Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation for DWR personnel of significant news articles and comment
April 29, 2008
1. Top Items -
Bill to expand smelt hatchery draws fire
Scientists skeptical of measure to restore species
By Hank Shaw, Capitol Bureau Chief
State Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, has sponsored a bill to use $5 million in water-bond funds to help the state Department of Water Resources expand hatchery operations for the little fish, possibly on Stockton's Rough and Ready Island.
Florez sees his measure as a way to restore a species that has suffered greatly from the giant pumps near
"We have a real opportunity to protect the long-term viability of this critical species without increasing emissions and causing
Florez acknowledges the pumps are not the only problem the Delta smelt face, but he said breeding the tiny smelt in captivity could be a stopgap to keep the pumps running while state and federal officials work to restore the Delta's ecosystem.
Delta smelt are considered "threatened," which is one step short of endangered, under the state and federal Endangered Species Acts. Florez's bill would not affect the smelt's federal status no matter how many smelt are put into the estuary, because the federal law does not count artificially raised fish, several environmental lawyers said.
This means the pumping restrictions handed down by a federal judge last year because of declining smelt numbers would not be changed by the presence of a smelt hatchery in the Delta. It is unclear whether Florez's proposal would affect the smelt's status under the
Florez argues that although hatchery-raised smelt wouldn't count, their wild-born offspring would - and it's those succeeding generations that will help ease the restrictions on the pumps.
The Delta smelt has drawn so much attention because it is one of the few native species left in the estuary, and because its short lifespan allows scientists to get a year-to-year handle on the overall health of the system.
That health is not good.
Tina Swanson of the Bay Institute doesn't think much of Florez's idea.
"It avoids the problem," Swanson said. It is hardly wise to spend money to put smelt into an ecosystem that will kill most of them, she noted. Water quality, water flow, nonnative predators such as the largemouth bass and other factors all affect smelt populations in addition to the pumps. What's more, population levels of threadfin shad, salmon, green sturgeon, steelhead trout, striped bass and several other species are in trouble, too.
Swanson, who has studied the Delta smelt, said large-scale breeding of the fish may or may not be feasible. A small hatchery run by the
So is state Sen. Michael Machado, D-Linden, one of the Legislature's experts on water issues. Machado says Florez's idea is misplaced.
"I think in concept it's a nice idea, but it's being applied to the wrong set of circumstances. It, in effect, just camouflages the problem," Machado said.
He added that Florez's idea would be better put into action as a way to jump-start smelt populations after the ecosystem has been restored.
The bill, SB994, is expected to be heard in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee later this spring.#
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080429/A_NEWS/804290317/-1/A_NEWS07
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