Smelt Survey Indicates California Delta is Literally Dying--Action is Needed Now

As I understand it, few, if any of these actions have been taken.

Also last March, Dr. Peter Moyle with UC Davis and Dr. Christina Swanson with the Bay Institute wrote a letter recommending specific action that:

“reflect our concern that, at this point, actions that simply minimize harm to the species may be insufficient to save the delta smelt: to reverse the decline of this species, we must adjust our management of this system to provide favorable environmental conditions. Furthermore, all of these actions can be implemented immediately via operational changes and/or minor changes in existing infrastructure.”

They continue,

“We recommend that your agencies implement the following actions:

• Manage Sacramento and San Joaquin River inflows and Delta water exports to prevent negative flow conditions on Old and Middle Rivers during late winter and spring (i.e., Old and Middle River flows ≥0 cubic feet per second [cfs] from February-June);

• Restrict export increases during wintertime pulse flow events to levels that avoid negative flows on Old and Middle Rivers;

• Extend the Vernalis Adaptive Management Program export curtailment beyond the required 31-day period until monitoring and salvage indicate that >95% of the delta smelt population is located downstream of the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers;

• Do not install the barrier at the head of Old River;

• Do not install the south Delta agricultural barriers until monitoring and salvage indicate that >95% of the delta smelt population is located downstream of the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers;

• Increase San Joaquin River flows and/or curtail water exports to maintain Old and Middle River flows no less than -5000 cfs during summer (July-September);

• Maintain X2 downstream of 80 km and/or maintain western Delta salinity at levels comparable to those measured during years in which Corbula had the most downstream distribution patterns during the fall (September-December).”

Again, as I understand it, not only have none of these actions been taken, but in some cases actions have been taken diametrically opposed to the recommendations of these two distinguished scientists.

Finally, just last week, the Delta Smelt Working Group, experts in delta smelt biology from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Department of Water Resources, and the California Dept. of Fish and Game, made the following recommendation:

The goal is no further entrainment of delta smelt. To achieve this, the Projects should modify flows to achieve a non-negative daily net flow (meaning daily net flow should not be southward) in Old and Middle River. This should be implemented as soon as possible and continue until southern Delta water temperatures reach 25°C, the lab-lethal limit.

Given the growing possibility that the delta smelt may become extinct, I would like to know what specific actions your agencies are taking now, and are committing to take in the reasonably near future to (1) stop all actions that reasonably could be harming the smelt and (2) implement all actions that can be implemented now and in the reasonably near future to begin recovery. As a part of this request, I’d like to know which of the recommendations in the Pelagic Fish Action Plan, by Drs. Moyle and Swanson, and the Delta Smelt Working Group you will be implementing and when, which you will not be implementing and why, and what additional actions you will be taking beyond those recommended in Pelagic Fish Action Plan, by Drs. Moyle and Swanson, and the Delta Smelt Working Group.

We may be standing on the precipice of extinction. With smelt populations this low, we can’t take any more chances.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

DARRELL STEINBERG
Chair, Senate Natural Resources & Water Committee