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  • Environment
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California, Federal Agencies Launch Effort To Save Endangered Fish

  •  Amy Quinton 
Tuesday, July 12, 2016 | Sacramento, CA
Amy Quinton / Capital Public Radio
 

Amy Quinton / Capital Public Radio

California wildlife agencies say the drought has pushed the endangered Delta smelt close to extinction. State and federal agencies announced Tuesday a joint effort to improve habitat conditions for the fish.

The plan is designed to prevent predators from eating the fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Most of those predators are not native. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will spend $4.2 million from the state budget to eradicate invasive aquatic weeds where predators lurk. The strategy calls for assessing the feasibility of adding sediment to certain zones in the Delta to create the turbid waters where smelt hide.

“People talk about restoring the Delta, and this is a very active effort to take restoration actions that will potentially benefit native species over introduced species.” says Carl Wilcox, a fish biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Department is already releasing water from farm fields in the Sacramento Valley into the Yolo Bypass to increase food available for smelt.

Agencies are also studying whether to add sand - used by smelt for spawning - in areas of the Suisun Marsh and Cache Slough.

Some Central Valley farmers blame efforts to save the Delta smelt for reducing water supplies.

 


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    More about drought

  • State Of Drought

    Reservoir levels are at historic lows, municipalities are ordering mandatory conservation and farmers are bracing for water shortages. CapRadio is following how Californians are being impacted by the drought.

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    Delta Smelt Populations Plummet 2nd Year In A Row

    Monday, March 7, 2016
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  • Amy Quinton / Capital Public Radio

    Drought May Mean The End For Some Native Fish

    Tuesday, May 12, 2015
    The drought in California is taking a heavy toll on native fish. Some experts fear if the drought lasts much longer, it may be a death knell for some species.
  • California Department of Water Resources

    Endangered Delta Smelt May Be Extinct

    Monday, March 16, 2015
    A small endangered fish that plays a pivotal role in California’s water wars may well be on its way out. Populations of the Delta smelt have plummeted to their lowest levels ever.

 droughtfishfish and wildlifeCalifornia Department of Fish and WildlifeCalifornia droughtEndangered SpeciesWater Supplydelta smelt

Amy Quinton

Former Environment Reporter

Amy came to Sacramento from New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) where she was Environment Reporter. Amy has also reported for NPR member stations WFAE in Charlotte, WAMU in Washington D.C. and American Public Media's "Marketplace."  Read Full Bio 

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