Section 7

The Sonoma County Water Agency (Agency) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) are undertaking a Section 7 Consultation under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to evaluate effects of operations and maintenance activities. The activities of the Agency and the Corps span the Russian River watershed from Coyote Valley Dam and Warm Springs Dam to the estuary, as well as some tributaries. The Russian River watershed is designated as critical habitat for threatened stocks of coho salmon, chinook salmon, and steelhead. The Agency and the Corps operate and maintain facilities and conduct activities related to flood protection, water diversion and storage, hydroelectric power generation, and fish production and passage. The Agency and Corps also are participants in a number of institutional agreements related to the fulfillment of their respective responsibilities.

Federal agencies such as the Corps are required under the ESA to consult with the Secretary of the Interior or Secretary of Commerce to insure that their actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or adversely modify or destroy critical habitat. The Corps, the Agency, and NMFS have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which establishes a framework for the consultation and conference required by the ESA with respect to the activities of the Corps and the Agency that may directly or indirectly affect coho salmon, chinook salmon, and steelhead in the Russian River. The MOU acknowledges the involvement of other agencies including: the California Department of Fish and Game, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California State Water Resources Control Board, the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), and the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission.

Biological Assessment

As part of the Section 7 Consultation, the Agency, and the Corps are having a Biological Assessment (BA) prepared that provides a description of activities conducted by the Agency, the Corps and the Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District that are subject to consultation, including operation of facilities, maintenance activities and conservation actions. The BA will describe existing conditions including information on hydrology, water quality, habitat conditions, and fish populations. The BA will provide the basis for NMFS to prepare a Biological Opinion (BO) that will evaluate the project, including conservation actions. The BA will integrate a number of interim reports and other supporting documents. These documents are listed below and are available for viewing and downloading from the Corps website as follows:

Interim Reports

• Report 1: Flood Control Operations
• Report 2: Fish Facility Operations
• Report 3: Flow - Related Habitat
• Report 4: Water Supply and Diversion Facilities
• Report 5: Channel Maintenance
• Report 6: Restoration and Conservation Actions
• Report 7: Hydroelectric Projects Operations
• Report 8: Estuary Management Plan

Supporting Reports

• Alternatives: Evaluation of Management Actions (Describes alternatives that will be incorporated in the BA)
• Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans for Russian River Fish Production Facilities (Describes alternative fish hatchery operations)
• Flow Alternatives (Addendum to "Alternatives: Evaluation of Management Actions")

Draft Biological Assessment

• Draft Biological Assessment (Part 1)
• Draft Biological Assessement

Final Biological Assessment

To download the entire document click on the link below.

• Final Biological Assessment

Photos courtesy Paul F. Gill.

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