U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

FWS Delivers OCAP Status Report to Court

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service delivered (4-30-08) its status report to the court on progress toward a new OCAP Biological Opinion, in compliance with Judge Wagner's delta smelt order.

Status Report (PDF)

Declaration by Susan Moore, Field Supv. (PDF)

Delta Smelt Flow Update

VAMP is now providing the flows required to protect delta smelt under Judge Wanger's order, from April 22 to May 22, 2008 More (Popup page)

Salmon Order
Judge Wanger issued his order regarding salmon on April 16, 2008. Read the order (PDF)

Newest Delta Science Report

The 2007 Pelagic Organism Decline Report provides the most recent information on factors in the decline of Delta fishes.

Bay Delta Conservation Plan (1-24-2008)

The Service and other agencies opened a public comment period to begin early scoping for a possible Bay Delta Conservation Plan. Many agencies will examine options for moving water thru the Delta while helping conserve native species. Federal Register TEXT PDF.

Fall Survey Shows Continued Decline of Delta Fish (1-10-08)

Delta smelt, a federally protected species, were at their record low level according to the annual fall Delta fish survey. The survey shows continued decline in 4 of the 5 fish species counted. Survey Data

Longfin smelt, a species which FWS is now evaluating for possible protection under the federal Endangered Species Act, were virtually absent. Even striped bass were at their third lowest ever in the survey.

Court Sets Deadline for New Opinion to Protect Delta Smelt

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is writing a new Biological Opinion (BO) regarding the effects of the two large Delta export pumps on the federally-protected delta smelt.

The Service is preparing the BO to comply with a finding by the U.S. District Court (Judge Wanger) that the "OCAP BO is unlawful and inadequate," in part because it "does not provide a reasonable degree of certainty that mitigation measures will take place."

(OCAP stands for the Long-Term Operational Criteria and Plan)

On Dec. 14, 2007, Wanger issued an interim order directing potential pumping limits and other actions to protect the delta smelt until the new BO is completed. Wanger directed the Service to complete the new BO by Sept. 15, 2008.

News Release - May 31, 2007
Agreement to Reduce Pumping to a Minimum To Protect Delta Smelt

May 9, 2008

Final Settlement of Humboldt Bay Kure Oil Spill. News Release

May 6, 2008

Longfin Smelt Considered for Protection under Endangered Species Act. News Release

MORE NEWS

Delta Smelt Links

• Judge Wanger's court orders:
  
  Salmon - Final
  Delta Smelt - Interim
  Delta Smelt - Finding of Fact
• Delta Smelt Recovery page
  (includes original OCAP BO)
• Smelt Working Group
• Species Account (PDF)
• Delta Smelt Survey Data
  (from the California Dept. of Fish & Game midwater trawl)