Environmental Impact Report for the Salmon Conservation and Research Facility and Related Fisheries Management Actions Project

UPDATE: See Notice of Determination and Final Environmental Impact Report under Documents

Introduction

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) to provide the public, responsible agencies, and trustee agencies with information about the potential environmental effects of the proposed Salmon Conservation and Research Facility (SCARF) and Related Fisheries Management Actions Project (Project or Proposed Project). Under the Proposed Project, CDFW would support the implementation of the San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP) Restoration Goal, “to restore and maintainfish populations in ‘good condition’ in the main stem of the San Joaquin River below Friant Dam to the confluence of the Merced River, including naturally reproducing and self-sustaining populations of salmon and other fish.” The Project also would manage and conserve native salmon and the San Joaquin River habitat they occupy for their ecological significance, as well as provide for recreation and enjoyment by current and future citizens.

The SJRRP arises from the Settlement Agreement (PDF) reached as a result of federal court action in Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) et al. v. Kirk Rodgers et al. (NRDC v. Rodgers 2006). The U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Department of Commerce, NRDC, and the Friant Water Users Authority (FWUA) signed the Settlement Agreement. The Settlement Agreement identified two major goals of the SJRRP: 1) a Restoration Goal to restore and maintain fish populations in good condition, including naturally reproducing and self-sustaining populations of salmon and other fish in the Restoration Area (defined as the main stem of the San Joaquin River from below Friant Dam to the confluence with the Merced River), and 2) a Water Management Goal. Pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding between the Settling Parties and CDFW and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) (State Agency MOU (PDF)), CDFW and DWR agreed to assist the Settling Parties in the Settlement’s implementation, consistent with the State Agencies’ authorities, resources, and broader regional resource strategies. The Implementing Agencies of the SJRRP are the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) from the U.S. Department of the Interior, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) from the U.S. Department of Commerce, and CDFW and DWR from the State of California Natural Resources Agency. CDFW would support implementation of the SJRRP Restoration Goal through implementation of the Proposed Project.

The Proposed Project involves five principal actions:

• Construct and operate the SCARF;
• Reintroduce Chinook salmon to the Restoration Area (including donor stock collection, broodstock development, and/or direct translocation);
• Manage Chinook salmon runs in the Restoration Area within the context of basin-wide conditions and strategies;
• Conduct fisheries research and monitoring in the Restoration Area; and
• Manage and support recreation within the Restoration Area.

Public Review

NOTICE: For a week following the beginning of the public review period for the above-referenced project, technical difficulties prevented the use of the email address at which CDFW is receiving public comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). For this reason, the public review period has been extended and will end at 5 p.m. on December 2, 2013.

Additional printed copy of the DEIR available for review:
Chico Branch of the Butte County Library, 1108 Sherman Avenue, Chico, CA 95926

Additional public meeting:
Monday, November 18, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Lakeside Pavilion (2565 California Park Drive, Chico, CA 95928 )

With the exception of the extended review period, additional document availability and meeting location in Chico, all the information in the previously distributed Notice of Availability will apply.

• Review period: October 7 - November 21, 2013 December 2, 2013
• Send comments to:
  CDFW, Attn: Gerald Hatler
  SCARF Draft EIR Comments
  1234 E. Shaw Ave.
  Fresno, CA 93710
  REG4SCARFCEQA@wildlife.ca.gov
• Public meetings:
  • Fresno, November 4, 6-8 p.m.
    California Retired Teachers Association Building, 3930 E. Saginaw Way, Fresno
  • Sacramento, November 6, 6-8 p.m.
    Department of Health Care Services and Department of Public Health Building, 1500 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento
  • Chico, November 18, 6-8 p.m.
    Lakeside Pavilion, 2565 California Park Drive, Chico

Documents

• Addendum (May 2017) (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Addendum (July 2016) (PDF)
• Addendum (March 2015) (PDF)
• Notice of Determination (June 2014) (PDF)
• Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations (June 2014) (PDF)
• Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (June 2014) (PDF)

• Notice of Completion - Final EIR (April 2014) (PDF)
• Final EIR - Main Body (April 2014) (PDF)
• Final EIR - Appendices (April 2014) (PDF)
• Final EIR - Compressed folder containing the above documents (37 MB .zip)

• Draft EIR (October 2013) (PDF)
  • Appendix A Memorandum of Understanding (PDF)
  • Appendix B Notice of Preparation (PDF)
  • Appendix C Scoping Meeting Materials (PDF)
  • Appendix D Comments Received on the Notice of Preparation
  • Appendix E Best Management Practices for Collection and Transport of Salmonid Eggs and Juveniles (PDF)
  • Appendix F Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring and Decontamination Protocols (PDF)
  • Appendix G Air Quality Emission Calculations (PDF)
  • Appendix H Supporting Documentation Related to Biological Resources – Fisheries (PDF)
  • Appendix I CDFW’s Conservation Measures for Biological Resources That May Be Affected by Program-level Actions (PDF)
  • Appendix J Supporting Documentation Related to Biological Resources - Vegetation and Wildlife (PDF)
  • Appendix K Cultural Resources Appendix (PDF)
  • Appendix L The EDR Radius MapTM Report (PDF)
  • Appendix M Draft Emergency Evacuation Plan for the SCARF (PDF)
  • Appendix N Noise Data and Photographs (PDF)
• Notice of Availability and Public Meeting / Comment Information (PDF)
  • Notice of Public Review Period Extension (PDF)
• Notice of Preparation (November 2012) (PDF)
• Draft EIR - Compressed folder containing all of the above documents (66 MB .zip)

Location Map