TCCA: Life in the CrosshairsManaging water resources under the Endangered Species Act

Background

17 water districts Irrigation to 150,000 acresAnnual production $250M almonds pistachios prunes olivesgrapes annual cropsWho is the TCCA?

RBDD Facilities

ConflictChanging OperationsDeclining Populations

The ProblemRBDD impedes passage for ESA speciesSpring-run salmonWinter-run salmonSteelhead troutGreen sturgeonESA concerns have reduced “gates-in” operationTo spawning areasTo ocean

Gate Operations

Gate Operation vs. Ag DemandGates-in period is shorter than agricultural demand period.

Interim Pumping Plant2009 NMFS BO significantly reduced gate operations to June 15 to August 31The Interim Pumping Plant was constructed to compensate for the lost diversion abilitySeries of 10 cone screens (to protect juvenile fish) and pumpsDesign capacity of 500 cfs Cost: $8.1 million

Effect of the Dam on AdultsFlow below the gates delays migrationLake Red BluffLeftBankLadderRightBankLadderCanalCenter LadderGatesTurbulenceTurbulenceDownstream to ocean

Effect of the Dam on Juveniles Dam provides “feeding station” for predators to feed on downstream migrating fish.EmigrationdownstreamGATE

Solution

Red Bluff Pumping PlantFish ScreenForebayPumping PlantRBDDSiphonBridgeW012002009RDD_01

RPBB Visual Simulation

RBPP Visual Simulation

Project SupportersNOAA National Marine Fisheries ServiceUS Fish and Wildlife ServiceCA Department of Fish and GameCA Department of Water ResourcesSenator Dianne FeinsteinSenator Barbara BoxerCongressman Wally HergerCongressman Mike ThompsonCongressman Dan LungrenCongressman George MillerPacific Coast Federation of Fisherman’s AssociationsNatural Resources Defense CouncilCalifornia TroutMetropolitan Water District of Southern CaliforniaState Water ContractorsTehama, Glenn, Colusa, Yolo County Farm BureausTehama, Glenn, Colusa, Yolo County Boards of Supervisors.

Schedule

SummaryAccepted RBDD was an ESA ProblemDeveloped solutionMulti-agency involvementAdditional ESA Listing (GS) (more risk)Lawsuit (more interests – less control)2009 NMFS BO enforces solution by date certainNow in a sprint to the finish

Red Bluff Diversion Dam1966 to 2012Questions?

Contact Information J. MARK ATLASATTORNEY AT LAW 332 West Sycamore StreetWillows, CA 95988Phone: 530.934.5416Fax: 530.934.3508 jma@jmatlaslaw.comOF COUNSELMCDONOUGH HOLLAND & ALLEN PC500 Capitol Mall, 18th FloorSacramento, CA 95814Phone: 916.325.5825Fax: 916.444.8334matlas@mhalaw.comTehama-Colusa Canal Authorityhttp://tccanal.com/