Hi Nicky –

I apologize that this has taken longer than I expected, but here are answers to some of the questions you have asked…still working on the rest:

1. BDCP has reduced the proposed channel margin on Steamboat Slough to 5 miles, right? That is contrary to the BDCP June map for the project. Does that mean a different organization will be paying for channel margin restoration for the rest of the area showing on the bdcp2010map.pdf  latest bdcp update, or that the total will be 5 miles of restoration on Steamboat Slough per bdcp written documentation?
The BDCP June map for the project shows a total area of 36 miles in which BDCP’s proposed 20 miles of channel margin restoration could go. Not all of that area is proposed for restoration. Of that 20 miles, 10 would be required along the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River, while the remaining 10 would be distributed along the Mokelumne (North and South Forks) and Steamboat and Sutter Sloughs. In terms of a timeframe for this restoration, the Plan would require 5 miles of any of the above restoration at year 10, another 5 miles at year 20, another 5 miles at year 25, and another 5 miles at year 30. That’s the degree of specificity currently included in the Plan.
2. Will Steamboat Slough water flow be less and slower? And if so, egeria densa water weeds seem to grow more in warmer slower water. How does the state plan to control that or is that problem going to be ignored on Steamboat Slough?
Water flow in Steamboat Slough will be more uni-directional; it will not be less or slower. The more restoration that occurs in the Cache Slough complex, the more unidirectional downstream flow there will be (more in terms of direction, now amount of water). The habitat restoration mutes the tidal action and improves the downstream flow. This would improve things for salmon because 1) it would help salmon avoid the "wrong turn" (e.g. DCC, Georgiana Slough) that would lead them into the dicier Central Delta; and 2) there is more habitat complexity in Steamboat Slough, hopefully improving food and refuge opportunities.


3. If Steamboat Slough is supposed to be a bypass for Salmon, on the other hand, doesn't that mean flows will be faster and colder?
same issue as above


4. If Steamboat Slough is supposed to be a bypass for Salmon, how does BDCP or FG or USFW plan to keep the striper out?
There aren't plans to keep striper out, and there is no way to do so anywhere in the Delta. However, if young salmon have more places to hide and more to eat, then they tend to do better.
5. Is any mitigation planned for the loss of business to places like Snug Harbor, and I assume the other ones in the area too, because fishing is a big part of our business and striper are the prime target?
Our DWR fisheries biologist doesn’t see how any of these changes would compromise the excellent striped bass fishing opportunities in North Delta channels. Enhanced flow through Steamboat Slough will not make the striped bass go away. They may eat fewer salmon, but this just means that they will switch to other prey. In general, it is other prey that support the legal-sized striped bass population -- the little salmon are only in Steamboat Slough seasonally, while striped bass are there much of the year. That said, impacts will be evaluated as a part of the EIR/EIS, not the BDCP. The BDCP is evaluating the effects of the plan on threatened and endangered species it’s proposing permits to cover.
6. Will Steamboat Slough become a "no wake" zone the entire length or just where the channel margins get restored or no change from what it is now?
The “no wake” aspect is no longer part of the current conservation measures. However, potential impacts to recreation will be evaluated in the EIR/EIS.

7. Why does BDCP seem to conflict with what USACE proposed in 2002...channel margin modifications on the lower Sacramento River from about Rio Vista to Walnut Grove, or are both planned but different agencies are doing the work?
I’ve asked around, but I don’t quite know to what you are referring. I will forward to USACE for their response…


"...the latest BDCP map on the latest brochure showing online refers to keeping water quality the same in several areas of the Delta...North Delta, West Delta, etc...but does not define those areas on the map. Since so many maps are out there, can you define for me the areas, particularily for Steamboat Slough...are we North Delta, Yolo Bypass or what?"

While there aren't specific designations or official definitions for areas in the Delta, it is safe to assume that Steamboat Slough is in the North Delta.

In addition, since water quality seems to have changed since the DCC started being "reoperated" at what point or timeframe is the BDCP map referring to for the water quality standard? A year? An average?

BDCP’s water quality modeling includes average seasonal changes with proposed new facilities (tunnel or canal) and its operating rules. This water quality is modeled against existing water supply operations under existing biological opinions, which includes reoperation of the DCC. More detailed water quality modeling and analysis will be conducted as part of the EIR/EIS and ultimately inform the BDCP’s approach to implementation – including permits from the State Board, which enforces water quality standards.