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Delta Smelt Recovery

About the delta smelt

The delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1993.

Factors thought to have contributed to the decline of the species include reductions in freshwater outflow, entrainment losses to water diversions, entrainment at power plant intakes, changes abundance and composition of food organisms, environmental contaminants, and competition and predation from exotic invasive aquatic species.

Bay-Delta Fish & Wildlife Office

October 23, 2009 - Service announces creation of the Bay-Delta Fish and Wildlife Office. The new field office will focus on conservation issues related to the increasingly vital Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. News Release

DSRAM/Smelt Working Group

DSRAM - The Delta Smelt Risk Assessment Matrix - sets criteria which, when exceeded, trigger meetings of the Smelt Working Group. The group consists of experts in delta smelt biology. Read more.

OCAP

On December 15, 2008, this office issued a biological opinion on the Long-Term Operational Criteria and Plan (OCAP) for coordination of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project. The document is in PDF format. News Release

Complete biological opinion (PDF 8.3 MB)
Official signed version (non-OCR)

For easier downloading, here is the opinion divided into three sections:

• Background (5.5 MB)
  Cover Letter, Consultation History, Table of Contents, Project Description, Analytic Frameworks, Status of the Species
• Determinations (2 MB)
  Effects of the Proposed Action, Reasonable and Prudent Alternative, Incidental Take, Conservation Recommendations, Closing Statement
• Literature Cited, Attachments (1.1 MB)

See our Delta Update page for more information on OCAP

For reference only, the 2005 biological opinion, in PDF format.

2005 OCAP Cover Letter (52 KB)

2005 OCAP Pages 1-75 (5.4 MB)

2005 OCAP Pages 76-150 (6.9 MB)

2005 OCAP Pages 150-232 (7.6 MB)

Last updated: November 17, 2009

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