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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I today – the final day for public comment - sent the following
comments on Endangered Species Act Consultation Addressing Coordinated
Operations of the Central Valley Project, State Water Project, and the
Operational Criteria and Plan (“OCAP”) to the National Marine
Fisheries Service. The comments relate particularly to the Trinity
Division of the Central Valley Project.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<h1 style='margin-left:2.5in;text-indent:.5in'><font size=4
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:13.0pt'> </span></font><font
size=3><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>October 22, 2004<o:p></o:p></span></font></h1>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Via Email and Facsimil<font
color=black><span style='color:black'>e <o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Mr. Rodney McInnis, Regional Administrator<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>National Marine Fisheries Service<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>501 West Ocean Blvd.,
Suite 4200</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Long Beach</span></font></st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st="on">CA</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">90802-4213</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Attention</span></font></u>: Mr. <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">James Lecky</st1:PersonName><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Re: Endangered Species Act
Consultation Addressing Coordinated Operations of the <st1:place w:st="on">Central
Valley</st1:place> Project, State Water Project, and the Operational Criteria
and Plan (“OCAP”) <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Dear Mr. McInnis and Mr. Lecky:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>On behalf of the more than 2,000 members of Friends of Trinity River
and the more than 6,000 members of California Trout, Inc., we write to express
our continuing concern over the ongoing Endangered Species Act
(“ESA”) consultation between the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
(“Bureau”) and the National Marine Fisheries Service
(“NMFS”) on the coordinated operations of the Central Valley
Project (“CVP”), State Water Project (“SWP”), and the
June 30, 2004 Long-Term Central Valley Project Operations Criteria and Plan
(“OCAP”). <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Despite NMFS’s refusal to allow CALFED or members of the public
to have any role in reviewing drafts of your Biological Opinion, a number of
unofficial drafts have been circulating around <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">California</st1:State></st1:place>’s water community,
including a recent draft BO that finds “no jeopardy” as to all
listed species under NMFS’ jurisdiction. It is our understanding
that this proposed determination of “no jeopardy” is based in part
on several critical errors in your staff’s treatment of the Trinity River
Division of the CVP.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>For example, we understand that NMFS has mischaracterized the
environmental baseline of the <st1:place w:st="on">Trinity River</st1:place>.
We refer you to the following instructions, which are provided in the
Endangered Species Act Consultation Handbook, Procedures for Conducting Section
7 Consultations and Conferences (USFWS/NMFS, 1998)<b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>:</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Therefore, a section 7 analysis of the project's
effects on listed species <u>is done in the same way as new projects</u>.
When analyzing these water projects, as well as water contract renewals for
Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau) programs and ongoing discretionary operations of
Bureau and Corps of Engineers water facilities, use the same approach as for
other types of section 7 analyses.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>- The total <u>effects</u> of all past activities,
including <u>effects</u> of the past operation of the project, current
non-Federal activities, and Federal projects with completed section 7
consultations, form the environmental baseline;<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>- To this baseline, future direct and indirect impacts
of the operation over the new license or contract period, including effects of
any interrelated and interdependent activities, and any reasonably certain
future non-Federal activities (cumulative effects), are added to determine the
total effect on listed species and their habitat. (<i><span style='font-style:
italic'>Emphasis added</span></i>.)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Clearly, it is the effect of past operations that are relevant, not the
operations themselves. Yet, we understand that NMFS is blurring this distinction,
and including within the proposed baseline not only these effects, but the
operations themselves. Under the handbook quoted above, the result of the
operations’ impacts are clearly part of the baseline, but the operations
that produced those impacts should have no bearing on future operations.
Because, as directed by the Consultation Handbook, the consultation “is
done in the same way as new projects,” including those past operations in
the baseline is inappropriate. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Because you characterize the environmental baseline as including
past operations (and not just the present condition resulting from
past operations) you reach the conclusion that the proposed action is to
provide ADDITIONAL water to the <st1:place w:st="on">Trinity River</st1:place>.
Obviously, the purpose of the proposed action is to withdraw water from
the <st1:place w:st="on">Trinity River</st1:place>. Just because the
action agency proposes to take less water than it did in the past, does not
mean they are adding water to the river as a new project. This error is
only made possible by your mischaracterization of the environmental
baseline. We submit that avoidance of this twisted logic is precisely why
the Consultation Handbook directs you to consider the environmental baseline as
if it were a new project.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Because of this basic mischaracterization of the environmental
baseline, you end up concluding that there is no take of SONCC coho; that the
CVP is a net benefit to SONCC coho; and that there are, therefore, no
terms and conditions necessary to minimize take. This is a blatant
obfuscation of the federal government’s responsibilities under the
Endangered Species Act. We remind you that you have an obligation to
avoid and minimize take of listed species as long as you can do so without
making major changes to the proposed action. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Actual take of SONCC coho will continue to occur for a
variety of reasons directly related to the proposed action, and there are a
variety of ways to minimize this take. For example, safety of dam
(SOD) releases take SONCC coho salmon. You cannot ignore this take
by simply implying that the Trinity River Restoration Program (TRRP) will
result in an improved condition. A SOD release in the spring of 2004
caused the lethal take of hundreds of juvenile coho salmon on the <st1:place
w:st="on">Trinity River</st1:place>. You must acknowledge this take,
factor it into your jeopardy analysis, and find ways to minimize it.
Additionally, by completely ignoring take such as this, you end up not giving
take authority under the Incidental Take Permit, and the action agency will be
liable for unauthorized take.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Additionally, the 2004 Trinity Management Council Subcommittee’s
Trinity River Restoration Program Evaluation Final Report describes a variety
of shortcomings in the TRRP’s implementation. The Subcommittee also
provides recommendations for getting the TRRP back on track to fulfill the
intentions of the Trinity Flow Evaluation Report and the TRRP ROD. The
recommendations include getting back on schedule with physical restoration
projects that would minimize the take by SOD releases. Therefore, you
should consider making at least some of the Subcommittee’s
recommendations Terms and Conditions of the Incidental take Permit<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>You also claim that you cannot address the effects of Trinity Hatchery
operation due to lack of time. We would argue that a lack of time is
irrelevant, and that you must consider the hatchery’s effects in order to
complete a jeopardy analysis. At the minimum, you should make the
initiation of consultation on the hatchery a condition of the Incidental Take
Permit, not a Conservation Recommendation. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The draft biological opinion also does not explain what it means to use
a 90% exceedence forecast instead of a 50% forecast in determining water year
types. A 50% forecast is fair if you are trying to balance the needs
of fish and water users; a 90% forecast arbitrarily favors water users.
The level of exceedence used to set annual water deliveries is discretionary
and you at least need to provide a rationale for choosing 90%. Over time,
a 90% forecast will reduce the effectiveness of the TRRP, which, viewed one
way, will create take of SONCC coho. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Thank you for considering these comments.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Byron W. Leydecker,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Chairman, Friends of <st1:place w:st="on">Trinity River</st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Consultant, California Trout, Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><em><i><font size=3 color=gray
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>Byron
Leydecker</span></font></i></em></st1:PersonName><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=3 color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>Chair, Friends of <st1:place w:st="on">Trinity
River</st1:place></span></font></i></em><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=3 color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>Consultant, California Trout, Inc.</span></font></i></em><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on"><em><i><font
size=3 color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:gray'>PO Box</span></font></i></em></st1:Street><em><i><font
color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span style='color:gray'> 2327</span></font></i></em></st1:address><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><em><i><font
size=3 color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:gray'>Mill Valley</span></font></i></em></st1:City><em><i><font
color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span style='color:gray'>, <st1:State w:st="on">CA</st1:State>
<st1:PostalCode w:st="on">94942-2327</st1:PostalCode></span></font></i></em></st1:place><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=3 color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>415 383 4810 ph</span></font></i></em><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=3 color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>415 519 4810 ce</span></font></i></em><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=3 color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'>415 383 9562 fx</span></font></i></em><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=3 color=gray face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:gray'><a href="mailto:bwl3@comcast.net">bwl3@comcast.net</a></span></font></i></em><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><a href="mailto:bleydecker@stanfordalumni.org"><em><i><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='text-decoration:none'>bleydecker@stanfordalumni.org</span></font></i></em></a><em><i><font
face="Times New Roman"> (secondary)</font></i></em><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><a href="http://www.fotr.org">http://www.fotr.org</a></span></font></i></em><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'><a href="http://www.caltrout.org">http://www.caltrout.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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