1) If your activities will involve equipment (e.g., scientific instruments) or techniques
that are new, untested,or otherwise have unknown or uncertain impacts on the biological or physical environment , please discuss
the degree to which they are likely to be adopted by others for similar activities or applied more broadly.
The dual identification sonar (DIDSON) unit, although somewhat newly developed is a passive survey technique and will have little to no effect on the biological or physical environment. CDFW has adequate experience utilizing this technique.
2) If your activities involve collecting, handling, or transporting potentially infectious
agents or pathogens (e.g., biological specimens such as live animals or blood), or using or transporting hazardous substances
(e.g., toxic chemicals), provide a description of the protocols you will use to ensure public health and human safety are not
adversely affected, such as by spread of zoonotic diseases or contamination of food or water supplies.
There is not an anticipated threat of collecting, handling, or transporting potentially infectious agents or pathogens for this project. Fish handled, transported, and released will be within the same connected waterway.
3) Describe the physical characteristics of your project location,
including whether you will be working in or near unique geographic areas such as state or National Marine
Sanctuaries, Marine Protected Areas, Parks or Wilderness Areas, Wildlife Refuges, Wild and Scenic Rivers,
designated Critical Habitat for endangered or threatened species, Essential Fish Habitat, etc. Discuss
how your activities could impact the physical environment, such as by direct alteration of substrate during
use of bottom trawls, setting nets, anchoring vessels or buoys, erecting blinds or other structures, or ingress
and egress of researchers, and measures you will take to minimize these impacts.
Our project consists of installing multiple trapping locations within the CBDC. The first will be located approximately 14 miles upstream from the town of Knights Landing, near the town of Dunnigan. The other trapping locations will be within the series of agricultural drainage canals and creeks that feed the CBDC located near the town of Williams. There is no critical habitat or essential fish habitat within these areas. Beach seining will likely occur within designated Critical Habitat, however the effects to the substrate will be minor and temporary.
4) Briefly describe important scientific, cultural, or historic resources
(e.g., archeological resources, animals used for subsistence, sites listed in or eligible for listing in the National
Register of Historic Places) in your project area and discuss measures you will take to ensure your work does not
cause loss or destruction of such resources. If your activity will target marine mammals in Alaska or Washington,
discuss measures you will take to ensure your project does not adversely affect the availability (e.g., distribution,
abundance) or suitability (e.g., food safety) of these animals for subsistence uses.
We will not be impacting any scientific, cultural or historic resources during our sampling.
5) Discuss whether your project involves activities known or suspected of introducing
or spreading invasive species, intentionally or not, (e.g., transporting animals or tissues, discharging ballast water, use
of equipment at multiple sites). Describe measures you would take to prevent the possible introduction or spread of non-indigenous
or invasive species, including plants, animals, microbes, or other biological agents.
Department protocols will be followed to prevent the spread of invasive species through our work within the CBDC, Sutter and Yolo bypasses, and the Upper Sacramento River Basin (including associated tributaries).
