Fish Monitoring Studies

Develop Draft Covered Fish Species Monitoring and Science Plan

Within twelve months of permit issuance, Permittee shall, in coordination with CDFW, initiate development of a draft Covered Fish Species Monitoring and Science Plan for CDFW review.

Submit Final Fish Monitoring Plan for CDFW Approval

Permittee shall submit a final draft plan to CDFW for review no less than six months prior to the first deadline established in the plan and no less than five years before initiation of in-water construction Covered Activities.

Conduct Covered Fish Species Monitoring Across Project Phases

Permittee shall initiate Covered Fish Species monitoring and science activities prior to Project in-water construction and shall continue Covered Fish Species monitoring and science activities throughout Project construction and operations (Phase 1 Operations and Phase 2 Operations).

Report Aquatic Conditions in Phase 2 Package and Final Report

Permittee shall include assessments of aquatic conditions in each monitoring time period described below in the Phase 2 Operations Authorization Package (Condition of Approval 7.1) and the Final Mitigation Report following completion of Phase 2 Operations (Condition of Approval 10.15) to facilitate CDFW evaluation of changes in aquatic conditions throughout Project construction and operations.

Adhere to CDFW Review Process for Fish Study Plans and Reports

Permittee shall submit draft plans to CDFW for review according to the timelines in the CDFW-approved Covered Fish Species Monitoring and Science Plan, and as specified in each Condition of Approval.

Evaluate Fish Monitoring Results Against Biological Criteria

Permittee shall work collaboratively with CDFW to use the results from science and monitoring required in Conditions of Approval 10.18, 10.19, 10.20, 10.21, 10.26, and 10.27 to 1) ensure that impacts to Covered Fish Species during Phase 2 Operations do not exceed Covered Fish Species Biological Criteria, and 2) prepare for future regulatory processes that may address long-term authorizations for Project operations.

Evaluate Hydrograph Limb Impacts on Covered Fish Species

By 2030, Permittee shall, in coordination with CDFW, use best available science and information gained from studies required by this ITP (Conditions of Approval 10.18, 10.19, 10.20, and 10.21) to evaluate differences in impacts to Covered Fish Species in January and February between ascending and descending limbs of the Sacramento River hydrograph.

Consult CDFW on ITP Amendment for Alternative Operating Criteria

Permittee shall consult with CDFW if it seeks to amend the ITP (Condition of Approval 8) to modify Conditions of Approval 11.111 and 11.111.2.

Conduct Fisheries Evaluation Studies for Covered Fish Species

Permittee shall conduct Fisheries Evaluation Studies to characterize baseline conditions and uncertainties regarding the effects of Covered Activities (construction, operations, and maintenance) on Covered Fish Species.

Develop Migration and Survival Study Plan

Permittee shall, in collaboration with CDFW, develop a Migration and Survival Study Plan to 1) assess the baseline behavior and survival of CHNWR, CHNSR, and WS in river reaches potentially impacted by Project construction and operation and 2) evaluate changes to baseline conditions established during In-water Preconstruction Baseline Monitoring as the Project is implemented during In-water Construction Monitoring, Phase 1 Operations Monitoring, and Phase 2 Operations Monitoring.

Fund and Implement Migration and Survival Telemetry Study

Permittee shall fund and initiate the CDFW-approved study plan as informed by the final Covered Fish Species Monitoring and Science Plan (Condition of Approval 10.18).

Develop Predation Study Plan

Permittee shall, in collaboration with CDFW, develop a Predation Study Plan to assess the baseline risk of predation to DS, LFS, CHNWR, CHNSR, and WS in river reaches potentially impacted by Project construction and operations, including areas immediately adjacent to the north Delta intakes.

Capture, Tag, and Survey Predatory Fish Distribution

Permittee shall employ several methods, as approved by CDFW, to capture predatory fish and retain a subsample for diet analysis. Permittee shall tag predatory fish with acoustic transmitters compatible with the dominant concurrently installed acoustic array within the Delta and pursuant to the Migration and Survival Study.

Measure Predation Rate on Covered Fish Species

Permittee shall use the following approaches to measure predation, unless otherwise approved in writing by CDFW:

Develop Covered Fish Species Abundance and Distribution Study Plan

develop a Covered Fish Species Abundance and Distribution Study Plan to assess the baseline densities and seasonal and geographic distribution of all life stages of DS, LFS, CHNWR, CHNSR, and WS in river reaches potentially impacted by Project construction and operations

Conduct Near-Field Abundance and Distribution Monitoring

Permittee shall fund and initiate abundance and fine‐scale distribution studies according to timelines established in the Covered Fish Species Monitoring and Science Plan (Condition of Approval 10.18) and continue implementation annually through Phase 2 Operations Monitoring.

Conduct Far-Field Abundance and Distribution Monitoring

Permittee shall use a combination of existing IEP Delta monitoring programs (e.g., CDFW Summer Townet Survey, Fall Midwater Trawl Survey, Smelt Larval Surveys; USFWS Enhanced Delta Smelt Monitoring Program and Delta Juvenile Fish Monitoring Program; CDFW and USFWS Kodiak Trawl and 20 mm Trawl) and night sampling, as approved by CDFW and USFWS.

Conduct Water Quality Evaluation Studies Program

conduct Water Quality Evaluation Studies to characterize baseline conditions and uncertainties regarding the effects of Covered Activities (construction, operations, and maintenance) on Covered Fish Species

Install and Maintain Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring Station

Permittee shall fund, install, and maintain a new real-time monitoring station downstream of the north Delta diversion Intake C before initiation of In-Water Preconstruction Baseline Monitoring.

Develop Hydraulic Data Plan for Operating Criteria

Permittee shall work collaboratively with CDFW to develop a Hydraulic Data Plan to use the data obtained from this new real-time monitoring station, in addition to upstream monitoring stations described in Section 20.2.1 of the Project Description and existing stations, to implement operating criteria described in Conditions of Approval 11.109 and 11.111.

Develop Sediment and Turbidity Monitoring Study Plan

Permittee shall, in collaboration with CDFW, develop a Sediment and Turbidity Monitoring Study Plan to: 1) Assess the baseline sediment transfer in river reaches potentially impacted by Covered Activities (construction and operations); 2) Evaluate changes to baseline conditions established during In-water Preconstruction Baseline Monitoring occurring from Covered Activities measured during In-water Construction Monitoring, and Phase 1 and Phase 2 Operations Monitoring; and 3) Establish sediment…

Implement Sediment and Turbidity Monitoring Through Phase 2 Operations

Permittee shall initiate the CDFW-approved study plan after installation of the new real-time monitoring station (Condition of Approval 10.20.1), and shall continue implementation through Phase 2 Operations.

Develop and Implement Sediment Reintroduction Plan if Criteria Unmet

If results of the Sediment and Turbidity Monitoring Study indicate that performance criteria will not be met, Permittee shall develop a Sediment Reintroduction Plan to reintroduce sediment and create conditions in the Project Area that meet performance criteria.

Develop and Implement Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring Plan

Before initiation of Phase 1 Operations, Permittee shall develop and implement a Harmful Algal Bloom Plan to monitor baseline frequency, duration, and intensity of harmful algal blooms in river reaches potentially impacted by Project operations using a combination of field surveys and hydrodynamic modeling of residence time.

Develop and Implement Selenium Bioaccumulation Monitoring

Before initiation of Phase 1 Operations, Permittee shall develop and implement a Selenium Bioaccumulation Study Plan to evaluate the effect of Covered Activities on selenium bioaccumulation in DS and LFS.

Develop and Implement Mercury Monitoring Study

Permittee, in collaboration with CDFW, shall develop and implement a Mercury Monitoring Study Plan to evaluate changes in mercury concentrations in the ecosystem from Covered Activities (construction and operations).

Develop and Implement Methylmercury Management Approach if Criteria Exceeded

If Project impacts exceed Covered Fish Species Biological Criteria, Permittee shall develop methylmercury management approaches and implement them consistent with the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Methylmercury and Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins for the Control of Methylmercury and Total Mercury in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary.

Conduct Ecological Response Evaluation Studies Program

conduct Ecological Response Evaluation Studies to characterize baseline conditions and uncertainties regarding the effects of Covered Activities (construction, operations, and maintenance) on Covered Fish Species

Develop and Implement Georgiana Slough Hydrodynamics Monitoring

Permittee shall develop a Hydrodynamics at Georgiana Slough Monitoring Study Plan to monitor the timing, magnitude, frequency, and duration of Sacramento River reverse flows at the Georgiana Slough junction and evaluate changes to baseline conditions from Covered Activities (construction and operations) through Phase 2 Operations.

Fund and Support Covered Fish Species Life Cycle Models

Permittee shall 1) fund the development and refinement of the following life cycle models; and 2) provide data to consider in life cycle model updates to quantify the effects of Covered Activities (construction, operations, and maintenance) through Phase 2 Operations and ensure compliance with Covered Fish Species Biological Criteria (Conditions of Approval 11.115, 11.116, and 11.117)

Conduct Baseline Food Web Resource Surveys

Permittee shall use existing monitoring surveys, such as 20mm Survey, Environmental Monitoring Program, Fall Midwater Trawl Survey, Summer Townet Survey, the Fish Restoration Program, and new monitoring surveys near the north Delta intakes to quantify the distribution and abundance of Covered Fish Species food web resources in river reaches potentially impacted by Project operations.

Monitor Food Web and Larval Fish Entrainment During Operations

Permittee shall monitor behind the north Delta intake fish screens to quantify the abundance of food web resources, DS and LFS larvae and juveniles, WS larvae and juveniles, and CHNWR and CHNSR fry being entrained into the north Delta intakes.

Incorporate Food Web and Entrainment Results into Life Cycle Models

Permittee shall incorporate near-field and far-field impacts from changes in food web resources and Covered Fish Species entrainment into Covered Fish Species life cycle models to evaluate effects of Project operations on DS, LFS, CHNWR, CHNSR, and WS populations and ensure compliance with the Covered Fish Species Biological Criteria (Conditions of Approval 11.115, 11.116, and 11.117).

Develop Tidal Wetland Restoration Efficacy Study and Evaluate Benefits

Before Phase 1 Operations begin, Permittee shall develop a Tidal Wetland Restoration Efficacy Study Plan that uses monitoring data from the Fish Restoration Program, and potentially other data sources, to analyze the efficacy of restored tidal wetlands in producing food web resources.

Fund and Implement DS/LFS Spawning Habitat Study

At least one year before initiating in-water construction Covered Activities, Permittee shall, in collaboration with CDFW, fund and implement a study to evaluate the impact of Covered Activities (construction, operations, and maintenance) on DS and LFS spawning habitat as part of the Abundance and Distribution Study (Condition of Approval 10.19.3).

Develop Refugia Design and Field Study Plan

Permittee shall develop a Refugia Design and Field Study Plan to implement a study to inform the design and optimization of fish refugia at the north Delta intakes.

Manage Diversions to Minimize Sacramento River Flow Reversals

By adhering to the requirements in Conditions of Approval 11.109, 11.110, 11.111, 11.112, 11.113, and 11.114 Permittee shall manage diversions at the north Delta intakes at all times to minimize increases in the timing, magnitude, frequency, or duration of flow reversals in the Sacramento River at the Georgiana Slough junction above pre-Project levels.

Assess Juvenile Salmon Route Entrainment by Reach and Junction

Permittee shall assess changes in CHNWR and CHNSR route entrainment by reach within the lower Sacramento River and through the Delta between baseline conditions established during In-water Preconstruction Baseline Monitoring and In-water Construction Monitoring, and Phase 1 and Phase 2 Operations Monitoring using the Hydrodynamics at Georgiana Slough Monitoring Study and the Far-field Routing and Survival Study (Conditions of Approval 10.21.1 and 10.19.1).

Ensure Operations Meet Covered Fish Species Biological Criteria

Permittee shall ensure that Covered Fish Species Biological Criteria are met during Phase 1 and Phase 2 operations (Conditions of Approval 11.115, 11.116, and 11.117).

Develop and Implement Joint Operations Optimization Study Plan

During In-water Preconstruction Monitoring, Permittee shall convene a team of biologists and hydrologic engineers to collaboratively develop a Joint Operations Optimization Study Plan that will describe a series of modeling studies, informed by empirical data, to evaluate a wide range of possible joint operations scenarios, including approaches to balancing diversions between north and south for carriage water savings, and associated implications for Delta biotic and abiotic conditions,…

Report Joint Operations Study Results in Phase 2 Authorization Package

Permittee shall include a final report documenting results of the studies and demonstrating the Project’s ability to meet Covered Species Biological Criteria as a part of the Phase 2 Authorization Package (Condition of Approval 7.1).

Evaluate and Refine Real-Time Operations Modeling Tools

Permittee shall collaborate with CDFW throughout In-water Preconstruction and In-water Construction Monitoring to evaluate the ability of existing modeling tools to implement Covered Fish Species Biological Criteria as a part of real-time operations (Conditions of Approval 11.115, 11.116, and 11.117). Permittee shall collaborate with CDFW to refine existing modeling tools, or develop new modeling tools, to ensure that Covered Fish Species Biological Criteria can be evaluated in real-time and…

Model Ascending Versus Descending Hydrograph Limb Impacts

Permittee shall work collaboratively with CDFW to utilize new information gained from Conditions of Approval 10.18, 10.19, 10.20, and 10.21 in this ITP to conduct new modeling and evaluate differences in impacts to Covered Fish Species as a result of Project operations during times when the Sacramento River hydrograph is ascending or descending.