Download Biological Goals and Objectives

BDCP
Bay Delta Conservation Plan
Biological Goals and Objectives
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The BDCP is a
comprehensive
50-year habitat
conservation plan
aimed at balancing
the state’s water
supply needs
with the needs of
a healthy Delta
ecosystem.
The Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP or Plan) includes 22 conservation
measures based on the best scientific data available and are built on a set of
core hypotheses about how to restore ecological processes and functions in
the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (Delta). Biological goals and objectives
are the means by which BDCP will measure how well the Plan is working. The
biological goals and objectives can be used to measure how well BDCP is
meeting the goal of ecosystem restoration.
Biological goals articulate the broad, intended outcomes of the plan.
Biological objectives are specific, measurable outcomes expected as a result
of the Plan.
Conservation Measures are designed to achieve the biological objectives and
will directly or indirectly contribute to achieving one or more biological goals.
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As one of
California’s most
invaluable natural
resources, the Delta
has been stretched
to the breaking
point. The Delta
ecosystem is in
steep decline, which
jeopardizes native
fish and wildlife
species, threatens
reliable water
supplies for millions
of Californians, and
puts the state’s
broader economy at
serious risk.
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March 2013
The BDCP includes 214 biological goals and objectives for 57 fish and terrestrial
species (known as covered species), their habitats, and the Delta ecosystem.
The biological goals and objectives are the basis of the conservation strategy
and are designed to serve four important functions:
1) Describe the desired biological outcomes of the conservation strategy
and how those outcomes will contribute to the long-term conservation
of covered species and their habitats.
2) When possible, provide quantitative targets and timeframes for
achieving desired outcomes.
3) Serve as yardsticks to measure progress in achieving outcomes.
4) Provide metrics for the monitoring program to evaluate the effectiveness
of conservation measures and as a basis for adaptively managing the
conservation measures to achieve the desired biological outcomes.
The biological goals and objectives were developed over several years, through
a process informed by input from a group of independent science advisors,
California Department of Water Resources staff, representatives of each of the
fish and wildlife agencies, and stakeholders from interested nongovernmental
organizations, and agencies. The process included two independent science
review panels and a public working group.
Understanding Biological Goals and Objectives
Natural Community Goals and Objectives focus on maintaining or enhancing ecological functions and values of
specific natural communities. Achieving natural community goals and objectives serves to expand and conserve habitat while
sustaining and increasing the abundance and distribution of desirable species, including covered species and other native
species. There are 18 natural community goals and 47 objectives.
The BDCP biological goals and objectives are organized hierarchically based on ecological scale:
Landscape-scale biological goals and objectives focus on the extent, distribution, and connectivity
among natural communities and improvements within the overall Plan Area to achieve natural
community and species-specific goal and objectives.
Natural Community Example
Goal: C reate large expanses and interconnected patches of tidal
freshwater emergent wetland habitat.
Natural community biological goals and objectives focus on specific natural communities (e.g.,
recurring assemblages of plants and animals) within the Plan Area.
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The BDCP will address ecological functions and processes at a broad landscape scale, as well as discrete
components at the natural community and species-specific scale. The ecosystem-wide actions are
intended to enhance ecological functions and advance the conservation of species and the natural
communities that depend on them. The needs of covered species are addressed, in large part, at the
landscape and natural community levels. Species-specific goals and objectives were developed only
when additional factors, such as specific habitat requirements or population factors, were needed to
conserve the species.
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Species-specific biological goals and objectives address specific needs for species within
natural communities.
Objectives Include:
• Restore or create at least 13,900 acres of tidal freshwater
emergent wetland in Conservation Zones 1, 2, 4-7, 11 by
year 40 of BDCP implementation
• Restore tidal freshwater emergent wetlands in areas that
increase connectivity among conservation lands
Applicable Conservation Measures (CM):
• CM3 – Natural Communities Protection and Restoration
• CM4 – Tidal Natural Communities Restoration
• CM6 – Channel Margin Enhancement
Landscape-Scale Goals and Objectives focus on improvements to the hydrodynamic, chemical, and biological
processes of the Delta, including more natural flow patterns, increased food production, reductions in the effects of nonnative
species, reduction in the adverse effects of contaminants and increases in the extent and spatial distribution, function, and
connectivity of natural communities. There are 4 landscape-scale goals and 28 related objectives. For the covered
wildlife and plant species, goals and objectives address the desired extent, distribution, connectivity, and ecological function
of ecosystems supporting their habitats and life requirements within the BDCP landscape.
Landscape Scale Example
Goal: Reduced harm to covered species in the Plan Area.
Applicable Conservation Measures (CM):
• CM1 – Water Facilities and Operation
• CM6 – Channel Margin Enhancement
• CM12 – Methylmercury Management
• CM13 – Invasive Aquatic Vegetation Control
• CM15 – Localized Reduction of Predatory Fishes
• CM21 – Nonproject Diversions
• CM22 – Avoidance and Minimization Measures
The Plan Area
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Objectives Include:
• Avoid and minimize adverse effects on covered species
resulting from covered activities
• Manage the distribution and abundance of nonnative
predators in the Delta to reduce predation on covered fishes
• Reduce entrainment, impingement, and salvage losses of
covered fish species
Species-Specific Goals and Objectives focus on
stressors and habitat needs that are not addressed in
the landscape scale and natural community goals and
objectives. There are 45 species-specific goals and
90 objectives addressing specific species.
Species Specific Example for winter-run Chinook salmon
Goal: Improve survival of immigrating and emigrating winter-run
Chinook salmon to support increased abundance and long-term
population viability.
Objectives Include:
• Improve survival for Sacramento River winter-run Chinook between
Knights Landing and Chipps Island to 52 percent by year 19
• Create a viable alternate migratory path through the Yolo Bypass
Chinook salmon
• Reduce illegal harvest of adult winter-run Chinook salmon
Applicable Conservation Measures (CM):
• CM15 – Localized Reduction of Predatory Fishes
• CM1 – Water Facilities and Operation
• CM16 – Nonphysical Fish Barriers
• CM2 – Yolo Bypass Fisheries Enhancement
• CM17 – Illegal Harvest Reduction
• CM4 – Tidal Natural Communities Restoration
• CM19 – Urban Stormwater Treatment
• CM5 – Seasonally Inundated Floodplain Restoration
• CM21 – Nonproject Diversions
• CM6 – Channel Margin Enhancement
Photo courtesy of DWR
March 2013
BDCP
Bay Delta Conservation Plan
Biological objectives for the BDCP will be “SMART” – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound – to the maximum
extent possible. This strategy includes specific targets such as larger fish populations, healthier individual fish, and bigger habitat
areas. Where a high level of uncertainty is associated with the measurability, achievability, or relevance of an objective, that
uncertainty will be explicitly acknowledged in the objective and associated rationale. Uncertainties in objectives will be addressed
through planned research, monitoring, and the adaptive management program. Success in achieving the biological goals and
objectives will be measured during implementation of the BDCP and through monitoring and targeted research as part of the
adaptive management program. If, after implementation, conservation measures fall short of meeting the objectives for individual
species, the conservation measure or measures will be adjusted through the adaptive management program.
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BDCP Conservation Pyramid
At the top of the BDCP conservation pyramid are outcomes the plan seeks to reach for dozens of fish, wildlife, and
plant species. At the bottom are the ground-level measurements and operational adjustments that will be made
to ensure progress toward those outcomes. The biological goals and objectives are a key layer in this structure.
Global
Species
Conservation
Goal
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Global conservation outcomes for 57 species covered by BDCP
are derived from recovery plans and other sources.
Attributes of Viability
The health of populations can be broadly measured
through four attributes of viability.
Spatial Population
Abundance Diversity Distribution
Growth
Rate
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A total of 214 biological goals and objectives articulate improvements
for species. They are a transitional layer between conceptual goals
and specific, mensurable outcomes and management practices.
Through the biological goals and objectives, the attributes of
viability are translated into specific improvements in survival,
individual fitness, distribution and growth rates.
The BDCP’s 22 conservation measures contribute to
the conservation goals in different ways. Habitat
restoration, water operations, and measures to
address other stressors will help the project meet
its goals for species abundance.
BDCP will monitor progress toward
conservation targets and will adaptively
manage the conservation measures,
ensuring that biological objectives
are achieved and progress is made
toward biological goals.
BDCP Biological Goals and Objectives
Improve
Survival
Improve
Fitness
Populations in
Delta & Suisun
Marsh
Improve
Growth Rate
BDCP Conservation Measures
· Water Operations
· Habitat Restoration
· Other Stressors
· Water Operations
· Other Stressors
· Habitat Restoration
· Water Operations
· Habitat Restoration
· Other Stressors
BDCP Adaptive Management and Monitoring Indicators and Metrics
Change in Survival Rate
(metric)
Change in Straying Rate
(metric)
The BDCP’s intent to insure the coequal goals of ecosystem recovery and
water supply reliability serves the entire California community, not just part
of it. The BDCP is based on science, environmental research, and economic
realities. The agencies preparing the BDCP welcome public input.
Extent of Habitat Use
(metric)
Change in Growth Rate
(metric)
For more information, or to submit comments, visit:
www.baydeltaconservationplan.com,
call 1-866-924-9955, or email
[email protected]
March 2013