonids. Additionally, we anticipate some riparian plants to die or experience reduced growth from drift. Overall, we expect these occurrences to be infrequent, although not absent. We also expect in stream effects to be magnified when other pesticides are present or when water temperatures are elevated.

The oth er high risk scenario involves early releases of thiobencarb

- containing irrigation water. Rice water may be released into drainages prematurely during high rain events or from leaky dikes. High concentrations that would kill salmonids, their prey, inhibi t aquatic primary producers, all of which degrade water quality may occur if rice water is released prior to the end of holding periods, particularly rice water released within a few days of application ( Table 52 ). The magnitude of effects depends, in part, on how soon the water is released after application of thiobencarb, how far salmonid

- bearing waters are located downstream from the release, and how long they are exposed. We anticipate these occurrences as rare given the information reviewed and the current state regulations already in place Table 42

.

We used a GIS overlay to determine potential overlap of rice growing areas and designated critical habitat distributions for the three species to (Appendix six ). This overlay is a different approach compared to earlier Opinions on EPA’s registrations of p esticides where we used land use classifications i.e., agricultural, forestry, urban/developed, etc. were used rather than a specific crop. We selected the current approach because thiobencarb is used exclusively on rice in California’s Central Valley. In the Effects of the Proposed Action Section for critical habitat, we found that freshwater rearing and freshwater migration PCEs for the three species were at risk, particularly water quality, forage, and natural cover (Table 38: Risk to the PCEs). The GIS overlay shows that current rice fields overlap extensively with portions of each species’ designated critical habitats. The critical habitats that overlap rice areas have been ranked as having ―high‖ conservation value ( A ppendix six ). 23

23 At this point in time, conservation values within the designated critical habitat for Sacramento River winter

- run Chinook have not been assi gned. For this Opinion, we assumed each watershed to have a high conservation value.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

310

We evaluate whether anticipated effects to PCEs reduce appreciably the overall conservation value of the species’ designated critical habitat given the current status, environmental baseline,
and cumulative effects. All three species designated critical h abitats include the Sacramento River and its tributaries that overlap with rice growing in the Central Valley. Spawning, rearing and migration areas are currently degraded by elevated temperatures and lost access to historic spawning sites. Rearing PCEs i n the Sacramento River are degraded by loss of floodplain habitats, thereby reducing foraging opportunities. Migration PCEs are degraded by lack of natural cover along the migration corridors and degraded water quality from a host of chemical
and non

- chemical stressors. Juvenile migration is further affected by water diversions and by two large state and federal water

- export facilities along the Sacramento

- San Joaquin Delta. In aggregate, many of the designated critical habitats within the Central Valle y are in a degraded state and expected to remain so throughout the 15 years of the action.

Waters that show elevated temperatures and/or contain other pesticides that share a mode of action with thiobencarb i.e., other AChE inhibitors, effects of the acti on will be more pronounced and dependent on potency of the chemicals as well as the magnitude of elevated temperature.

Water quality, forage, and riparian plants were the assessment endpoints expected to be affected by use of thiobencarb on rice. We do not anticipate these endpoints to be degraded to the degree that would reduce appreciably the high conservation value of rearing and migratory PCEs ( Table
63 ). The high risk scenarios of spray drift and early release of thiobencarb

- containing rice water are expected to be infrequent. Additionally, the toxic levels necessary to kill and impair plants are not expected in the vast majority of designated c ritical habitats.

Table 63 . Summary findings for Designated Critical Habitats
Species Co

- occurrence of action

with rice growing areas in California Designated critical habitat PCEs affected Appreciably reduce conservation values Central Valley Spring

run Chinook (T) Yes Yes No Sacramento River Winter

- Run (E) Yes Yes No California Central Valley Steelhead (T) Yes Yes No T = T hreatened; E = EndangeredMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

311



### 13. Conclu sion

After reviewing the current status of Central Valley Spring

- run Chinook
, Sacramento River
Winter

- run Chinook , and California Central Valley Steelhead , the environmental baseline for the action area, the effects of the proposed action, and the cumulative effects, it is NMFS’ Opinion that the registration of t hiobencarb is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of these endangered or threatened species nor is it likely to destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat of these three species ( Table 64 ).

Table 64 . Conclusions for EPA's Reregistration of Thiobencarb

Species ESU Jeopardy Adverse Modification/Destruction of Designated Critical Habitat

Chinook Central Valley

Spring

- run No No Sacramento River Winter

- run No No

Steelhead California Central

Valley No NoMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

312



### 14. Incidental Take Statement Section 9(a)(1) of the ESA prohibits the taking of endangered species without a specific permit or exemption. Protective regulations adopted pursuant to section 4(d) of the ESA extend the prohibition to threatened species. Take is defined as to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct (50 CFR 222.102).
Harm i s further defined by NMFS to include significant habitat modification or degradation that results in death or injury to listed species by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding, or sheltering. Incidental take is defined as take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, the carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity conducted by the Federal agency or applicant (50 CFR 402.02). Under the terms of section 7(b)(4) and section 7(o)(2), taking that is incidenta l to and not intended as part of the agency action, whether implemented as proposed or as modified by reasonable and prudent alternatives, is not considered to be prohibited taking under the ESA provided that such taking is in compliance with the terms and
conditions of this Incidental Take Statement.



### 14.1. Amount or Extent of Take

As described earlier in this Opinion, this is a consultation on the EPA’s registration of pesticide products containing thiobencarb and their formulations as they are used in Califor nia’s Central Valley on rice and the effects of these applications on three listed ESUs/DPSs of Pacific
salmonids. The EPA authorizes use of thiobencarb in the western U.S. in California on rice only
as described in the Description of the Proposed Action and elsewhere in the document. The goal of this Opinion is to evaluate the impacts to NMFS’ listed resources from the EPA’s broad authorization of applied pesticide products. This Opinion is a partial consultation because pursuant to the court’s order, EPA sought consultation on only 26 listed Pacific salmonids under NMFS’ jurisdiction. Consultation with NMFS will be completed when EPA makes effect determinations on all remaining species under NMFS’ jurisdiction and consults with NMFS as

necessary.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

313

For this Opinion, NMFS anticipates the general direct and indirect effects that would occur from EPA’s registration of pesticide products California’s Central Valley to listed salmonids under NMFS’ jurisdiction during the 15

- year duration of the proposed acti on. Recent and historical surveys indicate that listed salmonids occur in the action area, in places where they will be exposed to the stressors of the action. The RPM below provided in this Opinion are designed to reduce this exposure but not eliminate it. Pesticide runoff and drift of thiobencarb is likely to reach streams and other aquatic sites when they are applied to rice located adjacent to wetlands, riparian areas, ditches, off

- channel habitats, perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams.
Th ese inputs into aquatic habitats are especially high during spray drift of liquid formulations and following early releases of thiobencarb

- containing rice water.

The range of effects of thiobencarb on salmonids includes direct and indirect toxicological effects. Within this range, effects include death of fish, impaired respiration and swimming. Adverse impacts to riparian vegetation could lead to increased water temperature, increased sedimentation from bank instability, reductions in cover, alteration s to or decreases in prey production, and reduction in chemical and nutrient filtering from upland sources. Impacts to aquatic vegetation would reduce dissolved oxygen, natural cover, alter or reduce the prey base, affect growth, and lead to an increased susceptibility to predation. These results are not the purpose of the proposed action. Therefore, incidental take of listed salmonids is reasonably
certain to occur over the 15

- year duration of the proposed action.

Given the variability of real

- life con ditions, the broad nature and scope of the proposed action, and the migratory nature of salmon, the best scientific and commercial data available are not sufficient to enable NMFS to estimate a specific amount of incidental take associated with the

propose d action. As explained in the Description of the Proposed Action and the Effects of the Proposed Action sections, NMFS identified multiple uncertainties associated with the proposed action. Areas of uncertainty include:

1. Unable to quantify effect of herbicides on salmon habitat due to variability in plant susceptibility to the herbicides and variability in species composition and density in the various locations.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

314

2. Incomplete information on the proposed action ( i.e., no master labels summarizing all str essors of the action and all authorized uses of pesticide products). ;
3. Limited use and exposure data on stressors of the action for non

- agricultural uses of these pesticides;
4. Minimal information on exposure and toxicity for pesticide formulations, adjuvant s, and other/inert ingredients within registered formulations;
5. Little information on permitted tank mixtures and associated exposure estimates;
6. Limited data on toxicity of environmental mixtures;
7. Responses from exposure to combinations of thiobencarb and o ther stressors in the baseline;
8. Annual variable conditions regarding land use, crop cover, and pest pressure;
9. Variable temporal and spatial conditions within each ESU, especially at the population

- level; and
10. Variable conditions of water bodies in which s almonids live.

NMFS therefore identifies, as a surrogate for the allowable extent of take, the ability of this action to proceed without any fish kills attributed to the legal use of thiobencarb, or any compounds, degradates, or mixtures in aquatic habita ts containing individuals from any ESU/DPS. Because of the difficulty of detecting salmonid deaths, the fishes killed do not have to be listed salmonids. In general, salmonids appear to be more sensitive to thiobencarb than many other species of fish, so that if there are kills of other freshwater fishes attributed to use of these pesticides, it is likely that salmonids have also died, even if no dead salmonids can be located. In addition, if stream conditions due to pesticide use kill less sensitive fis hes in certain areas, the potential for lethal and non

- lethal takes in downstream areas increases. A fish kill is considered attributable to thiobencarb, its metabolites, or degradates, if thiobencarb is known to have been applied in the vicinity, may rea sonably be supposed to have run off or drifted into the affected area, and if surface water samples, or pathology indicate lethal levels of thiobencarb. NMFS notes that with increased monitoring and study of the impact of thiobencarb on water quality, part icularly water quality in floodplain habitats, NMFS will be able to refine this incidental take statement, and future incidental take statements, to allow other measures of the
extent of take.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

315



### 14.2. Reasonable and Prudent Measures

The measures described belo w are non

- discretionary measures to avoid or minimize take that must be undertaken by the EPA so that they become binding conditions of any grant or permit issued to the applicant(s), as appropriate, for the exemption in section 7(o)(2) to apply. The EPA has a continuing duty to regulate the activity covered by this incidental take statement. If the EPA (1) fails to assume and implement the terms and conditions or (2) fails to require the applicant(s) to adhere to the terms and conditions of the incident al take statement through enforceable terms that are added to the permit or grant document, the protective coverage of section 7(o)(2) may lapse. In order to monitor the impact of incidental take, the EPA must report the progress of the action and its imp act on the species to NMFS OPR as specified in the incidental take statement [50 CFR§402.14(i)(3)].

To satisfy its obligations pursuant to section 7(a)(2) of the ESA, the EPA must monitor (a) the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of its long

- term r egistration of pesticide products containing thiobencarb ; (b) evaluate the direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts of pesticide misapplications in the aquatic habitats in which they occur; and (c) the consequences of those
effects on listed Pacific salmoni ds under NMFS’ jurisdiction. The purpose of the monitoring program is for the EPA to use the results of the monitoring data and modify the registration process in order to reduce exposure and minimize the effect of exposure where pesticides will
occur in salmonid habitat. NMFS believes all measures described as part of the proposed action, together with use of the Reasonable and Prudent Measures and Terms and Conditions described below, are necessary and appropriate to minimize the likelihood of incidenta l take of listed species due to implementation of the proposed action.

The EPA shall:May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

316

1. Minimize the amount and extent of incidental take to the three species from use of pesticide products containing thiobencarb by reducing the potential of thiobencarb to reach salmon

bearing waters;
2. Monitor any incidental take or surrogate measure of take that occurs from the action.



### 14.3. Terms and Conditions

To be exempt from the prohibitions of section 9 of the ESA, within nine months following the
date of issuance of this O pinion, the EPA must comply with the following terms and conditions. These terms and conditions implement the reasonable and prudent measures described above.
These terms and conditions are non

- discretionary.

1. To implement RPM 1, EPA must reference and require the following risk reduction
measures on all thiobencarb labels or ESPP Bulletins

. The risk reduction measures below are mandatory ( see Appendix 7 )

.

1.1 Adhere to C alifornia D epartment of P esticide R egistration PRESCRIBE database’s use limitatio ns for thiobencarb and ESA

- listed salmonids within the Central Valley of California. http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/endspec/prescint.htm

1.2 Adhere to California Department of Pesticide Registrat ion application permits for thiobencarb products as described in the Pesticide Use Enforcement Standards Compendium, Volume 3 (Rev. 2

- 11), in Appendix C, Section C.1 General Drift
Minimization and Section C.2 Recommended Permit Conditions for Rice
Pesticid es. http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/enforce/compend/vol_3/append_c.pdf

2. 2.1 EPA shall include the following instructions requiring reporting of fish kills either

on the labels or ESPP Bulletins :May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

317

NOTICE: Incidents where salmon appear injured or killed as a result of pesticide applications shall be reported to NMFS OPR at 301

- 713

- 1401 and EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs. The finder should leave the fish alone, make note of any circumstances likely causing the death or injury, location and number of fish involved, and take photographs, if possible. Adult fish should generally n ot be disturbed unless circumstances arise where an adult fish is obviously injured or killed by pesticide exposure, or some unnatural cause. The finder may be asked to carry out instructions provided by NMFS OPR to collect specimens
or take other measure s to ensure that evidence intrinsic to the specimen is preserved.

2.2 EPA shall report to NMFS OPR annually any incidences regarding thiobencarb effects on aquatic ecosystems added to its incident database that EPA has classified as ―probable‖ or ―highly probable.‖



### 14.4 Conservation Recommendations

Section 7(a) (1) of the ESA directs federal agencies to use their authorities to further the purposes of the ESA by carrying out conservation programs for the benefit of endangered and threatened species. Conservation recommendations are discretionary agency activities to minimize or avoid adverse effects of a proposed action on listed species or critical h abitat, to help implement recovery plans, or to develop information. The following conservation recommendations would provide information for future consultations involving future authorizations of pesticide a.i.s that may affect listed species:
1. Conduct mixture toxicity analysis in screening

- level and endangered species biological evaluations;
2. Develop models to estimate pesticide concentrations in flood plain habitats; and
3. Collaborate with CDPR to review applicability of use limitations with PRESCRIBE to other pesticides and other listed species.

In order for NMFS to be kept informed of actions minimizing or avoiding adverse effects or benefiting listed species or their habitats, the EPA should notify NMFS OPR of any conservation recommendations it imple ments in the final action.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

318



### 14.5 Reinitiation Notice
This concludes formal consultation on the EPA’s proposed registration of pesticide products containing thiobencarb and their formulations to ESA

- listed Pacific salmonids under the jurisdiction of the NMFS. A s provided in 50 CFR 402.16, reinitiation of formal consultation is required where discretionary federal agency involvement or control over the action has been retained (or is authorized by law) and if: (1) the extent of take specified in the Incidental Ta ke
Statement is exceeded; (2) new information reveals effects of this action that may affect listed species or designated critical habitat in a manner or to an extent not previously considered in this biological opinion; (3) the identified action is subseq uently modified in a manner that causes an effect to the listed species or critical habitat that was not considered in this Opinion; or (4) a new species is listed or critical habitat designated that may be affected by the identified action.
For this cons ultation, authorization for use of thiobencarb by Washington, Oregon, and Idaho will require reinitiation

. If reinitiation of consultation appears warranted due to one or more of the above circumstances, EPA must contact NMFS OPR. If none of these reiniti ation triggers are met within the next 15 years, then reinitiation will be required because the Opinion only covers the action for 15 years.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

319



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### 16. Appendix 1 Abbreviations / AcronymsMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

350

7

- DAD Max 7

- day average of the daily maximum
ACA Al ternative Conservation Agreement
AChE acetylcholinesterase
a.i. active ingredient
APEs alkylphenol ethoxylates
APHIS U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service
BE Biological Evaluation
BEAD Biological and Economic Analysis Divi sion
BLM Bureau of Land Management
BMP Best Management Practices
BOR Bureau of Reclamation
BOR Bureau of Reclamation
BPA Bonneville Power Administration
BRT Biological Review Team (NOAA Fisheries)
BY Brood Years
CAISMP California Aquati c Invasive Species Management Plan
CALFED CALFED Bay

- Delta Program (California Resource Agency)
CBFWA Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority
CBI Confidential Business Information
CC California Coastal
CCC Central California Coast
CCV Central Calif ornia Valley
CDPR California Department of Pesticide Regulation
CHART Critical Habitat Assessment Review Team
CIDMP Comprehensive Irrigation District Management Plan
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
cfs cubic feet per second
CDFG California Department o f Fish and Game Corps U.S. Department of the Army Corps of EngineersMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

351

CSOs combined sewer/stormwater overflows
CSWP California State Water Project
CURES Coalition for Urban/Rural Environmental Stewardship
CVP Central Valley Projects CVRWQCB Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board
CWA Clean Water Act
d day
DCI Date Call

- Ins
DDD Dichloro Diphenyl Dichloroethane
DDE Diphenyl Dichlorethylene
DDT Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane
DER Data Evaluation Review DEQ Oregon Department of Envi ronmental Quality
DIP Demographically Independent Population
DOE Washington State Department of Ecology
DPS Distinct Population Segment
EC Emulsifiable Concentrate Pesticide Formulation
EC 50 Median Effect Concentration
EEC Estimated Environmental Con centration
EFED Environmental Fate and Effects Division
EIM Environmental Information Management
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ESPP Endangered Species Protection Program
ESA Endangered Species Act
ESU Evolutionarily Significant Unit
EU E uropean Union
EXAMS Tier II Surface Water Computer Model
FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FCRPS Federal Columbia River Power System
FFDCA Federal Food and Drug Cosmetic Act
FIFRA Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide ActMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

352

FQPA Food Quality Protection Act
ft feet
GENEEC Generic Estimated Exposure Concentration
h hour
HCP Habitat Conservation Plan
HSRG Hatchery Scientific Review Group
HUC Hydrological Unit Code
IBI Indices of Biological Integrity
ICTRT Interior Columbia Technic al Recovery Team
ILWP Irrigated Lands Waiver Program
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
IRED Interim Re

- registration Decision
LCFRB Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board
ISG Independent Science Group
ITS Incidental Take Statement
km kilomete r Lbs Pounds
LC 50 Median Lethal Concentration.
LCR Lower Columbia River
LOAEC Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Concentration.
LOEL Lowest Observed Adverse Effect level
LOC Level of Concern
LOEC Lowest Observed Effect Concentration LOQ Limit of Quantificati on LWD Large Woody Debris

m meter
MCR Middle Columbia River mg/L milligrams per liter
MOA Memorandum of Agreement
MPG Major Population Group
MRID Master Record Identification NumberMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

353

MTBE Methyl tert

- butyl ether
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration NAWQA U.S. Geological Survey National Water

- Quality Assessment
NC Northern California
NEPA National Environmental Protection Agency
NLCD Natural Land Cover Data
NP Nonylphenol
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NPS Na tional Parks Services
NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service
NWS National Weather Service
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NMA National Mining Association
NMC N

- methyl carbamates
NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAEC No Observed Adverse Effect Concentration
NPDES National Pollution Discharge Eliminating System
NPIRS National Pesticide Information Retrieval System
NRC National Research Council
OC Oregon Coast
ODFW Oregon Division of Fish and Wildlife
OP Organophosphates Opinion Biological Opinion
OPP EPA Office of Pesticide Program
PAH polyaromatic hydrocarbons
PBDEs polybrominated diphenyl ethers
PCBs polychlorinated biphenyls
PCEs primary constituent elements
POP Persistent Organic Pollutants ppb Parts Per BillionMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

354

PPE Personal Protection Equipment
PSP Pesticide Stewardship Partnerships
PSAMP Puget Sound Assessment and Monitoring Program
PSAT Puget Sound Action Team
PRIA Pesticide Registration Improvement Act
PRZM Pesticide Root Zone Model
PUR Pesticide Use Reporting QA/QC Quality Assurance/Quality Control
RED Re

- registration Eligibility Decision
REI Restricted Entry Interval
RPA Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives
RPM reasonable and prudent measures RQ Risk Quotient
SAP Sc ientific Advisory Panel
SAR smolt

- to

- adult return rate
SASSI Salmon and Steelhead Stock Inventory
SC Southern California
S

- CCC South

- Central California Coast
SONCC Southern Oregon Northern California Coast
SLN Special Local Need (Registrations under Section 24(c) of FIFRA)
SR Snake River
TCE Trichloroethylene
TCP 3,5,6

- trichloro

- 2

- pyridinal
TGAI Technical Grade Active Ingredient
TIE Toxicity Identification Evaluation
TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load
TRT Technical Recovery Team
UCR Upper Columbia River
USFS United States Forest Service
USC United States Code
USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife ServiceMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

355

USGS United States Geological Survey
UWR Upper Willamette River
VOC Volatile Organic Compounds
VSP Viable Salmonid Population
WDFW Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
WLCRTRT Willamette/Lower Columbia River Technical Review Team WQS Water Quality Standards
WWTIT Western Washington Treaty Indian Tribes
WWTP Wastewater Treatment Plant
YOY Young of yearMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

356



### 17. Appendix 2: GlossaryMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

357

303(d) wa ters Section 303 of the federal Clean Water Act requires states to prepare a list of all
surface waters in the state for which beneficial uses

– such as drinking, recreation, aquatic habitat, and industrial use

- are impaired by pollutants. These are wate r quality limited estuaries, lakes, and streams that do not meet the state’s surface water quality standards and are not expected to improve within the next two years. After water bodies are put on the 303(d) list they enter into a Total Maximum Daily Loa d Clean Up Plan.

Active ingredient The component(s) that kills or otherwise affects the pest. A.i.s are always

listed on the label (FIFRA 2(a)).

Adulticide A compound that kills the adult life stage of the pest insect.

Anadromous Fish Species that are hatched in freshwater migrate to and mature in salt water

and return to freshwater to spawn.

Adjuvant A compound that aides the operation or improves the effectiveness of a

pesticide.

Alevin Life history stage of a salmonid immediately after hatching and before the

yolk

- sac is absorbed. Alevins usually remain buried in the gravel in or near the egg nest (redd) until their yolk sac is absorbed when they swim up
and enter the water column.

Anadromy The life history pattern that features egg incubation and early juvenile

development in freshwater migration to sea water for adult development, and a return to freshwater for spawning.

Assessment Endpoint Explicit expression of the actual ecological value that is to be protected

( e.g. , growth of juvenile salmo nids).May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

358

Bioaccumulation Accumulation through the food chain ( i.e. , consumption of food,

water/sediment) or direct water and/or sediment exposure.

Bioconcentration Uptake of a chemical across membranes, generally used in reference to

waterborne exposures.

Biomagnification Transfer of chemicals via the food chain through two or more trophic

levels as a result of bioconcentration and bioaccumulation.

Degradates New compounds formed by the transformation of a pesticide by chemical

or biological reactions.

Distinct Population A listable entity under the ESA that meets tests of discreteness and Segment significance according to USFWS and NMFS policy. A population is

considered distinct (and hence a ―species‖ for purposes of conservation under the ESA) if it is discrete fro m an d significant to the remainder of its species based o n factors such as physical, behavioral, or genetic characteristics, it occupies an unusual or unique ecological setting, or its loss would represent a significant gap in the species’ ran ge.

Escapement The number of fish that survive to reach the spawning grounds or

hatcheries. The escapement plus the number of fish removed by harvest
form the total run size.

Evolutionarily A group of Pacific salmon or steelhead trout that is (1) Significant Unit substantially reproductively isolated from other conspecific

units and (2) represent an important component of the evolutionary legacy of the species.

Fall Chinook This salmon stock returns from the ocean in late summer and earlyMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

359

Salmon fall to head upriver to its spawning grounds, distinguishing it from other

stocks which migrate in different seasons.

Fate Dispersal of a material in various environmental compartments (sediment,

water air, biota) as a result of transport, transformation , and degradation.

Flowable A pesticide formulation that can be mixed with water to form a suspension

in a spray tank.

Fry Stage in salmonid life history when the juvenile has absorbed its yolk sac

and leaves the gravel of the redd to swim up into the water column. The fry stage follows the alevin stage and in most salmonid species is followed by the parr, fingerling, and smolt stages. However, chum salmon juveniles share characteristics of both the fry and smolt stages and can
enter sea water almost immediately after becoming fry.

Half

- pounder A life history trait of steelhead exhibited in the Rogue, Klamath, Mad, and

Eel Rivers of southern Oregon and northern California. Following smoltification, half

- pounders spend only 2

- 4 months in the ocean, then return to fresh water. They overwinter in fresh water and emigrate to salt water again the following spring. This is often termed a false spawning migration, as few half

- pounders are sexually mature.

Hatchery Salmon hatcheries use artificial proced ures to spawn adults and raise the

resulting progeny in fresh water for release into the natural environment, either directly from the hatchery or by transfer into another area. In some cases, fertilized eggs are outplanted (usually in ―hatch

- boxes‖), but it is more common to release fry or smolts.

Inert ingredients ―an ingredient which is not active‖ (FIFRA 2(m)). It may be toxic or

enhance the toxicity of the active ingredient.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

360

Iteroparous Capable of spawning more than once before death

Jacks Male sa lmon that return from the ocean to spawn one or more years before

full

- sized adults return. For coho salmon in California, Oregon, Washington, and southern British Columbia, jacks are 2 years old, having spent only 6 months in the ocean, in contrast to ad ults, which are 3 years old after spending 1 1⁄2 years in the ocean.

Jills Female salmon that return from the ocean to spawn one or more years

before full

- sized adult returns. For sockeye salmon in Oregon, Washington, and southern British Columbia, jills a re 3 years old (age 1.1), having spent only one winter in the ocean in contrast to more typical sockeye salmon that are age 1.2, 1.32.2, or 2.3 on return.

Kokanee The self

- perpetuating, non

- anadromous form of O. nerka that occurs in
balanced sex ration populations and whose parents, for several generations back, have spent their whole lives in freshwater.

Lambda Also known as Population growth rate, or the rate at which the abundance

of fish in a population increases or decreases.

LRL Laboratory Reporting Level (USGS NAWQA data)

- Generally equal to

twice the yearly determined LT

- MDL. The LRL controls false negative error. The probability of falsely reporting a non

- detection for a sample that contained an analyte at a concentration equal to or grea ter that the LRL is predicted to be less than or equal to 1 percent.

Major Population A group of salmonid populations that are geographically and Group (MPG) genetically cohesive. The MPG is a level of organization between

demographically independent pop ulations and the ESU.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

361

Main channel The stream channel that includes the thalweg (longitudinal continuous

deepest portion of the channel.

Metabolite A transformation product resulting from metabolism.

Mode of Action A series of key processes that begins with the interaction of a pesticide

with a receptor site and proceeds through operational and anatomical changes in an organisms that result in sublethal or lethal effects.

Natural fish A fish that is produced by parents spawning in a stream or lake bed, as

opposed to a controlled environment such as a hatchery.

Nonylphenols A type of APE and is an example of an adjuvant that may be present as an

ingredient of a formulated product or added to a tank mix prior to application.

Off

- channel habitat Water bod ies and/or inundated areas that are connected (accessible to

salmonid juveniles) seasonally or annually to the main channel of a stream including but not limited to features such as side channels, alcoves, ox bows, ditches, and floodplains.

Parr The stage in anadromous salmonid development between absorption of the

yolk sac and transformation to smolt before migration seaward.

Persistence The tendency of a compound to remain in its original chemical form in the

environment.

Pesticide Any substance or mix ture of substances intended for preventing,

destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

362

Reasonable and Recommended alternative actins identified during formal
Prudent Alternative consultation that can be implemented in a manner consistent (RPA) with the scope of the Federal agency’s legal authority an jurisdiction, that

are economically an d technologically feasible, an d that the Services believes would avoid the likelihood of jeopardizing the continued existence of the listed species or the destruc tion or adverse modification of designated critical habitat.

Redd A nest constructed by female salmonids in streambed gravels where eggs

are deposited and fertilization occurs.

Riparian area Area with distinctive soils an d vegetation between a stream or o ther body

of water and the adjacent upland. It includes wetlands and those portions of flood plains an valley bottoms that support riparian vegetation.

Risk The probability of harm from actual or predicted concentrations of a

chemical in the aquatic envi ronment

– a scientific judgment

.

Salmonid Fish of the family Salmonidae , including salmon, trout, chars, grayling,

and whitefish. In general usage, the term usually refers to salmon, trout,
and chars.

SASSI A cooperative program by WDFW and WWTIT to in ventory and evaluate

the status of Pacific salmonids in Washington State. The SASSI report is a series of publications from this program.

Semelparous The condition in an individual organism of reproducing only once in a

lifetime.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

363

Smolt A juvenile salmon or steelhead migrating to the ocean and undergoing

physiological changes to adapt from freshwater to a saltwater
environment.

Sublethal Below the concentration that directly causes death. Exposure to sublethal

concentrations of a material may produce le ss obvious effect on behavior, biochemical, and/or physiological function of the organism often leading
to indirect death.

Surfactant A substance that reduces the interfacial or surface tension of a system or a

surface

- active substance.

Synergism A pheno menon in which the toxicity of a mixture of chemicals is greater

than that which would be expected from a simple summation of the toxicities of the individual chemicals present in the mixture.

Technical Grade Pure or almost pure active ingredient. Availa ble to formulators. Active Ingredient Most toxicology data are developed with the TGAI. The percent (TGAI) AI is listed on all labels.

Technical Recovery Teams convened by NOAA Fisheries to develop technical products Teams (TRT) related to recovery planning. TRTs are complemented by planning forums

unique to specific states, tribes, or reigns, which use TRT and other technical products to identify recovery actions.

Teratogenic Effects produced during gestation that evidence themselves as altered

st ructural or functional processes in offspring.

Total Maximum defines how much of a pollutant a water body can tolerate (absorb)May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

364

Daily Load (TMDL) daily and remain compliant with applicable water quality standards. All

pollutant sources in the watershed combined, including non

- point sources, are limited to discharging no more than the TMDL.

Viable Salmonid An independent population of Pacific salmon or steelhead trout Population that has a negligible risk of extinction over a 100

- year time frame.

Viabi lity at the independent population scale is evaluated based on the parameters of abundance, productivity, spatial structure, and diversity.

VSP Parameters Abundance, productivity, spatial structure, and diversity. These describe

characteristics of salmon id populations that are useful in evaluating population viability. See NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS

NWFSC

- , ―Viable salmonid populations and the recovery of evolutionarily significant units,‖ McElhany et al., June 2000.

WDFW Washington Department of Fi sh and Wildlife is a co

- manager of

salmonids and salmonid fisheries in Washington State with WWTIT and other fisheries groups. The agency was formed in the early 1990s by the combination of the Washington Department of Fisheries and the Washington Departm ent of Wildlife.

WWTIT Western Washington Treaty Indian Tribes is an organization of Native

American tribes with treaty fishing rights recognized by the U.S. government. WWTIT is a co

- manager of salmonids and salmonid fisheries in western Washington in c ooperation with the WDFW and other fisheries groups.

WQS ―A water quality standard defines the water quality goals of a waterbody,

or portion thereof, by designating the use or uses to be made of the water and by setting criteria necessary to protect publ ic health or welfare, enhance the quality of water and serve the purposes of the Clean WaterMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

365



### 18. Appendix 3 : Median and 95 th percentile rate of thiobencarb application to rice in California (1980

- 2010)May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

366

Median and 95 th percentile rate of thiobencarb applicat ion to rice in Cali fo rnia (1980

- 2010)

. Source: California Department of Pesticide Regulation, Pesticide Use Report (PUR) Database.

Year Median Rate (lbs a.i./A) 95 th percentile Rate (lbs a.i./A) 1980 4.00 4.03
1981 4.00 4.12
1982 4.00 4.08
1983 4.00 4.11
1984 4.00 4.08
1985 4.00 4.07
1986 4.00 4.08
1987 4.00 4.07
1988 4.00 4.08
1989 4.00 4.06
1990 4.00 4.07
1991 4.00 4.06
1992 4.00 4.05
1993 4.00 4.06
1994 4.00 4.03
1995 4.00 4.03
1996 4.00 4.02
1997 4.00 4.01
1998 4.00 4.01
1999 4.00 4.02
2000 4.00 4.02
2001 4.00 4.01
2002 4.00 4.03
2003 4.01 4.05
2004 4.01 4.05
2005 4.01 4.03
2006 4.01 4.02
2007 4.01 4.01
2008 3.99 4.01
2009 3.95 4.01
2010 3.50 3.95May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

367



### 19. Appendix 4 : Thiobencarb tank mixture applications in California (1999

- 2010)May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

368

Thiobencarb tank mixtures in California. This following tables summarize pesticide mixtures or co

- application of thiobencarb and all other active ingredients on rice in California from 1999 to 2010. The statistics were provided by Larry Wilh oit, California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR), and obtained from the CDPR Pesticide Use Report (PUR) Database. To obtain the information from the database, a mixture was defined as the use of more than one active ingredient (AI) on an agricul tural field in the same day. In the PUR a field is identified by the combination of grower_id and site_loc_id after some cleaning of the data. The site_loc_id is cleaned by removing all spaces and assuming that site_loc_ids that are the same except for c haracters that could be confused (such as O and 0 and 2 and Z) and have the same MTRS refer to the same field. Each field is given a unique field_id. There are a few records that were not included in the summary information because of errors or missing da ta for the site_loc_id, application date, or some other field which made it impossible to determine the specific date and field.

Summary indicating yearly frequency of tank mixture applications of thiobencarb in California

YEAR NUMBER OF THIOBENCARB APPLICATIONS WITH FIELD_ID NUMBER OF

MIXTURE APPLICATIONS PERCENT

MIXTURE APPLICATIONS LBS

THIOBENCARB LBS

OTHER AIS 1999 2,189 490 22 731,717 158,922 2000 2,989 620 21 1,006,965 267,879 2001 2,070 435 21 645,914 208,611 2002 2,656 582 22 843,773 274,187 2003 1,816 439 24 587,156 227,529 2004 1,476 359 24 521,556 157,158 2005 1,359 359 26 448,182 122,010 2006 908 180 20 310,346 73,926 2007 794 230 29 289,032 58,066 2008 820 155 19 263,499 37,479 2009 822 162 20 272,080 46,770 2010 834 237 28 258,402 16,467 Total 18,733 4,248 23 6,178,623 1,649,004May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

369

Summary of tank mixture application that included thiobencarb (California, 1999

- 2010)

LIST OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS MIXED WITH THIOBENCARB NUMBER APPLICATIONS LBS

THIOBENCARB LBS

OTHER AIs THIOBENCARB ALONE 14,474 4,828,157 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE) 1,128 393,884 1,278,042 BENSULFURON METHYL 660 219,889 3,417 LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN 470 147,278 483 PENOXSULAM 445 132,366 1,364 BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM 217 57,420 6,842 CARFENTRAZONE

- ETHYL 201 78,718 3,943 MOLINATE 166 50,332 38,876 PROPANIL 136 34,605 43,839 PENDIMETHALIN 107 17,659 5,231 (S)

- CYPERMETHRIN 66 20,497 82 CARBOFURAN 62 16,510 873 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); BENSULFURON METHYL 43 16,904 53,050 PROPANIL; PENDIMETHALIN 30 5,408 8,048 BENSULFURON METHYL; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN 29 8,013 159 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); PENOXSULAM 29 11,378 35,647 METHYLATED SOYBEAN OIL; LAMBDA

CYHALOTHRIN; KEROSENE; DIMETHYL ALKYL TERTIARY AMINES; BENZOIC ACID 25 10,279 218 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); MOLINATE 24 8,073 39,934 POLY

- I

- PARA

- MENTHENE 21 6,278 1,454 PROPANIL; MOLINATE 21 2,016 6,577 MCPA, DIMETHYLAMINE SALT 18 6,186 7,486 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); LAMBDA

CYHALOTHRIN 15 5,082 15,966 BENSULFURON METHYL; POLYACRYLAMIDE POLYMER 15 2,318 37 KEROSENE; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN; SOYBEAN FATTY ACIDS, DIMETHYLAMINE SALT; BENZOIC ACID 14 5,030 123 ORTHOSULFAMURON 14 3,534 553 METHYLATED SOYBEAN OIL; (S)

- CYPERMETHRIN; KEROSENE; DIMETHYL ALKYL TERTIARY AMINES; BENZOIC ACID 13 5,082 124 METHYLATED SOYBEAN OIL; BENSULFURON METHYL; KEROSENE; DIMETHYL ALKYL TERTIARY 12 4,935 315May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

370

LIST OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS MIXED WITH THIOBENCARB NUMBER APPLICATIONS LBS

THIOBENCARB LBS

OTHER AIs AMINES; BENZOIC ACID

COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); CARFENTRAZONE

- ETHYL 12 3,673 11,326 METHYLATED SOYBEAN OIL; KEROSENE; DIMETHYL ALKYL TERTIARY AMINES; BENZOIC ACID 11 3,292 325 MOLINATE; BENSULFURON METHYL 11 2,198 3,275 PENOXSULAM; (S)

- CYPERMETHRIN 9 2,343 37 AZOXYSTROBIN; OLEIC ACID, METHYL ESTER; 2

- (3

- HYDROXYPROPYL)

- HEPTA

- METHYL TRISILOXANE, ETHOXYLATED, ACETATE; BENSULFURON METHYL; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM 8 555 84 CARFENTRAZONE

- ETHYL; BENSULFURON METHYL 7 1,591 86 PROPANIL; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN 7 2,388 3,543 PROPANIL; MOLINATE; CARBOFURAN 6 281 1,974 PENOXSULAM; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN 6 3,128 49 BENSULFURON METHYL; POLYACRYLAMIDE POLYMER; POLYSACCHARIDE POLYMER 6 2,904 48 PROPANIL; PETROLEUM OIL, PARAFFIN BASED; POLYOXYETHYLENE SORBITAN MIXED FATTY ACID ESTERS; SORBITAN FATTY ACID ESTERS; ALPHA

- (PARA

- NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

- HYDROXYPOLY (OXYETHYLENE) SULFATE, AMMONIUM SALT 5 990 1,547 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); POLYSILOXANE; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN; DERIVATED NATURAL POLYMERS 5 298 996 MINERAL OIL; PETROLEUM DISTILLATES; LAMBDA

CYHALOTHRIN; TALL OIL FATTY ACIDS; DIMETHYL SOYA AMINE; BENZOIC ACID 5 2,173 43 SODIUM CARBONATE PEROXYHYDRATE 5 1,782 3,876 GLYPHOSATE, ISOPROPYLAMINE SALT 5 1,192 14 LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN; ALPHA

- (PARA

NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); PHOSPHORIC ACID; ALPHA

- ALKYLARYL

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL; DIMETHYLPOLYSILOXANE 4 1,449 27 ALKYL (C8,C10) POLYGLYCOSIDE; LAMBDA

CYHALOTHRIN 4 3,036 26May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

371

LIST OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS MIXED WITH THIOBENCARB NUMBER APPLICATIONS LBS

THIOBENCARB LBS

OTHER AIs CARFENTRAZONE

- ETHYL; (S)

- CYPERMETHRIN 4 1,164 59 PROPANIL; VEGETABLE OIL; PENDIMETHALIN; FATTY ACIDS, MIXED 3 295 1,040 DIFLUBENZURON; (S)

- CYPERMETHRIN; POLYSILOXANE; DERIVATED NATURAL POLYMERS 3 1,105 22 PROPANIL; CYHALOFOP

- BUTYL; TRICLOPYR, TRIETHYLAMINE SALT; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM 3 1 3 PROPANIL; PETROLEUM DISTILLATES, ALIPHATIC; PENDIMETHALIN; CYHALOFOP

- BUTYL 3 1,486 2,552 (S)

- CYPERMETHRIN; PENOXSULAM 3 373 11 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); PROPANIL 3 35 515 VINYL POLYMER 3 846 2 CARFENTRAZONE

- ETHYL; BENSULFURON METHYL; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN 3 720 38 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); PENOXSULAM; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN 3 1,134 5,107 CYHALOFOP

- BUTYL 3 1,076 70 KEROSENE; GLYPHOSATE, ISOPROPYLAMINE SALT; SOYBEAN FATTY ACIDS, DIMETHYLAMINE SALT; BENZOIC ACID 3 621 349 LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN; POLYACRYLAMIDE POLYMER; POLYSACCHARIDE POLYMER 3 1,040 2 PENDIMETHALIN; ALPHA

- PINENE BETA

- PINENE COPOLYMER; MINERAL OIL; N,N

- BIS

- (2

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE)ETHYL)ALKYLAMINE, ALKYL DERIVED FROM TALLOW FATTY ACIDS; TALL OIL FATTY ACIDS 3 1,352 533 PROPANIL; PENDIMETHALIN; POLY

- I

- PARA

MENTHENE 3 633 1,278 CLOMAZONE 3 380 29 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); BENSULFURON METHYL; POLYACRYLAMIDE POLYMER; POLYSACCHARIDE POLYMER 2 960 1,720 METHYLATED SOYBEAN OIL; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM; KEROSENE; DIMETHYL ALKYL TERTIARY AMINES; BENZOIC ACID 2 788 34 OLEIC ACID, METHYL ESTER; BENSULFURON METHYL; 2

- (3

- HYDROXYPROPYL)

- HEPTA

- METHYL TRISILOXANE, ETHOXYLATED, ACETATE; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM 2 89 8May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

372

LIST OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS MIXED WITH THIOBENCARB NUMBER APPLICATIONS LBS

THIOBENCARB LBS

OTHER AIs METHYLATED SOYBEAN OIL; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM; ALPHA

- (PARA

- NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); POLYALKENE OXIDE MODIFIED HEPTAMETHYL TRISILOXANE 2 237 31 PENDIMETHALIN; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM 2 306 91 PROPANIL; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM 2 496 497 DIFLUBENZURON; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN 2 500 5 MINERAL OIL; (S)

- CYPERMETHRIN; PETROLEUM DISTILLATES; TALL OIL FATTY ACIDS; DIMETHYL SOYA AMINE; BENZOIC ACID 2 752 17 DIFLUBENZURON 2 525 6 LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN; VINYL POLYMER 2 1,324 4 BENSULFURON METHYL; METHYLATED SOYBEAN OIL; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN; KEROSENE; DIMETHYL ALKYL TERTIARY AMINES; BENZOIC ACID 2 620 16 METHYLATED SOYBEAN OIL; PENOXSULAM; (S)

- CYPERMETHRIN; KEROSENE; DIMETHYL ALKYL TERTIARY AMINES; BENZOIC ACID 2 630 27 BENSULFURON METHYL; METHYLATED SOYBEAN OIL; ALPHA

- (PARA

- NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); LAMBDA

CYHALOTHRIN; POLYALKENE OXIDE MODIFIED HEPTAMETHYL TRISILOXANE 2 420 9 MOLINATE; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN 2 590 257 VINYL POLYMER; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM 2 120 9 PROPANIL; POLY

- I

- PARA

- MENTHENE 2 389 868 CARBOFURAN; VINYL POLYMER 2 633 42 PENDIMETHALIN; BENSULFURON METHYL 2 415 106 CARFENTRAZONE

- ETHYL; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN 2 643 28 PENDIMETHALIN; VINYL POLYMER 2 506 164 PROPANIL; ORCHEX 796 OIL; OLEIC ACID; ALPHA

ALKYL (C9

- C11)

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE) 2 395 321 BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM; VINYL POLYMER 1 419 28,044 MOLINATE; PROPANIL; PETROLEUM OIL, PARAFFIN BASED; TRICLOPYR, TRIETHYLAMINE SALT; POLYOXYETHYLENE SORBITAN MIXED FATTY ACID ESTERS; SORBITAN FATTY ACID ESTERS; ALPHA

- 1 176 98May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

373

LIST OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS MIXED WITH THIOBENCARB NUMBER APPLICATIONS LBS

THIOBENCARB LBS

OTHER AIs (PARA

- NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

- HYDROXYPOLY (OXYETHYLENE) SULFATE, AMMONIUM SALT

PROPANIL; MOLINATE; ISOPARAFFINIC HYDROCARBONS; ORCHEX 796 OIL; ALPHA

- (PARA

NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); TALL OIL FATTY ACIDS; ALPHA

- (PARA

- NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE), PHOSPHATE ESTER; N,N

- BIS

- (2

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE)ETHYL)ALKYLAMINE, ALKYL DERIVED FROM TALLOW FATTY ACIDS 1 239 895 PETROLEUM OIL, PARAFFIN BASED; POLYOXYETHYLENE SORBITAN MIXED FATTY ACID ESTERS; BENSULFURON METHYL; SORBITAN FATTY ACID ESTERS; ALPHA

- (PARA

- NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

- HYDROXYPOLY (OXYETHYLENE) SULFATE, AMMONIUM SALT 1 260 113 PROPANIL; HYDROTREATED PARAFFINIC SOLVENT; TALL OIL FATTY ACIDS; ALPHA

- (PARA

NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE) 1 119 181 METHYLATED SOYBEAN OIL; KEROSENE; DIMETHYL ALKYL TERTIARY AMINES; BENZOIC ACID; LAMBDA

CYHALOTHRIN 1 278 5 PROPANIL; PHOSPHORIC ACID; ZINC SULFATE; MANGANESE SULFATE; FERROUS SULFATE; COCONUT IMIDAZOLINE SODIUM CARBOXYLATE 1 356 553 PROPANIL; MOLINATE; PETROLEUM OIL, PARAFFIN BASED; TRICLOPYR, TRIETHYLAMINE SALT; POLYOXYETHYLENE SORBITAN MIXED FATTY ACID ESTERS; SORBITAN FATTY ACID ESTERS; ALPHA

- (PARA

- NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

- HYDROXYPOLY (OXYETHYLENE) SULFATE, AMMONIUM SALT 1 265 685 PENDIMETHALIN; OLEIC ACID, METHYL ESTER; TRICLOPYR, TRIETHYLAMINE SALT; 2

- (3

- HYDROXYPROPYL)

- HEPTA

- METHYL TRISILOXANE, ETHOXYLATED, ACETATE; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM; CITRIC ACID; CALCIUM CHLORIDE 1 72 28May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

374

LIST OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS MIXED WITH THIOBENCARB NUMBER APPLICATIONS LBS

THIOBENCARB LBS

OTHER AIs BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM; ALPHA

- OCTYLPHENYL

OMEGA

- HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); POLYACRYLAMIDE, POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL MIXTURE; PHOSPHORIC ACID 1 119 3 PROPANIL; BENSULFURON METHYL 1 474 605 ORTHOSULFAMURON; (S)

- CYPERMETHRIN 1 390 623 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); MOLINATE; BENSULFURON METHYL 1 400 2,882 PROPANIL; PENDIMETHALIN; CYHALOFOP

- BUTYL; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM; BENSULFURON METHYL 1 0 1 KEROSENE; BENSULFURON METHYL; LAMBDA

CYHALOTHRIN; SOYBEAN FATTY ACIDS, DIMETHYLAMINE SALT; BENZOIC ACID 1 290 12 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); METHYLATED SOYBEAN OIL; DIFLUBENZURON; KEROSENE; DIMETHYL ALKYL TERTIARY AMINES; BENZOIC ACID 1 960 3,612 BENSULFURON METHYL; DIFLUBENZURON 1 808 24 METHYLATED SOYBEAN OIL; PENOXSULAM; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN; KEROSENE; DIMETHYL ALKYL TERTIARY AMINES; BENZOIC ACID 1 428 16 MCPA, DIMETHYLAMINE SALT; BISPYRIBAC

SODIUM 1 573 73 DIFLUBENZURON; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN; POLYSILOXANE; DERIVATED NATURAL POLYMERS 1 320 4 DERIVATED NATURAL POLYMERS; POLYSILOXANE; BENSULFURON METHYL; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN 1 290 6 PETROLEUM DISTILLATES, ALIPHATIC; BISPYRIBAC

SODIUM 1 1,190 521 MINERAL OIL; BENSULFURON METHYL; PETROLEUM DISTILLATES; TALL OIL FATTY ACIDS; DIMETHYL SOYA AMINE; BENZOIC ACID 1 401 18 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); DIFLUBENZURON; (S)

- CYPERMETHRIN 1 405 353 METHYL PARATHION; BENSULFURON METHYL; METHYL PARATHION, OTHER RELATED; VINYL POLYMER 1 480 84 CITRIC ACID; PENOXSULAM; LAMBDA

CYHALOTHRIN; CALCIUM CHLORIDE 1 506 22 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); 1 1,223 1,488May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

375

LIST OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS MIXED WITH THIOBENCARB NUMBER APPLICATIONS LBS

THIOBENCARB LBS

OTHER AIs ORTHOSULFAMURON HYDROTREATED PARAFFINIC SOLVENT; CYHALOFOP

- BUTYL; TALL OIL FATTY ACIDS; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM; ALPHA

- (PARA

NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); PENOXSULAM 1 119 16 CYHALOFOP

- BUTYL; PROPANIL; VEGETABLE OIL; PENDIMETHALIN; FATTY ACIDS, MIXED 1 91 255 MINERAL OIL; PENOXSULAM; PETROLEUM DISTILLATES; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN; TALL OIL FATTY ACIDS; DIMETHYL SOYA AMINE; BENZOIC ACID 1 177 7 MOLINATE; DIFLUBENZURON; BENSULFURON METHYL; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN 1 390 92 CARFENTRAZONE

- ETHYL; PENDIMETHALIN; PROPANIL 1 0 1 MOLINATE; PENOXSULAM; CARFENTRAZONE

ETHYL; BENSULFURON METHYL 1 7 0 BENSULFURON METHYL; (S)

- CYPERMETHRIN 1 447 14 DIFLUBENZURON; POLYSILOXANE; (S)

- CYPERMETHRIN; DERIVATED NATURAL POLYMERS 1 476 4 AZOXYSTROBIN; FATTY ACIDS, C16

- C18 AND C18

- UNSATURATED, METHYL ESTERS; 4

- NONYLPHENOL, FORMALDEHYDE RESIN, PROPOXYLATED; OLEIC ACID, METHYL ESTER; N,N

BIS

- (2

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE)ETHYL)ALKYLAMINE, ALKYL DERIVED FROM TALLOW FATTY ACIDS; POLYBUTENES; 2

- (3

- HYDROXYPROPYL)

- HEPTA

METHYL TRISILOXANE, ETHOXYLATED, ACETATE; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM 1 24 14 METHYL PARATHION; KEROSENE; SOYBEAN FATTY ACIDS, DIMETHYLAMINE SALT; BENZOIC ACID 1 620 103 ALPHA

- (PARA

- NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); PHOSPHORIC ACID; ALPHA

- ALKYLARYL

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); LAMBDA

CYHALOTHRIN; ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL; DIMETHYLPOLYSILOXANE 1 565 15 PROPANIL; PETROLEUM DISTILLATES, ALIPHATIC; 1 621 889May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

376

LIST OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS MIXED WITH THIOBENCARB NUMBER APPLICATIONS LBS

THIOBENCARB LBS

OTHER AIs PENDIMETHALIN COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); (S)

- CYPERMETHRIN 1 531 1,970 PROPANIL; MINERAL OIL; TALL OIL FATTY ACIDS; ALPHA

- (PARA

- NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE) 1 403 430 BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM; ALPHA

- 2,6,8

- TRIMETHYL

- 4

- NONYLOXY

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL MONO(3

- (TETRAMETHYL

- 1

- (TRIMETHYLSILOXY)DISILOXANYL)PROPYL)ETHER; PROPYLENE GLYCOL; PHOSPHORIC ACID; TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE; DIMETHYLPOLYSILOXANE 1 119 5 PROPANIL; ORCHEX 796 OIL; OLEIC ACID; AZOXYSTROBIN; ALPHA

- ALKYL (C9

- C11)

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); BENSULFURON METHYL; CARFENTRAZONE

- ETHYL 1 375 559 MOLINATE; PROPANIL 1 40 106 MOLINATE; POLY

- I

- PARA

- MENTHENE 1 439 228 CYHALOFOP

- BUTYL; VEGETABLE OIL; PENDIMETHALIN; FATTY ACIDS, MIXED 1 49 73 BENSULFURON METHYL; DIFLUBENZURON; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN 1 465 19 MOLINATE; CARFENTRAZONE

- ETHYL 1 600 218 PROPANIL; CYHALOFOP

- BUTYL; BISPYRIBAC

SODIUM; FENOXAPROP

- P

- ETHYL 1 0 0 PETROLEUM OIL, PARAFFIN BASED; CYHALOFOP

BUTYL; POLYOXYETHYLENE SORBITAN MIXED FATTY ACID ESTERS; AMMONIUM SULFATE; SORBITAN FATTY ACID ESTERS; PHOSPHORIC ACID; ALPHA

- (PARA

- NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY (OXYETHYLENE) SULFATE, AMMONIUM SALT; CITRIC ACID; POLYACRYLIC POLYMER 1 847 326 PROPANIL; CYHALOFOP

- BUTYL; PENOXSULAM; 2,4

- D; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM 1 0 1 PROPANIL; ORCHEX 796 OIL; OLEIC ACID; 2,4

- D, DIMETHYLAMINE SALT; ALPHA

- ALKYL (C9

- C11)

- OMEGA

- HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); 1 59 677May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

377

LIST OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS MIXED WITH THIOBENCARB NUMBER APPLICATIONS LBS

THIOBENCARB LBS

OTHER AIs BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM

MINERAL OIL; CYHALOFOP

- BUTYL; TALL OIL FATTY ACIDS; ALPHA

- (PARA

- NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); ALPHA

- 2,6,8

- TRIMETHYL

- 4

- NONYLOXY

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL MONO(3

- (TETRAMETHYL

- 1

- (TRIMETHYLSILOXY)DISILOXANYL)PROPYL)ETHER; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM; PROPYLENE GLYCOL; PENOXSULAM; CARFENTRAZONE

- ETHYL; DIMETHYLPOLYSILOXANE 1 15 55 BENSULFURON METHYL; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN; POLYSILOXANE; DERIVATED NATURAL POLYMERS 1 142 3 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); LAMBDA

CYHALOTHRIN; POLYACRYLAMIDE POLYMER; POLYSACCHARIDE POLYMER 1 308 1,535 POLYACRYLAMIDE POLYMER; POLYSACCHARIDE POLYMER 1 119 0 PENDIMETHALIN; OLEIC ACID, METHYL ESTER; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM; 2

- (3

- HYDROXYPROPYL)

- HEPTA

- METHYL TRISILOXANE, ETHOXYLATED, ACETATE 1 118 26 PETROLEUM DISTILLATES; ALPHA

- (PARA

NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); CYHALOFOP

BUTYL 1 237 455 BENSULFURON METHYL; PROPANIL; PETROLEUM OIL, PARAFFIN BASED; POLYOXYETHYLENE SORBITAN MIXED FATTY ACID ESTERS; SORBITAN FATTY ACID ESTERS; ALPHA

- (PARA

NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

- HYDROXYPOLY (OXYETHYLENE) SULFATE, AMMONIUM SALT 1 1 3 LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN; POLYACRYLAMIDE POLYMER 1 182 2 DIFLUBENZURON; (S)

- CYPERMETHRIN 1 320 2 HYDROTREATED PARAFFINIC SOLVENT; CYHALOFOP

- BUTYL; TALL OIL FATTY ACIDS; ALPHA

- (PARA

- NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); CITRIC ACID; 1 705 384May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

378

LIST OF ACTIVE INGREDIENTS MIXED WITH THIOBENCARB NUMBER APPLICATIONS LBS

THIOBENCARB LBS

OTHER AIs CALCIUM CHLORIDE

MOLINATE; METHYLATED SOYBEAN OIL; LAMBDA

CYHALOTHRIN; KEROSENE; DIMETHYL ALKYL TERTIARY AMINES; BENZOIC ACID 1 456 108 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); BENSULFURON METHYL; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN; POLYSILOXANE; DERIVATED NATURAL POLYMERS 1 377 751 PROPANIL; ISOPARAFFINIC HYDROCARBONS; ORCHEX 796 OIL; ALPHA

- (PARA

- NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

- HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE); TALL OIL FATTY ACIDS; ALPHA

- (PARA

- NONYLPHENYL)

- OMEGA

- HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE), PHOSPHATE ESTER; N,N

- BIS

- (2

- OMEGA

HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE)ETHYL)ALKYLAMINE, ALKYL DERIVED FROM TALLOW FA TTY ACIDS 1 623 934 OLEIC ACID, METHYL ESTER; 2

- (3

- HYDROXYPROPYL)

- HEPTA

- METHYL TRISILOXANE, ETHOXYLATED, ACETATE; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM 1 0 2 POLYALKENE OXIDE MODIFIED HEPTAMETHYL TRISILOXANE; BISPYRIBAC

- SODIUM; PROPYLENE GLYCOL 1 15 2 COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE); KEROSENE; LAMBDA

- CYHALOTHRIN; SOYBEAN FATTY ACIDS, DIMETHYLAMINE SALT; BENZOIC ACID 1 173 647 MOLINATE; PROPANIL; BENSULFURON METHYL 1 1 1 SODIUM CARBONATE PEROXYHYDRATE; ORTHOSULFAMURON 1 1,080 1,278 CARFENTRAZONE

- ETHYL; PENOXSULAM 1 141 11 TOTAL 18,733 6,178,623 1,649,004May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

379



### 20. Appendix 5 : Toxicity of Eleven Pesticides to Embryonic ZebrafishMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

380 Toxicity of Eleven Pesticides to Embryonic Zebrafish

November 2011

Project Summary

The Northwest Fisheries Science Center conducted an experiment requested by NOAA’s Office of Protected Resources in support of a Biological Opinion regarding the toxicity of various pesticides to endangered salmon species. The experiment detailed here investigated the effects of eleven pesticides on develo ping zebrafish ( Danio rerio) , a species that is widely used as a toxicological model for other fish species. Zebrafish are a useful model species because the early ontogeny of zebrafish is rapid and well documented (Kimmel et al., 1995) and their
features are easily observed through translucent chorions and bodies. In this experiment, embryonic zebrafish were exposed to oryzalin, trifluralin, prometryn, pendimethalin, fenbutatin oxide, thiobencarb, propargite, metolachlor, 1,3

- dichloropropene, bromoxynil and diflubenzuron
in 5

- day static

- renewal exposures. Toxicity endpoints included mortality, developmental abnormalities, and body length on the final day of the experiment. Three of the chemicals tested, prometryn, fenbutatin oxide, and diflubenzuron, di d not produce an adverse effect on zebrafish survival, morphology or length at the tested concentrations. The pesticides trifluralin, pendimethalin and thiobencarb increased the rate of abnormality in developing zebrafish without appreciably increasing the rate of mortality at the concentrations tested. Fish lengths were significantly smaller following exposure to oryzalin, bromoxynil, trifluralin, pendimethalin,
th iobencarb, propargite, metolachlor and 1,3

- dichloropropene.

Methods

Fish : Zebrafish ( D. rerio ) embryos were obtained from a colony maintained at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center according to standard operating procedures (Linbo, 2009). Male and female zebrafish were combined in spawning tanks and eggs were collected at the beginning of the next light cycle, approximately one hour after the spawning event. Embryos were housed in
a temperature

- controlled incubator at 28.5 C for the duration of t he experiment.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

381

Pesticide stock solutions : Pesticides were obtained in pure form from Chem Service, Inc. (West Chester, Pennsylvania). Pesticide stock solutions were made in acetone and stored under dark
conditions at 4 C. A working solution composed of stock solution and water from the zebrafish colony (system water) was mixed fresh at the start of each day, and subsequent exposure concentrations serially diluted. The maximum acetone concentration for any exposure was 0.1%. The highest pesticide conce ntration of each compound tested was generally the reported
rainbow trout or zebrafish 96

- hr LC 50 value (the concentration lethal to 50% of the test organisms). The highest exposure concentration of 1,3

- dichloropropene was 100 times lower than the reporte d LC 50 value because of observed developmental effects, while exposure concentrations of diflubenzuron were lower due to low solubility in acetone.

Pesticide exposures: Normally developing zebrafish embryos at 1.5

- 2.5 hpf (hours post

fertilization) were selected and placed in 60 mm acetone

- washed glass Petri dishes with 10 ml of pesticide solution. Individual dishes contained 15 embryos and each exposure concentration was tested in triplicate. Exposures were conducted in batches comprised of one or two pesticides, water controls, and 0.1% acetone controls. Exposure solutions were renewed every 24 hours. Dead embryos were removed from the dishes each day to prevent fungal growth and
contamination.

Anatomical screening and measurement of fish body len gth : Embryos were scored every 24 hr for mortality and abnormalities through 5 dpf (days post

- fertilization). See Table 2 for a description of the observed developmental abnormalities. Daily anatomical screenings were performed using a Nikon

- SMZ

- 800 ste reomicroscope with a diascopic base (Meridian Instruments, Seattle, Washington). Only surviving fish were screened for anatomical abnormalities. At 5 dpf, the embryos were anesthetized with tricaine methanesulfonate (MS

222; Sigma

- Aldrich, St. Louis, Mis souri) to measure body length. All surviving embryos from each exposure dish were simultaneously photographed using a Spot RT digital camera (Diagnostic Instruments, Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan) mounted on a stereomicroscope. Length was measured from the anterior tip of the mouth along the notochord to the posterior tipMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

382

of the notochord, and quantified using ImageJ software (available online at http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/ ).

Statistical tests: Length was the onl y parameter explicitly tested. Lengths of control fish were compared using a two

- factor ANOVA comparing type (water and acetone) and batch, and showed a significant result of batch only. Subsequent analyses of exposures compared the average of three dish es (n = 3) to their corresponding batch controls. Differences in embryo lengths between concentrations of a given pesticide were tested using one

- way ANOVAs with a Tukey HSD post hoc (Tables 3

- 13).

Results

Chemical

- specific mortality and abnormality data, as well as their respective controls, are presented in Figures 1

- 11. Both water and acetone controls showed consistently low rates of both mortality and abnormality. We found that 3 pesticides (prometryn, fenbutatin oxide and diflubenzuron) showed no increases in mortality or abnormality as well as no significant differences in embryo length. Three additional chemicals (trifluralin, pendimethalin and thiobencarb) produced higher rates of abnormalities and significantly shorter embryos at the highes t exposure concentration without increasing mortality. While the remaining pesticides (oryzalin, bromoxynil, propargite, metolachlor, and 1,3

- dichloropropene) produced significantly shorter embryos at various exposure concentrations with no effect on mort ality or abnormality,
there was no clear dose

- dependent trend. Whether there is a biological consequence to these shorter lengths at the concentrations tested here is a subject for further investigation.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

383

Table 1. Nominal concentrations of pesticides used in exposures and rainbow trout LC 50 values. Compound Name Type Exposure Concentrations ( g/l) Rainbow Trout LC 50 values ( g/l) Oryzalin Herbicide 3, 30, 300, 3000 3260

Trifluralin Herbicide 0.05, 0.5, 5, 50 50
Prometryn Herbicide 0.9, 9, 90, 900 2900

Pendimethalin Herbicide 0.15, 1.5, 15, 150 138

Fenbutatin oxide Insecticide 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 10

Thiobencarb Herbicide 0.8, 8, 80, 800 790
Propargite Insecticide 0.15, 1.5, 15, 150 <168

Metolachlor Herbicide 0.3, 3, 30, 300 300
1,3

- Dichloropropene Insecticide 0.03, 0.3, 0.3, 3 270
Bromoxynil Herbicide 0.05, 0.5, 5, 50 41

Diflubenzuron Insecticide/Fungicide 2, 20, 200, 2000 72000

Table 2. Abnormalities observed during zebrafish embryo exposures. Abnormality Description

Edema Accumulation of excess fluid in any one of the following cavities: heart, yolk sac, yolk

extension, eyes.

Unhatched Failure to hatch at 5 dpf.

Curved Curvature of the tail dorsally in the sagittal plane such that a line drawn from the posterior tip

of the notochord to the mouth of the fish would yield a gap between the line and body.

Lethargic An inability to maintain an upright posture and/or inactivity.

Deformed fins The absence or improper formation of fin tissue.

Deformed tail A notable s hortening of the tail or improper notochord development.

Bent A bend in the body or tail of the embryo in the coronal plane.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

384

Oryzalin

Oryzalin exposure did not impact developing zebrafish in a dose

- dependent manner. Mortality was the highest (20%) at 30 g/l, but declined to 8.9% at 3000 g/l. Abnormality was the highest at 3000 g/l (17.1%), but was also elevated at 3 g/l (16.2%). T he most common abnormality observed was edema.

Figure 1: Percent mortality and abnormality observed in control and oryzalin

- exposed zebrafish. Symbols are means (n = 3) SD.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

385

Table 3: Average length of fish exposed to oryzalin and controls (n = 3 dishes). There was a significant effect of oryzalin (One

- way ANOVA, p < 0.0001). * Indicates treatment significantly different than controls (Tukey HSD, p < 0.01).

Bromoxynil

Bromoxynil exposure did not cause an increase in mortality or abnormality in developing zebrafish. The highest rate of abnormality (6.7%) was observed at 0.05 g/l and 50 g/l. Mortality occurred the most frequently at 0.5 g/l and 5 g/l at a rate of 2. 2%. Treatment ( g/l) Average length ± SD (mm)

Water control 4.49 ± 0.02
0.1% acetone 4.50 ± 0.02
3 4.53 ± 0.05
30 4.48 ± 0.02
300 4.51 ± 0.05
3000 4.27 ± 0.02*May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

386

Figure 2. Percent mortality and abnormality in controls and zebrafish exposed to bromoxynil. Symbols are means (n = 3) SD.

Table 4: Average length of fish exposed to bromoxynil and controls (n = 3 dishes). There was a significant effect of bromoxynil (One

- way ANOVA, p < 0.0001). * Indicates treatment significantly different than controls (Tukey HSD, p < 0.05).
Treatment ( g/l) Average length ± SD (mm)

Water control 4.20 ± 0.04
0.1% acetone 4.06 ± 0.02
0.05 3.97 ± 0.03*
0.5 4.08 ± 0.01
5 4.05 ± 0.04
50 4.13 ± 0.06May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

387

Trifluralin

Exposure to trifluralin caused significant abnormalities at the highest dose tested (50 g/l). The rate of abnormality at this dose was 95.3%, and the most common abnormality noted was lethargy, characterized by the absence of active swimming and a tendency to lose upright posture. Mortality was the greatest (22.2%) at 0.5 g/l.

Figure 3 . Percent mortality and abnormality of controls and zebrafish exposed to trifluralin. Symbols are means (n = 3) SD.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

388

Table 5: Average lengths of fish exposed to trifluralin and controls (n = 3 dishes). There was a significant effect of trifluralin (O ne - way ANOVA, p < 0.0001). * Indicates treatment significantly different than controls (Tukey HSD, p < 0.01).

Treatment ( g/l) Average length ± 1 SD (mm)

Water control 4.02 ± 0.01
0.1% acetone 4.11 ± 0.07
0.05 4.05 ± 0.02
0.5 4.11 ± 0.07
5 4.01 ± 0.07
50 3.59 ± 0.03*May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

389

Prometryn

Prometryn exposure did not adversely affect either the rate of abnormality or mortality in developing zebrafish. The highest rate of morality observed was at 9 g/l (4.4%), and the highest rate of abnormality was at 0.9 g/l and 900 g/l (2.3%).

Figure 4. Percent mortality and abnormality of controls and prometryn exposed fish. Symbols are means (n = 3) SD.

Table 6: Average lengths of fish exposed to pro metryn and controls (n = 3 dishes). Exposure to prometryn did not significantly affect fish length (One

- way ANOVA, p > 0.05).

Treatment ( g/l) Average length ± SD (mm)

Water control 3.85 ± 0.06
0.1% acetone 3.96 ± 0.03
0.9 3.96 ± 0.06
9 3.95 ± 0.01
90 3.97 ± 0.03
900 3.85 ± 0.02May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

390

Pendimethalin

Embryos exposed to 150 g/l of pendimethalin developed a significant amount (100%) of abnormalities. Abnormal embryos were lethargic and struggled to swim. The highest rate of mortality (11.1%) was noted at 15 g/l.

Figure 5. Percent mortality and abnormality of controls an d fish exposed to pendimethalin. Symbols are means (n = 3) SD.

Table 7: Average lengths of fish exposed to pendimethalin and controls (n = 3 dishes). Pendimethalin exposure significantly impacted the length of larvae (One

- way ANOVA, p <0.001). * Indi cates treatment significantly different than controls (Tukey HSD, p < 0.01).

Treatment ( g/l) Average length ± SD (mm)

Water control 3.85 ± 0.06
0.1% acetone 3.96 ± 0.03
0.15 3.98 ± 0.04
1.5 3.97 ± 0.03
15 3.94 ± 0.06
150 3.59 ± 0.03*May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

391

Fenbutatin oxide

Fenbutatin oxide did not cause a dose

- dependent change in mortality or abnormality. Mortality occurred the most frequently at 10 g/l (28.9%). Abnormality on the other hand was highest at 0.1 g/l (26.3%), and declined at higher concentrations.

Figure 6. Percent mortality and abnormality of controls and fish exposed to fenbutatin oxide. Symbols are means (n = 3) SD.

Table 8: Average lengths of fish exposed to fenbutatin oxide and controls (n = 3 dishes). Fenbutatin oxide exposure did n ot affect the length of fish (One

- way ANOVA, p > 0.05).

Treatment ( g/l) Average length ± SD (mm)

Water control 3.90 ± 0.06
0.1% acetone 3.93 ± 0.01
0.01 3.91 ± 0.03
0.1 3.88 ± 0.06
1 3.91 ± 0.04
10 3.87 ± 0.02May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

392

Thiobencarb

Exposing developing zebrafish to thiobencarb produced abnormalities in 100% of the embryos at 800 g/l. The 5

- dpf larvae behaved abnormally with erratic swimming patterns. Mortality at 800 g/l was 13.3%.

Figure 7. Percent mortality and abnormality observed in controls and fish exposed to thiobencarb. Symbols are means (n = 3) SD.

Table 9: Average lengths of fish exposed to thiobencarb and controls (n = 3 dishes). There was a significant effect of thiobencarb (One

- way ANOVA, p < 0.0001). * Indicates treatment significantly different than controls (Tukey HSD, p < 0.01).

Treatment ( g/l) Average length ± SD (mm)

Water control 3.92 ± 0.04
0.1% acetone 3.99 ± 0.03
0.8 3.91 ± 0.03
8 3.87 ±0.04
80 3.91 ± 0.03
800 3.69 ± 0.07*May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

393

Propargite

Zebrafish embryos exposed to propargite did not show increased rates of mortality or abnormality. The highest rate of mortality (4.4 %) was observed at 0.15 g/l and 1.5 g/l. Embryos had the greatest number of abnormalities (13.6%) at 150 g/l.

Figure 8. Percent mortality and abnormality in controls and fish exposed to propargite. Symbols are means (n = 3) SD.

Table 10: Average lengths of fish exposed to propargite and controls (n = 3 dishes). Propargite produced significant effects (One

- way ANOVA, p = 0.005). * Indicates treatment significantly different than controls (Tukey HSD, p < 0.01).

Treatment ( g/l) A verage length ± SD (mm)

Water control 3.92 ± 0.04
0.1% acetone 3.99 ± 0.03
0.15 3.95 ± 0.04
1.5 3.92 ± 0.04
15 3.94 ± 0.02
150 3.83 ± 0.01*May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

394

Metolachlor

Exposure to metolachlor did not alter zebrafish mortality, although a higher rate (28.6%) of abnormality was observed at 300 g/l. The most frequent abnormality noted was a failure to hatch by 5 dpf.

Figure 9. Percent mortality and abnormality of zeb rafish exposed to metolachlor and controls. Symbols are means (n = 3) SD.

Table 11 : Average lengths of fish exposed to metolachlor and controls (n = 3 dishes). There was a significant effect of metolachlor (One

- way ANOVA, p < 0.0001). * Indicates trea tment significantly different than controls (Tukey HSD, p < 0.01).

Treatment ( g/l) Average length ± SD (mm)

Water control 4.42 ± 0.03
0.1% acetone 4.37 ± 0.03
0.3 4.24 ± 0.06*
3 4.40 ± 0.05
30 4.23 ± 0.05*
300 4.18 ± 0.05*May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

395

1,3

- Dichloropropene

Exposure to 1,3

- dichloropropene caused an increase in abnormality and mortality in developing zebrafish, but not in a dose dependent manner. The highest rate of mortality (28.9%)
occurred at 0.3 g/l, and declined at higher concentrations. The highest ra te of abnormality (37.5%) was observed at 3 g/l. The rate of abnormality remained between 28.1% and 37.5% for all exposure concentrations and the most commonly observed abnormality was failure to hatch by 5dpf.

Figure 10. Percent mortality and abnor mality observed in fish exposed to 1,3

- dichloropropene and controls. Symbols are means (n = 3) SD.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

396

Table 12. Average lengths of fish exposed to 1,3

- dichloropropene and controls (n = 3 dishes). There was a significant effect of 1,3

- dichloropropene ( One

- way ANOVA, p <0.001). * Indicates treatment significantly different than controls (Tukey HSD, p < 0.01).

Treatment ( g/l) Average length ± SD (mm)

Water control 4.46 ± 0.03
0.1% acetone 4.34 ± 0.03
0.03 4.32 ± 0.04
0.3 4.14 ± 0.05*
3 4.28 ± 0.08
30 4.27 ± 0.06

Diflubenzuron

Diflubenzuron did not influence zebrafish mortality or abnormality. The highest rate of abnormality (6.8%) was observed at 20 g/l, and the highest rate of morality (4.4%) was
observed at 2 g/l. However, it is important to note that diflubenzuron was difficult to work with because of its low solubility in acetone (6.5 g/l). The most concentrated stock solution of diflubenzuron we were able to make was 2 g/l. Diflubenzuron appeared to remai n in solution after dosing the exposure dishes, however after 24hrs, the highest exposure concentration dishes (2000 g/l) had visible floating particles. Thus, without using alternative methodologies (e.g. DMSO as the carrier), we are not confident about accurate dosing for this compound.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

397

Figure 11. Percent mortality and abnormality observed in control fish and fish exposed to diflubenzuron. Symbols are means (n = 3) SD.

Table 13: Average lengths of fish exposed to diflubenzuron and controls (n = 3 dishes). There was not a significant effect of diflubenzuron on fish length (One

- way ANOVA, p > 0.05).

Treatment ( g/l) Average length ± SD (mm)

Water control 4.20 ± 0.04
0.1% acetone 4.06 ± 0.02
2 4.06 ± 0.03
20 4.88 ± 0.06
200 4.98 ± 0.03
2000 4.08 ± 0.03May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

398

References

Kimmel, CB, WW Ballard, SR Kimmel, B Ullman and TF Schilling. 1995. Stages of embryonic development of the zebrafish. Developmental Dynamics 203(3):253

- 310.

Linbo, TL. 2009. Zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) husbandry and colony maintenance at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center. U.S. Dept. Commer., NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS

- NWFSC

- 100, 62p.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

399



### 21. Appendix 6 : Conservation Values of Designated Critical Habitat for Listed Salmonids in California’s Central ValleyMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

400

Rice Areas and Conservation Values of Designated Critical Habitat for Listed Salmonids in California’s Central Valley

The maps below provide conservation values (High, Medium, Low) for each of the watershed units within the designated critical habitats for the three California Central Valley listed salmonids. Not all habitats have the same conservation value for an ESU. In determining what areas are critical habitat for listed salmonids, NMFS had to consider those physical or biological
features that a re essential to the conservation of a given species, called the primary constituent elements (PCEs). Designation of the conservation values required taking into account the quality, quantity, and distribution of PCEs within each watershed (50 CFR Part 226 , September 2, 2005). Using GIS, we overlaid the NASS CDL 2010 data layer for rice to get a spatially relevant distribution of rice growing areas with the watersheds and their conservation values.
We evaluated the overlap between rice growing areas and d esignated critical habitat.

At this point in time, conservation values within the designated critical habitat for Sacra mento River winter

- run Chinook have not been assigned

. For this Opinion , we assumed each watershed to have a high conservation value.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

401May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

402May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

403May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

404



### 22. Appendix 7: I

mplement ing RPM 1May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

405

EPA must reference and require the following risk reduction measures on all thiobencarb labels.
The risk reduction measures below (1. and 2.) are mandatory.

1. Adhere to California Department of Pesticide Registration PRESCRIBE database’s use limitations for thiobencarb and ESA

- listed salmonids within the Central Valley of California. http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/endspec/prescint.htm

The following is an example page from the PRESCRIBE database downloaded on May 2, 2012:
Endangered species custom bulletin and endangered species pesticide use limits
For protection of the following species:

o [E] Chinook salmon Sacramento winter

- run ESU.

o [T] Chinook salmon

– Central Valley spring

- run ESU

o [T] Steelhead

– Central Valley ESU
That contain these active ingredients (chemicals):

THIOBENCARB

Observe Use Limits for Selected Products [containing thiobencarb] :

Code Use Limitations

11 Do not use in currently occupied habitat except: (1) if specified in Species Details, or (2) in organized habitat recovery programs, or (3) for selective control of invasive exotic plants.

17 For sprayable or dust formulations: when the air is calm or moving away from habitat, commence applications on the side nearest the habitat and proceed away from the habitat. When air currents are moving toward habitat, do not make applications within 200 yards by air or 40 yards by ground upwind from occupied habitat. The county a gricultural commissioner may reduce or waive buffer zones following a site inspection, if there is an adequate hedgerow, windbreak, riparian corridor or other physical barrier that substantially reduces the probability of drift.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

406

2. Adhere to California Department of Pesticide Registration ’s recommended permit
conditions for thiobencarb. These are specified in CDPR’s Pesticide Use Enforcement Standards Compendium, Volume 3 (Rev. 2

- 11), and include recommended permit
conditions for General Drift Minimizati on listed in Appendix C.1 and all permit conditions specific to thiobencarb as specified in Appendix C.2

. http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/enforce/compend/vol_3/append_c.pdf

The following is language from CDPR’s Pesticide Use Enforcement Standards Compendium, Volumen 3 (Rev. 2

- 11), Appendix C, Sections C.1 and C.2. 

### General Drift Minimization (Section C.1)

I. AIRCRAFT A. Aircraft application equipment used to apply a pesticide spray solution shall be configured as follows: 1. Functional boom length, measured from outboard nozzle to outboard nozzle, shall not exceed 75% of the overall wing span or rotor le ngth. 2. Boom pressure shall not exceed 40 pounds per square inch for the nozzles being used. 3. The flow of liquid from each nozzle shall be controlled by a positive shutoff system. 4. Nozzle orifices shall be directed backward, neutral to the airstrea m. 5. Aircraft shall be equipped with: (a) Jet nozzles having an orifice of not less than one

- sixteenth of an inch in diameter. Nozzles shall not be equipped with any device or mechanism which would cause a sheet, cone, fan, or similar type dispersion o f the discharged material, except helicopters operating at 60 miles per hour or less may add a number 46 (or equivalent) or larger whirlplate; (b) Helicopters operating at 60 miles per hour or less may, instead of (a), be equipped with fan nozzles with a fan angle number not larger than 80 degrees and a flow rate not less than one gallon per minute at 40 pounds per square inch pressure (or equivalent); or (c) After evaluation, the director may authorize other nozzles for aircraft

use. B. Aerial applicati ons of a pesticide spray solution shall meet the following requirements: 1. Apply only when there is a positive air flow. Wind speed shall not be more than ten miles per hour at the application site, as measured by an anemometer positioned four feet abov e the ground. 2. Discharge shall start after entering the target site; discharge height shall not exceed ten feet above the crop or target; discharge shall be shut off wheneverMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

407 necessary to raise the equipment over obstacles; discharge shall be shut off before exiting the target site. II. GROUND A. Vehicle

- mounted or towed ground equipment, other than handguns, used to make applications shall be equipped with: 1. Nozzles having an orifice not less than one

- sixteenth of an inch in diameter (or equivalent) and operated at a boom pressure not to exceed the manufacturer’s recommended pressure for the nozzles being used; or 2. Low

- pressure fan nozzles with a fan an gle number not larger than 80 degrees and nozzle orifice not less than 0.2 gallon per minute flow rate (or equivalent) and operated at a boom pressure not to exceed 15 pounds per square inch. B. Applications of a pesticide spray solution made by vehicle

- m ounted or towed ground equipment shall meet the following requirements: 1. Apply only when wind speed is ten miles per hour or less at the application site, as measured by an anemometer positioned four feet above the ground. 2. Discharge shall start afte r entering the target site; discharge shall be shut off before exiting the target site.


### Thiobencarb specific recommendations in Recommended Permit Conditions for Rice Pesticides (Section C.2)
Rice Pesticide Water Monitoring and Annual Reporting CRC responsibility The rice industry, via the California Rice Commission (CRC), will be responsible for leadership in water monitoring, annual reporting to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB), and coordinating the participation of all program stakeholders. The rice industry is ultimately responsible for meeting water quality objectives. DPR, as a co

- regulator with the water boards, will continue to use its authority to regulate the sales and use of pesticides to address water quali ty issues involving pesticides. DPR will continue to actively participate with CVRWQCB and the rice industry staff to address rice pesticide issues.



### Seepage Mitigation Requirements
Seepage defined For purposes of mitigating seepage in rice production: Seepage is lateral movement of irrigation water through a rice field levee or border to an area outside the normally flooded production area. Seepage can occur through levees into adjacent dry fields or into adjacent drains and canals.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

408

Seepage documentation DPR requests that county agricultural commissioners (CACs) continue monitoring for seepage when inspecting for water

- holding compliance by:

• Checking for seepage, or collection of seepage, that occurs through the outer borders of a field or the bottom border located at the lowest part of the field.

• Using the water

- holding inspection logs to document seepage observations. The Pesticide Use Monitoring Inspection Form (PR

- ENF

104) may also be used to document seepage observations. Indicate ―water

- hold inspection‖ on the blank line under ―application inspection.‖

• Document in the ―Remarks‖ section on either form: Seepage flow less than five gallons per minute, or seepage flow more than five gallons per minute.

Enforcement action Any visible seepage moving offsite during the water

- holding period that drains into the waters of the State is considered an early release and is a water

- holding violation. An enforcement action should be taken in accordance with 3 CCR section 6128.

Brochure Please continue to distribute the brochure, Seepage Water Management, Voluntary Guidelines for Good Stewardship in Rice Production, Publication 21568, to growers at the time of permit issuance.



### Drift Minimization Requirements
Mitigation
measures • DPR wil l provide ―focused‖ oversight inspection of thiobencarb aerial applications to monitor thiobencarb drift mitigation requirements.

• DPR recommends all rice pesticide permits be conditioned with General Drift Minimization restrictions.


### Thiobencarb Drift Mitigation Requirements

Mandatory preseason Thiobencarb stewardship training

• Restricted material permits for the use of thiobencarb should not be issued to growers who have not received CRC certification that they have attended a Thiobencarb Stewardshi p Meeting.

• The CAC may certify a grower that did not attend a Thiobencarb Stewardship Meeting by having them view a video of the preseasonMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

409

Thiobencarb Stewardship Meeting.

• DPR will provide ―focused‖ oversight inspection of thiobencarb aerial applicatio ns to monitor thiobencarb drift mitigation requirements.

Drift Minimization I. The use of Bolero 10G formulation is prohibited in the Sacramento Valley rice growing counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, and Yuba. II. No aerial applications shall be made or continued within 1⁄2 mile of the Sacramento or Feather Rivers in the Sacramento Valley rice growing counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, and Yuba unless there is a continuous pos itive airflow away from the river. III. In the Sacramento Valley rice growing counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, and Yuba, no aerial application shall be made or continued within 1⁄2 mile of the Sacramento or Feather Rivers when the wind speed exceeds seven miles per hour. IV. In Sacramento and Yolo Counties, no aerial applications shall be made or continued within 1⁄4 mile of the Sacramento River unless they are made under the direct supervision of the county agricult ural commissioner’s representative. V. In Sacramento and Yolo Counties, the maximum acres treated by air each day within 1⁄4 mile of the Sacramento River shall not exceed 33 percent of the average acres treated per day by air within this area in each county during 2002.

Storm Event Work Group The Communication Plan developed by the Storm Event Work Group will be utilized in the event of a severe storm occurrence. The Storm Event Work Group will continue to meet as needed. Currently, the work group is comprised of staff from the Regional Water Board, DPR, University of California, a reclamation district representative, CACs, and the rice industry. The California Rice Commission will take the lead in facilitating this group.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

410



### Rice Pesticides Water Ma nagement Requirements Summary

Water must be held for the indicated number of 24

- hour periods on site or containment before release to State Waters. Bolero 15

- G Bolero UltraMax Abolish 8EC

Hold Hold Hold Single Field (e) 30 30 19 Single field Southern areas only
(a) . 19 19 Single permitted release into tailwater recovery system or pond onto fallow field [Except Southern area (a) ]. 14 (b) 14 (c) 14 (b)

Multi

- growers & district release onto closed recirculating systems. 6 6 6

Multi

- growers & district release onto closed recirculating systems in Southern area (a) . 6 6

Release from closed recirculating system. 19 19 19 Release into area that discharge negligible amount into perennial streams 19 19 6 (d) Emergency Release of tailwater 19 19 19 Commissioner verifies the hydrologic isolation of the fields 6 6 6

a – Sacramento/San Joaquin Valley defined as: South of the line defined by Roads E10 and 116 in Yolo County and the American Riv er in Sacramento County. b

– Thiobencarb permit condition allows Bolereo 15G label hold period of 14 days.

c – Thiobencarb permit condition allows Bolero UltraMax label hold period of 14 days. d

– See hydrologic isolation fields.

e – When drainage begins after 30 day hold, discharge must not exceed two inches of water over a drain box weir for seven additional days. Unregulated discharges from these fields may then begin after 37 days.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

411



### General Water

- Holding I. The following seepage control requirements apply to all rice pesticides having mandatory water

- holding requirements such as thiobencarb, etc. Non

- compliance with seepage requirements is considered a water

- holding violation.

A. Rice pesticides, such as thiobencarb, shall not be applied to rice fields exhibiting visible water seepage that moves offsite into drains that are considered state waters. B. Borders surrounding each rice field shall be compacted before water is allowed to fill the field; the degree of compaction shall be sufficient to prevent water from seeping through the border. For example, compaction may be achieved by driving the tires or tracks of a tractor, or other heavy vehicle, on one side of the border. C. This requirement applies to new or reworked existing borders for the current rice season. D. A common border between two existing rice fields does not need to be compacted.

II. The following water holding requirements apply to rice fields treated with thiobencarb in the Sacramento Valley (north of the line defined by Roads E10 and 116 in Yolo Coun ty and the American River in Sacramento County), except those treated with Abolish® 8EC:

A. Except as listed below, all water on treated fields must be retained on the treated fields for at least 30 days following application. When drainage begins, discharge must not exceed two inches of water over a drain box weir for seven additional days. Unregulated discharges from these fields may then begin after 37 days.
1. When water is contained within a tailwater recovery system, ponded on fallow land, or contained in other systems appropriate for preventing discharge, the water must be retained in the system for 19 days, unless:
(a) The system is under the control of one permittee, then water may be discharged from the application site in a manner consis tent with product labeling (14

- day water hold). (b) The system includes drainage from more than one permittee, then water must be retained on the site of application for six days before being discharged from the application site into the system. (c) Water is on fields within the bounds of areas that discharge negligible amounts of rice field drainage into perennial streams until fields are drained for harvest. Water

- hold may be reduced to six days if the commissioner evaluates such sites and verifies the hy drologic isolation of the fields.May 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

412

III. Rice fields treated with thiobencarb in the Sacramento/San Joaquin Valley (south of the line defined by Roads E10 and 116 in Yolo County and the American River in Sacramento County), except those treated with Aboli sh® 8EC:

A. Except as listed below, all water on treated fields must be retained on the treated fields for at least 19 days following application. When drainage begins, water discharge must not exceed two inches of water over a drain box weir for an add itional seven days. Unregulated discharges from these fields may begin after 26 days.

1. When water is contained within a tailwater recovery system, ponded on fallow land, or contained in other systems appropriate for preventing discharge, the system may discharge 19 days following the last application of thiobencarb within the system unless:
(a) The system is under the control of one permittee, then water may be discharged from the application site in a manner consistent with product labeling (14

- day wa ter

- hold period). (b) The system includes drainage from more than one permittee, then water must be retained on the site of application for six days before discharged from the application site into the system. (c) Water is on fields within the bounds of ar eas that discharge negligible amounts of rice field drainage into perennial streams until fields are drained for harvest. Water

- hold may be reduced to six days, if the commissioner evaluates such sites and verifies the hydrologic isolation of the fields.

IV. All areas, fields treated with Abolish® 8EC:
A. Except as listed below, all water on treated fields must be retained on the treated fields for at least 19 days following application. When drainage begins, water discharge must be released at a volume not to exceed two inches of water over a drain box weir for an additional seven days. Unregulated discharges from these fields may begin after 26 days.

1. For water contained within a tailwater recovery system, ponded on fallow land, or contained in other systems appropriate for preventing discharge, the system may discharge 19 days following the last application within the system unless:
(a) The system is under the control of one permittee, then water may be discharged from the application site in a manner consistent with product labeling (14

- day water

- hold period). (b) The system includes drainage from more than one permittee, then water must be retained on the site of application for six days before discharged from the application site into the system. (c) Water is on fields within the bounds of areas that discharge negligible amounts of rice field drainage into perennial streams until fields are drained for harvest, then water

- hold may be reduced to six days if the commissioner evaluates such s itesMay 11, 2012 Draft Biological Opinion

413 and verifies the hydrologic isolation of the fields.

V. Emergency release requirements (Salinity damage):
The county agricultural commissioner may authorize the emergency release of field water after a minimum 19

- day water

- hold period after the last thiobencarb application, following the review of a written application that demonstrates salinity levels are damaging to the crop.

A. Applicants for such emergency releases must provide the following information:

1. All information indicated on the emergency release request (Form A), including a description of the severity and extent of salinity damage. 2. Electrical conductivity (EC) measurements, expressed as deciSiemens per meter (dS/m) or microSiemens per centimeter ( μ S/cm), from field water in each paddy suspected of having salinity problems. To most effectively demonstrate salinity problems, measurements should be taken wherever salinity problems are evident. 3. The instrument (make and model) used to determine EC measurements. The instrumen t must have a sensitivity range that accommodates the full range of EC values in intake and paddy water (usually a range of 0

- 5.0 dS/m or 0

- 5,000 μ S/cm should be sufficient) and should have a resolution of not less than five percent. The instrument must be calibrated according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The applicant must specify the method of temperature compensation (i.e., automatic, conversion table). 4. Who made the EC measurements. 5. The source of irrigation water (e.g., district supply can al, drainage canal, well, etc.).

B. An emergency release may be granted only if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

1. All required information is provided. 2. Water management requirements for rice pesticides other than thiobencarb are satisfied. 3. EC of paddy water exceeds 2.0 dS/m or 2,000 μ S/cm. 4. The county agricultural commissioner or his/her staff inspects the site.

C. Water may be released from paddies where EC measurements exceed 2.0 dS/m or 2,000 μ S/cm and from paddies down gradient from such paddies within the same field. Water shall only be released in an amount necessary to mitigate the salinity problem.

D. Those issued an emergency release must submit to the county agricultural commissioner, a report (Form B) indicati ng the time and duration of the emergency release and data that can be used to calculate the total amount of water released during the emergency release.