Science activity

The purpose of this activity is to support the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in the timely and accurate analysis of genetic samples to inform operations and management of the Federal Central Valley Project (CVP) to meet regulatory requirements, including the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Biological Opinion (BiOp) on the Coordinated Long-term Operation of the CVP and SWP. These same data are used by the State to meet regulatory requirements, including California Department Fish and Wildlife Incidental Take Permit (ITP) for the Long-Term Operation of the SWP. The services provided include i. genetic identification of natural-origin Chinook salmon, ii. Larval identification for visually unidentifiable specimens at CVP, iii. Population analysis to enhance evaluation of action benefits.

The occurrence of certain species at pumping facilities can trigger costly reductions in water exports to comply with “take” criteria and permitted limits under the Federal (BiOp) and State (ITP) Endangered Species Acts. However, the default “length-at-date” criteria used for stock determination of Chinook salmon observed within programmatic monitoring (e.g., salvage facilities, juvenile trawls) are known to produce inaccurate results. This activity helps resolve such ambiguity in population assignment and characterizing adult return timing using specialized and accurate genetic methods. Characterizing parent-based (genetic) tags also pertains to this activity, associated with both water operations compliance and population monitoring.