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San Joaquin River Restoration Program State of the Rivers Symposium San Joaquin County Ms. Alicia Forsythe May 2, 2011

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2 Settlement History Friant Dam Sacramento Fresno Merced River San Francisco San Joaquin 1942 - Friant Dam Completed 1988 - Lawsuit filed challenging Reclamations renewal of the long-term contracts with Friant Division contractors 2004- Federal Judge rules Reclamation violated Section 5937 of the California Fish and Game Code 2005 - Settlement negotiations reinitiated to avoid remedy phase 2006 - Settlement reached, implementation begins 2009 - Federal legislation enacted; Interim Flow releases began October 1

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Settlement Goals Restoration Goal To restore and maintain fish populations in good condition in the main stem of the San Joaquin River below Friant Dam to the confluence of the Merced River, including naturally reproducing and self-sustaining populations of salmon and other fish. Water Management Goal To reduce or avoid adverse water supply impacts to all of the Friant Division long-term contractors that may result from the Interim Flows and Restoration Flows provided for in the Settlement. 3

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Study Area 153 miles of the San Joaquin River Friant Dam to the Merced River Confluence Fresno Firebaugh Newman Los Banos

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Major Milestones 2006Began work on planning, design work, and environmental reviews 2009Began Interim Flows October 1 2011Issued Draft Program EIS/R April 22 2012Issue Final Program EIS/R and Record of Decision 2012 (late)Begin re-introduction of salmon 2013Complete first phase of channel and habitat improvements (some delays) 2014Initiate full Restoration Flows 5

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Major Channel and Structural Improvements Settlement requires 10 specific channel and structural improvement projects to address: Channel capacity limitations Fish habitat limitations Fish passage and entrainment issues Combined into 4 major projects 3 underway, 1 to start in late 2011 All targeted for completion by end of 2015 6

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Site-specific Projects Underway Mendota Pool Bypass and Reach 2B Channel Improvements Project Draft EIS/R mid 2012 Reach 4B, Eastside Bypass and Mariposa Bypass Channel and Structural Improvements Project Draft EIS/EIR - mid 2012 Arroyo Canal Fish Screen and Sack Dam Fish Passage Project Draft EA/IS late 2011

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Interim Flows Increased Releases from Friant Dam Began October 1, 2009 Purpose is ... to collect relevant data concerning flows, temperatures, fish needs, seepage losses, recirculation, recapture and reuse. Reconnected the upper San Joaquin River with the Delta in 2010 Reach 2 in July 2009Reach 2 in November 2009

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Alicia Forsythe Program Manager 916-978-5464 aforsythe@usbr.gov www.restoresjr.net