The Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the new Biological Opinions on October 21, 2019. Below is the information released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“The Service finalized our biological opinion on the coordinated operations of the CVP/SWP on October 21, 2019. The Service carefully evaluated the impact of CVP/SWP water operations on imperiled species including Delta smelt and 15 terrestrial species that could be impacted. The proposal includes habitat management measures in the Delta and entrainment management related to water exports in the South Delta.
“The Service documented impacts from the proposed operations and worked with Reclamation to modify their proposed operations to minimize and offset those impacts. The Service undertook two independent scientific peer reviews. By using the best science available and receiving input from a number of peer reviewers, the Service is upholding our commitments to scientific integrity. Ultimately, the Service has concluded that Reclamation’s proposed operations will not jeopardize threatened or endangered species or adversely modify their designated critical habitat.”
This is great news for water in California. California Citrus Mutual will remain engaged in the process following this release. For more information on the Biological Opinions please visit this link.
