The Habitat Expansion Agreement, signed by nine parties including hydropower licensees, agencies, organizations, and an individual, seeks to expand spawning, rearing, and adult holding habitat for Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon and California Central Valley steelhead in the Sacramento River Basin.

Created to complement licensed operations of the Oroville, Poe, Upper North Fork Feather River, and Rock Creek-Cresta hydropower projects, all located on the Feather River, this program will provide greater gains for the target species beyond project boundaries through identification, evaluation, selection, and implementation of the most promising and cost-effective actions.

Goal:
Expand the amount of habitat with physical characteristics necessary to support spawning, rearing, and adult holding of 2,000 to 3,000 spring-run Chinook salmon and also support California Central Valley steelhead in the Sacramento River Basin to contribute to the conservation and recovery of these species.

Details:
Potential habitat expansion actions may include, among other actions, dam removals, dam re-operation, creation or enhancement of fishways, water temperature/flow improvements, or other physical habitat enhancements.

Timeline:
Identification, evaluation, and recommendation of habitat expansion action(s) will be completed by fall 2009. The National Marine Fisheries Service, in consultation with other appropriate agencies, will review and approve a Final Habitat Expansion Plan likely by summer 2010. After completion of preliminary design and permitting, implementation of habitat expansion action(s) may begin as early as 2011.

Partners:
This agreement, negotiated among the California Department of Water Resources, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, U.S. Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, American Rivers, State Water Contractors, and Arthur G. Baggett, Jr. (signing as a recommendation to the California State Water Resources Control Board), is additionally supported by a coordination agreement between Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the California Department of Water Resources to fund and implement selected projects.